Why would you want to thicken applesauce?
Applesauce is nothing than being too familiar with Western households. This sauce is a common ingredient in many kitchens as a part of a dessert, a healthy snack or a condiment for meat dishes.
You could totally buy a convenient can of applesauce at a supermarket or easily make it yourself at home. It’s also the time to tighten the bond between family members and most of the homemade food saves money so why we have to buy processed applesauce out there?
However, the big problem is many people make the sauce unsuccessfully that it’s too runny and not reach the thickness that they want it to be. And of course, that situation will cause your dish less delicious and to have a not stunning look.
That’s why we need to ensure that the homemade applesauce can be thick or you will proactively know the way to fix a thin store-bought sauce.
Can you thicken applesauce?
The answer for this question is absolutely yes. In fact, to thicken the applesauce, you need to have in hand a proper cooking method for this condiment then everything else will be easier, but I will show you how to fix a runny sauce too so just don’t be too worried. Let’s take a closer look at this article and you will have your own answer.
Tips to thicken applesauce
- Note that the natural pectin in the apple skin can help thicken the sauce so don’t remove the skins before heating the apples until they are soft
- Keep your eyes on the heating pan of apples to make sure that they are not overcooked. Overcooking can make the apples lose their shapes and create a runny sauce
- You might think about using cornstarch to fix the runny sauce but be careful that this kind of starch can lose its effectiveness as a thickener because of the acids from apples
- If you make the applesauce for your baby, then removing the skins by peeling the apples before cooking is a better choice. At that time, you need to thicken the sauce by stirring it in baby rice or oatmeal cereal
- It’s your choice to add to the applesauce more sugar, salt or other ingredients such as cinnamon, lemon peel or whatever you like to create your own special flavor
Things you’ll need
- Apples (the amount is up to you)
- A knife
- A nonstick pan/ a bowl
- A starch thickener such as arrowroot or tapioca flour
How to thicken applesauce naturally
- Select firm, ripe apples and wash them under cold running water
- Cut the apples into wedges or chunks then place them in a large pan (remember to core the apples too)
- Add a small amount of apple juice, cider or water to the pan to help create steam
- Cover the pan with a tight lid and simmer the apples over low heat
- Check the apples regularly and stir to prevent them from sticking to the pan
- Add some liquid if your apples seem dry
- Take the pan out of the heat when the apples are tender
- Transfer the apples to a food mill to remove the skins
- Let the applesauce rest and it will thicken naturally when it cools
How to fix runny applesauce
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of arrowroot or tapioca flour to a bowl of about ¼ cup of apple juice, cider or runny applesauce
- Stir the mixture until it turns into a slurry
- Heat the pan of the runny applesauce over low flame
- Pour the bowl of the slurry into the heated pan and stir until the starch cooks clear and the sauce thickens
- You can keep stirring and cooking until the applesauce reaches the desired consistency
