Sugar Free Crockpot Apple Butter is my little secret weapon for those weeks when I want something cozy and sweet, but I also do not want a sugar crash. I started making it during a phase when I was trying to be smarter about snacks, the same season I was reading up on how to replace meals with smoothies safely and realizing I needed better options for the rest of my day too. This apple butter gives you that warm, spiced, fall vibe without needing a cup of sugar to get there. You toss everything in the slow cooker, go live your life, and your kitchen smells like a candle store in the best way. And when you finally taste it, it is thick, smooth, and honestly kind of magical. 
Recipe Notes:
Let us talk about how I actually make this, in real life, on a regular weekday. I am not doing anything fancy here, and you do not need special equipment beyond a crockpot and a blender or immersion blender. The goal is a thick spread with concentrated apple flavor, plus cozy spice.
What you will need:
- 6 to 7 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 12 to 14 medium)
- 1 to 1 and a half teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 quarter teaspoon ground cloves (optional but it makes it taste like fall)
- 1 quarter teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Optional sweetness: 1 to 3 tablespoons monk fruit or erythritol, only if your apples are super tart
- Optional extra flavor: a splash of vanilla at the end
Directions I follow every time:
- Add chopped apples to the crockpot. Sprinkle in cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice.
- Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until apples are very soft.
- Blend until smooth. I use an immersion blender right in the pot because I am lazy and I admit it.
- Then uncover and cook 1 to 3 more hours on LOW, stirring every so often, until it gets thick and darker.
- Taste and adjust. This is where you decide if it needs a little more cinnamon or a tiny bit of sweetener.
The biggest tip I can give you is to not rush the thickening step. The slow uncovered simmer at the end is where the flavor gets deeper and the color turns that pretty brown. Also, different apples have different water content, so your timing might vary. If your crockpot runs hot, check earlier. If it runs cool, let it go longer.
If you are into apple drinks too, you might also like this crisp and refreshing apple cider vinegar drink recipe for a totally different kind of apple moment.
One more note, because someone always asks. Yes, Sugar Free Crockpot Apple Butter still has natural sugar from the apples. It is just made without added sugar. That is the whole point and it still tastes sweet because apples are doing the heavy lifting.
“I made this on Sunday and I have been putting it on everything. I cannot believe it has no added sugar. My kids thought it was dessert.”
Jamie, busy mom and snack tester
Ways to use apple butter:
Once you have a jar of this in the fridge, it suddenly feels like you have your life together. It is one of those simple things that makes everyday snacks taste special. I have even eaten it straight off the spoon while staring into the fridge, so no judgment here.
My favorite ways to use it:
- Spread on whole grain toast with a little butter or cream cheese
- Swirled into plain Greek yogurt with chopped walnuts
- As a topping for oatmeal, especially with cinnamon and sliced bananas
- On pancakes or waffles instead of syrup
- Mixed into chia pudding for a cozy apple pie vibe
- Used as a spread on a turkey sandwich for a sweet and savory combo
If you are an oatmeal person, you might love this cozy drink too: delicious apple cinnamon oatmeal smoothie. It hits the same warm spice notes as apple butter, just in smoothie form.
And if you are trying to keep treats lighter, I will say this. Sugar Free Crockpot Apple Butter makes a dessert feel like a snack. A little spoonful on yogurt feels indulgent, but it is still pretty balanced.
Best Apples for Sugar-Free Apple Butter
The apples you pick really matter here, because you are not using added sugar to cover up bland flavor. I like mixing varieties. It makes the apple butter taste richer and more interesting, and you get a better sweet tart balance.
My go to mix:
I usually do about half sweet apples and half tart apples. For sweet, I love Fuji or Gala. For tart, Granny Smith is classic. Honeycrisp is amazing too, but it can be pricey, so I use it when it is on sale.
Great choices:
Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, and Jonagold all work. If you only have one variety, that is totally fine. Just expect the flavor to lean more sweet or more tangy depending on what you chose.
A quick reality check:
If your apples are super tart, your batch might need that optional tablespoon or two of monk fruit or erythritol. If your apples are naturally sweet, you probably will not need anything. This is why I always say taste at the end. You are the boss of your crockpot.
If you are in an apple phase and want more ways to use them, this bright and simple celery fennel apple juice recipe is a fun one for afternoons when you want something crisp instead of cozy.
Also, this is worth saying clearly. Sugar Free Crockpot Apple Butter works best when the apples have strong flavor. If they taste watery and bland raw, the final spread will be a little boring too.
How to Store Apple Butter:
Storage is easy, but it helps to do it right so you do not waste your hard work. I usually make a big batch because it takes the same effort as a smaller one, and it disappears fast.
Fridge: Let it cool, then spoon it into clean jars or containers with lids. It keeps well in the fridge for about 10 to 14 days. I always use a clean spoon when serving so it stays fresh.
Freezer: Apple butter freezes beautifully. I freeze it in small containers so I can thaw one at a time. Leave a little space at the top because it expands. It stays good for about 3 months, sometimes longer.
Canning: You can water bath can apple butter, but I only recommend doing this if you follow a trusted tested canning recipe and process times. I am a casual home cook, not a canning expert, so I stick to fridge and freezer most of the time.
One more practical tip. Write the date on the lid. Future you will be grateful when you find a mystery jar in the back of the fridge.
How Do You Know When Apple Butter is Done?
This part used to stress me out because I wanted an exact time, but the truth is it depends on your apples and your crockpot. Once you know what you are looking for, it becomes easy.
Signs it is done:
First, the color. It turns a deeper brown, kind of like a light caramel. Second, the texture. It should be thick enough to spread and it should not look watery. Third, the taste. It will taste more concentrated and less like plain applesauce.
The spoon test I use:
Scoop a spoonful and hold the spoon sideways. If it slowly slides off in one thick blob, you are close. If it pours off like sauce, it needs more time uncovered. Another trick is to put a little on a plate. If liquid pools around it after a minute, keep cooking.
Blend first, then thicken:
Make sure you blend before you do your final uncovered cook. If you wait to blend until the end, it can loosen the texture and you will have to cook it longer again.
When it is finally done, it smells warm and spiced, and you will want to dip everything in it. That is how you know you nailed it.
Common Questions
1) Is Sugar Free Crockpot Apple Butter actually sugar free?
It has no added sugar, but apples naturally contain sugar. So it is added sugar free, which is what most people mean when they are looking for a lighter option.
2) Do I have to peel the apples?
I recommend peeling for the smoothest texture. If you do not mind a more rustic spread, you can leave peels on and blend really well, but it may still be a bit textured.
3) Can I make it without a blender?
You can mash it by hand, but it will be more like a thick applesauce. For that classic apple butter feel, blending helps a lot.
4) Why is my apple butter not thickening?
Usually it just needs more uncovered cook time. Stir occasionally and let moisture cook off. Also, some apples are juicier, so they take longer.
5) Can I add other flavors?
Yes. A little vanilla at the end is great. You can also add a pinch of cardamom or extra cinnamon. Just go slow and taste as you go.
A cozy little treat you will actually make again
If you want something sweet, warm, and easy, Sugar Free Crockpot Apple Butter is honestly one of the best things you can keep in your fridge. It is simple, it makes the house smell amazing, and it turns basic snacks into something you look forward to. If you want another wholesome treat idea for your rotation, I also keep recipes like this chocolate green smoothie recipe guilt free on repeat when I need something quick. And if you want to compare methods or get extra tips, this recipe for Slow Cooker Apple Butter (no sugar added) is a helpful read too. Make a batch this week, stash some in the freezer, and promise me you will try it at least once on toast with a pinch of cinnamon. 
Sugar Free Crockpot Apple Butter
- Total Time: 495 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Sugar-Free
Description
A cozy and sweet apple butter made without added sugar, perfect for enhancing your snacks.
Ingredients
- 6 to 7 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 12 to 14 medium)
- 1 to 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Optional sweetness: 1 to 3 tablespoons monk fruit or erythritol
- Optional extra flavor: a splash of vanilla
Instructions
- Add chopped apples to the crockpot. Sprinkle in cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice.
- Cook on LOW for 480 to 600 minutes or HIGH for 240 to 300 minutes, until apples are very soft.
- Blend until smooth with an immersion blender.
- Uncover and cook for an additional 60 to 180 minutes on LOW, stirring occasionally until thick and darker.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spices as needed.
Notes
Let the apple butter cool, then store in clean jars. It keeps in the fridge for 10 to 14 days or can be frozen for about 3 months. Remember to check thickness, as it may differ based on the water content of the apples used.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg