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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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I made this recipe and it was good, but too sour. I will make it again with half the lemon and maybe a little sugar.
It doesn’t take 15 minutes to peel and core all of those apples. It took an hour!
Sorry, it just depends how you do it. I use a Johnny Apple Peeler, Slicer, Corer (linked in the post) when peeling apples, and it only takes a couple minutes.
I just chunked mine up and popped them into the instant pot, seeds and all! No time at all
Apple seeds contain a substance that is cyanide when mixed with digestive enzymes. A small quantity, nothing that should harm you. However, if you do this frequently or are regularly feeding it to children or the elderly, please core your apples.
Came out perfect but way too sour for me. I had to add sugar.
Love, love, love, this recipe for homemade applesauce. I make dog food when my dogs for some reason have diarrhea. They love the applesauce plain or with rice and a little chicken on sick days. Their people love it too!! Going to try strawberry and peach. Thank you again for your post!
Thanks for this recipe! Making applesauce in the instant pot is so quick!
I didn’t peel- just cut and cored. Turned out delicious! Can you freeze these?
We love this applesauce and it works great using up those apples that got lost hiding in the fridge too long. I never peel my apples , just core them and put in the pot in quarters. When it’s done cooking I use my Cuisinart smart stick blender and blend it all right in the pot. No trace of skins when eating and you get the added benefits of eating the skins. Not to mention the time saved in prep.
Agreed. Easy, and the skin disappears using an immersion blender.
Can you half this recipe? Would you still cook same length of time? I’m new to the instant pot!
Keep the cook time the same. The pot will just come to pressure quicker.
Thank you going to try this recipe this weekend.
I have subbed strawberries in this recipes and pears. It comes out fantastic every time! My kids devour it. Great recipe