An easy Slow Cooker Apple Butter recipe with no sugar added that doesn't require any peeling and doesn't use any added sweeteners or juice!
I'm so excited to share this super duper easy slow cooker apple butter that has no sugar added.
It's so easy (no peeling needed for the apples!), so perfectly sweet and so appropriate for slathering on everything this fall.
I've been making this recipe for over a decade and it's a serious family favorite. Plus, it just feels like cozy fall vibes to me.
I also love that it's hands-off in the crock pot! You can even let it go overnight. Easy peasy.
Plus, it's a great way to use up a ton of apples! Perfect for that haul you got in the mountains or while apple picking or at the farmer's market.
We always pick SO many apples and then get home and I realize I have to do something with them...
So if you can get your hands on some local apples, have at it! If not, just buy any mix of good baking apples you like.
I actually didn't know until I made apple butter for the first time years and years ago that there's not any butter in it.
It's just a very concentrated apple spread that's smooth and rich and spreadable, like butter.
If you've really got a surplus, you might also want to try this easy crockpot applesauce, which my kiddos love and is super easy to make.
OK, let's get to cooking.
Recipe Notes:
Apples: I typically use Gala apples or a combination of Gala and Red Delicious. Any sweet, cooking apple will work. (Braeburn, Jonagolds, Melrose, Rome and even Honey Crisp are also good options.)
Sweetness: You want sweet apples for this since we're not using any sugar. If your apples aren't very sweet, I would consider adding ¼ cup to ½ cup sugar (brown or white, or a mix) to your slow cooker to sweeten these up.
Overnight: You can cook this overnight in the slow cooker, blend it in the morning and finish cooking it for the last couple of hours.
Final cooking: Be sure to check and stir the apple butter while it's on high at the end of the cooking time so it doesn't burn on the bottom of your slow cooker. Mine never has, but it's a possibility.
Spices: You can omit the cloves and allspice if you want a plain, un-spiced version of homemade apple butter. (You'll still have the cinnamon for plenty of flavor.)
OK, let's get to enjoying it!
Ways to use apple butter:
- Slather it on some toast or an English muffin in the morning. It also goes great with bagels, muffins, waffles, pancakes… you get the idea.
- Try it on sweet potato toast for a fun fall treat.
- It's also great paired with pork, like these pork chops with apple butter.
- Pack some up in small glass jars and freeze for later.
- Or, give some away to friends, family, neighbors, teachers or as a hostess gift during the holidays.
My Dad is particularly fond of apple butter and likes to bring me back the empty glass jars so I'll refill them for him again. And again. And again. 😉
Also, since this makes a big batch, let's discuss storage.
How to store apple butter:
- Apple butter, once cooled, can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 months.
- You can also freeze the leftovers. Place in a freezer-safe container, that's been labelled, and freeze for up to 6-8 months.
- Or you could also can this apple butter for storage. Just follow the instructions for your canning equipment.
I hope you give this a try soon for a really easy and healthy way to make homemade apple butter.
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Slow Cooker Apple Butter {no sugar added}
Ingredients
- 5 lbs. apples (about 7 medium apples)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Core and roughly chop the apples. (You can leave the peel on.)
- Place apples in slow cooker and add spices and water.
- Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours.
- Use an immersion blender - or transfer apple mixture to a blender - and blend until smooth.
- Reset slow cooker to high and continue cooking for 2-3 more hours. Leave the lid partially open to allow some moisture to escape (this helps thicken the mixture). Stir every 30-45 minutes to ensure the apple butter doesn't stick and burn on the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook until the apple has started to thicken and is no longer as liquidy. It will also continue to thicken a bit as it cools.
- Let cool and store apple butter in the refrigerator.
Katie says
Hi! I don't have a slow cooker—would this work low and slow on the stovetop?
Kathryn Doherty says
You could try it! I've made a slightly different oven version before and it takes 4 hours. Stove top would likely be at least that long, possibly more, and you'd want to stir it every 20-30 minutes so it gets well mixed and cooks evenly without burning. You might want to reference a recipe written for stove top and adjust from there. Would love to hear if you try it!
Katie says
Perfect! I hope to try this week 🙂