Instant Pot Applesauce is an easy seasonal fall recipe to make in under 20 minutes time. This applesauce recipe will leave your home smelling like it’s simmered on the stove-top for hours!
I’m so excited to share with you one of my favorite fall recipes that I’ve converted to an Instant Pot recipe! If you own an Instant Pot I think you’ll love this easy recipe for Instant Pot Applesauce. It’s made in under 20 minutes from start to finish and will leave your house smelling amazing. It’s the perfect allergy-friendly recipe (see my notes below on this topic) and makes for a perfect snack, side dish, or even dessert.
If you have excess apples and don’t know what to do with them this is definitely one of the best ways to use them up. In my case, I had a dozen apples leftover from our Halloween party last month.
My son, insisted we bob for apples. We had at least 25 children at my house and I knew I needed a lot of apples, so I bought four dozen apples. I would rather have more then enough then not enough for all the kids to try and bob for an apple. The kids loved it and once everyone left and I saw that I had over a dozen apples left I knew homemade apple sauce was in our future. I have a stove-top recipe for homemade applesauce, and this recipe for chunky cran-applesauce. Both recipes take a little time on the stovetop, so I knew I could make applesauce in a fraction of the time in my Instant Pot.
In this post you will learn the following information on how to make the very best Instant Pot Applesauce.
Ingredients
- Apples – I like to use Granny Smith apples. However, my mom scolded me and told me I should only ever use Macintosh apples. I honestly do not taste a difference at all. Use whatever apples you like!
- Brown Sugar – This is an optional ingredient. I love a sweet applesauce. My kids actually prefer their applesauce unsweetened. So with that being said, you can add a little or as much as you would like.
- Cinnamon – This is another optional ingredient. A little cinnamon goes a long way.
- Nutmeg – I like to use a dash of nutmeg. Once again, if you don’t like nutmeg you do not need to add it.
- Apple Cider – I prefer a sweeter apple sauce so I like to use apple cider or apple juice if I have it on hand. However, you can also use water to reduce the amount of sugar. Trust me–follow the recipe. It seems like not enough water at all, and I promise it is. The apples will let all their juice out as they cook.
Directions
Peel, core, and chop apples into bite-size pieces. Place in the Instant Pot. Then sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg on top of the apples. Pour the apple cider on top and stir the apples until all the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg are combined.
Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot, place valve in “sealing” position and select “steam” setting. Cook for 3 minutes. Once the applesauce is done, carefully force pressure from the Instant Pot until all the steam is removed. Open the lid and mix the apples. You’ll notice it instantly looks like applesauce. Eat warm, or let cool to room temperature the store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
This is how the applesauce will look like once it’s done! It’s basically 100% pureed.
FAQS
You’ll notice that my recipe for applesauce calls for a half cup of brown sugar plus apple cider. That is a lot of sugar. If you are trying to reduce the amount of sugar you consume you can make this applesauce without sugar. Just omit the brown sugar and sub out the apple cider for water. If you want to reduce some of the sugar you can use water instead of apple cider. I’ve cooked the applesauce with all three methods and each time it comes out perfect. It’s all based on preference and dietary needs.
My recipe for Instant Pot applesauce is gluten free, dairy free and naturally vegan. It’s the perfect side dish for anyone with a gluten or dairy allergy. You could even serve this over gluten free oatmeal or as a dessert topping with a dairy-free ice cream. The sky is the limit.
Using your Instant Pot to make applesauce is very easy. I use the “steam” setting in my electric pressure cooker for just 3 minutes. It will take about 3-5 minutes to come to pressure then an additional 3 minutes to cook. You can let the pressure cooker do a natural release or you can force pressure immediately. That takes about 1 minute of steam release. By the time you open the lid your apples will be soft and the perfect thick applesauce consistency.
Yes, homemade apple sauce freezes well. Let the applesauce completely cool and then divide among freezer bags. I like to use quart size freezer bags. Label, date the bag, and freeze laying flat for maximum space-saving storage. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I would love to share with you on my experience when making homemade apple sauce.
- Peel – I prefer a peeled apple when I eat applesauce. You do not have to do this if you would not like to.
- Added Sugar – You have a few options if you want instant pot applesauce with sugar. I like to use brown sugar, you can also use granulated white sugar, agave, or even maple syrup. Just remember when you
- No Sugar – Worried about all the added sugar? No worries if you prefer an applesauce recipe no sugar, simply do not add the additional sugar or apple cider to the recipe.
- Season – My applesauce recipe calls for both cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also use an apple pie splice blend. Or simply don’t add any spice at all.
- Instant Pot – Whenever you cook in the Instant Pot you need to take into consideration it will take time for the pot to come to pressure. Typically whatever the cook time is, double it. So for this recipe it takes 3 minutes to cook, so it will take 3-5 minutes to come to pressure, then 3 minutes to cook.
- Chunky Applesauce – To achieve Instant Pot chunky applesauce, set the time for only 1 minute! This will ensure you will have a chunkier applesauce.
- Gluten Free / Dairy Free / Vegan – This recipe is naturally gluten and dairy free and is eve vegan!
- Freeze – This recipe makes a lot of applesauce. Let the applesauce completely cool and then divide among freezer bags. I like to use quart size freezer bags. I’ll label and date and freeze laying flat for maximum space-saving storage (as pictured above). Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Defrost – To defrost, you place the freezer bag in the refrigerator and it will naturally thaw over a 24-hour period. Or for a quick defrost you run the freezer bag under cool water until thawed. You can reheat in a microwave or in a pot on the stove. Or eat it cold. The option is totally up to you.
Apple Recipes
Love apples as much as I do? Here are a few of my favorite apple recipes.
- Apple Streusels Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Pie Milkshakes
- Apple Pie
- Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Pancake
- Apple Cider Sangria
If you make this pressure cooker applesauce, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Instant Pot Applesauce
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 12 granny smith apples peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup apple cider or water
Instructions
- Peel, core, and chop apples into bite-size pieces. Place in the Instant Pot. Then sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg on top of the apples. Pour the apple cider on top and stir the apples until all the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg are combined.
- Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot, place valve in "sealing" position and select "steam" setting. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Once the applesauce is done, carefully force pressure from the Instant Pot until all the steam is removed. Open the lid and mix the apples. You'll notice it instantly looks like applesauce. Eat warm, or let cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Peel – I prefer a peeled apple when I eat applesauce. You do not have to do this if you would not like to.
- Added Sugar – You have a few options if you want instant pot applesauce with sugar. I like to use brown sugar, you can also use granulated white sugar, agave, or even maple syrup. Just remember when you
- No Sugar – Worried about all the added sugar? No worries if you prefer an applesauce recipe no sugar, simply do not add the additional sugar or apple cider to the recipe.
- Season – My applesauce recipe calls for both cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also use an apple pie splice blend. Or simply don’t add any spice at all.
- Instant Pot – Whenever you cook in the Instant Pot you need to take into consideration it will take time for the pot to come to pressure. Typically whatever the cook time is, double it. So for this recipe it takes 3 minutes to cook, so it will take 3-5 minutes to come to pressure, then 3 minutes to cook.
- Chunky Applesauce – To achieve Instant Pot chunky applesauce, set the time for only 1 minute! This will ensure you will have a chunkier applesauce.
- Gluten Free / Dairy Free / Vegan – This recipe is naturally gluten and dairy free and is eve vegan!
- Freeze – This recipe makes a lot of applesauce. Let the applesauce completely cool and then divide among freezer bags. I like to use quart size freezer bags. I’ll label and date and freeze laying flat for maximum space-saving storage. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Defrost – To defrost, you place the freezer bag in the refrigerator and it will naturally thaw over a 24-hour period. Or for a quick defrost you run the freezer bag under cool water until thawed. You can reheat in a microwave or in a pot on the stove. Or eat it cold. The option is totally up to you.
Nutrition
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Sounds delicious………..