Make this Instant Pot applesauce recipe because it requires only a handful of ingredients and it is the perfect snack for kids.
Why This Recipe Works
Applesauce is one of those timeless foods that never ages. It is loved by adults and kids alike and we literally never get tired of it. Every single time I make a batch of Instant Pot Applesauce, it gets devoured lightning-fast.
My boys deem this particular recipe the BEST EVER. It is so much better than store bought and it could not be easier to make.
Let your Instant Pot make this applesauce for you in literally just a handful of minutes! Homemade applesauce is the perfect way to use up extra apples you have on hand, especially if you’ve recently visited an apple orchard in the fall! Use any variety of apples you have on hand!
Recipe Ingredients
Apples – Use medium baking apples such as honeycrisp, gala, golden delicious, jonagold or granny smith.
Lemon – 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.
Brown sugar – If you prefer, you can add more naturally sweet apples and reduce the amount of brown sugar you added. Other sugar substitutes that would be great are maple syrup, coconut sugar or stevia. For a sweeter sauce, throw in some added sugar (up to 1 cup total).
Spice mixture – If you enjoy the spice in the baked apples, additional flavors you could add or exchange are nutmeg, ginger, cardamom or allspice. Start with a half teaspoon each.
How To Make Applesauce In The Instant Pot
Step 1
Place the following ingredients in an Instant Pot:
- 10-12 medium apples, peeled and cored
- Juice from 1/2 a lemon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Stir and place the cover on the pot. Close the lid and set timer to 3 minutes on high pressure (use the pressure cook setting). It will take the Instant Pot around 20 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
Step 2
When cooking time is done, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes then do a quick release. Remove the cover and let cool. Depending on the consistency you desire, mash with a potato masher or use an immersion blender for a smoother consistency.
Pour into sealed containers and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
- If you prefer a slow cooker version, check out this delicious Crockpot Applesauce!
- 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.
- Serve chilled and sprinkled with extra cinnamon over the top.
- We enjoy a chunkier applesauce in our house, so I give the mixture a good mash using a potato masher when it’s done cooking. If you prefer a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender until it has reached the desired consistency.
- 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!
What Types Of Apples Are Good For Applesauce
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
Why Does It Take So Long For My Instant Pot To Heat Up
The time leading up to actual cook time may seem long and even confusing (“What is going ON in there?!”), but it’s an important part of the process! The Instant Pot is working on building up the appropriate amount of pressure that it will be cooking the food at.
It handles liquids and solids differently and also fresh and frozen differently, so the time can vary. Most recipes take between 10 and 25 minutes to build up pressure.
FAQ About Apples
Good news! Apples are very good for you! Apples are high in dietary fiber and pectin found in the peels of the apples.
Dogs can eat apples, as they are a nutritious snack for dogs. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, helping immunity and providing other benefits.
Apples do not align with a keto diet. One medium apple contains more than 20 g of carbs, making it too carb-heavy for this low-carb eating plan.
Apples can be frozen! They can be frozen whole for up to 9 months, or prepare applesauce, pie filling or entire pies and freeze them that way instead.
The recommendation is that you enjoy an apple in the morning hours of each day. This will help you avoid poor digestion at night. The fruit can help your stomach to empty more slowly, helping you to stay feeling full longer and not prone to snack/eat between meals.
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. Click over to see a massive (and growing) database of my favorite Instant Pot recipes!
Enjoy These Homemade Healthy-ish Snacks
- Salty Toasted Coconut Chips
- Kale Chips
- Nutty Granola
- Almond Butter Banana Cookies
- Easy Healthy Breakfast Muffins
- Healthy Breakfast Cookies
- Healthy No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars
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Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 10-12 medium apples peeled and cored
- half lemon juiced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
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 3 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting). It will take the IP around 20 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
- When cooking is done, let release naturally for 5 minutes then do a quick release. Remove cover and let cool. Depending on the consistency you desire, mash with a potato masher or use an immersion blender for a smoother consistency.
- Pour into sealed containers. They can be stored in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- 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.
- For a sweeter sauce, throw in some added sugar (up to 1 cup total).
- Serve chilled and sprinkled with extra cinnamon over the top.
- We enjoy a chunkier applesauce in our house, so I give the mixture a good mash using a potato masher when it’s done cooking. If you prefer a smooth sauce, use an immersion blender until it has reached the desired consistency.
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