Instant Pot Applesauce

Did you know you can make your own batch of natural-tasting Instant Pot applesauce in roughly 20 minutes? It’s the perfect partner to so many dishes, contains zero nasties, and has the most delicious smooth, velvety texture.

Every now and then, we realize we have way too many apples, and they’re reaching their peak. This is when we make applesauce and enjoy it all week long. This Instant Pot applesauce is a game-changer for anyone looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy homemade, flavorful applesauce.

With a blend of tart Granny Smith apples and sweet Honeycrisp apples, you get the perfect balance of flavors in every spoonful.

All you need is 4 ingredients plus water! And your Instant Pot, of course – let’s dive in.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love this Recipe
• Ingredient and Substitution Notes
• Instructions
• Variations of this Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe
• Top Tips
• H2 What to Pair this Instant Pot Applesauce with
• Storage Notes
• FAQ
• Related
• Pairing

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

There’s so much to love about a good old-fashioned applesauce – here’s why we love this Instant Pot applesauce recipe:

• Quick and easy: It takes just 15 minutes of prep and only 8 minutes of cooking time, thanks to the Instant Pot’s speed.
• Perfect balance of sweet and tart: Combining Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples creates a naturally balanced flavor. We love the balance of sweetness and a bit of tartness.
• Customizable sweetness: You can easily adjust the level of sweetness by controlling the amount of sugar, or switch to a natural sweetener like maple syrup.
• Vegan and naturally delicious: This recipe is completely vegan and free of any artificial ingredients.
• Smooth or chunky: Whether you prefer a silky-smooth apple sauce or a chunkier texture, the immersion blender helps you get a perfect consistency.
• Healthy snack or topping: This apple sauce makes a great snack on its own, or it can be used as a topping for oatmeal, pancakes, or baked goods.
• Minimal cleanup: With the Instant Pot, you cook everything in one pot, so cleaning up afterward is a breeze.
• Great for meal prep: You can make a big batch, store it in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze it for future use.

Ingredient and Substitution Notes

There’s not much to making this recipe – here’s what to round-up in the kitchen.

• Apples: Granny Smith apples bring a tartness to the sauce, while Honeycrisp apples offer sweetness. You can experiment with other varieties, but these two create the perfect combination.
• Sugar: Organic cane sugar is used for sweetness, but feel free to adjust the amount based on your taste. Maple syrup or agave can be used as alternative sweeteners.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon sticks infuse the applesauce with a warm, spicy aroma, but ground cinnamon can also be used if you don’t have sticks on hand. Just be sure to use sparingly- we’ve found it can sometimes be overpowering.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Variations of this Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe

You can absolutely make a variation of our Instant Pot applesauce – here are a few thought starters:

• Cinnamon-free: Skip the cinnamon for a simple, pure apple sauce, letting the apples shine on their own.
• Spiced applesauce: Add cloves, nutmeg, or allspice to enhance the flavor profile and create a more robust, spiced apple sauce.
• Chunky applesauce: For a more textured sauce, pulse the mixture with a blender just briefly so that some apple chunks remain.

Top Tips

We love sharing our tried and tested tips:

• Be cautious during the quick release of pressure; steam can escape rapidly from the vent.
• Make sure to peel and core the apples thoroughly for a smooth applesauce.
• If you prefer a chunky texture, use less time with the immersion blender, blending it just enough to break down the larger pieces.
• Adjust the sweetness according to your apple variety. Some apples are naturally sweeter, so you may need less sugar.

H2 What to Pair this Instant Pot Applesauce with

We were shocked by how many different dishes this sauce works well with:

• Carrot cake or muffins: Use applesauce as a topping for baked goods, adding moisture and flavor.
• Pancakes, churros & waffles: Drizzle over pancakes or waffles for a sweet and fruity topping. Use it as a dipper for your churros.
• Oatmeal: Stir it into your morning oatmeal for added sweetness and flavor.
• Roast pork: Apple sauce is a classic accompaniment to roasted or grilled pork dishes.
• Crispy pork chops: Serve alongside crispy, seared pork chops for a delicious contrast.
• Meatloaf: A spoonful of applesauce adds a touch of sweetness to hearty meatloaf.
• Latkes: Pair with crispy potato latkes for a traditional holiday treat.
• Biscuits & scones: Spread it on warm biscuits or scones for a comforting breakfast.
• Cottage cheese: Mix with cottage cheese for a light, tangy snack.
• Cheese plates and charcuterie: Add a small bowl of apple sauce to a cheese platter or charcuterie boards.
• Sandwiches and sliders: A spoonful on the side adds a sweet balance to the savory sandwich or slider.
• Ice cream: Serve apple sauce as a topping over vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.
• Toast or English muffins: Spread on buttered toast or English muffins for a simple snack.

Storage Notes

This applesauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Let it cool completely before refrigerating to preserve the texture and flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze this apple sauce for up to three months. Simply store it in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, leaving some room for expansion. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Reheating

Reheat the applesauce in the microwave or on the stovetop. If it has thickened too much after cooling, add a splash of water to achieve your desired consistency.

FAQ

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Instant Pot applesauce: