Golden Delicious Cinnamon Applesauce (no sugar added!)

Make the best Homemade Golden Delicious Cinnamon Applesauce with no added sugar. This quick, easy, vegan applesauce recipe is naturally sweet, full of warm cinnamon flavor, and perfect for snacks, baking, meal prep, and fall recipes.

This post is sponsored by Stemilt. All opinions, recipes, and content are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Healthy Little Vittles possible.

If you’re like me, you’re wondering what the heck to do with all of those apples you picked at the farm. Well this is it folks! This is the easiest way to turn ripe Golden Delicious apples into a cozy, fall-inspired treat, this Homemade Golden Delicious Cinnamon Applesauce is the perfect recipe. It’s naturally sweet, made without added sugar, and filled with warm cinnamon flavor. Whether you’re meal-prepping snacks for the week, using up a big bag of apples, or creating a wholesome side dish for family dinners, this smooth and fragrant applesauce always delivers.

This simple stovetop recipe uses just a few ingredients and transforms into velvety-smooth applesauce in under 30 minutes. It’s vegan, gluten-free, kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and made with whole-food ingredients you can feel good about.

I’m so glad I went with golden delicious apples for this applesauce recipe. They are light, crisp and- not too sweet which lends itself to make one delicious applesauce! Now I know you might be thinking, “well then why add maple syrup and not use a sweeter apple?” Well, I thought about that- but the maple syrup gives this applesauce a robust, mapley flavor and paired with the cinnamon is stellar!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Applesauce

• Naturally Sweet – Golden Delicious apples break down beautifully and create the perfect sweetness without added sugar.
• Cozy Cinnamon Flavor – Warm cinnamon adds depth, aroma, and that classic fall flavor.
• Quick & Easy – Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and cooks in one pot.
• Healthy & Kid-Approved – Free from refined sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
• Versatile – Enjoy as a snack, breakfast topping, baking ingredient, or side dish.

Ingredients for Golden Delicious Cinnamon Applesauce

• Golden Delicious Apples – Naturally sweet, tender, and ideal for applesauce thanks to their smooth texture when cooked.
• Water – Helps the apples soften without burning.
• Cinnamon – Provides warmth, spice, and classic autumn flavor.
• Lemon Juice – Brightens the flavor and helps preserve color.
• Pinch of Salt – Enhances sweetness and rounds out the flavor.

How to Make Golden Delicious Cinnamon Applesauce

1. Place the peeled, cored, quartered and chopped apples in a large pot. Add 1/2 cup of water, lemon juice, maple syrup (if using), cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once simmering, cover and reduce the heat to low. Maintain a low simmer for 30 minutes or until the apples are completely soft and cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.
2. Once fully cooked, remove from heat. Mash the apples directly in the pot using a potato masher for chunky applesauce. For smooth applesauce, add the apples to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth or use a hand-held immersion blender and blend directly in the pot.

Aside from peeling and chopping the apples, this Golden Delicious Cinnamon Applesauce recipe pretty much makes itself. You place the apple chunks into a pot with water, lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt and then let the applesauce simmer until the apple breaks down forms itself into the most (golden) delicious applesauce.

You can blend it if you like really smooth applesauce, but I used a potato masher to get just the right amount of chunky applesauce texture vs. smooth. This recipe didn’t last long at my house, so next time I make it (and it will be very soon) I am going to double the recipe.

How to Store & Freeze

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight jar for up to 7 days.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled applesauce to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Tips for the Best Applesauce

• Use fully ripe Golden Delicious apples for maximum sweetness.
• Add extra cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for deeper flavor.
• For thicker applesauce, reduce water slightly.
• Add maple syrup only if you prefer sweeter applesauce.

Ways to Use Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

Serve warm alongside vegan pancakes or waffles.

Spoon over oatmeal, chia pudding, or vegan yogurt.

Serve as a wholesome snack for kids.

Use in baking recipes as an egg replacer or oil substitute.

Swirl into overnight oats or smoothies.

If you still have more apples to use up, check out my recipe for Naturally Sweetened Instant Pot Apple Butter too!

I hope you love this easy, homemade applesauce recipe! Let me know what you think down below in the comments section, as well as giving it a five star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ so that others can discover this delicious cinnamon applesauce recipe! Tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Print