Instant Pot Applesauce (Easy Pressure Cooker Recipe)
Instant Pot applesauce is one of the easiest ways to turn fresh apples into a warm and cozy homemade treat. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes, your pressure cooker delivers a smooth, cinnamon-spiced sauce that’s perfect for snacking, topping pancakes, or serving with savory dishes like braised pork chops. This is the kind of recipe that feels right at home in any collection of pressure cooker recipes and cozy fall recipes, and once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
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This recipe combines tart Granny Smith apples with sweet Honeycrisp apples for the perfect balance. Add in cinnamon sticks, a touch of sugar, and water, and you’ll have a batch of homemade applesauce in the Instant Pot that’s as versatile as it is delicious. It’s one of those homemade treats you’ll find yourself making again and again, especially as the leaves start to turn.
Why You Will Love This Applesauce Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Cooks in 8 minutes on high pressure, no babysitting needed.
- Simple Ingredients: Just apples, water, cinnamon, and sugar if desired.
- Versatile: Use it as a snack, add it to apple pancakes, or serve it with braised pork chops.
- Customizable Texture: Blend smooth for a silky finish or mash by hand for a chunky pressure cooker applesauce.
Pro Tip: Save time by using an apple peeler to prep your fruit. Leaving the peels on works too, as they blend in beautifully.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Applesauce In Instant Pot
Step 1: Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks.
Step 2: Add the apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks to the Instant Pot.
Step 3: Lock the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and pressure cook on High for 8 minutes. Once cooking is done, carefully perform a quick release.
Step 4: Remove the cinnamon sticks. Blend the apples with an immersion blender until smooth.
Tips and Variations
- Flavor Ideas: Swap in pears for part of the apples to make apple pear sauce in the Instant Pot, or stir in berries after cooking for a bright pop of flavor. For a festive fall twist, add pumpkin spice along with the cinnamon.
- Pink Applesauce: Leave the peels on red apples and blend smooth for a naturally rosy-colored sauce.
- Texture Fixes: Blend with an immersion blender for silky smooth applesauce or mash with a potato masher if you like it chunky. If the applesauce comes out thin, simmer on Sauté for a few minutes to reduce.
- Sweetness Levels: Start with little sugar and adjust after cooking. Honeycrisp apples are naturally sweet and often need less.
- Storage: Refrigerate in airtight jars up to 1 week, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
How to Use Instant Pot Applesauce
This homemade applesauce isn’t just for eating by the spoonful. It works as a versatile addition to both sweet and savory dishes:
- Pancake Topping: Spoon warm applesauce over apple pancakes or waffles for a cozy fall breakfast.
- Breakfast: Swirl into oatmeal, overnight oats, or yogurt for a wholesome start to the day.
- Savory Pairing: Serve alongside braised pork chops or roast chicken for a classic sweet-and-savory combination.
- Baking Swap: Use applesauce in baking recipes like muffins, cakes, or quick breads to keep them moist and tender.
This homemade applesauce in the Instant Pot is one of those cozy fall recipes that belong in your rotation. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can make a big batch of applesauce that’s perfect for snacking, topping, or even baking. So grab those apples, dust off your Instant Pot pressure cooker, and make a batch today. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and you’ll have a jar of goodness ready for everything from pancake toppings to Thanksgiving sweet treats.
More Apple Recipes
- This apple crisp is everything a homemade dessert should be: easy to put together, full of warm flavors, and irresistibly crunchy on top. It’s the kind of recipe that works just as well for a casual weeknight treat as it does for a holiday table.
- These apple cinnamon crumb muffins are soft, spiced, and finished with a golden crumb topping. Perfect warm from the oven for breakfast or as part of a cozy fall brunch. Bake a batch ahead and enjoy them as an easy make ahead breakfast treat all week long.
- Apple hand pies bring all the comfort of classic apple pie in a handheld form. With flaky crust, spiced apple filling, and a drizzle of glaze, they’re a cozy dessert that’s as easy to make as it is to share.
- Golden puff pastry, caramelized apples, and a dusting of sugar, these mini upside down apple tarts are the cozy fall dessert you’ll want on repeat. Simple enough for weeknights, yet elegant enough for party platters.
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Equipment
- Immersion blender (or potato masher)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Granny Smith apples about 5–6, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 2 lbs Honeycrisp apples about 5–6, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar or more to taste
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Peel, core, and chop the apples into chunks.
- Add the apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
- Lock the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and pressure cook on High for 8 minutes. Once cooking is done, carefully perform a quick release.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks. Blend the apples with an immersion blender until smooth, or mash with a potato masher if you prefer chunky applesauce.
- Serve warm, chilled, or store for later.
Notes
- Apple variety: The tartness of Granny Smith balanced with the sweetness of Honeycrisp makes the flavor bright and well-rounded. You can substitute other apples if needed.
- Sugar: Adjust to taste; sweeter apples may need less. Brown sugar or maple syrup can be used for a deeper flavor.
- Texture: For chunky applesauce, mash instead of blending.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze in jars or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
