There’s nothing quite like the deep, rich flavor of homemade apple butter—thick, smooth, and full of warm, cozy spices. But here’s the thing: you don’t actually need sugar to make amazing apple butter. The natural sweetness of apples (especially when slow-cooked) creates a perfectly balanced spread without any added sweeteners.
This no-sugar-added apple butter is made with just apples, cinnamon, and a touch of lemon juice—that’s it! It’s naturally sweet, rich, and velvety, perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into oatmeal, or spooning straight from the jar. Plus, it’s easy to make in the slow cooker, stovetop, or Instant Pot!
When the small of cooking apples and cinnamon starts wafting through your house, it no doubt means it’s time for fall! I have to be honest, this recipe for crock pot apple butter was a little bit of a fluke. I left some homemade crockpot applesauce in the crock pot too long and wha-la, a glorious apple butter mix-up!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Naturally gluten-free, paleo, & Whole30-friendly – A perfect healthy option for fall!
No added sugar – The apples caramelize naturally, making this perfectly sweet on its own.
Super easy to make – The slow cooker does all the work!
Versatile & delicious – Use it as a spread, a mix-in, or even a natural sweetener for baking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple and wholesome—just a few real-food ingredients:
- Vanilla Extract (Optional): Adds a little richness and depth to the final product.
- Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart varieties for the best natural flavor.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth—feel free to add nutmeg or cloves for extra spice.
- Lemon Juice: Balances the sweetness and helps preserve color.
- Spices: warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg taste like apple pie.
How to Make No-Sugar-Added Apple Butter
Slow Cooker Method (Easiest!)
- Prep the apples: Core and slice (no need to peel!) and toss them into the slow cooker.
- Add flavor: Sprinkle with cinnamon and lemon juice, then stir to coat.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the apples are completely soft and caramelized.
- Blend until smooth: Use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and blend until creamy.
- Cook down: Return to the slow cooker and cook uncovered on low for another 1-2 hours until thickened.
- Store & enjoy! Transfer to jars and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage.
Stovetop Method (Faster!)
- Combine ingredients in a large pot over medium heat.
- Simmer uncovered for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until apples are very soft.
- Blend smooth and continue cooking for 30 more minutes until thickened.
Best Apples for No-Sugar Apple Butter
For the best natural sweetness, use a mix of sweet and tart apples. Here are some great combinations:
- Sweeter apples: Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious
- Tarter apples: Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn
A blend of sweet and tart apples gives the best balance of flavor!
Ways to Use Apple Butter
This thick, naturally sweet spread is so much more than just a toast topping! Try it:
🍎 Spread on toast, biscuits, or pancakes for a naturally sweet breakfast.
🥣 Swirled into oatmeal or yogurt for a fall-inspired flavor boost.
🍪 As a filling for pastries, hand pies, or thumbprint cookies.
🍖 Brushed over pork chops or chicken for a delicious glaze.
🍏 Mixed into applesauce or smoothies for an extra depth of flavor.
🥧 Used as a natural sweetener in muffins, cakes, or quick breads.
Storage & Freezing Tips
Canning: For long-term storage, use a water bath canning method and store in sterilized jars.
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze: Freeze in small containers or ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
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Crock Pot Apple Butter (No Sugar)
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Ingredients
- 6 lbs apples peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Add the apples, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the slow cooker and stir to mix. Cover the lid and cook on low for 10 hours, until the apples are cooked down and turn a dark amber color.6 lbs apples, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Use an immersion blender to blend the apple mixture until smooth. You can also transfer the mixture to a high speed blender.
- Stir the vanilla and cornstarch together to make a slurry. Add it to the apple butter in the slow cooker and cook on high, uncovered, for another 1-2 hours, until it reaches your desired consistency.1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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