Making Applesauce with Kids

Do you like to cook with your kids? We try to give our kids opportunities to help in the kitchen as much as possible. Making applesauce with kids is very easy. Seems to be a popular recipe in preschool and kindergarten classes too. I’ll share what has worked for us.

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Making Applesauce with Kids

1. Gather ingredients and supplies.

One day while walking in the neighborhood we passed a house that free apples. The house had at least three trees that we saw. We had a fun time sorting through the apples. Our toddler liked bringing me apples to put in the bag I just so happened to have.

The bigger apples look like Braeburn. The smaller might be Golden Delicious, but I honestly don’t know. They are pictured above- what variety do you think they are?

In addition to apples, we always add cinnamon. Bonus, the house smells so good while boiling the mixture.

My son and I decided to add a bit of vanilla this time and I think it will be a regular ingredient from now on.

Sitting at a table is often a good way to work. In classrooms, prepping food is often done on a table, which will be familiar to kids.

Standing towers are one way to have preschool age children help at a counter or kitchen island. We use a basic step stool; no room for a tower in our kitchen.

2. Peel the apples.

Decide whether or not your kiddo can handle the task of peeling the apples. Ages 5 and 6 seem to be the most ready to try peeling.

The curve of apples can be a bit tricky.

Demonstrate how to do it, and let them try if you think they can manage. If you do choose to let them peel, please supervise while they do so.

A lot of Montessori schools recommend peelers like this: ceramic Y peeler.

This source is an interesting read about kids and vegetable peeling.

3. Slice the apples.

We got this kids knife set when my son was 5 and its a great way to get them helping in the kitchen.

Once again, make sure to supervise children while they are slicing the apples.

After peeling the apples, I sliced the apple off of the core.

Then, I let my son cut the slice further into smaller chunks.

One of the great things about making applesauce is that you don’t need perfect pieces.

4. Add apples to a pot of water.

For four medium apples and a few small wonky ones, we used one cup of water.

You can always add more if needed.

I like to ask my kiddo to bring me measuring cups and measuring spoons to test his knowledge of fractions and units of measurement.

5. Add sugar to the pot.

We added one quarter cup of sugar to make it a sweet treat.

6. Add vanilla and cinnamon to the pot.

As I mentioned above, we always use cinnamon and the vanilla is a new-to-us new addition.

One half teaspoon of each is just right.

7. Boil and mash as desired.

For this step, mash as little or as much as you like.

A potato masher works well for this step.

My son initially requested to do this step, but he got distracted and moved on to something else.

Enjoy your applesauce!

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know in the comments if you have made homemade applesauce.

More apple goodness:

Baked apples– our kids love this with a scoop of ice cream!

This fall salad features apples and bacon..

More about making applesauce with kids.

What kind of apples are good for making homemade applesauce? We have tried a few varieties now, like Honey crisps, and the cultivars we picked in the neighborhood.Golden Delicious and McIntosh or Red Delicious tend to be soft, which is great for sauce.

Do I have to have to add sugar? No, feel free to use a sweeter apple like a Honeycrisp and leave out the sugar. You can also use some honey instead of sugar.

How long does homemade applesauce last? Store in an airtight container and the applesauce should last 7 to 10 days.