Easy Homemade Apple Butter (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Rich, creamy and silky smooth, this easy homemade apple butter is slow cooked until caramelized, and has a beautiful fall flavor from the spices used. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.
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What is Apple Butter?
Fall is almost here… it’s my favorite season of all – with its auburn and yellow shades, crisp mornings and cool evenings, and of course apple season means an abundance of apples!
Which means it’s time to make all things apple, and especially a batch of homemade apple butter!
Considered a spread or a preserve, apple butter is basically a very concentrated form of applesauce that is made by slow cooking apples, sugar and spices until the sugar in the apples are caramelized, resulting in a beautiful dark brown color, and a rich and intense flavor.
The funny thing is that despite the word “butter” in its name, there is no dairy involved at all!
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients you’ll need for this homemade apple butter are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
- Super Easy to Make: With the help of a slow cooker and an electric blender, there is very little hands-on time involved in this recipe. And if you don’t own a slow cooker, there are also instructions for making this on your stovetop!
- Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this apple butter recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can also enjoy it without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this homemade apple butter recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Apples:Â Feel free to use the type of apples you like (I used gala apples, but you can also use pink lady apples, golden delicious, honey crisp apples, fuji apples, etc.)
- Brown Sugar: I used brown sugar to give it a deeper flavor. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using brown granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
- White Sugar: I used white sugar, but cane sugar will work too. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 white sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
- Spices: I used a mix of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to give this apple butter fall flavors. Alternatively, you may also replace them with 2/3 teaspoon of apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice instead.
- Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract for flavor, and highly recommend that you add it too.
How to Make Homemade Apple Butter (Step by Step):
1. Peel, Core and Cube Apples
Peel and core the fresh apples, before cutting them into into small cubes.
2. Place Ingredients in Slow Cooker
Place apples in the slow cooker, add sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla, stir to combine.
3. Cook Until Tender
Cook the apples and the other ingredients on the high setting for 4 hours (or on the low setting for 8 hours). Make sure to stir the ingredients a couple times during this time.
4. Puree Until Smooth
Once the apples are done cooking, puree the cooked apples in a high-powdered blender until smooth (just make sure to let the apples cool before processing them).
5. Return to Slow Cooker
Return the apple butter to the slow cooker and cook on high for another 1 hour.
6. Enjoy or Store
You can either enjoy the slow cooker apple butter straight away or cool it before transferring it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- No Slow Cooker (Stovetop Method): If you don’t own a slow cooker, you can make the apple butter on the stovetop by cooking the ingredients in a large saucepan at medium-high heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent burning at the bottom, until the apples are tender. Process the apples using an electric blender or immersion blender until silky smooth before returning it to the saucepan (partially cover the saucepan to allow steam to escape) and simmering for another 15 to 20 minutes until the apple butter is a deep brown color.
- Storing/Freezing: You can either enjoy the apple butter or cool it before transferring it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.If you don’t plan on using the apple butter within a week, freeze whatever amount you are not using in freezer-safe jars (leaving 1 inch of space empty as the apple butter will expand once frozen). Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen apple butter completely overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
What to Eat Apple Butter With?
- Bread / Toast: Toast your favorite gluten-free bread, then slather apple butter generously over!
- Scones: Bake a fresh batch of gluten-free scones, then slice the warm scones into half lengthwise before spreading with apple butter.
- Pancakes / Waffles: Enjoy a luxury breakfast or brunch – make a tall stack of fluffy gluten-free pancakes or crispy gluten-free waffles, then eat it with smooth apple butter.
- Oatmeal: Nothing beats starting a crisp fall morning with a warm cozy bowl of oatmeal topped with apple butter!
- Ice Cream / Yogurt: Spoon some over a bowl of ice cream of yogurt for a decadent treat!
- Pork: A side of this sweet apple butter makes a delicious contrast to savory pork chops or tenderloin!
Other Gluten-Free Apple Recipes You’ll Love:
- Homemade Applesauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Easy Apple Crumble (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Crispy Apple Chips (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Moist Apple Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Tender Apple Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Apple Tart (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Delicious Apple Crisp (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Gluten-Free Fall Recipes to Make This Season:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
Easy Homemade Apple Butter (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Rich, creamy and silky smooth, this easy homemade apple butter is slow cooked until caramelized, and has a beautiful fall flavor from the spices used. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel, Core and Cube Apples: Peel and core the apples, before cutting them into into small cubes.
- Place Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place apples in the slow cooker, add sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla, stir to combine.
- Cook Until Tender: Cook the apples and the other ingredients on the high setting for 4 hours (or on the low setting for 8 hours). Make sure to stir the ingredients a couple times during this time.
- Puree Until Smooth: Once the apples are done cooking, puree the apples in a blender until smooth.
- Return to Slow Cooker: Return the apple butter to the slow cooker and cook on high for another 1 hour.Â
- Enjoy or Store: You can either enjoy the apple butter or cool it before transferring it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
Apples: Feel free to use the type of apples you like (I used gala apples, but you can also use pink lady apples, golden delicious, honey crisp apples, etc.)
Brown Sugar: I used brown sugar to give it a deeper flavor. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using brown granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
White Sugar: I used white sugar, but cane sugar will work too. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 white sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
Spices: I used a mix of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to give this apple butter fall flavors. Alternatively, you may also replace them with 2/3 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice instead.
Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract for flavor, and highly recommend that you add it too.
Storing/Freezing: You can either enjoy the apple butter or cool it before transferring it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.If you don’t plan on using the apple butter within a week, freeze whatever amount you are not using in freezer-safe jars (leaving 1 inch of space empty as the apple butter will expand once frozen). Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen apple butter completely overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
