Don't let those beautiful Fall Apples go to waste...
Homemade applesauce is simple to prepare, and so incredibly delicious! It's an entirely different food than the store bought variety.
Ingredients
6 apples, cored & chopped (I like to leave the skin on, but you can peel them for a smoother texture)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
About ½ cup of water or apple juice to cover the bottom of pot
1 tablespoon chia seed, optional
Slow Cooker Directions:
- Place all ingredients, except chia, into the crock.
- Set on low for 4-6 hours, or high for 2-3 hours.
- Remove from heat and mash with potato masher for chunkier applesauce, or put in a food processor or blender for smoother texture.
- If using, stir chia into warm applesauce 15 minutes before serving. This will allow them to absorb some of the liquid and soften. It's best not to cook chia, in order to preserve all the nutrients.
Stovetop Directions
- Place all ingredients, except chia, in a pot on the stovetop and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to simmer and cover with lid.
- Simmer apples for about 20 minutes or until soft. The smaller the pieces of chopped apple the faster the cook time.
- Remove from heat and mash with potato masher for chunkier applesauce, or put in a food processor or blender for smoother texture.
- If using, stir chia into warm applesauce 15 minutes before serving. This will allow them to absorb some of the liquid and soften. It's best not to cook chia, in order to preserve all the nutrients.
TIP: I like to stir a little coconut oil into the warm applesauce before serving. The healthy fat helps to balance out the natural sweetness in the apples - thus, helping to reduce any spike in blood sugar. Cinnamon is also excellent at balancing blood sugar, and the chia seeds will add another layer of protein & healthy fat to make this a balanced snack.
Enjoy those lovely fall apples while they are at their peak!