Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer Recipe

Imagine a pot bubbling away on your stove, filling your kitchen with the scent of cinnamon and sweet apples. That’s exactly what you get with Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer – my favorite way to turn a mountain of apples into delicious, comforting jars of homemade applesauce, all without the fuss of peeling, extra sugar, or canning equipment. Let the freezer do the work, and you’re left with a naturally sweet, smooth applesauce that’s ready to enjoy whenever the craving strikes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer is truly in its simplicity. Each ingredient brings something special, whether it’s a burst of flavor, a touch of sweetness, or that perfect velvety texture we all love in applesauce.

• 10 pounds apples: Choose your favorite varieties or use a mix for more depth in flavor—peels included for color and nutrition!
• ½ juice of a lemon: Keeps your apples from browning and adds a gentle brightness to balance sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon: Provides that warm, cozy aroma that makes any applesauce feel like a hug in a bowl.
• 1 Tablespoon honey: Just a touch to enhance the natural sweetness of your apples (totally optional if you like it pure apple).
• 2 cups water (plus more as needed): Helps simmer the apples to soft perfection and ensures silky blending.

How to Make Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer

Step 1: Prep and Core the Apples

Gather your apples, give them a good rinse, and start cutting out the cores. Don’t worry about peeling—just cut around the core so you’re left with chunky quarters. As you go, toss the apple pieces into a large pot or Dutch oven and squeeze lemon juice over them. This little step keeps your applesauce looking pretty and fresh, no matter how long it takes to cut up that mountain of apples!

Step 2: Add Flavors and Water

Once your apples are ready, sprinkle in the cinnamon and drizzle over the honey, if using. Pour in the first cup of water. The simple, clean flavors of the fruit and cinnamon really shine through in Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer, while the water helps the apples soften evenly.

Step 3: Simmer Until Soft

Cover the pot and let the apples gently cook over low to medium-low heat. Give them a stir every so often so nothing sticks or burns at the bottom. You’re aiming for super soft, mashable apples—this usually takes 30 to 40 minutes, but if things get dry, don’t hesitate to add a bit more water. Patience here makes for smoother, silkier applesauce later!

Step 4: Blend to Perfection

When every piece is buttery soft, transfer the apples (in batches) to a food processor. Let it run until everything looks perfectly smooth, adding splashes of water through the feed tube to help things along. Scrape down the sides as needed, and keep blending until you get a creamy, lump-free applesauce. That natural color from the peels? Absolutely gorgeous!

Step 5: Fill the Jars

Carefully spoon or funnel the applesauce into clean jars or freezer-safe containers—but only fill them about three-quarters full! This step is crucial for Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer, since it gives the sauce space to expand in the freezer. Let the jars cool in the refrigerator overnight before tucking them away in the freezer, and you’ll never have to worry about cracked jars.

How to Serve Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer

Garnishes

A little sprinkle of extra cinnamon, chopped walnuts, or even a dollop of whipped cream can make each serving feel special. Grated nutmeg or a drizzle of maple syrup are also fun choices if you’re serving this to guests or making it into dessert!

Side Dishes

Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer pairs beautifully with everything from pork chops and roast chicken to a stack of pancakes or yogurt parfaits. The naturally sweet flavor brings out the best in savory dishes and is a hit with breakfast classics alike.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform a simple bowl by layering applesauce with granola and berries for a breakfast sundae, or serve it warm over vanilla ice cream for a nostalgic apple pie moment. For lunchboxes, spoon applesauce into reusable pouches for a perfectly portable snack!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once you’ve made your batch, refrigerated applesauce will keep fresh for up to a week. Stored in airtight containers or jars, it’s easy to scoop out just what you need for a snack or a quick side dish—so convenient!

Freezing

The real magic of Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer is stocking your freezer with jars of homemade goodness ready for busy weeks. Just remember to only fill jars three-quarters of the way and let them cool in the fridge before transferring to the freezer, which keeps them safe from cracks and messes. Applesauce can stay delicious in the freezer for 6 months to a year, so you can enjoy fall flavors all year long.

Reheating

When you crave that applesauce comfort, simply move a jar to the fridge to thaw overnight. For a warm treat, scoop some into a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl and heat gently in short bursts, stirring in between, until it’s just the right temperature.

FAQs

Does the applesauce really taste good with the peels left on?

Absolutely! The peels actually add an extra depth of apple flavor and a beautiful rosy color, and once blended, they vanish right into the sauce, making it both flavorful and nutritious.

Can I use any type of apple?

Yes! Mixing varieties is my favorite way to make Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer since it gives you a balance of sweet, tart, and complex flavors. Feel free to use whatever’s most available or on sale.

Do I have to use a food processor, or can I mash by hand?

A food processor gives the smoothest results, especially with peels, but you can use an immersion blender or even a sturdy potato masher if you prefer a chunkier, more rustic applesauce.

Why do the jars need to be refrigerated before freezing?

This important step lets the applesauce chill completely, which protects your glass jars from temperature shock and splitting when moved to the freezer—no one wants a cracked jar!

Is it possible to make a smaller batch?

You bet! The recipe is super flexible; just use as many apples as you have and scale the other ingredients. It’s a great way to use up fruit that’s past its prime without any waste.

Final Thoughts

Every batch of Easy No-Peel Applesauce for the Freezer feels like a little celebration of fall’s best flavors, tucked away for whenever you need a taste of comfort. Give this recipe a go—you’ll love how simple and rewarding homemade applesauce can be!

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