Instant Pot Applesauce is a time saver and is a lovely sweet, tart treat! A super, simple and flavorful apple sauce made in your Instant Pot.
Use this simple applesauce recipe to make Rhubarb Applesauce Muffins or add this Instant Pot Applesauce to anything grilled such as pork tenderloin, pork chops or Smoked Pulled Pork.
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How Do You Make Applesauce in an Instant Pot?
When I say this is a super simple applesauce recipe, I’m not kidding, it really is.
- Wash and core three pounds of apples. Depending on the size of apples, this is approximately 10 apples. If they are smaller, like crabapples, then you’ll need about 12 cups of crabapples. Fortunately, no peeling is required because using the Instant Pot softens the skin so it blends perfectly into the applesauce. This applesauce, made with unpeeled apples, has a bit more color than applesauce with peeled apples.
- Quarter the apples and add them to the Instant Pot along with water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and vanilla. For regular apples, I LOVE the apple coring and cutting tool, which takes care of the coring and quartering all in one step. You can find the apple cutter on Amazon.
- Set the Instant Pot on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow natural release.
- Use an immersion blender right in the Instant Pot container, or remove apples and add to blender, and blend to desired consistency.
Instant Pot applesauce is faster than Crockpot applesauce or slow cooker applesauce. They’re both equally as easy, but when you’re short on time, it’s Instant Pot for the win!
Using the immersion blender gives a bit more control over the consistency of the applesauce. Smooth or chunky homemade applesauce, it’s your choice.
What Kind Of Apples Make The Best Applesauce
For this applesauce recipe, I use MacIntosh apples. I love their tartness. If you have a crabapple tree or a friendly generous neighbor with too many crabapples to handle, these work equally well. We have a small apple tree so we used our apples (and leave our neighbor’s alone).
We also have a fresh local fruit stand that is seasonal and when they close their stand in October, apples are very cheap. Last year we bought a case of apples. They lasted well in the garage, and we made a bunch of apple recipes, including a delectable apple bundt cake! So, don’t forget to check the local farmers’ markets for apples. They may even sell them for a discount in the Fall.
The first time we made this applesauce, our kids thought it was so delicious that they ate half the batch on the first day so we had to make a second batch right away. We’ve had the same thing happen with rhubarb applesauce. So have lots of apples around and be ready to make a second batch.
What Are The Benefits of Eating Applesauce
Homemade applesauce contains apples and water, so it is healthy and good for you. Apples and applesauce are high in soluble fiber and low in calories. Applesauce promotes good digestion and fosters probiotic growth, especially when you leave the skins on like in this recipe. If you’re looking for a healthy kick of energy, snack on applesauce!
Homemade applesauce contains no additives or unnecessary ingredients. It’s school safe and makes a great snack.
What Do You Eat With Applesauce
Anything and nothing. Applesauce goes really well with everything pork, such as pork chops or pork tenderloin. It is so good with smoked pulled pork. Even bacon!
Baking with applesauce keeps things moist and can reduce calories in baking. Our Rhubarb Applesauce Muffins are so moist and tender and the kids dig them!
Add applesauce to yogurt, cottage cheese, or serve it with your pancakes or waffles.
Applesauce is awesome to eat it on its own. We often pack it in the kids’ lunches. So fast and healthy.
How Do You Store Applesauce
Store homemade applesauce in a sealed container and place it in the fridge for up to 10 days. Store individual servings in reusable applesauce pouches. They’re great for on the go, especially for kids! My son loves taking them in his lunch or to the playground for a snack.
Freeze in ice cube trays, containers or zip top bags. When freezing, remember to leave a little extra space as the applesauce will expand during freezing. We like to use the Stasher Bags because they work so well keeping food fresh. We put the Stasher bags in the microwave or in boiling water, sous vide style, or just defrost in the fridge, depending on how quickly we need to defrost the sauce.
When my kids were babies, I would whip up homemade applesauce and freeze it in icecube trays, then put the frozen cubes in zip top freezer bags. It is so easy to prepare and store. We’d thaw them quickly in the microwave for lunch or dinner, or simply leave it at room temperature until defrosted. It was easy to give the right portions with the ice cube sized applesauce.
How Long Does Homemade Applesauce Last
Like store bought applesauce, the homemade sauce can be stored in a jar or container in the fridge for up to 10 days. After several days, it may get slightly darker but will taste just as good. Applesauce freezes well and will last for months in the freezer.
Instant Pot Applesauce
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple approximately 8-10 medium or 3 pounds apples
- ½ cup water
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice fresh preferred
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon to taste
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Core and cut apples using the apple cutter, or a knife.
- Add apples, water, lemon juice, cinnamon and vanilla to Instant Pot.
- Using Manual, set Instant Pot to 10 minutes on high pressure. Allow natural release.
- Once pressure is released, use an immersion blender or other blender until reaches desired consistency. Use caution and blend in small batches if using a blender when the apples are hot.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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Ist necessary to core small crab apples before cooking in insta pot?
I’d suggest that you would need to core them before, or strain out the seeds after. You can cut them in half and then use a melon baller if doing it in advance. Hope that helps Faith!
This looks perfect for a healthy autumn snack!
Thank you Bailey! An easy and healthy snack!