GERD Friendly Vanilla Cinnamon Applesauce
Sweet, fragrant, and genuinely soothing, this homemade applesauce is the kind of simple comfort food that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. It comes together in one saucepan with just a handful of wholesome ingredients — sweet apples like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp, a touch of maple syrup, warm cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla — nothing acidic, nothing spicy, nothing that tends to set off reflux symptoms. Managing GERD often means giving up a lot of the foods you love, but applesauce is one of those rare treats that's naturally gentle on the digestive system and still genuinely delicious. The apples simmer down until completely tender, then get mashed or blended to whatever texture you prefer — chunky and rustic or silky smooth. A pinch of salt and that final stir of vanilla extract pull everything together into something that tastes far more indulgent than its short ingredient list suggests. It makes six servings, so you can keep a batch in the fridge and reach for it as a snack, a side dish, or even a topping for oatmeal throughout the week. Store-bought versions often sneak in citric acid or other additives that can be problematic, so making your own means you stay in complete control of every ingredient.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 3 lbs sweet apples (such as fuji, gala, or honeycrisp — about 6 medium), peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple chunks, water, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir to coat the apples, then cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely tender and collapse easily when pressed with a spoon, about 20–25 minutes.
- 2
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
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