This Strawberry Applesauce is fresh, sweet, and easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s perfect for stirring into oatmeal, swirling into yogurt, spreading on toast, serving alongside savory main dishes, and more!
Recipe Summary
- Ready Fast: About 30 minutes from prep to smooth, spoonable applesauce.
- Fresh Fruit Flavor: Made with real apples and strawberries for natural sweetness and bright color.
- Kid-Friendly: Smooth, sweet, and perfect for picky eaters (no mystery ingredients here).
- Totally Versatile: Great on oatmeal, yogurt, toast, or as a sweet side with savory meals.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores well in the fridge or freezer for easy snacks and meals later.
If you’re looking for ways to get your kiddos to eat more fruit, you’ve got to give this strawberry applesauce a try. It’s smooth, sweet, and has a beautiful color which kids love!
And unlike store-bought applesauce, you have total control over the amount of added sugar. Enjoy it by the spoonful as a snack or serve it as part of a meal. The options are endless!
For more recipes using fresh strawberries, try my strawberry butter and dipped white chocolate strawberries next.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Versatile: Enjoy it on oatmeal, yogurt, toast, or as a side with savory dishes like this pork Wellington.
- Fresh & Sweet: Fresh apples and strawberries create a vibrant, naturally sweet applesauce with no need for a lot of added sugar.
- Great for Storing: You can store it in the fridge for a week or freeze it for a few months. It’s perfect for making ahead!
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Apples: I like using a mix of different types of apples, rather than just one variety. McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Fuji, or Honeycrisp all work well, but feel free to use your favorites.
- Fresh Strawberries: Add natural sweetness, flavor, and a pop of color.
- Sugar: For sweetening this homemade strawberry applesauce.
- Flavor Enhancers: Lemon brightens the flavor, while cinnamon adds warmth.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- No Added Sugar: Skip the added sugar for a naturally sweetened version. The apples and strawberries provide plenty of sweetness on their own, especially if you use sweeter apple varieties like Fuji or Gala.
- Mixed Berry: Swap some or all of the strawberries for other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to change up the flavor and color.
- Chunky: For a chunkier applesauce, blend the cooked fruit for less time or pulse instead of blending continuously. You can also mash the fruit with a potato masher for a more rustic, homemade texture with small fruit pieces throughout.
How to Make Strawberry Applesauce
To get started, prepare the fruit. Peel the apples, then chop both the apples and the strawberries.
Step 1: Add fruit and water to a pot. Add the chopped apples, chopped strawberries, and water to a large pot.
Step 2: Cook. Cover the pot and cook over medium heat until the fruit is very soft, stirring occasionally (about 20-25 minutes).
Step 3: Transfer to a blender. Add the cooked fruit and liquid from the pot to a blender. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your blender.
Step 4: Blend. Blend the mixture until smooth. Transfer the blended mixture back to the pot and add the sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
Expert Tips
- Peel the apples: Peeling the apples ensures a smooth consistency. If you don’t mind chewy pieces of skin throughout the applesauce, feel free to leave the peels on.
- Taste for sweetness: The natural sweetness of apples and strawberries can vary, so be sure to give the applesauce a taste after blending and adjust the sugar as needed.
- Store in the fridge or freezer: The applesauce will keep for up to 7 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Add even more strawberry flavor to these strawberry pancakes by topping them with a dollop of this applesauce.
- Serve this applesauce alongside slow cooker pulled pork tenderloin or slow cooker boneless pork ribs to add a sweet component to a savory meal.
- Pack some for lunch on the go along with a turkey bacon wrap and your favorite cold drink.
Strawberry Applesauce Recipe FAQs
Sure, you can definitely use frozen strawberries. This is a great option when fresh ones aren’t available. You don’t need to thaw them first, but if the mixture looks a bit dry while cooking, simply add a little extra water.
Yes, thanks to the natural acidity of the apples, strawberries, and lemon juice, this strawberry applesauce can be safely canned using a water bath canner. First, bring the blended applesauce back to a gentle simmer, ladle it into hot, clean jars (leaving ½ inch of headspace), remove air bubbles, wipe the rims, and apply lids. Process pint or quart jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes (adjusting for altitude if needed). Let the jars cool completely and check the seals before storing. Note that you should always refer to the current USDA or Ball canning guidelines for altitude adjustments and safe processing times.
More Delicious Apple Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Strawberry Applesauce
Ingredients
- 8 cups peeled cored, and chopped apples
- 3 cups chopped strawberries
- ½ cup water
- ¼ to ½ cup sugar to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Add the apples, strawberries, and water to a large pot and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook over medium heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is very soft and easily pierced with a fork.
- Carefully transfer the cooked fruit and any remaining liquid to a blender, working in batches if needed.
- Blend until completely smooth, then return the applesauce to the pot.
- Stir in the sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon until fully incorporated.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as desired, then cool before serving or storing.
Notes
- For the smoothest consistency, be sure to peel the apples first. Leaving the peels on will result in pieces of apple skin scattered throughout the applesauce.
- If you do not have fresh strawberries, frozen ones will work. There’s no need to thaw them first, but you may need to add a bit more water during cooking.
- The strawberry applesauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 7 days or frozen for up to 3 months.