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Recipe for Applesauce – While this Recipe for Applesauce may seem like it goes against what we preach about eating a whole foods diet, homemade applesauce is an exception to the rule. This Recipe for Applesauce is very different than the packaged applesauce you buy at the supermarket in a way that completely sets it apart!
Whether you whip this up as an easy-to-grab snack, a healthy breakfast, or even a quick dessert to satisfy that sweet tooth, we promise, you won’t be disappointed!
- Table of Contents -
- Recipe for Applesauce
- How to Make a Healthy Applesauce Recipe
- Handheld Immersion Blender
- Adding More Flavor
- Ways to Use a Homemade Applesauce Recipe
- Substitute Applesauce for Eggs
- Kitchen Favorites
Recipe for Applesauce
Applesauce is such a quick and easy snack. Perfect for school lunches, or an on the go energy boost, applesauce is such a healthy, convenience food! It’s also gentle on the stomach, and easy to digest. It really is one of those healthy snacks we consider a staple!
I started making my own applesauce years ago for health purposes. It all began when I started making applesauce recipes homemade after learning about the nutritional benefits I was missing out on my buying it at the store. It continued because of the superior flavor! There really is a ginormous difference in the taste of fresh, homemade applesauce than that of the pre-packaged, store-bought versions most people are used to. And because our homemade applesauce recipe is refrigerated, there are no preservatives needed!
We totally get that most people don’t have all day to spend in the kitchen, and neither do we! So if you’re worried about time, rest assured that this recipe is quick, easy, and can be made in bulk! We truly live by the “cook once eat twice” model, and this recipe is no exception!
How to Store our Healthy Applesauce Recipe
Like stated above, we are all about cooking once, to eat twice! Few of us have all day to spend in the kitchen, and the least time required for a recipe, the better in my eyes.
Make extra and store your Recipe for Applesauce in an airtight container in the fridge, and enjoy your applesauce for around the next four days. Want to make way extra? Store your applesauce in airtight containers the freezer, and enjoy for months to come! Quick grab-and-go snacks always available!
How to Make a Healthy Applesauce Recipe
While most applesauce would not fall under a “whole foods” approach, it doesn’t have to be this way! Our Recipe for Applesauce Recipe is most certainly healthy, and a whole food! The best part is, this recipe only utilizes two major modifications in order to prioritize optimal nutrition. Here’s some tips for making the healthiest, most nutrient dense applesauce recipes…
Use the WHOLE Apple…Skin and All
Supermarket applesauce is not made with the “whole” apples, because it doesn’t include the apple skins. Keep in mind the apple skins are where most of the fiber in apples is. The apple skins contain nutrients, including important flavonoid phytonutrients such as quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant known for its ability to help reduce inflammation, allergies, and blood pressure! It’s also great for boosting the immune system (its most well known use), and much more.
If you are concerned about your weight, it is especially important to note research has actually compared the consumption of “whole” apples to skinless applesauce and apple juice. Research found that apples eaten without their skins don’t even come close to being as filling and satisfying as the “whole” apple. Way more satisfying, delicious, and nutrient-dense! The healthy applesauce recipe below contains the “whole” apple—skins and all.
Let the Fruit do the Sweetening
Commercial applesauce is often full of empty calorie, refined sugar. With the vast majority of Americans already being addicted to refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup, added sugar in our already sweet fruit is the last thing we need!
Sure, you can buy unsweetened applesauce, but it still doesn’t have the beneficial apple skins. It also doesn’texactly taste all that great either. Our Applesauce Recipe is still sweet, but instead of using empty-calorie sugar, it gets a nutrient-rich sweet kick from “whole” raisins. When you puree the cooked sweet, plump and juicy raisins with the apples, they blend right in and make the whole thing taste like dessert! YUM!
Blend until Perfectly Smooth
While not an ingredient suggestion, blending this recipe until perfectly smooth has a huge, positive effect on the flavor! We love using a high quality immersion blender for easy clean up, and smooth applesauce.
– CLEAN KITCHEN TOOL –
Handheld Immersion Blender
Perfect for soups, sauces, nut butters, and more, this immersion blender is incredibly powerful and useful in the kitchen!
Adding More Flavor
One of the best parts about this recipe, is that it’s easily customizable! If you enjoy more mildly sweet applesauce recipes, then leave out the raisins. You could even opt for Granny Smith apples for a much tarter version…one of my favorites for this healthy applesauce recipe!
Want more sweetness and flavor? We’ve got some natural sweetener options for you. Sweeten your applesauce without refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup!
- Date Sugar: If you want a little more sweetness added to your applesauce recipe, date sugar is a great, whole food option! Made from dehydrated and ground dates, date sugar tastes very similar to brown sugar, while being a much healthier option!
- Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar is an unrefined sugar. It is nothing like the empty calorie, refined cane sugars you’d find in most recipes! Coconut sugar has a large variety of nutrients including amino acids, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and B vitamins. This sweetener does not appear to negatively affect blood sugar levels like cane sugar does. Coconut sugar also tastes a lot like brown sugar!
- Maple Syrup or Honey: Both including nutrients like antioxidants and phytonutrients, maple syrup and honey are both excellent options for natural sweeteners in their liquid form.
For the extra bursts of flavor in this recipe, most of these were health related choices. For instance, ginger has numerous health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties. I also love the spicy flavor it adds to my recipes! However, you can feel free to leave the ginger out if you prefer.
In addition, the cranberries add a burst of vitamin C along with a broad spectrum of phytonutrients.
Ways to Use a Homemade Applesauce Recipe
While most people’s initial thought would be to use applesauce as a quick snack or dessert, there are actually many other ways to use applesauce recipes as well! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy applesauce recipes:
Use on a Charcuterie Board: Charcuterie boards are great, because they leave tons of room for creativity, and personal preference! Build a Dairy-Free Cheese Board, and add some of your favorite additions like meat, nuts, fruit, dips, and even an applesauce recipe!
Add on Top of Recipe for Latkes: Both gluten and dairy-free, this Recipe for Latkes makes the perfect side-dish, or appetizer to the main course! They’re also delicious with applesauce on top!
Enjoy on Oatmeal: Our Homemade Applesauce Recipe is DELICIOUS on top of a warm bowl of your morning oats. Simply top your oatmeal with a spoon of applesauce, and sprinkle with cinnamon for the perfect cinnamon apple combination (no refined sugar or hidden ingredients (like natural flavors) needed).
Use in a Salad Dressing: I know it may sound crazy, but enjoying applesauce recipes like this one in a homemade salad dressing is actually incredibly tasty! A little oil, apple cider vinegar, apple sauce, and spices, and you’ll have a unique salad dressing to enjoy, made completely from scratch!
There’s one final we we absolutely love using applesauce. However, we have a LOT to say about this one, so much so that we need an entire section…
Substitute Applesauce for Eggs
Witheggs being one of the most common food allergies, in addition to the prevalence of vegan diets, egg substitutes for baking are in high demand! What many people don’t know, is that you can actually substitute applesauce for eggs!
When cooked, pectin (found in apples) forms a sticky, gel-like texture that helps thicken, and bind the recipe together. Because of this, applesauce helps to both add moisture, and binds the recipe together. Plus, applesauce has a mild, but sweet flavor, making it a great option for adding a bit of healthy sweetness into baking recipes. Substitute applesauce for eggs, and you have the perfect egg substitute!
Our Favorite Recipes to Substitute Applesauce for Eggs
The thing about egg substitutes for baking in general is that they really only work in recipes that call for few eggs in the first place (two or less). While there are some exceptions, and we’ve definitely pushed the limits before with excellent results, it’s a major gamble on how the finished product will turn out.
Here are our favorite recipes to substitute applesauce for eggs in that call for two or less eggs!
Healthy Gingerbread Recipe: This Healthy Gingerbread Recipe is full of all of the flavors of fall, and cooler weather. This recipe requires only one egg, making it a great option to substitute applesauce for eggs!
Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies are delicious and chewy. Old fashioned oats, gluten free flour, coconut sugar and healthy coconut oil. This recipe calls for only two eggs!
Peanut Butter Banana Muffins: These Peanut Butter Banana Muffins have a secret healthy ingredient that boosts fiber and improves moistness. They also require only one egg!
Molasses Cookie Recipe: Molasses Cookies recipe has a soft and chewy center with lightly crisp edges. Each cookie is perfectly spiced and made in a single bowl.
Now since you’re thoroughly educated on all things Homemade Applesauce Recipes, let’s get into the details!
Kitchen Favorites
Recipe for Applesauce
This Recipe for Applesauce is very different than the packaged applesauce you buy at the supermarket in a way that completely sets it apart!
Save Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 organic Fuji apples, cored and chopped (keep the skins on!)
- ¾ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ inch knob fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup white raisins
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a large heavy saucepan; cover and heat over medium heat.
- Cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until apples and raisins are soft.
- Keep the lid on, remove from heat and let sit at least 10 minutes.
- Use a handheld stick blender to puree. Serve warm or cold.
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Notes
Applesauce will keep for 4 days if stored in a covered container in the fridge.
©2024 clean cuisine Recipe by: Author Madison Suttles
