Instant Pot Applesauce
This Instant Pot Applesauce makes scrumptious homemade applesauce easy and hands-free! Made with a mix of apples, cinnamon, and a touch of optional sweetener, it’s one of the simplest, most rewarding things to make with your fall apple haul. Enjoy it for snacks, breakfasts, and even dessert!
Homemade applesauce is so worth it—and the Instant Pot makes it easy!
I will be the first to say that not everything is better to make from scratch (puff pastry, I am looking at you), but homemade applesauce always is. It sings in a way that packaged applesauce simply cannot.
- Every year, I pick far too many apples at our orchard. When you have more apples than you know what to do with, it’s time to call in the big-batch apple recipes: Apple Cider, Slow Cooker Apple Butter, Apple Pie Filling, and this splendid Instant Pot applesauce, which uses a full 3 pounds of apples!
- You only need 8 minutes of cook time for Instant Pot applesauce (if you have more time, my Crockpot Applesauce is also delish)! You don’t even have to peel the apples first.
5 Star Review
“I used Honeycrisp apples and a spice blend of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger – so easy and delicious. Definitely making this again!”
— Alla —
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- Apples. For the best, most complex applesauce, use a mix of tart apples (such as Granny Smith, McIntosh, Johnathan, Haralson, and Cortland) and sweet apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Fuji, Golden Delicious). It’s your personal preference if you want to make Instant Pot applesauce with peels on or peels off.
- Lemon Juice. Since the apples will lose some of their natural acidity during cooking, lemon juice helps make the applesauce taste its best.
- Spices. A little apple pie spice or cinnamon will give your Instant Pot applesauce a boost of flavor.
- Sweetener. While adding a sweetener is optional, it is certainly delicious! You can use honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar.
How to Make Applesauce in an Instant Pot
Peel, Core, and Slice the Apples. Add them to the Instant Pot.
Add the Remaining Ingredients. Don’t add the sweetener yet.
Pressure Cook. Cook on HIGH for 8 minutes, then vent.
Mash the Applesauce. Stir in sweetener (if using) and additional spices to taste. ENJOY!
Meal Prep Tip
Prepare the applesauce as directed, then let it cool completely. Pour the applesauce into freezer-safe glass jars or storage containers. Store the jars in the refrigerator or freezer for easy applesauce on demand.
Ways to Use Instant Pot Applesauce
- Baked Goods. Enjoy your applesauce as a healthy swap for oil in Applesauce Cake, Cornbread Muffins, and all these other recipes.
- Soups. Applesauce works wonderfully as a sweet addition to savory soups like Acorn Squash Soup.
- Oatmeal. For a delicious breakfast, stir some applesauce into your Steel Cut Oats, Pumpkin Oatmeal, or Overnight Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats.
- Pancakes. Swap out the maple syrup (or add it too!) for applesauce on these Banana Oatmeal Pancakes, Oatmeal Pancakes, or simple Fluffy Pancakes.
What to Serve With Instant Pot Applesauce
- Pork. Applesauce is a perfect side dish for Grilled Pork Chops, Crockpot Pork Roast, or Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin.
- Fritters. Applesauce on Potato Pancakes is classic! For a similar pairing, try it on these Potato Fritters with Zucchini.
- Chicken. Rosemary Chicken Thighs, Harvest Chicken Skillet, and Apple Cider Chicken are all delicious options to serve with applesauce.
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Instant Pot Applesauce
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds tart apples roughly 4 large apples or 6 smaller apples, such as Granny Smith
- 1 ½ pounds sweet apples roughly 4 large apples or 6 smaller apples, such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon
- Optional sweetener: 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup honey, pure maple syrup, or brown sugar
Instructions
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Peel and core the apples. Cut into 1-inch chunks and place in the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot.
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Add the water, lemon juice, and pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon).
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Cover and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH/Manual pressure for 8 minutes, then vent to release the remaining pressure (if you forget to release it right away, no biggie).
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With a wooden spoon or potato masher, mash up the applesauce.
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If you'd like it smoother, puree with an immersion blender, or transfer to a regular blend and puree in batches. Stir in sweetener to taste. If you'd like it spicier, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon additional pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Enjoy warm, cold, or at room temperature.
Notes
- Adapted from Crockpot Applesauce.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate applesauce in an airtight storage container for up to 10 days.Â
- TO FREEZE: Freeze leftovers (once cooled) in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.Â
