Learn how to make Instant Pot Applesauce! This cozy homemade applesauce is made from simple ingredients and cooked in the pressure cooker! It’s is easy, delicious, and great for beginners!
I LOVE using my Instant Pot for easy side dishes lately, whether it’s Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Mexican-Style Beans, or some yummy Instant Pot rice. This applesauce is another fave! If you’re new to Instant Pot cooking, this Instant Pot applesauce recipe is a REALLY great recipe to try. It’s extra simple, tastes amazing, and is really tough to overcook or undercook.
We’re talking 2-3 main ingredients, plus any extra flavorings or seasonings you want to add. If you can dice and push buttons, you can make this!
Besides being crazy easy, I love how delicious homemade Instant Pot applesauce is. It’s got a gorgeous ripe apple flavor and can make your house smell like fall in minutes. (So much better than any apple-scented candle!)
Here’s what you’ll need to get started on this easy recipe…
Ingredients For Homemade Applesauce
Another thing to love about this delicious homemade applesauce recipe? It starts with simple ingredients! Let’s take a look:
- RIPE APPLES. Ripe, juicy apples are the main ingredient for Instant Pot applesauce. You can use all one variety of apples, or mix and match for a more complex flavor. (Wondering which varieties work best? Scroll down to the FAQ below!)
- APPLE JUICE, APPLE CIDER, OR WATER. To keep the burn warning away on your Instant Pot, you’ll want to add a little liquid to the applesauce. I like using apple juice or apple cider if I have it to pump up the apple flavor and add a subtle, natural sweetness, but water works great, too. Use what you have!
- (MAYBE LEMON JUICE). If you’ve used water instead of apple juice or apple cider, I recommend adding about 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice. It adds some acidity which helps with color but also keeps the applesauce from tasting flat. It’s not strictly necessary if you’ve used juice or cider.
- AND AN INSTANT POT! Okay, while it’s *technically* not an ingredient, you won’t be able to make Instant Pot applesauce without an Instant Pot! I own the 6-quart size and it’s been fantastic for our family, whether we’re cooking up oatmeal, whipping up a big batch of chili, or anything in between.
How to Make Instant Pot Applesauce, Step By Step
As always, you can find the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and tips in the recipe card below!
- Combine. Prep your apples and place them in the Instant Pot. Add any desired seasonings (cinnamon stick, spices). Pour apple juice or water over the apples and seasonings.
- Secure the lid and double-check that the pressure valve is set to SEALING not VENTING.
- Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer for 5 minutes. (It will take 14-15 minutes or so to come to pressure)
- Naturally Release Pressure. Allow the pressure to naturally release about 20 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Mash or Puree. Use a potato masher to mash the applesauce for a more homestyle/chunky applesauce, or puree with an immersion blender (or working in batches in a regular blender) until smooth to make smooth applesauce.
- Taste and add additional seasonings/spices, or sweeten, to taste. Enjoy warm or chill and serve cold. Leftover applesauce will keep in a jar or airtight container in the fridge 5-7 days. Or, you can freeze it up to 2 months!
Spice It Up!
This instant pot applesauce recipe will make DELICIOUS, flavorful unsweetened applesauce–no added sugar required! Now, if you want to get creative with flavor, here are a few of the best ways to flavor instant pot applesauce…
FAQ + Tips and Tricks For The Best Applesauce
DO YOU HAVE TO PEEL APPLES BEFORE MAKING APPLESAUCE? It’s totally a personal preference thing. If you like a homestyle/chunky applesauce or plan to purée the applesauce later, there’s really no need to peel the apples first. For lighter color or the very smoothest applesauce, I recommend peeling. I like to leave the apple peels on for extra fiber!
CAN YOU FREEZE LEFTOVER APPLESAUCE? Yes, you can freeze applesauce! Put it in freezer-safe jars (save about 1″ space at the top to allow for expansion) or in freezer-safe bags and freeze up to 3 months or so.
MAKE YOUR OWN APPLESAUCE POUCHES! If your kids love store-bought applesauce pouches (mine do!), you can also make your own! Try these reusable pouches. They’re dishwasher and freezer safe and work like a charm.
What Kind of Apples Are Best for Applesauce?
The best apples for applesauce will depend on what flavor profile you’re looking for. Choose all one type of apples from your grocery store or local orchard, or mix 2-3 for a more complex flavor:
- TART APPLES TO MILDLY SWEET APPLES: Granny Smith (most common in commercially-made applesauce), Gala, or Pink Lady.
- MODERATELY SWEET TO VERY SWEET APPLES: Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Golden Delicious.
(My favorite combination is Granny Smith apples and Honeycrisp apples, but I’ve used all of the apple varieties above with good success!)
Did You Make This Recipe?
Tell me all about it! Leave a star rating below when you try our easy Instant Pot Applesauce recipe. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Instant Pot Applesauce (Easy + Delicious!)
Ingredients
FOR THE INSTANT POT APPLESAUCE:
- 4 pounds apples about 8 large apples, cored and cubed (peel first, if desired!*)
- 3/4 cup apple juice, apple cider, or water
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice if using water. Not needed if using cider/juice
ADDITIONAL FLAVORING OPTIONS – ONLY PICK 1!
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2-1 teaspoon chai spice
- 1/2-1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- cinnamon-sugar
- pure maple syrup
- brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine. Prep your apples and place them in the Instant Pot. Add any desired seasonings (cinnamon stick, spices). Pour apple juice or water over the apples and seasonings.
- Secure the lid and double-check that the pressure valve is set to SEALING not VENTING.
- Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer for 5 minutes. (It will take 14-15 minutes or so to come to pressure)
- Naturally Release Pressure. Allow the pressure to naturally release about 20 minutes, then quick-release any remaining steam.
- Mash or Puree. Use a potato masher to mash the applesauce for a more homestyle/chunky applesauce, or puree with an immersion blender (or working in batches in a regular blender) until smooth.
- Taste and add additional seasonings/spices, or sweeten, to taste. Enjoy warm or chill and serve cold. Leftover applesauce will keep in a jar or airtight container in the fridge 5-7 days. Or, you can freeze it up to 2 months!
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are an estimate only and will vary based on brands and amounts used.
Find it Online:
https://www.onelovelylife.com/instant-pot-applesauce/
I love this! So easy and so delicious. A great way to get servings of fruit
“Mom, this applesauce is bette than the one you get at the store.” My 7 year old
BEST REVIEW EVER!!! I’m so glad she liked it, Kristie!