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This 4-ingredient homemade strawberry applesauce is sweet (and optionally sugar-free), delicious, and the perfect mix of summer and fall to make on a stovetop or crock pot!
Sweet, fruity, delicious strawberry apple sauce
Apple pie, apple chips, baked apples and normal cinnamon applesauce can initially remind you of cool autumn evenings. However, pair apples with strawberries in this Homemade Strawberry Applesauce for a delicious mix of summer and fall that you can enjoy year-round.
Whether it’s homemade strawberry and apple puree for babies and toddlers, a simple fruit snack, an addition to baking, or a topping for oatmeal and pancakes, homemade applesauce is inexpensive, delicious, and easy to make.
You can swap out apple choices, choose between different sweeteners (if you use any at all), go for fresh or frozen strawberries, and even choose between stovetop and pot cooking methods.
We love making applesauce on the stovetop in just 35 minutes, but for an even more fuss-free approach, consult a crockpot – choose what works best for you. Anyway, the ingredient list is short (just 4 ingredients!), the method is simple, and it tastes way better than any store-bought alternative, and at a fraction of the cost!
The ingredients
- apples: Use sweet, tart, or a mix of both. Read below for the best apples with applesauce.
- strawberries: Fresh, ripe, juicy strawberries impart the sweetest, best flavor, although you can use frozen ones if fresh aren’t available.
- Water: To cook the apples and bring the sauce to the right consistency.
- Sweetener: The type (& quantity) used is up to you. So white or brown sugar, coconut blossom sugar, maple syrup, erythritol etc. With sweet apples you can even do without them altogether.
- vanilla extract: (optional) Use natural vanilla to avoid artificial flavor.
You can add a pinch of flavor to the strawberry and apple sauce Cinammon, Gingeror pimentoa little black pepperand/or a squeeze of lemon juice.
What are the best apples for applesauce?
Admittedly, we often use whatever apples our kitchen has at the moment and haven’t tasted a bad batch yet. However, there are two things to consider when choosing apples.
First, the natural sweetness of the apples can affect how much additional sweetener (if any) you want to add. So this is important if you’re hoping to make sugar-free applesauce. Likewise, softer apples cook quickly for a soft apple puree, while crunchier apples are better suited to homemade applesauce.
Here are some of the best apples for applesauce:
- Fuji (sweet with firm but creamy flesh, ideal for homemade sugar-free applesauce)
- Honey crispy (sweet, flowery, slightly spicy, with a firmer consistency – but expensive)
- Golden Delicious (mild, sweet and soft – a great base for any applesauce)
- McIntosh (sweet and sour taste and fresh, crunchy texture, but boils down very easily)
- Gala (fairly sweet and mild, ideal for pairing with more tart apples)
- pink woman (sweet, tangy and crunchy texture, best for chunky applesauce)
- Braeburn (sweet and tart flavor and holds its shape pretty well for chunky applesauce)
- granny blacksmith (quite tart and firm – best for chunky sauce and mixed with sweeter apples)
We love it Use a combination of sweet and tart apples for a rounder applesauce. However, for homemade sugar-free applesauce, we recommend only using sweet apples.
How to make Strawberry Applesauce
Applesauce on the stovetop follows less than a handful of simple, no-fuss steps.
- 1) First wash, peel, core and cut the apples into even, bite-sized pieces.
- 2) Then, combine the apples, water, and sweetener in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer for 25 minutes or until the apples are tender (this depends on how big you cut the apples), stirring frequently. As soon as they are soft, take them off the stove.
When the apples start to stick Add another large splash of water to the bottom of the pan.
- 3) Add the strawberries and vanilla extract, then use an immersion blender, stand mixer, or food processor to puree the strawberry applesauce until smooth.
Alternative, let the strawberries simmer with the apples for the last 15 minutes (also use this method if using frozen berries). It doesn’t taste as “fresh” but is pinker in color and has a slightly milder, sweeter flavor.
- 4) Finally, taste and adjust all the ingredients (strawberries, vanilla, sweetener) as you like. Enjoy the strawberry applesauce warm or chilled.
Crockpot Strawberry Apple Sauce
Place all ingredients (except vanilla) in the slow cooker. Set on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours. Then use a whisk, potato masher, hand blender or immersion blender to puree the sauce to your desired consistency.
The best recipe tips
- To save time: If you have one, an apple corer will help reduce prep time.
- Adjust the sweetness: Depending on the apples used, the sauce may be sweet enough to make naturally sugar-free applesauce with strawberries. To avoid adding too much sugar, add it at the very end to taste.
- Adjust the texture: For homemade chunky applesauce, either puree the strawberries separately or cook with the apples and then use a potato masher for the combined mixture. Alternatively, use an immersion blender for a smooth sauce.
- For a rounded applesauce: Use a combination of sweet and tart apples.
frequently asked Questions
For super smooth applesauce, peeling the fruit is necessary. However, leaving it in can result in a fibrous, slightly thicker, more nutritious applesauce (albeit a little more tart).
In addition to strawberries, pears, plums or peaches work particularly well in combination with apple sauce. Other berries like cherries, raspberries, or blueberries also work.
Yes, add all the ingredients to the pot, seal and cook on HIGH for 6 minutes. Manually release the pressure and then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Yes – it’s packed with multiple vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid. It’s also packed with fiber and a good source of antioxidants. You can also choose how much sugar (if any) to add.
How to use strawberry and apple sauce
The sweet and fruity strawberry and applesauce is not only suitable as baby food and snack for small children (in a reusable bag). In fact, there are many ways to enjoy this fruity treat.
How to store homemade applesauce
Allow to cool completely, then store the strawberry applesauce in an airtight container refrigerator for 7 days.
Freezing applesauce is easy too. Divide into smaller portions to store in freezer bags (spread thinly and remove excess air) or ice cube tray (place in a freezer bag after freezing). Label and date the bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then stir well before use.
More vegan apple recipes
Looking for more apple recipes? Here are 26 amazing apple recipes you might like!
Photos from Alfonso Revilla
In a large saucepan, add chopped apples, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 25 minutes or until the apples are tender, stirring often and checking if they stick. If the apples start to stick to the bottom of the pot, add a large splash more water. Once soft, turn off the heat.
Add strawberries and vanilla extract. Using a hand blender, puree the apple and strawberry mixture until smooth. (If you don’t have an immersion blender, use a stand mixer or food processor.) Enjoy warm or chilled.
- To save time: If you have one, an apple corer will help reduce prep time.
- Adjust the sweetness: Depending on the apples used, the sauce may be sweet enough to make naturally sugar-free applesauce with strawberries. To avoid adding too much sugar, add it at the very end to taste.
- Adjust the texture: For homemade chunky applesauce, either puree the strawberries separately or cook with the apples and then use a potato masher for the combined mixture. Alternatively, use an immersion blender for a smooth sauce.
- For a rounded applesauce: Use a combination of sweet and tart apples.
Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 32GProtein: 1GFat: 0.4GSaturated Fatty Acids: 0.1GPolyunsaturated fat: 0.2GMonounsaturated fatty acids: 0.03GSodium: 3mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 5GSugar: 26GVitamin A: 91ieVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.4mg
Disclaimer: While plantbasedonabudget.com tries to provide accurate nutritional information, please note that these are estimates only. Nutritional information may be affected by product type, brand purchased and in other unpredictable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific calorie regimen, please consult your doctor first.
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