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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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Have made the recipe three times now and I love it. Also, I took your suggesti I n and am making my fourth batch with the Johnny Apple Peeler. It was so easy. Peeled, cored, and sliced in no time and very little mess.
Thanks!
Have made this recipe exactly as is it a few times now – delicious! I slice my apples paper thin and they turn to instant puree when I mix with a fork after it’s cooked. Have used it as filling for crepes, topping on waffles, porridge and just a snack. So good! I love that I can use organic apples and zero added sugar. Might see how it tastes with local honey – just to mix it up a bit… 🙂
I do not peel the apples, just take off stem and flower, eighth the apples. I do not add lemon juice, just a little water (3/4 cup) and go thru cook cycle as in original recipe. When the apples are cooked, they get put thru a food mill which removes skins and seeds and gives the sauce a natural flavor. That is mainly how my mother used to make applesauce. Be 79 in May. The hard part is the food mill, arm power.
Great recipe! I added some local honey to mine as well.
If you dont have fresh lemon can you substitute 100% lemon juice concentrate? If so would it be the same measurement or would I need to adjust ?
Yes, that’s fine! Same measurement.
This is the ultimate quarantine comfort food. I spent about 15 minutes making this with half Granny Smith, half Golden Delicious apples that had been in our fridge for too long, and it came out tasting like I’d been slaving over a stove all day.
P.S.—I was lazy and thought the little bits of peel that our peeler/corer didn’t get to would be fine in the applesauce. Umm, not so much. We all ended up with bits of peel stuck to the roofs of our mouths. Next time I’ll take the extra five minutes and make sure to get all the peel off.
This applesauce is amazing. I didn’t even need to mash it as it was perfect when I lifted the instant pot lid. Thank you so much!!!
I use a mix of apples and only 1/3 cup of water. Love it and my 2-year old Granddaughter always asks for “Grandma’s ‘appa-sauce'” when she comes over!
Great recipe for left over apples. I diced 8 small to medium sized apples that no one would eat and made fantastic applesauce. So easy! Yummy. Thanks for sharing!
Have made this countless times with all Fuji apples (my favorite) and it turns out perfect every time! I fill up Mason jars and freeze it so I can enjoy it for quite a while. It’s so good and naturally sweet I’ve heated some up and put crushed grahm crackers and whipped cream and called it dessert!! Thanks for sharing this recipe 😊