Instant Pot Applesauce

a tulip jar with applesauce in it made in the instant pot and a spoon inside the jar.

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Applesauce

Imagine the quintessence of autumn captured in a jar: that's what you get with this Instant Pot Applesauce recipe. In less than 30 minutes, experience the transformative alchemy of apples into a luscious, spoonable delight with customizable sweetness and spice.

Prep Time15

Cook Time5

NPR Time20

Total Time40

Course: Sauce, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: applesauce, instant pot applesauce

Servings:

Calories: 167kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

Ingredients

10 medium apples such as Gala, Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious or a mix
½ cup water
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
¼ teaspoon salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Start by washing the apples, then peel, core, and cut them into quarters.
Place the cut apples into the Instant Pot, then add the water, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and salt.
Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the vent to "sealing". Select the "Manual" setting and adjust the cooking time to 5 minutes on high pressure.
Once the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 20 minutes.
After the pressure has been fully released, open the lid and use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash or puree the apples to your desired consistency. If the applesauce is too watery, you can use the "Sauté" function to cook off some of the extra liquid, stirring frequently.
Let the applesauce cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, or you can freeze it for longer storage.

Notes

1 serving is approximately ½ cup.
Apple Variety: You can use a mix of apple varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious to add depth of flavor. Tart apples like Granny Smith can also be added for a tangy twist.
Sugar Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the sugar according to the sweetness of your apples or personal preference. You can also use alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Optional Cinnamon: The ground cinnamon is optional but highly recommended for that extra warmth and flavor. You can also experiment with other spices like nutmeg or allspice.
Consistency: For a smoother applesauce, use an immersion blender. If you prefer a chunkier texture, a potato masher will do the trick.
Storing: This applesauce keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just leave some space at the top of your container for expansion.

Nutrition