Apple Puree

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Homemade apple puree is well known as a first food for baby. It is also extremely versatile, you can use it in many ways and recipes that your baby, toddler and children will love.

A small glass jar of apple puree with a green bamboo spoon in front of a marble splash back.

Why I love apple puree

  • An easy recipe that can be used in many ways
  • A delicious naturally sweet fruit puree that is enjoyed by both young and old
  • A source of soluble fibre, pectin which is a pre-biotic.
  • It freezes and defrosts very well so you can keep it in the freezer for emergencies

Ingredients you will need

To make basic applesauce you will only need apples and a little water.

Three red skinned apples in a small bowl, next to a haved apple on a light marble bench.

Ingredient Notes

Best Apples to use

Choose ripe firm apples

I like to use naturally sweet apples when I make apple puree, in New Zealand where I live sweet varieties include:

  • Pink Lady
  • Ambrosia
  • Sweet Tango
  • Jazz
  • Royal Gala

You can however use any apple to make apple puree so use a sweet apple variety that is local to you.

A ripe red skinned apple being held above a bowl of apples.

Sweetening Apple Puree

If you are making pureed apples for your baby, do not add sugar or other sweeteners. It is not necessary.

If you have chosen a sweet apple variety as an ingredient for your apple puree then I urge you to try it before adding any additional sweetener.

If you decide to add extra sweetness, granulated sugar, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and honey (not for babies under one) will all add sweetness to apple puree.

Flavouring Apple Puree

Basic applesauce does not require additional flavourings, however, they can be nice to add for a little variety. You can add the following to the apples and water before cooking:

  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Vanilla extract
A small ceramic bowl containing ground nutmeg, ginger and a cinnamon stick.

How to make apple puree for baby

Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Apple Puree Recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.

Prep: Peel, core and slice the apples

Peeled and cored apple slices in a brown bowl, next to a light blue chopping board and pink handled paring knife.

Step one:

Place in a small saucepan, bring to the boil, Reduce heat and simmer until apples are tender. 5-10 minutes

Apple slices in a small sauce pan.

Step two: Drain, and reserve liquid.

Cooked apple slices in a colander next to a small bowl of apple water.

Step three: Blend or process until a smooth texture is reached, add liquid as needed.

If you are blending the apples while still hot, be sure your blender/processor can be vented. Hot foods should not be blended in a sealed blender (like a bullet-style blender) as the pressure can build and cause an explosion.

Pureed apples in a glass blender.
A small bowl of reserved apple liquid being held above a blender of pureed apple.

Enjoy!


Top Tips

Here is how you can make this apple purée perfectly every time!

  • Choose a sweet apple variety then you won't require any additional sweetener in the recipe
  • Don't use too much water, I know it may seem like not enough, but the apples will release quite a bit during the cooking process.
  • If you are blending the apples while still hot, be sure your blender/processor can be vented. Hot foods should not be blended in a sealed blender (like a bullet-style blender) as the pressure can build and may cause an explosion.
  • Freeze leftover apple puree in ice cube trays so that you can use it easily in future meals and recipes.
Applesauce portioned into a green silicone baby food freezer tray.

FAQs

How to store homemade apple puree?

Homemade apple puree can be stored in a clean air-tight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can apple puree be frozen?

Yes, apple puree can be frozen for up to 4 months, freeze in ice cube trays so that you can bring out small amounts when needed.

Does apple puree cause constipation?

Apple puree is a rich sauce of pectin, a soluble fibre with a unique gelling ability, in combination with water pectin can help normalise bowel motions helping relieve both constipation and diarrhoea.

A six photo collage of recipes that can be made with apple puree

Recipes you can make with pureed apples

There are so many recipes you can make with apple puree or apple sauce, it works as an unrefined sweetener, and because of its gelling/binding ability, it will also take the place of eggs in some recipes.

A spoonful of apple puree being held above a jar of apple puree.

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Apple puree in a small glass jar, with a spoonful of puree and halved apples on the bench next to the jar.

Apple puree

This homemade apple puree is an excellent first food for babies, but beyond that it is great for children of all ages and useful as a sweetener and/or egg replacer in so many baking recipes.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Puree, Snack
Cuisine: Western
Keyword: apple puree, apple baby food, apple baby puree, apple sauce, applesauce
Diet: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten free, Vegan, vegetarian
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 126kcal

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Ingredients

  • 4 apples (sweet variety) 300 grams
  • 4 Tablespoons water

Instructions

  • Peel, core and slice the apples
  • Place in a small saucepan, bring to the boil, Reduce heat and simmer until apples are tender. 5-10 minutes. The time taken can depend on the variety of apples, and the size of pieces you have cut your apple into.
  • Drain, reserve liquid
  • Blend or process until a smooth texture is reached, add reserved liquid as needed

Notes

  • This recipe will yield approximately ¾ cup. You can easily increase the quantities of apple and water to make a large batch. 
  • Choose a sweet apple variety then you won't require any additional sweetener in the recipe: Pink Lady, Ambrosia, Sweet Tango, Jazz, Royal Gala
  • Don't use too much water, I know it may seem like not enough, but the apples will release quite a bit during the cooking process.
  • If you are blending the apples while still hot, be sure your blender/processor can be vented. Hot foods should not be blended in a sealed blender (like a bullet-style blender) as the pressure can build and may cause an explosion.
  • Homemade apple puree can be stored in a clean air-tight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze leftover apple puree in ice cube trays for up to four months so that you can use it easily in future meals and recipes.
  • The following spices/flavourings can be added to the apples before cooking
    • Cinnamon
    • Ginger
    • Nutmeg
    • Vanilla extract

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 131IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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