Ridiculously Easy Instant Pot Applesauce
- PREP 10min
- COOK 25min
- TOTAL 35min
Instant Pot applesauce is incredibly simple to make, makes your kitchen smell incredible, and tastes far better than store-bought. Add sweetener only if needed after cooking. Brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey all work well.
You can peel the apples for ease or leave the skins on. If you keep them, press the cooked apples through a food mill or fine mesh strainer for a smooth texture.
**Cooking takes 5 minutes under pressure, but remember to allow time for the pot to come to pressure and release afterward.
You Will Need
4 pounds crisp, sweet apples, 8 large
One 3-inch cinnamon stick or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 to 2 whole star anise, optional
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, or apple cider vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener to taste, optional
Directions
1Prepare apples: Peel the apples, remove the cores, and cut them into 1-inch chunks or wedges.
2Pressure cook: Add the apples, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and star anise to a 6-quart electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot). Pour in ⅓ cup water and stir to combine. Close the lid, select Pressure Cook (or Manual), and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. The timer will begin once the pot reaches pressure.
3Naturally release: When the cooking time ends, let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes. Then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure, keeping your hands and face away from the steam.
4Mash: Mash the apples to your preferred consistency, they’ll be soft enough for a spoon or potato masher. Taste and add sweetener if needed, starting with a teaspoon. The applesauce will thicken as it cools. If it seems thin, use the Sauté function to simmer briefly until slightly reduced.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Freeze applesauce for up to 6 months, possibly longer. We do not have instructions for canning applesauce and recommend that you consult other canning resources for tips.
- Add more cinnamon: One cinnamon stick adds a little warmth to the applesauce, but it is not overpowering. If you love a lot of cinnamon in your applesauce, add an extra ½ teaspoon to the pot.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We did not include sugar in the calculations.