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If you love the taste of fresh apples and sweet strawberries, this Slow Cooker Strawberry Applesauce is a must-try! Forget about store-bought applesauce that’s packed with preservatives and added sugars—this homemade version is easy to make, naturally sweet, and bursting with flavor. Plus, it’s an effortless set-it-and-forget-it recipe, thanks to the slow cooker.

Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack, baby food, a topping for pancakes, or a delicious fall treat, this strawberry applesauce is the perfect choice. The best part? It requires only a few simple ingredients, and you can customize it to your taste!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Easy & Hands-Off: The slow cooker does all the work for you. Just add the ingredients and let them simmer into a velvety smooth applesauce.
✔️ Healthy & Nutritious: Made with fresh apples and strawberries, this recipe is naturally sweet and loaded with vitamins and fiber.
✔️ Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, consistency, and flavor to your liking.
✔️ Perfect for All Ages: This applesauce is great for kids, babies, and adults alike.
✔️ Freezer-Friendly: Make a big batch and store it for later!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this delicious slow cooker strawberry applesauce, you’ll need just a handful of fresh ingredients:

7 apples (about 3-4 pounds) – No need to be exact! A mix of sweet and tart apples works best.
1 lb. fresh strawberries – Washed, stems removed, and sliced.
1/2 cup apple juice or water – This helps to keep the apples and strawberries from sticking to the pot and adds moisture.
Sugar (optional, to taste) – If your fruit is naturally sweet, you may not need any sugar at all.

Best Apples to Use for Strawberry Applesauce

The type of apple you use will affect the sweetness and texture of your applesauce. Here are some of the best apples for this recipe:

Sweet Apples: Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, Golden Delicious
Tart Apples: Granny Smith, McIntosh, Pink Lady
Balanced Flavor: Jonagold, Braeburn, Cortland

For the best taste, try mixing one sweet and one tart variety to get a perfectly balanced applesauce.

How to Make Slow Cooker Strawberry Applesauce

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Peel, core, and slice the apples into chunks.
Wash and hull the strawberries (remove the green stems). Slice them in half or quarters if they are large.
Add the apples, strawberries, and apple juice (or water) to your 6-quart slow cooker.

Step 2: Cook the Applesauce

Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or on LOW for 8 hours.
The fruit will become very soft and break down naturally as it cooks.

Step 3: Mash or Blend

Once cooked, stir the apples and strawberries with a whisk until a smooth sauce forms.
If you prefer a chunkier applesauce, use a potato masher.
For a super smooth consistency, blend the applesauce using a food processor or immersion blender.

Step 4: Adjust Sweetness

Taste the applesauce. If you prefer it sweeter, add sugar one tablespoon at a time and stir well.
You can also add a touch of vanilla extract for extra depth of flavor.

Step 5: Serve & Store

Allow the applesauce to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Store & Freeze Strawberry Applesauce

Refrigeration: Store in a glass jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing:

Use freezer-safe containers or resealable bags.
Leave about an inch of space at the top for expansion.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw, place it in the refrigerator a day before you plan to use it.

Canning: This recipe is not designed for canning, as it does not have the required acidity levels for safe long-term storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Add Cinnamon or Other Spices?

I do not recommend adding cinnamon, as it may overpower the strawberry flavor and alter the beautiful pink color. However, if you love cinnamon, you can try a small amount and see if you like it!

2. Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?

Yes! If fresh strawberries aren’t in season, you can use frozen strawberries. However, fresh strawberries will give you the best natural sweetness and vibrant color.

3. Can I Make This Without Sugar?

Absolutely! If your apples and strawberries are naturally sweet, you won’t need sugar. If the applesauce tastes too tart, you can add a splash of honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute.

4. Can I Use a Different Liquid Instead of Apple Juice?

Yes! If you don’t have apple juice, use water, white grape juice, or even orange juice for a different flavor twist.

5. What’s the Best Way to Serve This Applesauce?

Enjoy as a snack straight from the fridge.
Top it on pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal.
Use it as a mix-in for yogurt or smoothies.
Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Try This Slow Cooker Strawberry Applesauce

This homemade strawberry applesauce is a delicious, healthy, and easy recipe that your whole family will love. With minimal effort and just a few fresh ingredients, you’ll have a naturally sweet, preservative-free applesauce that tastes far better than anything store-bought.

It’s perfect for meal prep, baby food, school lunches, or just a healthy treat to enjoy at home. Plus, since it’s freezer-friendly, you can make a big batch and enjoy it for months!