With just five ingredients, this easy applesauce recipe comes together in no time.
Think applesauce is for babies? Think again! This apple sauce recipe has "grown-up" written all over it. Chunks of apple are coated in a light honey and brown sugar glaze, then oven roasted, for a deep and rich caramelized flavor.
Indeed, the end product tastes almost like apple pie filling. But this apple sauce recipe has far less sugar than most. Just a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of brown sugar are all it takes to give this homemade applesauce incredible flavor.
And you don't have to have a lot of time to make this recipe either. If you can peel and chop apples, you can make this applesauce.
With most applesauce recipes, the apples are slowly cooked on the stove, but with this recipe, the apples are roasted in the oven. The result is a more natural, sweeter flavor.
The best apples for this recipe are firm and slightly tart, such as Granny Smiths, Golden Delicious, Jonagolds or Rome Beauties.
You can make this applesauce as chunky or as smooth as you like. If you prefer a smoother consistency, mash the apples completely with a fork or puree them in a blender or food processor.
This applesauce makes a wonderful snack or side dish with everything from pork tenderloin to Cajun tilapia. Although it will keep in the refrigerator for several days, it can get mushy. It is best to serve this applesauce immediately if you can.
Chunky Homemade Applesauce Recipe
- 8 medium, firm apples, such as Granny Smith or Rome Beauties
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Peel, core and dice apples into one-inch chunks. Try to make all of the apples roughly the same size, so they cook evenly.
- Place apples in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle honey, olive oil, brown sugar and kosher salt over the apples. Toss with your hands to make sure all of the apples are coated well.
- Spread the apples out in an even layer on a heavy roasting pan, such as the Mario Batali pizza pan, or a sturdy baking sheet.
- Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the apples are golden brown and soft, but still retain their shape.
- Remove from the apples from the oven and mash lightly. Serve immediately.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Per serving (based on 8): 91 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 20 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 0 g protein, 1% vitamin A, 9% vitamin C, 1% calcium, 1% iron
For more delicious and healthy apple recipes, see also taffy apple salad, apple coffee cake and Fuji apple walnut chicken salad.
