Apple Sauce:
A Simple Treat That Elevates Many Meals

A Simple Dessert, or a Dressing/Sauce for Pork

Apple sauce isn’t just a delicious snack—it’s a kitchen staple! Use it to thicken smoothies, swap it for oil in baking, or simply enjoy it on its own as a quick and comforting dessert.

Dehydrated Apples: The Secret to Effortless Homemade Apple Sauce

Got dehydrated apples on hand? You can easily make apple sauce by rehydrating them in water and cooking them down into a thick, flavorful blend. Customize it with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or add a touch of honey for extra sweetness.

If you're working with fresh apples, no problem! Check out my guide to dehydrating apples so you can stock up for future batches of homemade apple sauce.

The Perfect Pair: Apple Sauce and Pork Chops

Growing up, my mom always added a dollop of apple sauce alongside pork chops, and it became a staple at family dinners.

Boost the Flavor: Add Raisins and Cranberries

Want to add a touch of natural sweetness to your apple sauce? Try mixing in homemade raisins or dried cranberries for extra depth of flavor.

When making raisins, start with seedless grapes—red or black varieties work best. Simply dehydrate them until they shrink into chewy, bite-sized pieces. Black grapes create those classic dark raisins, while red grapes give a slightly tangier flavor.

For cranberries, a quick blanching step before dehydrating helps them dry evenly. Read more about dehydrating berries here. Store your homemade dried fruit in an airtight container at room temperature, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Once you try making your own, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

Creative Apple Sauce Combinations to Try

The possibilities with apple sauce are truly endless!

• Add nutmeg or cloves for a warm, spiced flavor.
• Mix in fresh blueberries or pears for a unique twist.
• Try stirring in three-fruit marmalade for a tasty zing.

Let your creativity shine with these delicious combinations!

Learn how to dehydrate pears for even more options!

Apple Sauce in Everyday Cooking

Apple sauce is a multi-purpose ingredient:

• Use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
• Add it to smoothies for a natural thickener.
• Substitute it for sugary sauces in baking recipes.

Next time you’re in a pinch for a recipe sweetener, grab a jar of apple sauce—it’s a healthier, more natural choice!

Dive In!—It's Really Easy to Make

We enjoyed our sauce warm, straight from the pan, spooned over French vanilla ice cream. It was absolute heaven in a dish!

This recipe doesn’t take more than five minutes to prepare, giving you just enough time to let your ice cream soften slightly in the bowls.

Double the recipe to serve more people and store leftovers in the freezer. And yes, you can skip the apricot jam, but trust me—it adds a little zing and thickens the sauce beautifully.

How to Thicken or Adjust the Consistency

If your apple sauce seems a bit runny, simply continue heating it. The extra liquid will evaporate, leaving you with a thicker consistency.

For smoothies, this sauce makes an excellent addition. It’s also a perfect base for fruit leathers—check out this fruit rolls page for more information and creative ideas!

Get Your Free Guide to Dehydrating Food!

Don't forget to grab your free Six Simple Steps eBook! It’s packed with tips for dehydrating everything from fruits and veggies to dog treats. Get it here.