Instant Pot Applesauce is so much better than the store bought kind, in my opinion. A perfect Instant Pot beginner recipe. This homemade pressure cooker applesauce recipe is so easy and quick to make, and you control the ingredients.
Originally published 9/16/17
Instant Pot Applesauce
I live in Washington. We are the apple growing state. If Florida is known for oranges, and Georgia (and South Carolina) for peaches, then we are known for our apples. So lots of applesauce in this house!
It probably comes as no surprise that we made a lot of applesauce growing up. Kids seem to love applesauce, and it feels good to give them a healthy, homemade treat!
The perfect beginner instant pot recipe!
Making Instant Pot Applesauce it a great recipe for those of you who just got your Instant Pot. Or if your IP has been in the box for ages! 😉
- This is a Dump and Start recipe. Add the ingredients and start the pot!
- You don’t have to peel the apples if you don’t want to. I sometimes do, but not usually. The peels get soft enough for our liking.
- You can make your Instant Pot Applesauce from any kind of apple you want. I usually just get what’s on sale.
- You control the ingredients. Add as much or as little sugar, cinnamon, etc. as you like.
- Make as much as you want. You can fill the pot 3/4 full of chopped apples, or just make a small batch.
When you make applesauce in the Instant Pot, don’t add too much water! In fact, you only need a few Tablespoons. The apples release plenty of water as they cook, and it will come out perfect.
I like to cook with my Instant Pot, and it’s nice to be able to make a small amount of pressure cooker applesauce, or a bigger batch if any of the kids will be around (Bryen just got a car, so you know I never see him!).
Instant Pot Strawberry Applesauce.
Instant Pot Apple Crisp
Instant Pot Baked Apples
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If you make this easy applesauce recipe, please leave me a comment below and let me know how you liked it!
Make a quick batch of Instant Pot Applesauce for a sweet and healthy snack! It cooks in minutes and you control the ingredients!
- 6-8 Apples (any variety, peeled, cored, chopped)
- 1/4 cup Water*
- Juice of 1/2 of a Lemon
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Butter**
Put the prepared apples in the pot with the other ingredients.
Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
Press the Pressure Cook (or Manual) button or use dial, and then the + /- button or dial to choose 4 minutes.
When the cooking cycle ends, let the pressure cooker sit undisturbed until the pin in the lid drops down (also called naturally release the pressure).
**If you are using butter, you can do a Controlled Quick Release, but do so gradually, to be sure no sauce spews out with the steam!
When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
Use a potato masher to mash the apples to the texture that you like.
If the applesauce is too watery for you, press the Sauté button and cook it down as much as you like, stirring constantly.
*You don't need much water to bring the pot to pressure with apples as they contain a lot of water. ---------
**Butter is optional, but it does help reduce the foaming of the apples. If you choose not to use the butter, let the Instant Pot naturally release the pressure when it's done cooking. That will help ensure you don't get applesauce spewing from the steam release valve.
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Can you double this recipe? If so, do I use 1/2C water?
Yes you can double it, but you won’t need more water. Just let it naturally release longer as apples foam.
I never knew making applesauce was this easy in the Instant Pot. I made a large batch for snack for the week. It came out perfect!
That’s great! Thank you!
I haven’t made this yet but have a question – What size IP are you using? I have a 3 quart Mini and wonder about how to reduce the “recipe” to accommodate this size.
I’m using a 6 qt. I would reduce the recipe by 1/3 and let it fully naturally release.
Just finished making this recipe! It turned out wonderful, the only time consuming part was peeling the apples. I have also made your baked apples and cinnamon apples. It’s apple time in the PNW.
Made this earlier today and just wanted to say this is so good. I followed the instructions exactly, will definitely be making this again.