Effortless Instant Pot Applesauce: No Peeling, No Added Sugar, Just Pure Deliciousness
Discover the simplest way to create incredibly flavorful and wholesome homemade applesauce with this easy Instant Pot recipe. In less than 20 minutes of active preparation and cooking, you can achieve a perfectly balanced sweet and tart applesauce that requires absolutely zero peeling and contains no added sugar. This method is a game-changer for busy home cooks looking for a healthy and convenient snack or versatile ingredient.
This lightly spiced Instant Pot Applesauce strikes the perfect harmony of natural sweetness and bright tartness, a balance we’ll explore further when discussing optimal apple varieties. What truly sets this recipe apart is its incredible simplicity: no tedious peeling is required, and there’s absolutely no need for added sugar. The star of this recipe is undeniably the crisp, juicy autumn apples, complemented beautifully by warm, aromatic baking spices that evoke comfort and home.
While my Instant Pot isn’t an appliance I reach for daily, it truly shines when it comes to preparing homemade applesauce. It transforms what can often be a time-consuming kitchen task into a remarkably fast, hands-off process. The pressure cooker method is ideal for those who wish to make substantial batches of applesauce with minimal effort, ensuring you always have a healthy, delicious option on hand.
Making applesauce on the stovetop certainly works, but the Instant Pot drastically reduces the cook time and eliminates the need for constant monitoring. You simply quarter your apples, add your selected spices and liquid, give everything a quick stir, seal the lid, and let the pressure cooker do all the hard work. This convenience allows you to tackle other kitchen tasks or simply relax while your delicious applesauce cooks itself to perfection.
The result of this Instant Pot applesauce recipe is a remarkably smooth texture coupled with a superb balance of natural sweetness and invigorating tartness. If you’ve found store-bought applesauces to be overwhelmingly sweet or lacking in depth, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the nuanced flavor profile of this homemade version. It’s a truly refreshing take on a classic comfort food, highlighting the inherent goodness of fresh apples.
Beyond its incredible ease and speed, homemade applesauce offers a level of customization that store-bought options simply can’t match. You have complete control over the types of apples used, the spice blend, and the final consistency. This recipe empowers you to create an applesauce tailored exactly to your preferences, whether you prefer it chunkier or silkier, more cinnamon-forward or with a hint of earthy cardamom.
Selecting the Best Apple Varieties for Homemade Applesauce
What Varieties of Apples Should I Use?
Just like baking a phenomenal apple pie, crafting truly exceptional homemade applesauce benefits greatly from using a blend of different apple varieties. Each type of apple brings its unique characteristics to the table, contributing varying levels of sweetness, tartness, and affecting the final texture of your applesauce.
Unlike apple pie, where you typically want the apple slices to retain some structural integrity after cooking (think Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), homemade applesauce thrives on varieties that break down easily. We’re looking for apples that become incredibly tender and release a good amount of liquid once cooked under pressure.
For an ideal applesauce, a combination of sweet and slightly tart apples works wonders. Fuji apples are a fantastic choice, known for their balanced sweetness and high moisture content, which helps them break down beautifully. Golden Delicious apples also excel in applesauce, contributing natural sweetness and a soft texture. To introduce that signature tartness that truly brightens the overall flavor profile and prevents the applesauce from tasting flat, Granny Smith apples are indispensable. Their firm, crisp flesh transforms into a wonderfully tangy complement once cooked.
During extensive recipe testing, I consistently observed that using a combination of these apple varieties yielded a superior texture and a more complex, well-rounded flavor. The interplay between the different sugar and acid levels creates a dynamic taste experience. However, don’t despair if you only have one type on hand! I’ve also achieved excellent results using 100% Pink Lady apples, which offer a delightful balance of sweet and tart on their own. For specific apple substitution ideas and further tips, be sure to consult the recipe notes section.
When selecting your apples, look for firm, unblemished fruit. While slight imperfections won’t matter since they’ll be cooked and blended, starting with good quality produce ensures the best flavor. Aim for about 5 pounds of apples in total for this recipe to yield a generous batch of two quarts, perfect for enjoying throughout the week or freezing for later.
How to Make AppleSauce in an Instant Pot: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating delicious, homemade applesauce in your Instant Pot is surprisingly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect batch every time:
- Prepare and Combine Ingredients: Begin by quartering your apples (no need to peel!). Place the apple quarters, cold water, pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste), ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and a couple of generous pinches of kosher salt into a 6-quart (or larger) capacity Instant Pot. Give all the ingredients a thorough stir to ensure the spices are evenly distributed and the apples are lightly coated. This initial mix helps infuse flavor throughout the applesauce as it cooks.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid onto your Instant Pot, making sure to turn the sealing valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the cooking time for 6 minutes on high pressure. Once the cooking cycle is complete, you can choose between a natural pressure release or a quick release. If opting for a quick release, exercise extreme caution to avoid contact with any hot steam by using a kitchen towel or oven mitt to carefully turn the valve. When you open the lid, the apple mixture will appear quite soft and somewhat “messy,” but rest assured, it’s perfectly cooked and ready for blending.
- Blend and Store: Carefully blend the cooked apples to your desired texture. An immersion blender is the easiest and most convenient tool for this step, allowing you to blend directly in the Instant Pot liner. Alternatively, you can transfer the apple mixture in smaller batches to a high-powered blender or a large food processor. Blend until smooth, or leave some small chunks for a more rustic texture. Keep in mind that the applesauce will thicken significantly as it cools. Allow the applesauce to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers or glass quart jars. This homemade applesauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, making it an excellent meal prep item.
For those who love a perfectly smooth applesauce, blending longer will achieve a velvety consistency. If you prefer a bit more texture, blend in short pulses until you reach your ideal chunkiness. Remember, homemade applesauce offers this wonderful flexibility that you often don’t get with store-bought varieties.
Essential Tips for Instant Pot Applesauce Success
- Instant Pot Size Matters: While the high-pressure cooking time for this applesauce is a mere 6 minutes, this recipe calls for 5 pounds of fresh apples. To safely accommodate this volume and ensure proper pressure buildup, it is absolutely crucial to use an Instant Pot that is at least 6 quarts in capacity, or even larger if you have one. Overfilling your pressure cooker can be dangerous and prevent it from coming to pressure correctly.
- Maintain Liquid Quantity: Do not skip or reduce the specified amount of cold water in the recipe. Pressure cookers rely on a minimum quantity of liquid to generate the steam necessary to reach and maintain pressure. Insufficient liquid can lead to a “Burn” error and potentially ruin your batch of applesauce. The water also helps prevent the apples from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Storage and Preservation: This recipe yields a generous two quarts of delicious applesauce. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, making it convenient for daily use. For longer-term storage, homemade applesauce freezes beautifully. Simply transfer it to freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving a little headspace for expansion, and freeze for several months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when ready to enjoy.
- Customizing Spices and Flavor: We’ve included a delightful blend of ground cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla extract to create a warm, inviting flavor profile. However, feel free to adapt these spices to suit your personal preferences. If you plan to use the applesauce in savory dishes, consider reducing or completely omitting the sweeter spices. A few pinches of kosher salt are essential for balancing the flavors and enhancing the natural sweetness of the apples, so don’t leave it out! Other spices like nutmeg, allspice, or ginger can also be wonderful additions.
For an even richer flavor, you can briefly sauté the apples in a tablespoon of butter or coconut oil before adding the liquid and spices, though this step is entirely optional and adds a tiny bit to the “hands-on” time. This can deepen the apple flavor slightly, bringing out more caramelized notes. Always taste your applesauce after blending and adjust seasonings if necessary. If your apples were particularly tart, a tiny drizzle of maple syrup or a pinch of brown sugar can be added at the end, though this recipe is designed to be naturally sweet.
Peeled vs. Unpeeled Apples: The Health and Convenience Factor
Many traditional applesauce recipes often instruct you to meticulously peel the apples, a step that can be quite time-consuming and messy. This Instant Pot recipe proudly bypasses that step, requiring absolutely no apple peeling. This not only saves you a significant amount of preparation time but also enhances the nutritional value of your homemade applesauce.
It’s important to remember that most of an apple’s dietary fiber and a significant portion of its beneficial nutrients are concentrated in its skin. By leaving the peels on, you’re creating a more nutritious applesauce that’s packed with extra goodness. While the mixture might appear somewhat rough and “messy” immediately after cooking, don’t worry! The Instant Pot’s high-pressure cooking process tenderizes the peels to the point where they blend perfectly into a smooth consistency with an immersion blender or a high-powered regular blender, leaving no detectable bits or pieces.
Embracing the unpeeled approach simplifies the cooking process, making homemade applesauce accessible even on the busiest days. You’ll be surprised at how seamlessly the skins integrate, contributing to a slightly richer color and a more robust flavor without compromising on texture. This method truly highlights the efficiency and health benefits that the Instant Pot brings to your kitchen.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Instant Pot Applesauce
Once you’ve made a batch of this delightful Instant Pot Applesauce, the possibilities for enjoying it are endless. Its balanced flavor and natural sweetness make it incredibly versatile:
- Quick Breakfast Parfaits: Layer your homemade applesauce with creamy Greek yogurt and top with crunchy granola for an easy, nutritious, and satisfying breakfast. For grab-and-go options, create your own DIY yogurt pots by layering yogurt and applesauce in small glass jars, storing them covered in the fridge for a quick morning meal.
- Warm Toppings: Spoon it generously over warm steel-cut oats, fluffy pancakes, or crispy waffles for an added burst of fruity flavor and natural sweetness. It’s a wonderful alternative to sugary syrups.
- Dessert Enhancement: Serve your applesauce slightly warm as a comforting topping for a scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a simple yet elegant dessert that’s reminiscent of apple pie without the effort.
- Baking Ingredient: Incorporate this homemade applesauce into your baked goods as a healthier substitute for store-bought applesauce or even oil/butter in some recipes. It adds moisture and natural sweetness. Just remember to adjust any other baking spices in your recipe to account for the flavors already present in your applesauce.
- Savory Side Dish: For a more savory application, reduce or completely omit the baking spices in the recipe. This plain applesauce makes a fantastic accompaniment to savory dishes, pairing beautifully with roasted pork loin, grilled chicken, or even turkey meatballs. The slight tartness cuts through richer flavors, providing a refreshing counterpoint.
Don’t limit yourself to these suggestions! You can also stir it into smoothies for natural sweetness and fiber, use it as a base for marinades, or simply enjoy it straight from the spoon as a wholesome snack. Its pure apple flavor makes it a fantastic addition to almost any meal plan.
Exciting Flavor Variation Ideas:
How to Make Cranberry Apple Sauce: For a festive and tart seasonal twist, simply add 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries along with the apples and other ingredients. The cranberries will cook down beautifully, infusing the applesauce with a vibrant color and tangy kick, perfect for holiday meals or a refreshing change.
How to Make Blackberry or Raspberry Apple Sauce: Introduce a delightful berry note and a gorgeous dark purple hue by adding 1 to 2 cups of fresh or frozen blackberries or raspberries to your Instant Pot with the apples. These berries will contribute a lovely tartness that complements the apples, creating a visually stunning and flavor-packed applesauce that’s great for desserts or unique breakfast bowls.
Citrus Zest Infusion: For a bright, aromatic lift, consider adding a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the pot along with the apples and spices. The citrus zest will release its essential oils during cooking, adding a fragrant and fresh dimension to your applesauce.
Experimentation is key to discovering your favorite applesauce variations. Don’t hesitate to adjust the spice levels, add a touch of fresh ginger, or explore other fruit combinations. The beauty of homemade applesauce is its adaptability!
Instant Pot Apple Sauce
25 ratings)
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2
Quarts
10
minutes
7
minutes
10
minutes
27
minutes
Leaving the apple skins on significantly boosts the dietary fiber and nutrient content. Since the apples are blended after cooking, the skins effortlessly integrate, resulting in a smooth, more nutritious applesauce while saving you considerable prep time. Consult the recipe notes for apple substitution ideas and additional tips.
Equipment
-
Instant Pot 6 Quart 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
-
2
lbs
Fuji apples (roughly 4)
unpeeled, cored, and quartered -
2
lbs
Golden Delicious apples (roughly 4)
unpeeled, cored, and quartered -
1
lb
Granny Smith apples (roughly 2)
unpeeled, cored, and quartered -
1
cup (240 mL)
cold water
*see notes -
2
teaspoons
pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste -
1
tablespoon
ground cinnamon -
¼-½
teaspoon
ground cardamom -
2
large pinches
kosher salt
Instructions
-
Place the quartered apples, cold water, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt in a 6-quart (or larger) capacity instant pot. Stir to combine.
-
Close the lid (*be sure to turn the valve to sealing*) and cook at high pressure for 6 minutes. Turn off the heat and open via natural or quick release, being sure to avoid contact with any cooking steam. The mixture will look like a bit of a hot mess when you first open the lid, but will blend beautifully.
-
Carefully blend the apples to desired texture using an immersion blender (*this is the easiest method!) or transfer and blend the apple mixture in smaller batches in a high-powered blender or large food processor. The apple sauce will thicken considerably once cool. Allow to cool before transferring to a container or glass quart jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Flavor Variation:
- Add 1 cup fresh (or frozen) cranberries or 1-2 cups fresh (or frozen) blackberries for a seasonal twist!
- Feel free to adapt the dried spices to suit your taste preference, adding nutmeg, allspice, or ginger as desired.
Tips for Success:
- Do not skip or reduce the water quantity in the recipe above. Pressure cookers require a minimum amount of liquid in order for them to come to pressure safely and efficiently.
- For a more nuanced and complex applesauce flavor, I highly recommend using a combination of apple varieties. Granny Smith apples contribute a vital tartness, Fuji apples offer balanced sweetness and high moisture for perfect breakdown, and Golden Delicious apples add a lovely sweetness. However, if buying multiple varieties isn’t feasible, this recipe still works wonderfully with 100% Fuji or Pink Lady apples.
- For longer storage, freeze the cooled applesauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Serving:
1
serving
,
Calories:
140
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
33
g
,
Protein:
1
g
,
Sodium:
121
mg
,
Fiber:
6
g
,
Sugar:
24
g
Laura / A Beautiful Plate
Fruit Desserts
American