Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe

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Make this Instant Pot applesauce recipe because it requires only a handful of ingredients and it is the perfect snack for kids.

spoon inserted into a small bowl of instant pot applesauce.

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.

two small bowls of instant pot applesauce.

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!

Mason jar of instant pot applesauce with a small bowl of applesauce next to it.

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.

Small bowls of instant pot applesauce with spoons sitting next to them.

FAQ About Apples

Are apples good for you?

Good news! Apples are very good for you! Apples are high in dietary fiber and pectin found in the peels of the apples.

Are apples good for dogs?

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.

Are apples keto?

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.

Can apples be frozen?

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.

When to eat apples?

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

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