Instant Pot Applesauce is the EASIEST way to enjoy homemade applesauce. This recipe for no peel, naturally sweetened applesauce comes together in less than 30 minutes and literally makes the best-tasting applesauce.
Applesauce the Easy Way
This recipe for Instant Pot Applesauce is the absolute best.
It is SUPER easy to make--you don't even have to peel the apples! And it is perfectly sweet, with absolutely zero added sugar!
The taste of homemade applesauce made with fresh apples is unbeatable. And with the help of the Instant Pot, you can have Instant Pot Applesauce on the table in less than 30 minutes--from start to finish!
Once you taste this applesauce, you will never want store-bought applesauce again!
Notes on Ingredients
You only need 2 ingredients to make homemade applesauce; apples and liquid.
- Apples: To eliminate the need to add sugar to this recipe for homemade applesauce, select apples that are naturally sweet and somewhat firm. For this recipe for Instant Pot Applesauce, my favorite apples to use are Gala, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Ambrosia, and/or Honeycrisp. A blend of any of these apples produces the most delicious, sweet applesauce ever.
- Liquid: I highly recommend using 100% apple juice as the cooking liquid because it adds natural sweetness to this applesauce. Apple cider (NOT APPLE CIDER VINEGAR) is also a fabulous choice and water works just as well.
How to Make Instant Pot Applesauce
Step One: Prepare Apples
After washing and drying the apples, remove the core from your apples, either by using an apple corer or by cutting around the core. Then dice the apples into 2-inch chunks.
That's right!! I leave the skin on the apples!!!!
The skins will be so soft they will blend right into the applesauce, so there is no need to take the time to peel the apples and the skin adds fiber and nutrients to the applesauce.
Step Two: Pressure Cook Apples
Place the apples and liquid of your choice into the inner pot of the instant pot.
I use a full 1 cup liquid for this homemade applesauce regardless if I am cooking in my 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot. The apples will give off enough liquid for pressure to be reached and maintained.
Seal the pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.
Step Three: Blend Apples
Once the applesauce has finished cooking, allow pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes.
As for blending up your applesauce, the choice is yours!
I recommend straining off the liquid and then use a potato masher, immersion blender, blender, or food processor to blend the applesauce, adding the cooking liquid as needed to reach the desired consistency.
Modifications for Instant Pot Applesauce
- Cinnamon Applesauce: To make cinnamon applesauce, stir in 1-3 teaspoons ground cinnamon AFTER applesauce is ready. Start by mixing in 1 teaspoon cinnamon and tasting to determine if you need to add more.
- Tart Applesauce: Use granny smith for half the amount of apples and add in 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.
- Thick Applesauce: This recipe for Instant Pot Applesauce is on the thinner side if you use all the cooking liquid. To make this applesauce thicker, simply strain off the cooking liquid before blending, and add it back in as needed.
- Sweetened Applesauce: If after making your applesauce you notice that it is not as sweet as you prefer, add in 1-2 tablespoons white or brown sugar.
How to Store Homemade Applesauce
This Instant Pot Applesauce is SO delicious, you will want to make a large batch! In fact, when apples are in season, you may want to make this recipe several times to freeze to use throughout the winter.
- To Store in the Refrigerator: Allow applesauce to cool slightly before transferring to glass jars or plastic containers. And then store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- To Freeze Homemade Applesauce: Allow homemade applesauce to cool completely and then place in freezer-safe bags or containers and fill ⅔ of the way full. Freeze until solid. Homemade Applesauce lasts for 4-6 months in the freezer.
Applesauce FAQs
No. The pressure cooker softens the skins of the apples enough that they will blend undetected into the applesauce
No, this step is not necessary at all! By all means, you can peel your apples, but the skin of the apple has so many nutrients and added fiber--so why not save yourself the laborious step of peeling apples and enjoy some health benefits as well!
Unfortunately, once the applesauce is blended it is hard to thicken up. It is better to only add in the liquid as needed to reach the consistency desired. However, you can simmer the thin applesauce on the stove until thickened if needed. Keep in mind it will take a bit of time.
I don't recommend that. Many models of electric pressure cookers are really sensitive and may cause a burn notice if you don't use enough thin liquid.
You can double this recipe using an 8-quart Instant Pot. I find regardless if you double or cut the recipe in half, 1 cup of liquid is all perfect for Instant Pot Applesauce.
Using Instant Pot Applesauce
Of course, applesauce makes a wholesome, tasty snack or side dish. But you can also use applesauce for baking. Try it out in one of the recipes below.
More Recipe for Fresh Apples
- Chili Lime Pan Seared Tilapia with Apple Salsa
- Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
- Easy Cream Cheese Apple Dip
- Apple Crisp Bars
- Slow Cooker Apple Pork Roast
If you enjoyed Instant Pot Applesauce, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Instant Pot Applesauce
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples about 12 small apples, 9 medium apples
- 1 cup apple juice or cider or water
Instructions
- Wash and dry your apples. Remove core from apple by either using a corer or cutting around the core and then dice the apples into 2-inch chunks.
- Place apples into the inner pot of the instant pot. Pour in 1 cup apple juice, water, or apple cider over apples.
- Close the lid on the pressure cooker and seal vent knob. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.
- Once cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes before releaseing pressure.
- To control the thickness and consistency of the applesauce, strain off the cooking liquid and add it back in small amounts to the apples as needed until the desired consistency is reached.
- Place the apples and ¼ cup of the cooking liquid into a blender, with the lid, cracked open to release steam, or a food processor and blend until smooth, adding additional cooking liquid as needed. Alternatively, mash the apples with ¼ cup of the cooking liquid with a potato masher or immersion blender, adding liquid as needed.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was updated in 2021 with tips on how to better control the thickness of the applesauce and still prevent a burn notice when cooking in the Instant Pot.
Crystal
I made this recipe with half granny Smith and half gala apples. Added 1 cup of apple cider and 1 tsp fresh lemon juice.
I blended with an immersion blender right in a quart size mason jar. I also added 1 tsp cinnamon for the whole jar. I then put them reusable squeeze pouches.
Turned out great and my girls (3 & 1) loved it!!
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you for sharing Crystal! So happy to hear your girls enjoy--and those pouches are the best!
Steve
This is a terrific and easy recipe. My Insta Pot is cooking my 4th batch of applesauce as I write this note. I'd like to add that the apple juice that is drained from the cooked apples makes for a very nice flavoring for homemade kombucha. I add it, some cinnamon, and a little more tea to my 2nd ferment. After 2 or so days...it is great!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for sharing Steve!