Jump to Recipe· 5 from 6 reviews

This easy slow cooker apple butter is absolutely delicious and easy to make with just 2-ingredients. This recipe is low in fat, vegan, oil-free, sugar-free and high in fiber.

Overhead image of apple butter in a glass jar.

Recipe Features

  • so easy – just 2 ingredients needed!
  • dietary needs – vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, low-fat
  • natural sweetener – use to sweeten baking, smoothies, oatmeal and more

What You’ll Need

  • Apples. I like to use a variety of organic apples but you can use any kind of apple to make this recipe. There’s no need to worry about the exact amount but somewhere around 6-8 apples works great. I like to use a few different kinds in each batch but using just 1 or type varieties works as well. 6 medium-sized apples which produces about 2 1/4 cups of apple butters.
  • Cinnamon. Cinnamon helps enhance the flavour of the apples. I also added a bit of nutmeg but it’s an optional ingredient.
6 apples, 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp of nutmeg on a white surface.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare the Apples. To prepare the apples for cooking, wash well then remove the cores and slice into chunks.

No peeling? Nope. You do not need to peel the apples for making apple butter. Just quarter, remove the core, chop into chunks and toss them right into the crockpot.

Chopped apples on a cutting board with a knife.

Step 2. Cook the Apples. Add the chopped apples, cinnamon and nutmeg to your slow cooker and cook on high for about 3 hours. Give it a stir every hour or so.

No sugar needed? Nope, no added sugar needed! I think the apple butter is sweet enough on its own but it is a tad tart. So, if you prefer a sweeter apple butter, add 2-3 tbsp of maple syrup or coconut sugar with the cinnamon and nutmeg.

Chopped apples with cinnamon and nutmeg in a slow cooker.
Cooked apples in a slow cooker.

Step 3. Blend into Applesauce. After about 3 hours, carefully scoop the apples out of the slow cooker and into a blender. Blend the apples into applesauce, making sure to allow steam to escape as you’re blending.

You may need to do this in a couple batches depending on how many apples you used and what kind of blender you have.

Blended applesauce in a Vitamix container.

Step 4. Thicken into apple butter. After blending, pour the applesauce back into the slow cooker and continue cooking on low for 3-5 hours until thickened to your liking.

Once it’s thickened up a bit, let it cool completely in the slow cooker or transfer it to storage container to cool.

Thick apple butter in a slow cooker.
Thick apple butter in a glass jar.

How to Serve

  • as a spread for toast
  • spread on a warm muffin or slice of loaf
  • mixed into oatmeal or yogurt
  • used in baking instead of applesauce
  • spread over pancakes or waffles
  • as a dip for fresh fruit
A spoon scooping apple butter out of a glass jar.
Apple butter on a slice of banana bread.

How to Store

  • Fridge: Let it cool then store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks in a sealed container.
  • Freezer: Let it cool then freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months and thawed in the fridge as needed. If freezing, I’d suggest freezing it in approximately 1-cup containers so you can pull it from the freezer in smaller portions, as needed.
A sealed glass jar of apple butter.

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Overhead image of apple butter in a glass jar.

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1/4 cups
  • Category: Condiment
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: Vegan
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Description

This delicious, healthy and sugar-free apple butter is amazing slathered over toast or a slice of your favourite loaf, added to oatmeal or served as a dip for fresh fruit.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Wash, core and chop the apples and add them to a slow cooker.
  2. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg.
  3. Cook on high for 2 hours then carefully scoop into a blender and blend until smooth. You may have to do this in batches. Be careful as it will be very hot. Make sure you allow the steam to escape as you blend.
  4. Add the blended apples back into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours until thickened to your liking.
  5. Either let the apple butter cool in the slow cooker or transfer to a container and let cool before storing. I just let it sit in the crockpot until completely cool then I transfer it to a storage container and place in the fridge. It will thicken up a little more in the fridge.
  6. Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

I think this recipe is amazing without added sugar but if you’d like it to be a little sweeter, you can add 2-3 tbsp of maple syrup or coconut sugar when you add the cinnamon and nutmeg. Without added sugar it’s sweet but it can be a little bit tart depending on the type of apple you use. I’ve made it both ways and while extra sweetness is tasty, I don’t think it’s necessary and I like keeping the recipe sugar-free. Everyone that’s made it sugar-free loves it too. Up to you!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 tbsp
  • Calories: 57
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 0.3 g

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