Instant Pot Apple Butter is totally delicious! This version of the sugary treat is done in less than one hour, but tastes like it has been simmering all day long. Apple Butter screams FALL and pairs perfectly with many different foods!
Apple Butter is one of those confusing foods because it’s named a little bit weird, am I right?! Butter has nothing to do with this delicious sweet condiment, although it does make it sound enticing. I fell fast in love with this apple butter recipe a few years ago and ever since it has been made in my kitchen a lot in the fall.
One of the things I love about that recipe is that it slow cooks all day and you can TELL. So you’d maybe think that that same simmered-all-day flavor would be hard to achieve any other way, but guess what! Making apple butter in an Instant Pot is just as yummy, if not more, because INSTANT POT = MAGIC.
WATCH THIS QUICK VIDEO TO SEE HOW TO MAKE APPLE BUTTER IN YOUR PRESSURE COOKER!
HOW TO MAKE APPLE BUTTER IN AN INSTANT POT
STEP 1
Place the following ingredients in an Instant Pot:
8 medium apples, peeled cored and cut into chunks
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
Stir and place the cover on the pot. Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 15 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting). It will take the IP around 20 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
STEP 2
When cooking time is up, let release naturally for 15 minutes then do a manual pressure release. Remove cover and use a potato masher or an immersion blender to achieve a smooth consistency.
Pour into sealed containers and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
RECIPE TIPS: MAKE THE BEST EVER APPLE BUTTER IN YOUR PRESSURE COOKER!
Decrease the amount of brown sugar in the recipe for a less sugary treat.
Replace brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a bolder, deeper flavor.
For a much healthier snack that tastes similar to apple butter, consider making Instant Pot Applesauce or Crockpot Apple sauce.
When chopping and peeling the apples, fill a large bowl about half with cool water and squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon into it. The lemon juice will keep your apples from getting brown while you get them prepped for the recipe. Use an apple corer/peeler if you have one because they will make this process go super fast. If you don’t have one, use a potato peeler and a knife to get the job done. You’ll need to peel, core and chop the apples. Place them into the water-lemon juice mixture as you work.
I have fallen IN LOVE with my dear apple peeler and corer. If a lot of apples go through your kitchen, you absolutely must consider buying one. It’s the most magical tool in my kitchen!
If you prefer an even thicker apple butter, adjust button to saute after it is done pressure cooking and let simmer until thickened to desired consistency.
WHAT TYPES OF APPLES ARE GOOD FOR APPLE BUTTER?
I recommend using a variety of apples and at the very least, use two kinds: one sweet and one tart. My favorite combo is Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples.
Sweet/Softer Apple Brands
Fuji
Honeycrisp
Red Delicious
Golden Delicious
Cortland
Gala
Tart (or a little Sour) Apple Brands
Granny Smith
McIntosh
Ida Red
Braeburn
Empire
Jonathan
WHAT IS APPLE BUTTER
Apples stewed into a paste is a simple way to use your leftover apples. It’s not butter, but it spreads smoothly like butter so that’s where the name is helpful. It is instead a spread or condiment to enjoy when paired with other foods. The caramelization that happens while the mixture cooks down is what gives it that rich, dark color. It’s worth the time and effort to make it yourself. The aroma will fill your house and smell amazing!
WHAT TO DO WITH APPLE BUTTER
You might not be familiar with apple butter, but once you’re introduced to it, you’ll find that there isn’t a lack of food to enjoy it on. Perfect for toast or pancakes, you can also enjoy it on top of muffins, cookies and croissants. Enjoy it as a dip or a marinade. And as you know, I love to bake it into your foods too! These Apple Butter Cookies are DELICIOUS!
FALL APPLE RECIPES
Appledoodles – Appledoodles are a fun twist on the classic snickerdoodles! Great way to use up apples in the fall!
Apple Coffee Cake – This is the best Apple Coffee Cake recipe you’ll find. Enjoy as an indulgent breakfast treat or an any-time snack or dessert!
Salted Chocolate Caramel Apples – sprinkling of sea salt and a bit of chocolate turns Caramel Apples into an extravagant dessert.. Salted Chocolate Caramel Apples!
Apple Carrot Cake Muffins – Apples and carrots create the most delicious little muffin you could ever imagine. These babies are moist and yummy and will not last long in your kitchen. Great as a snack, breakfast or dessert!
Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake – the only thing better than salted caramel apples is Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake! This is the perfect fall treat and a great way to use up any type of apples.
Apple French Toast Bake – Transform classic French Toast into an appley indulgence! Prepare this easy Apple French Toast Bake recipe the night before so there’s no morning prep! It’s also wonderful as a make and bake option. Pour some maple syrup over the steamy cinnamon apples and you’ll have a tasty breakfast for one or many!
BEST RECIPES TO MAKE IN AN INSTANT POT
The list of recipes you can make in an Instant Pot is endless! It can act as a slow cooker, saute pan, steamer, rice maker, yogurt maker and pressure cooker. It can cook soup, chili, pasta, meat, potatoes, veggies, cake, beans and so much more. Here are a few of my favorite Instant Pot recipes:
Instant Pot Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 8 medium apples peeled, cored and cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in an Instant Pot. Stir and place the cover on the pot. Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 15 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting). It will take the IP around 23 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
- When cooking is done, let release naturally for 15 minutes then manually release remaining pressure. Remove cover and use a potato masher or an immersion blender to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Pour into sealed containers and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
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