This Healthy 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Butter is the easiest fall apple recipe you’ll ever make! It’s made with only apples and a pinch of cinnamon, so it’s a super healthy recipe that’s perfect as a dip for fruit and low-fat crackers, or as a spread on toast, or even eaten with a spoon! Watch the VIDEO below to see how I make it, and don’t forget to stay tuned to the end of this blog post for the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE!
Looking for more apple recipes? Try these Easy Healthy Apple Chips or this lightened-up Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake!
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*I originally shared this Healthy 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Butter recipe in September 2015. I’m updating the post for my lovely readers today with new photos and a tutorial video!
I don’t know about you, but where I live apples are delicious and plentiful in the late-summer and early-fall. As I child I picked apples with my grandparents from their trees and I watched my mom and grandma make apple jelly, apple juice and applesauce, along with all kinds of apple baked goods like pies, cakes and cobblers.
Doesn’t it look so spreadable and delicious?? I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Healthy 2 Ingredients Slow Cooker Apple Butter. Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favorite thing to make with apples in the fall?
Looking for more apple recipes? Try these Easy Healthy Apple Chips or this lightened-up Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake!
Looking for more delicious fall recipes?? Try these favorites below!!
Kitchen products I recommend:
Healthy 2 Ingredient Crock Pot Apple Butter
Ingredients
- Enough apples to fill your crock-pot or slow-cooker . Use any variety you like. I've used a combination of all different kinds...it doesn't seem to matter and it always tastes amazing. I filled a 5- crock-pot
- 2-3 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Start by washing your apples in a sink full of cold water. You'll be leaving the peels on, so make sure each apple is nice and clean.
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Dry the apples on some kitchen towels and core them, cutting them in halves or quarters. If your apples are quite large, cut in quarters. Because my apples were hand-picked they had a few had bruises, but in a recipe like this that doesn't matter too much. Don't bother peeling them: this adds to the nutrition factor of this recipe (leaving the peels on adds great fiber and saves you a ton of time).
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Place the apples in the pot of your crock-pot or slow cooker and turn the heat to high. Put the lid on and let the apples cook for about 4 hours, giving it a good stir approximately every hour.
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Transfer the apple mixture to your blender (you may have to do this in two batches to avoid spraying piping hot apples all over your kitchen...not that I would know anything about that...) and blend on high speed until the mixture is creamy and perfectly smooth. Make sure you add every last bit to the blender. You'll need the crock-pot again in a minute and it needs to be nice and clean.
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Add the pureed mixture back into the crock-pot and stir in the cinnamon.
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Let it cook on high for another hour or so to let it thicken, stirring once or twice during that time.
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Let the mixture cool slightly at room temperature before adding it to jars or containers, and then store it in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, or in the freezer for even longer!
Recipe Notes
The yield for this recipe will be slightly different with every batch (simply because of the different varieties of apples you use or the exact cooking temperature of your crock-pot) but a typical yield for my 5-quart crock-pot is about 4-5 cups. And because all it contains is apples and cinnamon, it's a super healthy 0 Weight Watchers PointsPlus treat that you're definitely going to want to try!!
Kristina @ spabettie says
September 18, 2015 at 1:13 amoh WOW, I want to make this immediately! yum!
janet @ the taste space says
September 20, 2015 at 1:19 pmI like how you left the apple skins on! More nutrition and less prep time!
Trace Chick says
September 23, 2015 at 8:40 amPlease could you use other fruits at all ?
Chrissie says
September 29, 2015 at 3:31 pmYes! You could use a combination of apple and pumpkin, or apple and pear. It's a good idea to stick to fruits that puree well. 🙂
Chelsey says
September 26, 2018 at 8:50 pmCould you tell me the instructions for using pumpkin?
Chrissie says
October 1, 2018 at 6:32 amI would add one to two cups of pumpkin to the existing recipe as it is. You might find you need to add a little sugar to taste at the end, but you might not, depending on the sweetness of your apples.
Wendy says
May 5, 2016 at 4:58 pmAbsolutely wonderful on biscuits. I am going to put over pork chops next! I think I would like to add a little ginger just for fun to see how that tastes as well. Thank you so much for sharing this easy recipe!@
Nidji says
August 28, 2018 at 2:37 pmWendy did you try this with the ginger? How was it? I am in the process of making this now 🙂
Anonymous says
August 7, 2016 at 1:36 pmLoved this recipe! I just made some apple butter…yum.
Ann says
August 16, 2016 at 4:37 amCan you can this in a water bath to make it last longer?
Chrissie says
August 26, 2016 at 12:33 pmI think you probably could. I have never done it but I'm sure if you use the proper canning process it would work well!
Anonymous says
August 21, 2016 at 5:52 pmHow well does this freeze? I would like to make this for Christmas gifts, but I don't want to wait til the last minute.
Chrissie says
August 26, 2016 at 12:33 pmIt freezes very well! What a great idea! 🙂
Melissa Kaeding says
September 21, 2016 at 10:36 pmDo you use fresh pumpkin or canned if you want to add it?
Lara says
September 14, 2016 at 12:43 amI want to can this would it work? Anyone done that? I love leaving the peels on
Anonymous says
September 19, 2016 at 2:25 pmCan I covert this to my Instant Pot? I do not have a crock pot and haven't figured out the slow cooker function on my IP. (never turns out right)
Anonymous says
September 21, 2016 at 10:38 pmCan you use canned pumpkin or does it gave to be fresh in this if you want to add it in?
Kathleen Donnelly says
September 24, 2016 at 11:53 pmI just want to make enough for two people to eat for a little while, is it ok to only use a few apple and not fill the crockpot?
Kathleen Donnelly says
September 24, 2016 at 11:54 pmI only want to make this for about 2 people to eat for a little while. Can I use a smaller number of apples and not fill the crockpot?
Sara Crepaux says
September 29, 2016 at 7:16 pmHow long does this keep in the fridge?
Chrissie says
December 7, 2016 at 9:36 pmIt keeps for about a week or two, but it never lasts that long in my fridge anyway (because we eat it all!!)!
Emile says
August 9, 2018 at 3:32 amI use the microwave oven to cook and thicken. Have been doing this foe 4 years with apples and ,crabapples, also works with rhubarb.
Angela @ Setting My Intention says
October 15, 2016 at 4:24 pmOh! I'm excited to try this! Were going apple picking today (if I can get my teenager up out of bed!)
Chrissie says
December 7, 2016 at 9:36 pmI hope you enjoy it!
Anonymous says
October 17, 2016 at 10:00 amHow can you make without slow cooker
Anonymous says
November 9, 2016 at 6:33 pmYou could cook on your stove top until apples are cooked then pure in blender or food processor then return to a pot cook on med low simmet until thicken..
Chrissie says
December 7, 2016 at 9:37 pmI suppose you could make it on the stove, but that would require a lot more work for you (stirring regularly so the bottom doesn't burn, etc.).
Kate says
October 17, 2016 at 3:47 pmI love love love your recipe! I made it over the weekend and decided to feature it in my latest blog post at http://www.adventuresofkate.com 🙂 Thanks!! -Kate
Chrissie says
December 7, 2016 at 9:37 pmThanks so much Kate!
Anonymous says
October 21, 2016 at 2:01 pmThis recipe sounds so easy and yummy! When you put the Apple mixture back in for last hour, do you put the lid to crock pot back on? Can't wait to try this recipe!
Chrissie says
December 7, 2016 at 9:38 pmThanks! Yes, you definitely need the lid on for the last hour!
Anonymous says
November 28, 2016 at 2:03 amThis could not be easier!I was skeptical about leaving the peels on but I used my immersion blender and they all but disappeared. I used a combination of Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp and Green apples. I plan to make another batch next weekend to give away as Christmas gifts. Thank you Chrissie!
Chrissie says
December 7, 2016 at 9:35 pmYou're SO welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Anonymous says
January 21, 2017 at 7:04 pmCan you then can the apple butter in a pot of water and seal the lid onto the jar so it will keep longer? Just wondering.
Susan says
January 4, 2017 at 9:50 amThank you so much. I just tried it and it's amazing. I have a friend who just started a new life healthy style and loves apple butter. This is going to be the perfect gift. Thank you again so much for sharing. One question, can you add a splash of lemon juice to help prolong it's refrigeration time?
Susan B.
Tonya says
April 9, 2017 at 12:40 amI am making this now! I can’t wait to try it!
Chrissie says
April 9, 2017 at 2:04 pmYou’ll love it Tonya! 🙂
Tami says
August 6, 2017 at 4:24 pmHas anyone tried canning this yet?
Stephanie J. Schiltz says
August 18, 2017 at 4:34 pmLove the recipe. We are big apple butter fans. Just wondering if using a stick blender would work instead of blender?
Chrissie says
August 18, 2017 at 7:02 pmAbsolutely! I just don’t happen to have one at the moment 🙂 Just be sure you don’t scratch the inside of your slow cooker!
Benita C says
August 23, 2017 at 7:00 pmMy crock pot is larger than 5 quarts. Can you tell me about how many apples.
Chrissie says
August 25, 2017 at 7:18 amI’m sorry, without knowing the exact size it’s impossible for me to say – but just fill your Crock Pot as much as you can!
Katie says
August 24, 2017 at 7:22 pmWhere did you find your jars? They are just a pretty as the contents and would be great for gift giving. Thanks!
Chrissie says
August 25, 2017 at 7:15 amI typically use pretty mason jars for this purpose, as they look great and they keep everything very fresh. 🙂
Joy elliott says
August 25, 2017 at 5:38 amI have done this with applesauce and cinnamon also.
Chrissie says
August 25, 2017 at 7:12 amGood to know! 🙂
Brenda Spinks says
August 27, 2017 at 10:47 amThis sounds wonderful. I do not like cinnamon in anything. I prefer the real flavor in every fruit recipe that I make. I will try this when we go to the Apple Barn in North Georgia in a couple of weeks.
Chrissie says
August 27, 2017 at 12:29 pmFeel free to add whatever flavouring you’d like, or none at all! I hope you enjoy!
claudia says
August 29, 2017 at 7:39 pmHi ! ,, it s not
apple sauce ?? because no butter ?? but look amazing i will trying of course …thanks,,,
Chrissie says
September 6, 2017 at 8:00 pmHi! It’s called apple butter because when it’s cooled it’s spreadable (similar to butter). No butter in this recipe! 🙂
Malinalli Gutierrez Arellano says
September 1, 2017 at 7:06 pmhi, i did it. i liked soo much! Thanks for the recipe. I modificated the time of preparation because it’s Sticking in the pan aren’t know why. i used 5 apples and 2 tps cinammon but i would prefered 1 tbs because the flavor of apple lost with cinammon if you put more of this. Total time of preparation was 1 hour and a half. 🙂
Chrissie says
September 6, 2017 at 7:57 pmSo glad you liked the recipe!!
Mary says
September 3, 2017 at 12:36 amCan you do this with peaches? If so, leave the peel on? Or do I peel?
Chrissie says
September 6, 2017 at 7:55 pmI’ve never done it with peaches, so I’m not able to give you advice on this. I’m sorry! 🙁
Elizabeth says
September 10, 2017 at 9:13 pmWould you know where I can purchase those cute little jars you have pictured with the apple butter in it? Did it have a lid?
Thank you!
Chrissie says
September 14, 2017 at 8:19 amYou could always try Amazon for all different kinds of jars and glass containers. I usually store the apple butter in mason jars for the best freshness 🙂
Wendy says
September 18, 2017 at 5:16 pmAny specific type apples better than others
Chrissie says
September 20, 2017 at 11:49 amI usually use Spartans, but any kind of apple works!
Audrey says
September 21, 2017 at 12:38 amThis is absolutely delicious. Just made it today. Unbelievably easy. I will only use this recipe. Thank you.
Chrissie says
October 1, 2017 at 8:01 pmSo glad you loved this recipe as much as we do!
Cheryl says
October 5, 2017 at 4:08 amJust took this out of the crock pot! Sooooooooo good! Thank you for sharing. I used four different types of apples, wonderful flavor.
Chrissie says
October 13, 2017 at 7:22 amSo glad you liked it Cheryl! 🙂
Ana says
October 13, 2017 at 6:48 amWouldn’t this work better with an immersion blender? Spooning it into a traditional blender seems silly and time consuming, not to mention dangerous, because the apples are so hot.
Chrissie says
October 13, 2017 at 7:15 amFeel free to use an immersion blender if you wish 🙂 I prefer a traditional blender because I feel it creates a smooth, more silky texture, but an immersion blender will also work pretty well!
Kimberly Lyon says
October 28, 2017 at 11:49 pmI just finished making this recipe and it is still quite watery, more like an apple sauce consistency. What could I do to thicken it?
Chrissie says
November 6, 2017 at 9:24 amHi Kim, try simmering it longer (for 1-2 more hours) uncovered. This will help the liquid evaporate. Also, as it cools it thickens, so don’t worry if the consistency is just a little bit too watery. It will thicken up even more as it cools. Hope this helps!
Reza says
June 18, 2018 at 4:43 pmLooks so good, can’t wait to make it this week. Has anyone tried this with the InstantPot yet? If so, please let me know how long, what setting, and any tips please 🙂
Chrissie says
July 9, 2018 at 9:02 amI hope you enjoy it! I will add Instant Pot directions as soon as I get my hands on an Instant Pot!! They’re sold out all over Europe (where I live)!
christine says
September 10, 2018 at 9:30 pmHow well does this freeze?
Chrissie says
September 13, 2018 at 7:35 amIt freezes beautifully in freezer safe containers! I freeze mine all the time.
Chris says
December 21, 2018 at 5:06 amI love this recipe. Thanks Crissy. I have made gallons of it now, and my freezer is full! I use it in many things. My home made baked beans, on my porridge oats for breakfast, in smoothies. It is incredibly versatile.
I have tried one variation on it that works really well. I add pitted dates (I check them VERY carefully for remnants of pits and the occasional missed pit). I add them in the last hour before I use the blender (I use a stick blender), and they blend beautifully with the apple. Just adds another taste possibility. It freezes just as well as your original.
Chrissie says
February 25, 2019 at 7:17 amThat sounds like a great addition! So glad you like the recipe! 🙂