Delicious homemade applesauce just got easier, made in the instant pot or slow cooker. This Instant Pot applesauce recipe has no added sugar and can be made in just 15 minutes.
Did you know that not all applesauce is created equal? That's the truth.
Any time I'm forced to buy store-bought applesauce it's a strugggggle. It's like buying store-bought jam. Every single brand and type has so much sugar, and most of them don't even taste very good.
Am I sounding like a total applesauce snob? I'm sorry, but homemade applesauce is just so easy and so GOOD, especially if you have an instant pot.
The first time I made applesauce in the instant pot I was blown away. That machine just continues to amaze me! (I have this 6qt instant pot). It was so incredibly easy and turned out perfect, with very little time or effort on my part. Learn how to get the most out of your instant pot!
How to make applesauce in the instant pot:
First, you choose your apples. I like a blend of sweet and tart apples to make really great flavor for the applesauce, without having to add extra sweetener. Granny Smith and Honey Crisp combination is definitely my favorite.
Peel, core and slice the apples. I use a johnny apple peeler to peel, core and slice the apples super quickly.
Add your apples to the instant pot. Toss the apples in water, cinnamon and lemon juice, and cook them on manual or high pressure for 8 minutes.
After a controlled quick release, open up the lid and the apples have literally turned to applesauce! You don't need to do anything but give them a little stir.
The taste is AMAZING–perfectly sweet, especially with a little extra cinnamon on top. If you used different apples, and feel that it needs to be sweeter, you could add some white or brown sugar.
I love applesauce that I can feel good about feeding my kids. I know exactly what's in it, and everyone LOVES it! It's its own type of delicious comfort food, don't you think?
If you don't have an instant pot you can make this applesauce in the slow cooker!
How to make applesauce in your slow cooker:
Add the peeled and sliced apples to your slow cooker. Toss in lemon juice and cinnamon (no water needed)!
Cook on LOW for 4 hours. Pour into blender and blend until smooth, or desired consistency.
Store applesauce in the fridge for 7-10 days.
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Recipe
Instant Pot Applesauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 large Granny Smith apples , peeled, cored and roughly chopped (or Golden Delicious apples )
- 4 large Honeycrisp apples , peeled, cored and roughly chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from about ½ a lemon)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel and core apples. I use a johhny apple peeler to do all three steps at once (peel, spice and core).
- Add water, lemon juice and cinnamon to instant pot and stir to combine. Add apples and toss to mix.
- Secure lid and cook on manual (high pressure) for 8 minutes. Do a controlled quick release or allow the pressure to naturally release.
- Mash the apple mixture a few times with a potato masher, if desired. (If you like a smoother texture you could pulse it in the blender.)
- Transfer contents to a bowl and allow to cool completely. Stir in more cinnamon, if desired, to taste.
- Enjoy warm or cold. Store in the fridge for up to 7-10 days.
Notes
Nutrition
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This post contains affiliate links.
Great recipe and instructions – thank you!
I also like to throw the peelings from the apples in a layer on top of the apples while they cook, as there is a lot of flavor and pectin in the peel.
I wasn’t sure how it was going to work with the instant pot, but it worked great with your recipe. I think perhaps that also helps keep the applesauce down for the quick release, as I had no problem with that, and with the layer of peels it came slightly above the fill line before cooking.
After it all cooked and cooled slightly I just took some tongs and carefully pulled off the layer of peels. Thanks again for another great instant pot recipe!
Interesting how this can come out a differently for people. I’ve made it twice now and it’s been perfect. Thanks for a great, easy recipe!
First time making applesauce in my instant pot. There was a lot of liquid. My apples were hard. Bonus points for smelling good but as for the recipe itself? It’s a no.
This was so easy and tastes amazing. I used 4 yellow delicious apples and 2 of a hybrid apple called Pizazz which is semi tart. The Pizazz is a cross between a Harlson and Honeycrisp. They are fairly large which is why I used less. I also substituted 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon for a cinnamon blend called Cinnamon Plus. The outcome was phenomenal! Thank you for sharing this!
Just tried this, super easy, super good, did a quick cool in a metal bowl with ice and salt on the outside. Kids loved it. Even the two(house of 8 going on 9) that dont like applesauce said it was good. Definitely something I will do again in the future.
I made this with honey crisp apples and it is the best applesauce I ever had!
This was very delicious. I doubled the recipe and used 15 Medium Gala apples and 5 Large Granny Smith apples because that’s what I had. Except for the apples, I followed the rest of the recipe as is. It was a very nice treat. Everyone in my house really enjoyed it and it was sweet enough without sugar. Only my daughter added just an extra pinch cinnamon sugar. We each had a small dish and canned the rest in 3 pint jars for later. Thanks!
How did you can it?
Second time using my instant pot I made this. It was very good.
This is the best simplest applesauce to make. But I DO NOT recommend using the quick release. I’ve made it a few times, but today I did the quick release. what a mistake. It poured out all over my instatpot. I thought it was ruined and took me forever to clean up. I think it will be ok.
But I DEF recommend this, super delicious without sugar.
This is most likely because you filled the pot too full. I have done this with soup when u first started using my Instantpot.
Check for the inside line marking to keep from over filling in future.
I agree about not using quick release. Huge mess. I did not add more than the recipe called for and was way under the fill lines.
Was really tasty!
Easy and delicious without adding any sugar!! But I found that it is very watery. I’m hoping it will firm up in the refrigerator. Should I add a little cornstarch??
I reduced the water some as 1 cup seemed to he alot for the sized apples I used. Came out good.