Artificial Food Coloring Free Maple-Oat Cinnamon Applesauce
Warm spiced apples, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, and a handful of rolled oats come together in one humble saucepan to create something genuinely comforting. Store-bought applesauce is a surprisingly common source of hidden dyes and artificial additives — even the "natural" looking jars can sneak in unwanted extras. Every single ingredient here is exactly what it says it is: real fruit, real spice, real sweetener, nothing synthetic in sight. The oats thicken the sauce naturally and add a subtle heartiness that makes it feel more like a cozy autumn dessert than a simple condiment. You can mash it chunky for texture or blend it silky smooth depending on your mood, and the ginger and cinnamon give it a warmth that no artificially flavored version can match. It keeps in the fridge for up to five days, so it's just as practical as it is delicious — spoon it over oatmeal, serve it alongside a pork chop, or eat it straight from the bowl.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1.5 lbs apples (about 4 medium), peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 3 tbsp old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple chunks, water, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir to coat the apples, then cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely tender and beginning to break down, about 15–18 minutes.
- 2
Stir in the rolled oats and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until the oats have softened and the mixture has thickened slightly, about 5–7 minutes.
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