Instant Pot Applesauce
Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe – A simple 5 ingredient cinnamon applesauce made in your pressure cooker in 3 minutes!
Mom’s Homemade Applesauce
Applesauce is one of those foods that remind me of my mom.
Every time I taste cinnamon applesauce, I am flooded with memories of her standing over a large pot, stirring, as a tangy-sweet aroma wafted through the kitchen.
She always added a generous spoonful of cinnamon to the pot. On special occasions, she would add red-hot candies to make it spicy and pink!
Every fall, as I stop at our local orchards, I think of mom and her applesauce. What a comforting association.
If one day my kids remember me in happy moments, nostalgic flavors, and cozy aromas, I will know I did my job well.
Today’s Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce recipe is a nod to mom. She kept applesauce simple, with only a few key add-ins such as sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. (Oh, and sometimes butter!)
After all, when apples are good there’s no need for a long list of ingredients.
Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe
Ingredients
- Firm Tart Apples – any variety (Granny Smith is a good choice, but you can also choose Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Cortland, or McIntosh.)
- Water
- Granulated Sugar (or honey)
- Ground Cinnamon
- Salt
Nowadays, modern pressure cookers, like the Instant Pot, eliminate the need for standing over our applesauce while it cooks. Back in the day, one would need to stir incessantly as the apples softened, so they wouldn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
However, an Instant Pot makes it possible to throw in peeled apples, sugar, and spice. Then pressure cook on High Pressure for 3-4 minutes for perfect apple sauce. Isn’t that just crazy?!
Here I’ve made a simple dairy-free vegan version, so anyone can enjoy it, no matter their diet.
Yet, sometimes I like to add in a little butter for richness and sheen. It just gives the applesauce a touch of luxury. Either way, this recipe is quick to make and ridiculously delicious!
Pressure Cooker Applesauce Cooking Tips
- The only tedious part of this recipe is the apple prep. Make sure to peel the apples well. Then, core them and cut them into wedges. The Instant Pot will do the rest.
- Place all the ingredients in the pot and stir so the cinnamon and sugar coat the apples.
- If you want chunks in your applesauce, pressure cook it for 3 minutes. If you like silky-smooth applesauce texture, cook it for 4 minutes.
- Homemade applesauce is a great recipe for canning and freezing. It will also keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Make Applesauce In A Pressure Cooker?
Does it really only take 3-4 minutes to cook the apples down to applesauce in an Instant Pot?
Why, yes!
Just remember, the pressure cooker will take about 10 minutes to heat up before the cooking starts. Yet once the timer begins, you’ll have amazing applesauce in less than 5 minutes. (Plus, the pressure release time.)
How Long Does Applesauce Made In A Pressure Cooker Last?
Keep the applesauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Can You Freeze Homemade Applesauce?
Absolutely! Homemade Applesauce freezes beautifully. I package it in gallon bags and lay it flat in the freezer. Once the bags are all frozen, you can stack them to save room in the freezer.
Why Did My Applesauce Turn Brown?
Just like apples turn brown when cut and air is exposed to the enzymes, applesauce does the same. A simple way to fix this is to add a little bit of lemon juice to increase the acidity and preserve the color.
The applesauce will also vary in color based on how much cinnamon you decide to add.
How to Serve Applesauce?
We like to enjoy applesauce as a side dish with southern meals. However, you can use it as a sauce over ice cream and yogurt, on pancakes and waffles, or as a spread on toast and biscuits!
More Amazing Pressure Cooker Recipes
- Instant Pot Sweet Soy Chicken
- Pressure Cooker Perfect Carnitas
- Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken Curry
- IP Herb Chicken Orzo
- Pressure Cooker Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
- IP Spiced Apples
- Pressure Cooker Corned Beef Cabbage Irish Stew
- Mexican Pinto Beans Recipe (Frijoles de la Olla)
- Best Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Applesauce
Ingredients
- 3 pounds firm tart apples, any variety
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1-3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Peel the apples. Remove the cores. And cut the apples into 8-10 wedges each.
- Place the apples wedges in the Instant Pot and add the water, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to coat.
- Lock the lid into place. Set the Instant Pot on Pressure Cook High for 3-4 minutes. 3 minutes for chunky applesauce or 4 minutes for smooth applesauce.
- Once the timer beeps, turn off the Instant Pot. Perform a Quick Release and vent until the safety valve button drops. Then it is safe to open the lid.
- Serve warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
LOVE using my instant pot. And excited for this applesauce recipe. We have a tree in our yard and have too many apples still. Love that I can make this healthy applesauce that my family can eat all autumn long!
I’ve always done slow cooker applesauce but got an insta pot for Christmas. I thought I’d give it so. You’re recipe is similar to the one I already do. I had 2 bags of apples so doubled the recipe. Was so yummy!
Excellent! I used 8 Gala apples and 1 cup water. Used a hand mixer to mix it all when cooked. Will definitely be making this again.
Sugar free version works deliciously as well. I pressure cook at zero and Quick release after three minutes.
Thanks for the tip, Maryann!
So easy and good. I’ll be making this often!
This is a great and easy instant pot recipe! My girls love it!
It turned out so great! My kids ate the entire batch in one sitting!
That’s rude, I’m sorry.
Applesauce is always a hit around here! I’ve never tried making it, so know I don’t have an excuse! I will definitely give it a try!
I love homemade applesauce! I didn’t know you could make it in the instapot!
Thank you for the recipe it was delicious!