Apple Sauce:
A Simple Treat That Elevates Many Meals

A Simple Dessert, or a Dressing/Sauce for Pork

Apple sauce isn’t just a delicious snack—it’s a kitchen staple! Use it to thicken smoothies, swap it for oil in baking, or simply enjoy it on its own as a quick and comforting dessert.

Apple sauce atop vanilla ice cream in a bowlVanilla Ice Cream with Homemade Apple Sauce

Dehydrated Apples: The Secret to Effortless Homemade Apple Sauce

Got dehydrated apples on hand? You can easily make apple sauce by rehydrating them in water and cooking them down into a thick, flavorful blend. Customize it with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or add a touch of honey for extra sweetness.

If you're working with fresh apples, no problem! Check out my guide to dehydrating apples so you can stock up for future batches of homemade apple sauce.

The Perfect Pair: Apple Sauce and Pork Chops

Growing up, my mom always added a dollop of apple sauce alongside pork chops, and it became a staple at family dinners.

My apple sauce recipe is easy and quick to make. It’s also featured in my Recipe eBook, with some fun additions like dehydrated cranberries and raisins.

I also add a tablespoon of apricot jam—it gives the sauce a subtle tartness and thicker texture.

Looking to reduce your sugar intake? Try Polaner Sugar-Free Jams. They’re just as delicious as their sugary counterparts.

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Top of Recipe

Apple Sauce Recipe

Making apple sauce is as simple as it gets!

If you're using dehydrated apples, be sure to rehydrate them first in a little warm water.

Don’t worry if the apples look a little brown—they will still taste great. The added raisins can be used "as is," but you will need to rehydrate the dried cranberries before adding them to the mix. We're going for a soft texture, not crunchy!

Ingredients

  • 1 apple, peeled and diced
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice
  • tablespoon of water
  • handful of dehydrated cranberries
  • handful of dehydrated grapes (raisins)
  • 2 dessertspoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apricot jam

Instructions

  1. Peel the apple and dice it into small-to-medium pieces.
  2. Toss the apple pieces with the lemon juice in a non-stick pan.
  3. Add the water and cinnamon, stirring well.
  4. Stir in the raisins and rehydrated cranberries, and cook for about five minutes over medium heat.
  5. Add the brown sugar and stir, letting it cook for another minute on low heat.
  6. Stir in the apricot jam and mix thoroughly. Serve warm!

This sauce is so easy to make, yet so rewarding.

Nutrition Information

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Calories: 114kcals
  • Fat: 0.2g
  • Protein: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 29.7g
Bottom of Recipe

Boost the Flavor: Add Raisins and Cranberries

Want to add a touch of natural sweetness to your apple sauce? Try mixing in homemade raisins or dried cranberries for extra depth of flavor.

Cinnamon, cranberries, grapes (for raisins), brown sugar

When making raisins, start with seedless grapes—red or black varieties work best. Simply dehydrate them until they shrink into chewy, bite-sized pieces. Black grapes create those classic dark raisins, while red grapes give a slightly tangier flavor.

For cranberries, a quick blanching step before dehydrating helps them dry evenly. Read more about dehydrating berries here. Store your homemade dried fruit in an airtight container at room temperature, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Once you try making your own, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

Creative Apple Sauce Combinations to Try

Apple sauce in a dish, with cinnamon sticks

The possibilities with apple sauce are truly endless!

  • Add nutmeg or cloves for a warm, spiced flavor.
  • Mix in fresh blueberries or pears for a unique twist.
  • Try stirring in three-fruit marmalade for a tasty zing.

Let your creativity shine with these delicious combinations!

Learn how to dehydrate pears for even more options!


How to Make EASY MEALS with Dried Food

20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes eBook or Paperback

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Containing dehydrated food... that even your kids and spouse will eat!

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Decadent Desserts:
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Fresh food ingredient amounts are included for when you have fresh food on hand.
See which recipes are included here.


Apple Sauce in Everyday Cooking

Apple sauce is a multi-purpose ingredient:

  • Use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
  • Add it to smoothies for a natural thickener.
  • Substitute it for sugary sauces in baking recipes.

Next time you’re in a pinch for a recipe sweetener, grab a jar of apple sauce—it’s a healthier, more natural choice!

Dive In!—It's Really Easy to Make

A female making apple sauce in a pan

We enjoyed our sauce warm, straight from the pan, spooned over French vanilla ice cream. It was absolute heaven in a dish!

This recipe doesn’t take more than five minutes to prepare, giving you just enough time to let your ice cream soften slightly in the bowls.

Double the recipe to serve more people and store leftovers in the freezer. And yes, you can skip the apricot jam, but trust me—it adds a little zing and thickens the sauce beautifully.

How to Thicken or Adjust the Consistency

If your apple sauce seems a bit runny, simply continue heating it. The extra liquid will evaporate, leaving you with a thicker consistency.

For smoothies, this sauce makes an excellent addition. It’s also a perfect base for fruit leathers—check out this fruit rolls page for more information and creative ideas!

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