• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Life As A Strawberry
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Bread Class!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Bread Baking
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Bread Baking
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Fall

    Easy Slow Cooker Apple Butter - No Refined Sugar! (With Video)

    Published: Nov 22, 2019 · Last Updated: Feb 1, 2023

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy apple butter is made completely in a slow cooker or crock pot with no refined sugar - just a splash of maple syrup! Vegan, Gluten-Free.

    This post contains affiliate links: if you buy something we'll earn a small commission at no cost to you.

    Metal spoon stirring apple butter in a glass mason jar. this recipe

    Internet, meet our new favorite homemade apple butter recipe: made completely in a slow cooker or crockpot (with only five minutes of prep!)

    Just like our fan-favorite stovetop apple butter, this crock pot recipe is made without processed or refined sugar - just a splash of maple syrup to complement the natural sweetness of fresh fall apples. Add a bit of lemon juice, cinnamon, and ground cloves and you have everything you need.

    Also? No peeling necessary! A good immersion blender (we love this one!) will make quick work of those apple peels after a few hours in a slow cooker.

    Chopped apples and spices in a black slow cooker.

    Use any apples you like here! This is a very forgiving recipe, so don't be afraid to make swaps and substitutions to make it your own. Replace the maple syrup here with honey, brown sugar, or even molasses.

    Also recommended: adding a few tablespoons of bourbon to the apples while they cook!

    Apple butter will thicken as it cools, so don't worry if it still looks a little runny in the slow cooker! If you still need to thicken your apple butter, you can continue to cook it uncovered in your crock pot or simmer it on the stove.

    Immersion blender blending cooked apples in a black bowl.

    Can this apple butter be frozen?

    YES! Freeze this apple butter in an airtight container for several months and defrost as needed. I've kept it in the freezer for up to a year with no problems as long as the container has a good seal!

    We recommend using small mason jars with tight lids to freeze this apple butter so you can grab just what you need throughout the year.

    Let apple butter defrost overnight in the fridge or remove any metal lid pieces and microwave in 30-second intervals when you're ready to use it!

    How to use leftover apple butter

    These recipes were designed specifically to be used with extra apple butter! You can also add a dollop of this sauce to ice cream, toast, or a Thanksgiving cheese board. For more ideas, check out our full Apple Butter Recipe Collection.

    • Easy French Toast
    • Apple Coffee Cake
    • Brie Crostini
    • Apple Cinnamon Muffins
    • Spice Cake with Maple Frosting
    Apple butter in a small mason jar on a grey plate.

    VIDEO: HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER APPLE BUTTER

      Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Silver spoon lifting apple butter out of a mason jar.

    Slow Cooker Apple Butter

    ★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
    • Author: Jessie
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 8 hours
    • Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
    • Yield: Makes about 2 cups 1x
    • Category: Appetizer
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    An easy apple butter made completely in a slow cooker with no refined sugar!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 5 medium apples (about 3 pounds) cored and roughly chopped
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

    Instructions

    1. Stir all ingredients together in a slow cooker. Cover and cook for 4-5 hours on high heat or 8-10 hours on low heat until apples are soft and easily mashed.
    2. Turn off the slow cooker, remove the lid, and let apples cool for 10-20 minutes before blending.
    3. Purée apple mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. For best results, purée an extra 30 seconds or so after the mixture already appears smooth - it will work out any fine lumps for a smooth apple butter! 
    4. If you'd like to thicken your apple butter further, turn the slow cooker back on and continue to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 hours or until it reaches your desired thickness. 
    5. Serve apple butter warm or let cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. 

    Notes

    What kind of apples should I use? Use any apple varieties you like, or mix a few different varieties together! Just keep in mind that the sweeter the apples you use, the sweeter your apple butter will be. Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Sansa, Fuji, McIntosh, and Liberty are just a few of the apple varieties we've used and liked in this recipe.

    Do I need to peel the apples? No! A good immersion blender will make quick work of any apple peels - no need to peel the apples before cooking unless you want to! Just remove any seeds and stems and you're good to go.

    Equipment. We recommend using a 5-quart or smaller slow cooker (we love this one from Crock-Pot!) If you have a larger (7 or 8-qt) slow cooker, we recommend doubling the recipe to prevent the apples from drying out (or even burning if you use high heat) over a long cook time. We use our Cuisinart Immersion blender here for a smooth apple butter purée.

    Additions and Substitutions. Use honey or brown sugar in place of the maple syrup if you like. Use more or less cinnamon and/or cloves if you prefer. Add a teaspoon of vanilla or a few Tablespoons of whiskey for extra flavor. 

    To thicken your apple butter after puréeing, continue to cook it uncovered, stirring occasionally, in the slow cooker until it's reached your desired consistency. This apple butter will continue to thicken as it cools.

    What to serve with apple butter. Serve this apple butter as a spread on a fall cheese plate, as a sauce over crostini with sliced brie, slathered on sourdough toast like jam, with a round of baked brie, inside homemade cinnamon rolls, with scones, or as a sauce for pork chops or pork tenderloin.

    No time for a slow cooker? Use our easy stovetop apple butter (also made without refined sugar!) for the same great results. 

    To freeze this apple butter, let it cool completely, then pack it into small mason jars with airtight lids and freeze for several months (or longer - I've kept apple butter in the freezer for up to a year with no problems!)

    This recipe has not been tested for pH levels or other safe home canning practices. If you'd like an apple butter recipe that's been tested for home canning, we recommend this one from Ball!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 2 Tablespoons
    • Calories: 44
    • Sugar: 8.8 g
    • Sodium: 37.5 mg
    • Fat: 0.1 g
    • Carbohydrates: 11.6 g
    • Protein: 0.2 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: crock pot, spread, thanksgiving

    Tag @lifeasastrawberry on Instagram to show us what you're cooking! Nutrition information is calculated per serving; it is approximate and will vary based on many factors.

    \"\"
    Silver spoon lifting apple butter out of a mason jar.

    More Fall Recipes

    • Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls (Makes 6)
    • Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies
    • Crusty Cranberry Pecan Bread (No Kneading)
    • Cranberry Brie Stuffed French Toast

    I'm Jessie, and I like to talk about food. Tag your recipes #LifeAsAStrawberry on social media to share your creations! Learn about our team!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Reader Interactions

    Discussion

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Judy

      July 25, 2022 at 1:51 pm

      If you don't have cloves what can you use?

      Reply
      • Team Life As A Strawberry

        July 26, 2022 at 9:27 pm

        Hi Judy! You can omit the cloves entirely or substitute for nutmeg for a similar apple-spice flavor!

        Reply
    2. Debbie Fannin

      September 19, 2021 at 8:43 pm

      I have a quick question for you. Really want to make this crockpot apple butter, but do not have an immersion blender. Is it ok to puree win a blender?

      Reply
      • Team Life As A Strawberry

        September 20, 2021 at 12:05 pm

        Yes! You can absolutely use a regular blender or food processor! You may need to blend the apple butter in a few batches.

        Reply
    3. Alisha

      January 06, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      This was soooo good! Absolutely delicious on toast with some butter ◡̈ will be making it forever

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Team Life As A Strawberry

        January 07, 2021 at 2:46 pm

        Thanks SO much!

        Reply
    4. Katie

      October 18, 2020 at 10:36 am

      So easy, made the house smell fantastic and of course was absolutely delicious!!! Will definitely be making this again!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Team Life As A Strawberry

        October 19, 2020 at 5:10 pm

        We’re so happy you enjoyed it!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Jessie standing in a kitchen lifting a fork full of pasta.

    I'm Jessie, and I like to talk about food. On this website, you'll find well-tested recipes and tutorials to help you make weeknight comfort food you're proud of.

    Learn More →

    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Easy Crusty French Bread (VIDEO)
    • How to Make a Cheese Plate (with step-by-step photos!)
    • 30 Minute Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta
    • Butterless Chocolate Chip Cookies with Coconut Oil
    • Easy Creamy Mushroom Sauce
    • Cupcakes 104: How to Store and Freeze Cupcakes (With Video!)

    Easy Winter Recipes

    • Crusty Cranberry Pecan Bread (No Kneading)
    • Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dried Cranberries and Goat Cheese
    • Instant Pot Short Ribs with Red Wine
    • Mushroom Spinach Lasagna
    • Easy Jalapeño Cheese Bread in a Dutch Oven (no kneading!)
    • Small Batch Crusty Bread

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    ABOUT US

    • Meet Our Team
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Work With Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility

    RESOURCES

    • Subscriber Resource Library
    • Meal Planning Resources
    • Sustainability Resources
    • Social Responsibility
    • At The Table Podcast
    • Everyday Artisan Bread Course

    RECIPES

    • Recipe Index
    • Homemade Bread
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Meal Ideas

    JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST!

    Life As A Strawberry logo
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    1% for the Planet logo

    About - Recipes - Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2012-2023 LIFE AS A STRAWBERRY