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Slow Cooker Applesauce + Reusable Pouches

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Slow cooker applesauce is the easiest way to make homemade applesauce. Thick, delicious and full of flavor! Making your own applesauce is incredibly easy, contains no sugar or other additives, and will save you money!

How to Make Applesauce in the Slow Cooker

To get started, slice your apples and toss them in the slow cooker with your cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean.  Also add 1/2 cup of water.  Cover and set to low for 4 hours.  Boom!  You are almost done.  Seriously – I can’t get over how easy this is.   You can peel your apples first if you don’t want the peel.  I like to leave it because it provides fiber and some additional nutrients.  Totally up to you.

After 4 hours this is what you will see.  It smells amazing!  Yummy apple cinnamon vanilla deliciousness.  Ok, now for the last step.  If you like it super chunky, you can just stir all of this together.   If you like it more smooth, remove the cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean pod, and then transfer to a food processor.  Blend until smooth.  If you like it even more smooth, transfer to a high powered blender.

Once blended, transfer to a container.   If you made a lot and want some for yourself, I like glass mason jars for storing.  It will stay good in your fridge for at least 1 week.

Reusable Applesauce Pouches

As a parent, when the fruit and veggie food pouches started coming out it was a huge game changer for me.  They are convenient, way less messy, and my kids loved eating them.  The only downside is the cost.  Most of them cost anywhere from $1 – $2 per pouch.  If you have a few kids and they are each eating one or more per day this can add up quickly.  

When I found these pouches, I couldn’t wait to try them out with our slow cooker applesauce. They are called Squooshi pouches – and they are so great for so many reasons.  

  • Easy to Use – Just open the bottom of the pouch using the zip seal, and spoon in the applesauce.  Seal it and they are ready to eat or store.  
  • Freezer Safe – Store & Serve from the same container. Doubles as an adorable boo boo pack or lunchbox freezer pack!
  • Dishwasher Safe – Rinse after use and place in the top rack
  • Safe for Baby – Features a no choke cap, small size, curved shape, upright, easy for little hands to hold and squeeze.
  • Compatible – With most silicone soft caps, spoon attachments and filling stations.
  • Non Toxic – BPA, Lead, Phthalate & PVC free
  • FAA / TSA compliant—approved for airplane travel
  • Perfect for all ages. Babies & Kids love the animal series while older kids and adults on the go like the G.O. pouches.
  • Reusable, Refillable, Convenient, Affordable, Adorable & Fun!

So easy to clean!  You can hand wash or put them in the dishwasher.

Slow Cooker Budget Friendly Applesauce Pouches. Homemade, budget-friendly applesauce that is better than the store-bought stuff!

I love all of the fun characters that kids can choose from.  They also have different sizes.  But the best part about these is the cost.  I used about 2 lbs of apples in this recipe.  I bought my apples for $1.99 per pound.  I used 3 cinnamon sticks (about 10 cents each) and one vanilla bean pod (you can definitely skip this ingredient to lower the cost – just use vanilla extract)  

I made an entire batch of this applesauce for about $4.50.  It made 10 pouches which makes them about 45 cents each!  That is less than half the cost you pay for the store bought pouches.  The squooshi pouches I used were 4.5 fl oz, and the Go Go Squeeze pouches you can buy are only 3.2 fl oz.  If your kids love applesauce pouches, these are the way to go!

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3.4 from 15 votes

Slow Cooker Applesauce for Squooshi Pouches

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 241kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 medium apple
  • 3 each cinnamon sticks
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  • Slice apples and place in slow cooker
  • Add cinnamon sticks and water. (If you want to use vanilla bean, slice the pot and scrape inside into the slow cooker)
  • Set on low for 4-5 hours depending on how fast your slow cooker cooks.
  • Once apples are tender, if you like extra chunky just stir apples until desired consistency is reached.
  • For a smooth consistency, place cooked apples (remove cinnamon sticks) into a food processor or high powered blender.
  • Puree until desired consistency is achieved.
  • Spoon into food pouches or glass jars for storage.
  • Store in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 47g
Keyword : applesauce, dairy free, gluten-free, lowfat, slow cooker, vegetarian

www.superhealthykids.com

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

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6 Comments

My son loves the del Monte blue berry with veggies and peach mango would you know how I could make those or just the fruit it self what I could add. Thank you i look forward to making the apple sauce.