Instant Pot Apple Sauce is easy to make and customize to your preferences. Smooth or chunky, with cinnamon, unsweetened or not, homemade applesauce is a delicious dessert, topping, or baking ingredient.
BEST INSTANT POT RECIPES eBook
Access ALL of my pressure cooker recipes in one convenient place
- - > Check it out HERE < - -
Jump to:
- BEST INSTANT POT RECIPES eBook
- What are the best Apples for Applesauce
- How to make Instant Pot Apple Sauce
- How to Store Applesauce
- How to Substitute Applesauce in Recipes
- Items I used for this Applesauce Recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Random Questions
- Similar recipes and recipes using applesauce you will love:
- VIDEO: How to Make Applesauce
- Recipe
Going down memory lane, applesauce was definitely a part of my childhood growing up in Germany. I can only recall canned jars of homemade applesauce from the cold storage cellar.
The super smooth store-bought applesauce didn't enter the picture until later. So I grew up with homemade chunky German applesauce.
We mostly used it as topping for fritters like potato fritters (Kartoffelpuffer aka latkes) but also on the German version of French toast (Arme Ritter). And it also was a favorite dessert all on it's own.
Going forward to now, I realized that my daughter never really had applesauce. Because we did baby-led weaning she never had any typical baby food.
So when I was making this applesauce Instant Pot recipe, I had no idea if she would even like it. Well, turns out kids are kids and most kids LOVE applesauce. She and her cousin (they are the same age) were sitting next to each other and just kept gobbling it up. And even the following days they kept requesting applesauce for dinner.
What are the best Apples for Applesauce
Literally any apples can be turned into applesauce. Therefore I say that the best apples for applesauce are the ones you already have on hand.
I used two different varieties of Gala apples, which happen to be my favourite apples because of their sweet flavour and crisp texture. But the reason I used them is because those were the apples my mom had on hand when I made this easy applesauce recipe at her house.
My parents live in the Okanagan valley which is famous for its fruit orchards. So these were delicious, locally grown Gala apples.
If you go out to buy apples for applesauce, keep in mind that different apple varieties have differing results:
- Sweet apple varieties like Gala or Golden Delicious will result in naturally sweet applesauce
- Tart apples like Granny Smith, McIntosh, or Jonamac will make applesauce that is more tart in flavour
Soft apples also break down faster into applesauce, but that doesn't really matter much for Instant Pot applesauce since we utilize pressure to speed up the process anyway.
How to make Instant Pot Apple Sauce
The process for making apple sauce in the pressure cooker is quite simple. To prep, peel and core the apples.
I use an apple slicer that cores and cuts the apple into wedges in one swift move. Then I cut the wedges into large chunks and add them to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
To the apple chunks, add ¼ cup water, a pinch of salt, apple pie spice, juice of half a lemon or lime, and maple syrup or brown sugar as sweetener. Close the lid, turn pressure valve to sealing position, and set the Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 5 minutes.
The pot will take about 15 minutes to build pressure before the timer starts counting down. Once the cook time is up let the pressure release naturally.
Natural Pressure Release (NPR) takes about 20-25 minutes. If you are in a hurry, you can quick release (QR) any remaining pressure after 15 minutes.
!Don't quick release too soon though, because the applesauce bubbles up inside the Instant Pot and you might end up with scalding hot applesauce escaping together with the steam through the valve posing clogging and burn risks!
Once the pressure is released, you can proceed with making homemade applesauce to the texture of your liking. Read on in the next step about your options.
Modification options
Smooth or chunky applesauce
For extra smooth applesauce use an immersion blender to purée everything to a fine consistency.
To make homemade chunky applesauce you have a couple options. For extra chunky you don't really have to do anything. The apple pieces are soft enough that they will break up somewhat as you transfer the applesauce to a storage container.
For a little less chunk, just use a wooden spoon to stir everything up before transferring. And for just a little bit of chunk use a potato masher to break up the apple chunks before eating or storing.
Instant Pot applesauce with peel
There are a lot of nutrients and flavour in and right underneath the apple skin which you lose out on by peeling. You can make applesauce with skin to get the additional benefits and save yourself the peeling work.
However, I would recommend using only organic and if possible, unwaxed apples if making Instant Pot applesauce with peel.
I always make my applesauce with skins when I plan to blend everything super smooth with the immersion blender anyway. But that's not necessary if you enjoy the texture of cooked apple skin.
Instant Pot applesauce Whole 30 (unsweetened applesauce)
When making applesauce no sugar is required - it's totally optional. Simply leave out the sweetener if you want to make unsweetened applesauce that is also Whole30 compliant.
Make sure to use a sweet apple variety if you still want a naturally sweet tasting applesauce.
Cinnamon Applesauce
I like to use a teaspoon of my apple pie spice mix to flavour my easy apple sauce. It includes cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon, allspice, and ginger - all spices that beautifully compliment the flavour of apples.
You can also use a teaspoon of just ground cinnamon or add a whole cinnamon stick to the apple chunks, if cinnamon applesauce is the only flavour you want to add.
Halving or Doubling this healthy applesauce recipe
I have successfully made only half batches of this simple applesauce recipe. The Instant Pot had no trouble building up pressure.
And I am also certain you should be able to double the recipe to make bulk applesauce.
How to Store Applesauce
I love to eat a serving of fresh applesauce when it's just made and still hot. But it's also just as delicious cooled down to room temperature or cold from the fridge.
This healthy applesauce can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.
In a freezer-safe container it can be stored frozen for up to 3 months.
How to Substitute Applesauce in Recipes
Applesauce is a fantastic baking ingredient. It makes wonderfully moist cakes or sweet breads and can also be used to replace certain ingredients.
Applesauce Substitute For Eggs:
Use ¼ cup applesauce to replace 1 egg in cake or muffin recipes.
Applesauce Substitute For Oil/Butter:
Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting applesauce for oil or butter. If a recipe calls for ½ cup oil, use ½ cup applesauce instead.
Items I used for this Applesauce Recipe
This is the first recipe I tried out the Instant Pot Duo Plus. It has a few more smart functions added (sterilize, egg, cake) and I love the fancy blue digital display. Find it on Amazon.
I love that my apple cutter takes cares of coring and cutting the apple into slices with just one quick move; though some arm strength is required.
An Immersion Blender is the way to go for ultra smooth applesauce.
Ingredients
- Apples, cored and peeled (peeling optional)
- Water
- Salt
- Apple pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, ginger)
- Lemon/lime juice
- Maple syrup or brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and core the apples, if desired.
- Dice the apples into large chunks.
- Add the apple pieces to the Instant Pot with water, salt, spices, lemon or lime juice, and optional sweetener.
- Close the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on HIGH.
- Let the pressure release naturally. If in a rush, quick release any remaining pressure after a while.
- Stir the apples for a chunky texture or mash them for a smoother consistency.
- For super smooth applesauce, blend the mixture with an immersion blender.
- Enjoy hot, cold, or at room temperature. Store refrigerated or freeze as needed.
Random Questions
Yes, it's possible to overcook applesauce, resulting in a mushier texture. It's crucial to monitor the cooking time and use the natural release method to prevent overcooking.
Yes, adding lemon juice helps maintain the acidity level, ensuring the safety and longevity of the canned applesauce. It also adds a subtle tang that enhances the flavor - especially when using extra sweet apples.
To add a twist, consider incorporating spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom. You can also experiment with sweeteners such as maple syrup or brown sugar for a more nuanced taste.
Applesauce should be processed for about 15-20 minutes in a water bath canner, depending on your altitude.
Applesauce can be preserved using either method. However, water bath canning is generally sufficient due to the high acidity of apples.
Similar recipes and recipes using applesauce you will love:
VIDEO: How to Make Applesauce
Recipe
Instant Pot Apple Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples I used Gala, cored and peeled (peeling optional)
- ¼ cup water
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamon, ginger
- juice of half a lemon/lime
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup/brown sugar optional or more to taste
Instructions
- Peel the apples, if desired. Core them to remove stem and seeds.
- Cut the apples into large dice. I used an apple slicer, and then cut each slice in half one more time.
- Add the apple pieces to the Instant Pot together with the water, salt, spices, lemon/lime juice, and optional sweetener.
- Close the lid and turn the valve to sealing. Pressure cook on HIGH for 5 minutes.
- The pot will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure. After the 5 minutes of cook time are up, let the pressure release naturally (NPR). It takes about 20-25 minutes, but if you are in a rush you can quick lease (QR) any remaining pressure after 15 minutes.
- If you peeled the apples, you can just stir them up with a wooden spoon and they disintegrate into a chunky applesauce texture just like that.
- Use a potato masher for a little smoother but still slightly chunky texture.
- For super smooth applesauce and if you left the peels on, use an immersion blender to puree the applesauce (or transfer the mixture to a blender, if you don’t have an immersion blender).
- Enjoy the applesauce hot, cold or at room temperature or use in your baking projects.
- Store refrigerated for 1-2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Pin this delicious Instant Pot Apple Sauce recipe for later?
This post contains affiliate links
JO SMITH
It's impossible to read your recipes because of the popup ads that contain no method to close. Waste of time.
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Hi Jo, sorry, you are having a difficult time with the ads. At the top of the page, there is a Jump to Recipe function which can help you bypass the ads and get straight to the recipe.
Lorita
best applesauce recipe! so simple.
Regina | Leelalicious
So happy to hear you like the recipe!