Canning Applesauce

Canning applesauce is a straightforward process that can be achieved by following a few simple steps. Our guide to canning applesauce is easy to follow and doesn’t require the addition of sugar. If canning isn’t your thing, you can also choose to freeze the applesauce instead..

Hooray, it’s apple season! Canning applesauce can be a fantastic and enjoyable activity to start with your children. Follow along as we guide you through the step-by-step process.

For more kid-friendly how-to tutorials, check out how to make a Whole Pickle Recipe, How To Cut A Watermelon into Slices, How To Freeze Mac and Cheese (& reheat it too!) and How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs.

Canned Applesauce

This guide provides comprehensive instructions on how to can applesauce, covering everything you need to know from selecting the right apples to sealing the jars. You can begin the process immediately and even involve your children in the canning process. For another method for making applesauce check out this delish easy homemade applesauce.

Similar to our Pancake in a Mug, How To Make Tuna Sushi Rolls, Healthy Mini Corn Dogs and Caramel Puff Corn, your kids will have a blast making this applesauce. Plus, they too can learn everything there is to know about canning apples.

To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!

What you’ll need:

I recommend a large apple peeler. The peeler below works great. You can also peel the apples with a regular peeler if you’re not looking to make a lot of applesauce.

You’ll need a canning kettle with an insert.

I suggest pint-size jars for applesauce. Make sure the jars have lids and bands, or you can purchase these separately.

You only need these if you have jars without lids. 

If you would like to make smooth applesauce you’ll need a sieve. They last forever. I have my great uncle’s sieve, he just passed away earlier this year at the age of 100.

You can also mash with a potato masher, the applesauce just won’t be quite as smooth.

You’ll need a wide mouth funnel to get the applesauce from the pan into the jar.

Each year the only replacement piece you’ll need are the lids.  Once you open a jar you need to toss those out.

Kids of all ages can help with this activity. At my house, my kiddos have been chopping apples for applesauce since they were 3 years old, with the use of my favorite children’s knives, Curious Chef. If you want your little one involved in chopping, you might want to check them out.

How To Make Applesauce

Use a large pot to cook peeled apples in a small amount of water.

Once the apples are cooked, run them through a sieve if you like a pureed texture for your applesauce. You can skip this step and use the mashed sauce from cooking the apples down otherwise.

Use a funnel to get the homemade applesauce into the jars.

Wipe the top of the jars off with a damp cloth and leave some space at the top of the jar.

Place the lid on each jar and put the screw top on.

Place the jars onto the wire rack.

Carefully lower jars into boiling water and cook for the appropriate amount of time (per the recipe). This varies based on the size of the jar and how many jars are in the water at a time.

Once the timer goes off, carefully grab the sides of the rack and lift it out of the water bath. Set it somewhere that is safe for hot items. You can place the rack right onto granite counters but may need to protect your counter if hot items cannot be placed directly onto your surface. Let the jars cool.

How To Can Applesauce

1. Fill canner 3/4 full with water, bring to boil
2. Run canning jars through the dishwasher, to sanitize and keep them hot
3. Place lids into boiling water to sanitize, remove with tongs
4. Place applesauce into a hot jar using a funnel, leaving 1/2 inch space at the top
5. Wipe the top of the jar with a wet cloth to ensure it’s clean for proper seal
6. Place lip onto the jar, screw on ring
7. Place jars onto a rack, carefully lower into boiling water
8. Boil 15 min for pints, 20 minutes for quarts
9. Carefully remove and let cool. Lids should start making a popping noise as they seal.
10. Press tops of lids – they should not give once sealed. If some did not seal properly, boil again, or keep in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

Serving Suggestions

Jar applesauce makes for a great addition to any breakfast, lunch or dinner meal. Plus, it makes an awesome snack or lunchbox treat for the kids!

Consider pairing applesauce with any of these kid friendly recipes:

• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
• Ground Turkey Nuggets (Air Fryer)
• Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
• Rectangle Pizza
• Air Fryer Taquitos
• Gluten Free Breakfast Sandwich
• Gluten Free Chicken Tenders
• Gluten Free Uncrustables
• Canned Chicken Quesadilla
• Mug Pizza
• Spaghetti O’s

Storing Canned Applesauce

Canned applesauce has a shelf life up to a year when stored in a cool dark place like a cabinet or pantry.

Once opened, homemade applesauce will last up to a week in the fridge.

Freezing Instructions

If you prefer to preserve applesauce by freezing instead of canning, you will want to cook the peeled apples then run through a sieve for the pureed texture.

Use the funnel to fill mason jars with the applesauce. You will want to leave at least 1 inch of space at the top of the jar as the applesauce will expand in the freezer. It is also an option to fill Ziploc bags then freeze.

Place jars in the freezer for up to 6 months. When ready to eat, transfer to the fridge to thaw and store for up to 1 week.

Tips

• Use applesauce as a substitute for oil and butter in baked goods in a 1:1 ratio.
• The lids have two pieces as the portion that seals the jar is thrown away after each use, but the threaded part can be reused over and over again.
• Before storing, make sure the lids are tight and you can’t push down on them. If the lid gives when you push on it, don’t put it in your pantry, but rather refrigerate those jars and use them first. These jars didn’t seal properly for some reason. 
• Skip running the cooked apples through a sieve if chunky applesauce is desired.
• The tops should start pinging as they seal shut. This is an important part of canning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipes Using Applesauce

These recipes replace the fat (such as oil or butter) with homemade applesauce, saving both calories and fat, along with adding more nutrients to these delicious treats.

• Kid-Friendly Bran Muffins
• Black Bean Brownies
• Mini Zucchini Bread Muffins
• Banana Bread with Applesauce and Yogurt
• Banana Bread with Applesauce

More Apple Recipes

You might enjoy these recipes that use apples:

• Mulled Apple Cider
• Butternut Squash Soup with Apple
• Easy Sauteed Apples
• Fruit Salad With Cool Whip
• Caramel Apple Slices
• Gluten Free Apple Cobbler
• Air Fryer Baked Apples
• BEST Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
• Gluten-Free Apple Bundt Cake
• Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donut Holes

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