Instant Pot Applesauce {with Slow Cooker Option}

Make this Instant Pot Applesauce in less than 20 minutes without any added sugar. Be sure to make a big batch and save it in the refrigerator. The kids will love it.

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Photo of applesauce in a bowl with an Instant Pot in the background

Applesauce is a food staple for pretty much every family. I’ve been making my own applesauce for years in my slow cooker. It’s easy, but I’ll be honest… sometimes my kids want their applesauce NOW. That’s what I love about the Instant Pot. It’s so easy to make this {Pressure Cooker} Instant Pot Applesauce in less than 20 minutes without any mess and no added sugar. And did I mention there’s no peeling apple skins? Yes!

Instant Pot Applesauce – A Quick, Easy and Delicious Recipe

You will love this Instant Pot Applesauce recipe. In less time it takes to drive to the grocery store and pick up the store-bought applesauce (that’s usually loaded with preservatives) you can make your own.

This is great if you have toddlers, preschoolers or even older kids who want a nutritious snack. I often use this Instant Pot Applesauce when baking too. Just store in a Mason jars in the refrigerator and enjoy anytime.

And here’s a hint… you know when you’re kids half eat an apple and don’t finish the rest? Cut off the bite marks and keep the good, leftover pieces to make applesauce. I just toss the apple pieces into a bag and store in the freezer to use when I’m ready. Easy peasy!

Benefits of an Electric Pressure Cooker

Have you cooked with an Instant Pot yet? It’s basically an electric pressure cooker, but really easy to use. Much easier than a conventional pressure cooker, which I was always scared to use.

What I love about the Instant Pot is that it’s a 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Cooker – including a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, saute/browning, yogurt maker, steamer and warmer. Plus, it has a stainless steel cooking pot and steam rack – LOVE that! I have literally gotten rid of my old slow cooker and yogurt maker because I can do it all with the Instant Pot.

Looking for Instant Pot recipe ideas? Check out my top 50 gluten-free and Paleo Instant Pot recipes. You can also follow my Pinterest board all about Instant Pot recipes too.

How to Make Instant Pot Applesauce – Step By Step

  1. Cut apples into 2-inch chunks. Discard the core, stem and seeds.
  2. Place in Instant Pot along with 1 cup of water.
  3. Close Instant Pot lid and set to manual high pressure (HP) for 8 minutes. Be sure the steam vent is sealed.
  4. The Instant Pot will take about 8 minutes to reach high pressure, then will cook for 8 minutes.
  5. Once the timer goes off, let sit for about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Turn steam vent to release pressure. Once all steam has dissipated, open the lid.
  7. Remove excess water if there is any.
  8. Use an electric mixer or immersion blender to smooth out applesauce to the consistency you prefer. I like mine with some lumpiness to it. You may prefer it smooth.
  9. Add 1-2 drops of cinnamon oil or cinnamon powder to taste.
  10. Let cool or place in the refrigerator to cool down.

Step by step tutorial on how to make applesauce in an Instant Pot

Top Tips for This Instant Pot Applesauce

  • Make sure you cut apples into 2 inch chunks.
  • Ensure you have poured in 1 cut of water to the instant pot.
  • Add cinnamon oil or cinnamon powder, to taste.
  • Let cool before serving.

Closeup photo of applesauce made in the Instant Pot

How to Make Applesauce in a Slow Cooker

Here’s a modification to make applesauce in the slow cooker. You’ll notice it uses more apples and less water as the Instant Pot recipe.

  1. Cut 10 medium-sized apples (such as Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp) into 2-inch chunks using a knife or apple slicer. Keep the peels on.
  2. Put all the apple chunks into a crockpot, add 3/4 cup of water, and set to low heat. Cook for 4-5 hours.
  3. When apples are soft, let cool down.
  4. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional).
  5. Use an immersion blender (or put into a blender) until pureed, and then store in the refrigerator to cool down.

More Recipes You Might Like

Did you try this Instant pot applesauce? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see what other fun things I’m getting up to.

Instant Pot Recipes Made Simple

Instant Pot Recipes Made Simple cookbook on an e readerAre you struggling to find the time to cook healthy meals for your family?

Do you wish you could find one-pot meals that are simple and easy to make… and your family will love?

You’re about to find out how simple it is to make healthy, one-pot meals with your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker with my cookbook Instant Pot Recipes Made Simple. You can download it instantly to your phone, computer or e-reader, so it’s portable and can go with you anywhere!

With this book, you’ll get:

  • Tried-and-true recipes the whole family will love – including pot roast, spaghetti, tacos, carnitas, soups, and easy breakfast meals
  • Instant Pot starter guide on how to use the buttons, tips and tricks, and more
  • Printable shopping lists for ingredients
  • Step-by-step video lesson on how to use your Instant Pot, pressure cooker safety, and some of my favorite tips and tricks
  • Two-week meal plan that you can put into action for no-stress weeknight dinners

 

Instant Pot Applesauce in a yellow pot

{Pressure Cooker} Instant Pot Applesauce

Don't Mess With Mama
Make this Instant Pot Applesauce in less than 20 minutes any added sugar. Be sure to make a big batch and save it in the refrigerator. The kids will love it.
5 from 34 votes
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 143 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • Cut apples into 2-inch chunks. Discard the core, stem and seeds.
  • Place in Instant Pot along with 1 cup of water.
  • Close Instant Pot lid and set to manual high pressure (HP) for 8 minutes. Be sure the steam vent is sealed.
  • The Instant Pot will take about 8 minutes to reach high pressure, then will cook for 8 minutes.
  • Once the timer goes off, let sit for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Turn steam vent to release pressure. Once all steam has dissipated, open the lid.
  • Remove excess water if there is any.
  • Use an electric mixer or immersion blender to smooth out applesauce to the consistency you prefer. I like mine with some lumpiness to it. You may prefer it smooth.
  • Add 1-2 drops of cinnamon oil or cinnamon powder to taste.
  • Let cool or place in the refrigerator to cool down.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 38gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 292mgFiber: 6gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 145IUVitamin C: 12.5mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword how to make applesauce in an instant pot, the easiest applesauce
Tried this recipe?Mention @dontmesswithmama on Instagram

 

 


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29 Comments

  1. Hi, Tracey. I’m just getting in to Essential Oils so I definitely noticed you added that to your applesauce along with powdered cinnamon. Why do you do that? Is it for more cinnamon flavor or for the benefits of the oils?

  2. Just now I’ve looked at 4 IP applesauce recipes and, as per IP needs, each adds 1 cup of water. I’ve been making applesauce on the stove the say Mom taught me, which adds a scant 1/4 cup of water and simmers a LONG time to cook off the added water as well as liquid the apples release. That said, what do you think about, after NPR, setting the IP to simmer without the lid to do that cook-down process?

    1. Christine, you can do this in the IP with less than a cup water if you prefer a thicker end product. I just made applesauce in the IP with only 1/2 c. of water (and a handful of fresh cranberries), added to my apples and cinnamon. The consistency was thick and perfect. After cooking, the apple chunks fell apart with a few stirs with a wooden spoon (no blending needed). I cooked for 4 min. at high pressure, with a natural release.

      1. Yes I think it’s fine addiing less water. Because it’s only 8 mins, you don’t need a full cup of water. My understanding is if the IP is on high for one hr, yes, one cup of water is needed.

    2. You need at least 1 cup of liquid minimum for the Instant Pot to work properly. Once the apples break down they produce liquid too, but the water is necessary to bring it up to pressure. If you’re using an IP and want to make it your way, I’d suggest putting the apples and small amount of water in a separate container (a ‘pot in pot’) inside the cooker, with the cup at the bottom and cook it that way. Also note that the manufacturer does not recommend canning in the IP! It’s not tested for that and I’m not sure that it reaches correct pressure (only about 11 psi instead of the standard 15 or so with stovetop pressure cookers).

      1. This may sound like a stupid question but if you put the cup of water in the bottom of the pot first in a separate container, what would I use to then put 8 apples in? They won’t really fit into the steamer type containers. I put 7 in today just directly in the pot and they took up almost the whole thing. It came out way too runny with the water and apples together.

        1. You could try reducing the liquid to 1/2 cup. Another option is there are Pot-in-Pot options where you would put a wire rack on bottom and the apples in a small steel pot.

      2. Actually, canning highly acidic foods like fruits and pickles are fine according to the instant pot faqs on their website. They don’t recommend canning meats because it requires a higher pressure.

    3. Hi, Christine. I read your comment and didn’t see anything about canning. I think you’re just asking about reducing the liquid, right? I bet the simmering idea would work. I’ve always done my applesauce 4-6 hours in the slow cooker (it’s been a long time, though) and don’t even remember adding water. If I did, it was very little. It was perfect consistency. What about still using the 1 cup of water but just adding more apples? Have you tried the simmering method yet? As far as canning, the manufacture doesn’t recommend pressure canning but says it’s okay to do a hot water bath for canning. If you do canning, you might check the manual or their website to be sure. I know they sell a see-through lid for when you’re not pressurizing. Just a thought.