This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Making applesauce at home doesn’t have to involve a big batch. This simple single serving applesauce recipe is perfect when you just need enough for one. With just one apple, some water, a little sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon, you’ll have a bowl of warm, flavorful applesauce in no time. It’s quick, easy, and requires minimal effort—just the way we like it.
We love fresh apples, and if you have just one, you could make this homemade applesauce or enjoy a warm apple muffin, a flaky apple dumpling, a sweet and crunchy apple crisp, or a golden apple galette.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You only need one apple, water, a little sugar, and cinnamon—ingredients you may likely already have.
- Quick to Make: This applesauce comes together in just 20 minutes, perfect for when you want something fast.
- Perfect for One: No need to make a large batch—this recipe gives you just the right amount for one serving.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness and spice to suit your taste.
- Healthy and Delicious: A wholesome snack made from scratch without any unnecessary additives.
What sets this recipe apart is that it’s designed just for one person. No need to worry about leftovers or wasting extra apples—it’s the perfect amount for a quick snack, side dish, or addition to another meal. The flavors are warm and comforting, with a touch of sweetness and cinnamon that brings everything together in a simple, satisfying way. You get all the homemade goodness of applesauce without the fuss of making a large batch.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this homemade applesauce recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Apple: Any variety works, but sweet apples like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp are ideal. If you prefer a tangy applesauce, try a Granny Smith. Extra apples can be used to make a mini Dutch Apple Pie, Apple Pie Oatmeal, a small batch of Morning Glory Muffins, or Apple Fritters.
- Water: Helps soften the apple as it cooks. You can substitute apple juice or cider for added flavor.
- Sugar: I use 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, which I find to be the perfect amount of sweetness. You can always adjust it to your taste—add a little more if you prefer a sweeter applesauce or reduce the sugar if you like it less sweet.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and flavor. Leave out if you prefer plain applesauce or try adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for a different twist.
Recipe Variations
If you’re looking to change things up, here are some popular stovetop applesauce variations that you might enjoy:
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Simply omit the sugar for a natural, no-sugar-added applesauce. This works especially well if you’re using a sweeter apple variety like Gala or Fuji.
- Spiced Applesauce: Add a pinch of extra spices like nutmeg, ginger, or allspice along with the cinnamon for a warming, flavorful twist.
- Chunky Applesauce: If you prefer a more rustic texture, mash the apples lightly with a fork instead of blending them until smooth, leaving some apple chunks for added texture.
- Apple-Pear Sauce: Replace half of the apple with a pear for a delicious apple-pear combination that adds a unique, slightly tangy flavor.
How To Make Applesauce For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of applesauce.
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Prepare the Apple: Peel, core, and chop 1 apple into chunks.
How To Core An Apple: To core an apple, place it upright on a cutting board and center the apple corer over the stem. Push the corer straight down through the apple, then twist and pull to remove the core. If you don’t have a corer, use a small paring knife. Insert the knife about half an inch from the stem, angling towards the center, and cut in a circular motion around the core. Once you’ve cut all the way around, gently pry out the core with the knife or a spoon.
- Combine and Heat: In a 1-quart saucepan, combine the chopped apple, water, sugar, and ground cinnamon.
- Simmer the Apples: Turn the heat to medium and bring the apples to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 20-25 minutes. Stir once or twice during cooking to prevent the apples from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Check for Tenderness: Cook until the apples are soft and easily pierced with a fork.
- Mash or Blend: Remove from heat. For chunky applesauce, mash the apples with a potato masher or fork. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender.
Pro Tip: If the applesauce is too watery, return it to the stove and cook over low heat until the excess liquid evaporates and the applesauce reaches your desired thickness.
Expert Tips
- Adjust sweetness: This recipe results in a mildly sweet applesauce with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, but if you’re using a tart apple like Granny Smith or prefer a sweeter applesauce, you may want to add more sugar to taste.
- Watch for excess liquid: If the applesauce seems too watery after mashing or blending, return it to the stove and cook over low heat until the extra liquid evaporates and the sauce thickens.
- Control consistency: For chunky applesauce, mash the apples with a fork or potato masher. For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender or regular blender.
- Stir occasionally: Stir the applesauce a few times during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust for larger apples: If you use a larger apple, you may need to add an extra tablespoon or two of water during cooking to help the apple soften properly.
- Store properly: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Serving Suggestions
Applesauce is a versatile addition to many dishes. Here are some great ways to enjoy it alongside other One Dish Kitchen recipes:
- Baked Ham: Serve applesauce with tender, juicy baked ham for a classic sweet and savory pairing.
- Baked Pork Chop: Applesauce adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the flavor of a seasoned pork chop.
- Roasted Chicken Thighs: Spoon applesauce alongside crispy, savory roasted chicken thighs for a delicious contrast of flavors.
- Baked Oatmeal: Stir applesauce into oatmeal for extra moisture and a natural, fruity sweetness.
- Pancakes: Top fluffy pancakes with applesauce for a healthier alternative to syrup.
- Waffles: Spread applesauce over a crispy waffle to add a burst of fresh apple flavor.
- French Toast: Pair applesauce with buttery French toast for a naturally sweet and fruity topping.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Add a warm spoonful of applesauce on top of ice cream for a comforting dessert with contrasting textures.
- Granola: Stir applesauce into your granola for a fruity, wholesome snack or breakfast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can absolutely make applesauce without adding any sugar. If you use naturally sweet apples like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp, you may not even miss the sugar.
Any variety of apple works. Sweet apples like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp work well for a naturally sweet applesauce, while Granny Smith apples will give a more tart flavor.
Homemade applesauce will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Absolutely! Just double the ingredient amounts and use a 2-quart saucepan.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serving stovetop applesauce recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Applesauce For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple (5½ to 6 ounces)
- 3 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel, core, and chop the apple into chunks.
- In a 1-quart saucepan, combine the chopped apple, water, sugar, and ground cinnamon.
- Set the stovetop to medium heat and bring the apples to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the apples are soft and easily pierced with a fork.Note: Stir once or twice during cooking to prevent the apples from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Remove from heat. For chunky applesauce, mash the apples with a potato masher or fork. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender.Pro Tip: If the applesauce is too watery, return it to the stove and cook over low heat until the excess liquid evaporates and the applesauce reaches your desired thickness.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness: This recipe results in a mildly sweet applesauce with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, but if you’re using a tart apple like Granny Smith or prefer a sweeter applesauce, you may want to add more sugar to taste.
- Watch for excess liquid: If the applesauce seems too watery after mashing or blending, return it to the stove and cook over low heat until the extra liquid evaporates and the sauce thickens.
- Control consistency: For chunky applesauce, mash the apples with a fork or potato masher. For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender or regular blender.
- Stir occasionally: Stir the applesauce a few times during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust for larger apples: If you use a larger apple, you may need to add an extra tablespoon or two of water during cooking to help the apple soften properly.
- Store properly: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I can’t believe I haven’t sung the praises of this recipe before now. I’ve made it at least twice this fall already and look forward to making frequently from now on. I won’t be buying that tasteless, prepackaged stuff from the store anymore thanks to Joanie reminding me just how simple it is to make great applesauce.
It’s been fun using different apples, fruits and spices to vary the types of sauce I serve at different meals. I highly recommend an apple and pear combination.
Thanks Joanie! 🙂
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to hear how much you’re enjoying the applesauce, and I love that you’re experimenting with different fruits and spices—apple and pear is absolutely delicious! Making it from scratch really does make a world of difference.
I make applesauce and spicy apple butter every year from the apples on my trees. This recipe is perfect! 🙂
Waaayyy back when I ate meat, I’d pour applesauce over a pork roast and sprinkle a generous amount of allspice over the top; in the crockpot on low, 8*-10 hours. Fahhhhbulous!
Terrific recipe.