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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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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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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We picked 10 lbs of apples at a local fruit farm last Sat and this my second batch of applesauce! My fiance likes it cold, whereas I prefer it warm/hot with a fluffy marshmallow mixed in 😉 This is an easy, delicious recipe. We picked suncrisp, crimson crisp and Melrose at the fruit farm and the combination was perfect.
I am planning on making this with 30 students and planned on using 20 chopped apples. Do you think they will all fit?
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I picked free apples from my friend’s trees. But they must have been tarter! We love chunky applesauce, so I added 1/3 cup of brown sugar; cooked it for just 6 minutes and it worked well! Thanks!!
I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for trying it!
I did a quick release after I beeped and apple sauce came out. What did I do wrong? ?
I’m sorry, that hasn’t happened to me! Next time you could try a “controlled” quick release, where you open and close the valve many times as it releases pressure, to keep the applesauce from squirting out.
Hi! This sounds great! Can I can this after making it?
Hi Severina, I really can’t give a safe recommendation for canning this, it would be wisest to refer to a canning website to make sure you add the proper amount of acid (lemon juice) to make the recipe safe for preserving.
I made the applesauce the other night and it was amazing! I can’t wait to try other recipes. Thank you so much for your efforts in making the rest of our lives easier and healthier.
Such a kind note. Thanks so much!
Can this be frozen after it ‘s finished? Thank you!
I haven’t tried freezing it, but I think it would change the texture. It will keep well in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Couod it be canned?
You’d have to do some research on that–you need certain safe ph/acidity levels to make things safe for canning.
We freeze applesauce all the time!
I freeze ours all the time, in infanfino squeeze pouches. Great for toddler and great for me. ? I put two to three in the fridge to thaw out overnight. Also works well to put a frozen one in lunch sacks to keep food / drinks cold on the go.
Just got an Instant Pot. Where is manual setting?
On the new instant pot’s I think “manual” is just “pressure” now. Cook on high pressure.
Any estimate on how many pounds of apples you used since apples can vary significantly in size?
In the insta-pot, the volume of apples doesn’t matter as long as you don’t go above the fill line.
After they cook, you could add a bit more lemon juice and cinnamon if desired.
Apples + IP = Amazing applesauce! We are big fans of your IP recipes and this recipe was no different. Thank you for sharing!