Three Ingredient Applesauce single serving in a white ceramic bowl sitting on a worn wooden table with a beige kitchen towel, silver spoon, three strawberries, a red apple, and a quart jar full of strawberry-applesauce.

This three-ingredient applesauce recipe was a lifesaver for me. I have two toddlers that can eat their weight in applesauce. I was buying organic applesauce pouches from the grocery store, and it was doing a number on our grocery budget. So, I started researching apple sauce recipes with minimal ingredients. I wanted an easy homemade applesauce recipe without any added sugar, and I wanted it to be simple. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find one. So, started experimenting.

The smell of homemade applesauce on the stovetop is delicious, but I’m a little too busy to meticulously tend to the stovetop. Thus, this 3-ingredient applesauce recipe uses an Instant Pot. This easy recipe only requires three simple ingredients fresh apples, strawberries, and coconut water (or filtered water). That’s it and you have a yummy, healthy snack for your whole family. And the best part is there are no artificial ingredients, processed sugar, or chemical preservatives.

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What kind of apples makes the best applesauce?

Surprisingly, any apples will do for making applesauce. But, different types of apples will provide a sweeter, tangier, or more tart punch of flavor. If you desire super sweet applesauce without any processed sugar, try sweetening your applesauce with sweet apples like Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Honeycrisp apples. However, if you prefer a less sweet option, choose Mcintosh, Jonagold, and Granny Smith to provide a moderately sweet taste. And if a tart applesauce is what you want try adding Cortland and Jonathan apples to your applesauce for a tart flavor and tangy punch.

Interestingly, a variety of apples provides the most enjoyable and flavorful applesauce. For example, I bought a bag of organic discount apples at our local market. The bag contained a mixture of Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Pink lady, and Honeycrisp apples. Honestly, I avoid adding any apples that are expensive like Fuji apples. We prefer to eat them fresh. I encourage you to use what is available and what you can budget. Either way, fresh, homemade applesauce is tastier than any store-bought applesauce.

Red, yellow, and green apples stacked in a wooden basket, a leafy branch of an apple tree, loaded with blooms and apples, and two red apples are used to decorate this poster of The best apples for applesauce.

How to get kids involved in the kitchen?

This simple three ingredient applesauce recipe is an excellent recipe to get the whole family involved. If it is apple season, then it provides the perfect opportunity to go apple picking with your family and then come back home to make a simple recipe. Don’t forget to enjoy the hay ride, too.

Here is a list of kid’s jobs for making three ingredient applesauce recipe:

gather ingredients
wash produce
peel apples with apple peeler*
scoop the stem off the strawberries
measure coconut water
add all ingredients into the insert pot

* Supervise and consider age appropriateness for this task.

One hand holds a strawberry while the other hand uses a silver spoon to scoop out the stem. — Simply scoop the stems of the strawberries.

How to remove strawberry stems?

Scooping the stem out of the strawberry with a metal spoon is the best way to remove the stem without wasting too much fruit. There are other methods to remove the stem, but the spoon method is the least wasteful and the easiest. If you prefer another way, you could slice the stem off with a sharp knife or push a straw through the center of the strawberry.

How long does homemade applesauce last?

Homemade applesauce lasts up to 10 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. This is not a canning recipe. However, this recipe does freeze well. I recommend freezing it in serving-size portions for up to two months in the freezer. If storing in a glass container, please allow the applesauce to cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator or freezer.

A single serving of applesauce, resting beside a quart Bale jar of applesauce, a beige kitchen towel, the end of the spoon, and strawberry all on a wooden table.

How do you thicken homemade applesauce?

To thicken your homemade applesauce, continue to cook the applesauce for longer. This will help evaporate more of the liquid. I utilize the Instant Pot’s Sauté function to help remove the liquid in the applesauce. Once the natural release is completed, press the Sauté button and simmer the applesauce until you are satisfied with the consistency.

Ingredient Breakdown for Three Ingredient Applesauce

Apples

It is a blessed thing to have access to apples all year because my family goes through so many. Fortunately, apples are so nutritious. Apples are a good source of fiber, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, thiamin, and vitamin B-6.

Strawb erries

In this recipe, I used strawberries to add more flavor and sweeten the applesauce. Strawberries add a flavorful punch and more nutritional benefits, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.

Coconut Water

Coconut is optional and could easily be replaced with filtered water. I included coconut water because it’s a good source of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. It has a low sugar content. And it has vitamin C, too.

A white bowl filled with applesauce sitting on a wooden table with an apple and strawberry in the background.

How to make three ingredient applesauce

Equipment

Instant Pot
Immersion Blender
Wooden Spoon
Sharp Knife
Cutting Board
Spoon

Ingredient list

6-7 apples, peeled and cored (varieties of apples for best results)
1 pint strawberries, stem removed
1/2 cup coconut water (or filtered water)

Step by Step instructions for 3 ingredient applesauce

First, peel and core all the apples. Next, use a spoon to scoop out the stems from the strawberry. This method prevents wasting any of the strawberries.
Now, combine apples (peeled and cored), strawberries (stem removed), and 1/2 cup of coconut water (1/2 cup of water) in the insert pot of the Instant Pot.
Then, place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock it into place. Make sure the valve on the top is pushed to “seal.” Turn the pressure cooker function on HIGH and manual time for 5 minutes. It will take the Instant Pot approximately 15-20 minutes to pressurize.
Next, allow the instant pot to naturally release completely. This could take 20-30 minutes.
Once the instant pot has naturally released, remove the lid. Most likely, there is too much liquid. Press the sauté button and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes. This will remove a good bit of the liquid.
Now, carefully use the immersion blender to blend the applesauce to your desired consistency (see tips for blending with other methods).
Lastly, chill and ENJOY! The house always smells lovely, and the hardest part is making my kids wait until it’s chilled. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 2 months. The tang from the strawberries will settle after being chilled and even more the next day.

A quart mason jar and a pint mason jar filled with three ingredient applesauce recipe, sitting on a barn wood table. — This applesauce goes well with vanilla ice cream!

Notes for making 3 ingredient applesauce

What if I do not have an Immersion blender?

If you do not have an immersion blender, then once the applesauce is cooled and safe to handle, remove the applesauce by batches into the blender (or food processor). Then blend each batch to the desired consistency. If you do not own any of these appliances, do not fret, a potato masher works lovely. If you desire a chunky applesauce, then I would only use a potato masher.

Need another kid-approved side to add to your weekly menu that is yummy and contains loads of nutrients? Try this Simple Creamed Spinach Recipe.

Thanks for stopping by!

Finally, I want to thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share with me your favorite apple recipe. If you make this deliciously simple three ingredient applesauce, please leave a comment and give this recipe a rating.

– With Great Joy, Katie

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Two images of Three ingredient Applesauce Recipe: the first image includes a single serving of applesauce, strawberries, apples, and a jar full of applesauce all sitting on a wooden table and the second image is of all the ingredients combined in an instant pot.

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Three Ingredient Applesauce

This applesauce is the perfect snack or fruity side. It has a sweet taste with a tangy punch. This recipe is only sweetened with fruit. No added sugar. And the best part is the instant pot does all the hard work for you.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 30

Course Dessert, Side Dish, Snack