This sugar-free pumpkin applesauce, flavored with pumpkin pie spices, puts a seasonal spin on classic slow-cooker applesauce. Enjoy it chunky or puréed smooth as a wholesome topping for pancakes, yogurt, or ice cream.
I finally joined the slow-cooker club, and it’s changed the way I approach simple, comforting recipes. There’s something wonderfully effortless about tossing a few ingredients into the pot in the morning and coming home to the warm aromas of a home-cooked treat. This pumpkin applesauce is one of those recipes that benefits from the slow, low heat: the apples and pumpkin break down into a velvety, fragrant mixture that tastes like autumn in a spoon.
I wanted a light, naturally sweet applesauce with the cozy flavors of pumpkin pie spice. The result is a sugar-free applesauce that relies on ripe apples and pumpkin for natural sweetness, enhanced by cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. The slow-cooker concentrates the fruit flavors and fills your kitchen with a comforting scent of spices that instantly evokes fall.
This applesauce is versatile: leave it chunky for texture or purée it smooth for a silky topping. It works well as a breakfast accompaniment to pancakes or oatmeal, a dollop on yogurt, or a lighter dessert option spooned over ice cream. Because it’s sugar-free and made with whole ingredients, it’s a great choice when you want something wholesome without sacrificing flavor.
If you make this slow-cooker pumpkin applesauce, please rate the recipe and leave a comment to share how it turned out. I enjoy hearing about your variations and serving ideas.
Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Applesauce
This sugar-free pumpkin applesauce blends tender slow-cooked apples with pumpkin and warming pumpkin-pie spices. It’s a healthy, seasonal condiment that pairs beautifully with breakfast dishes and desserts. Make it smooth or keep it chunky depending on your preference.
Breakfast, Condiment, Dessert
American
healthy, apples, fall, pumpkin, sugar-free, Thanksgiving, winter
15 minutes
6 hours
6 hours
3 cups
250 kcal
Ingredients
-
7
medium apples
peeled, cored, and cut into chunks -
11
oz
pumpkin
peeled and cut into chunks (about 2 cups) -
1
lemon
juiced -
½
tsp
ground cinnamon -
¼
tsp
ground ginger -
¼
tsp
ground nutmeg -
⅛
tsp
ground cloves
Instructions
-
Place the apple chunks, pumpkin pieces, lemon juice, and spices in the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine so the spices are evenly distributed.
-
Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours, stirring occasionally. The fruit should be very tender and easily break apart with a spoon.
-
For a smooth applesauce, transfer the cooked mixture to a food processor or blender and purée until you reach the desired consistency. If you prefer a chunkier texture, mash lightly with a potato masher or skip the purée step.
-
Taste and adjust spices or lemon juice as needed. Allow the applesauce to cool before transferring to jars or containers. Refrigerate and use within a week, or freeze portions for longer storage.