Looking for a cozy, frugal, and crazy-simple way to use up apples? This Instant Pot Applesauce is a must-try! Whether you’re meal-prepping snacks, stocking the freezer, or just trying to avoid food waste, this one-pot wonder is about to become a staple in your kitchen.
Recipe: $4.17 | Per Serving: $0.69 | Servings: 6
It's sweet, tangy, and ready in minutes, without the need to babysit a stovetop pot. You're just six ingredients and one button away from homemade goodness that beats store-bought every time.
This homemade applesauce is smooth, comforting, and incredibly versatile. We love how you can control the sweetness, spice level, and texture to suit your family's tastes. Plus, it’s the perfect way to use up apples that are past their prime.
My son brings home apples from school almost every day, and with frugal food apps like Flashfood in my area, we’re never short on ripe produce. Turning several pounds of soft or wrinkly apples into applesauce is a great way to make the most of them.
Whether you prefer it plain or jazzed up with cinnamon and maple syrup, you’ll be amazed at how simple and satisfying this recipe is. Try turning it into treats like Applesauce Fritters and Applesauce Custard Pie, or use it in Vegan Banana Bread. Or, simply enjoy it as a comforting snack on its own.
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🍯 Why This Recipe Works
- One-Pot Magic. The Instant Pot does all the work! No need for stirring, boiling, or monitoring a pot on the stove. Just toss everything in, press a button, and let the Instant Pot work its magic.
- Fast & Frugal. In under 30 minutes, you can have homemade applesauce ready to go. It uses pantry staples and leftover apples, so it’s perfect for making use of produce that’s starting to soften. This is the definition of a budget-friendly recipe.
- Customizable. With just six ingredients, you can adjust the flavors to your liking. Choose your favorite apples, add sweetener or spices to suit your taste, and even control the texture. Whether you like your applesauce chunky or smooth, you’re in charge of the final result!
🥘 Ingredients
Apples: The star of the show. Use a mixture of tart and sweet varieties for balanced flavor. You can choose baking-specific apples or any apples you have on hand. I use a mix of anything from Granny Smith apples and Honey Crisp to Red Delicious apples. The variety really adds a delicious depth of flavor.
Lemon juice: Helps preserve the bright color of the apples, as apples tend to brown when exposed to air. If you're adding cinnamon, the applesauce will be brown colored, so adding lemon juice is optional.
Sweetener: You can use maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, or whatever else to sweeten the applesauce to your tastes, but this is optional and up to you on whether or not you wish to sweeten your applesauce.
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
📖 Variations
You can add more spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or ground cloves to give this applesauce a deeper flavor.
Add a splash of vanilla extract after cooking for a more dessert-like profile.
Or stir in some fresh berries or pears before blending for a fruit fusion! For kids, try serving it cold in reusable pouches or frozen in small silicone molds for a fun snack.
🔪 Instructions for Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe
Step 1: Wash, core, and chop apples into chunks. Peel if you prefer a smoother sauce.
Step 2: Combine apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in the pot. (Image 1).
Step 3: Seal and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. (Image 2).
Step 4: Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest. Open the lid. (Image 3).
Step 5: Use a masher for a chunky texture or an immersion blender for smooth. Taste and sweeten if needed. (Image 4).
Step 6: Let it cool, then transfer to jars or containers. Refrigerate or freeze. Enjoy!
🍴 Recipe Tips
- Older apples work just fine. Use older, slightly soft apples; they’re sweeter and reduce waste. (Similar to using up ripe bananas).
- No need to peel if you’re blending smooth. This saves time and adds fiber. If you don't have a blender, you might want to spend a few minutes peeling the apples.
- Don’t skip the natural release; it helps the apples finish cooking gently.
- Taste before adding the sweetener. Many apples are sweet enough on their own, and you may find that they don't need the additional sugars.
- Blend for a smoother texture. For smooth applesauce, an immersion blender works best directly in the pot.
🍳 Reheating
To reheat refrigerated applesauce, simply warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave it in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until warm. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Add a splash of water if it seems too thick.
🥗 Side Dishes
Homemade applesauce is incredibly versatile and pairs well with many dishes:
- Serve alongside pork chops or roast chicken for a sweet-savory balance.
- Add a scoop to oatmeal, yogurt, or pancakes for a fruity boost.
- Include it in a kid-friendly snack plate with cheese or Homemade Cheese Crackers.
⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
This applesauce is perfect for batch cooking. You can double or even triple the recipe depending on the size of your Instant Pot. Once cooled, store in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer. It’s a great way to prep snacks, side dishes, or even baking ingredients ahead of time.
👩🏻🍳 Storage
Store applesauce in jars or airtight containers:
- Refrigerator: Up to 7–10 days.
- Freezer: Up to 3 months. Use freezer-safe containers and leave room for expansion.
- Thawing: Move from freezer to fridge overnight before using.
🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
Try these awesome ideas for some fun and flavorful varieties:
- Vanilla extract: Stir in ½ teaspoon after cooking for extra depth.
- Pears or peaches: Add along with the apples for a blended fruit sauce.
- Chia seeds: Stir in after cooking for a thicker, fiber-rich version.
- Butter: Add a tablespoon for a creamy, dessert-like treat.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes! If you're blending your applesauce smooth, the skins practically disappear. Plus, they add fiber and nutrients.
Yes! Simmer all the ingredients in a large pot on the stove for 20–30 minutes until soft, then mash or blend as desired.
Peel, core, and chop apples into chunks.
Add apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
Seal the lid and cook on Manual/Pressure Cook for 5 minutes on high. Let it have a 10 minute Natural Pressure Release.
Use a potato masher to mash the apples to your desired consistency.
Transfer to a bowl and let it cool completely.
Enjoy it warm or chilled!
For the most flavorful applesauce, it's best to use a blend of sweet, tart, and firm apples. Varieties like Golden Delicious, Fuji, McIntosh, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Gala offer a great mix of sweetness, tang, and texture, giving you a perfectly balanced and smooth applesauce.
❤️ More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes
If you tried this Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Applesauce
Equipment
- Potato Masher or blender
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples (about 6–8 medium, any variety) ($3.99)
- ½ cup water ($0.00)
- 1-2 Tablespoons lemon juice *optional ($0.06)
- ½-1 teaspoon cinnamon (or maple syrup) *optional ($0.00)
- 1-2 Tablespoons brown sugar (or maple syrup) *optional ($0.04)
Instructions
- Wash, core, and chop apples into chunks. Peel if you prefer a smoother sauce.
- Combine apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in the pot.
- Seal and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest. Open the lid.
- Use a masher for a chunky texture or an immersion blender for smooth. Taste and sweeten if needed.
- Let it cool, then transfer to jars or containers. Refrigerate or freeze. Enjoy!
Notes
- Recipe Tips- Older apples work great; they’re sweeter and help reduce waste. Taste before adding sweeteners; many apples are naturally sweet.
- Peeling is Optional- No need to peel if blending for smooth texture; saves time and adds fiber. For smooth applesauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
- Reheating- Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, or microwave in 30-second bursts. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge. Add water if needed.
- Storage- Store in airtight containers: fridge (7-10 days), freezer (up to 3 months).
- Recipe Add-Ins- Try vanilla extract, pears, peaches, chia seeds, or butter for fun variations!
Nicole Durham says
This applesauce is as fast to disappear as it is to make. It's so good and hard to resist!