• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Popular » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Easy Instant Pot Applesauce

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Sep 27, 2019 by Dee

    Easy Instant Pot Applesauce uses just 4 ingredients and no sugar. Make the BEST homemade applesauce with peeled or unpeeled apples in your pressure cooker!

    Jump to Recipe -
    instant pot applesauce in white bowls

    Homemade applesauce is definitely one of the easiest Instant Pot recipes you can make. Just dump all of the ingredients into the pressure cooker, press start, and cook!

    After only 4 minutes of cooking time, you've got delicious, homemade unsweetened applesauce! As a bonus, your home will smell truly amazing -- just like fall!

    I used to always make homemade applesauce in the Crock-Pot, but it pressure cooker applesauce is so much faster! You can whip some up whenever you need to, and it's the best way to use up old apples.

    My daughter got braces last week and was having one heck of a time eating -- poor baby! I was able to make applesauce in the Instant Pot in just a few minutes, and she was one happy camper!

    Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce

    We like unsweetened applesauce, so this recipe is made without sugar. The mix of apples I use naturally sweetens the applesauce.

    You can always add some brown sugar or white sugar at the end if you want, but my picky kids love it just as it is, so that definitely tells me it's sweet enough. In fact, we think it has even more flavor the next day!

    What Apples do you Use for Applesauce

    Personally, I like to use a mix of tart and sweet apples to make unsweetened applesauce. I usually use a mix of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Gala, but you can use what you like best.

    McIntosh, Fuji, Jonagold and Braeburn are fine, too. I wouldn't recommend using all Granny Smiths, though, since that would most likely be too tart!

    How to Make Instant Pot Applesauce with Peeled or Unpeeled Apples

    You can use peeled or unpeeled apples for homemade applesauce. I usually use unpeeled apples because it's quick and easy this way.

    However, I peeled the apples this time because I wanted super smooth applesauce for my daughter. Think baby food!

    instant pot applesauce with cinnamon in pressure cooker

    Just, throw the peeled or unpeeled apples into the Instant Pot, and sprinkle the cinnamon and sea salt over the top. Then, add the water, and pressure cook the apples for 4 minutes.

    You'll notice I only use ¼ cup of water here, which may seem like it won't work, but trust me, it does! Apples release a ton of liquid as they cook. If you like your applesauce thinner, use ½ cup of water.

    Use Natural Release or Controlled Release with Applesauce

    A word of caution here, so listen up, folks! You want to allow a natural full release or do a controlled quick release when you make Instant Pot applesauce. The apples get super foamy in the pressure cooker, and they will spray everywhere with a quick release!

    mix instant pot applesauce with immersion blender

    You can mash the apples with a potato masher or fork if you like chunkier applesauce. But since I wanted the applesauce to be as smooth as possible, I used an immersion blender here.

    mix instant pot applesauce with immersion blender until smooth

    How Long does Homemade Applesauce Last?

    You can serve your homemade applesauce warm or refrigerate it for later. Homemade applesauce should last up to a week in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. We thought it tasted even better the next day!

    homemade instant pot applesauce in white bowl with apples

    Recipes that use applesauce

    • Easy Applesauce Bars
    • Apple Raisin Muffins
    • Banana Applesauce Muffins

    Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe

    instant pot applesauce in white bowls

    Easy Instant Pot Applesauce

    Published by Dee
    Easy Instant Pot Applesauce uses just 4 ingredients and no sugar. Make the BEST homemade applesauce with peeled or unpeeled apples in your pressure cooker!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Text Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 4 mins
    pressure time 10 mins
    Total Time 14 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 95 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 10 small apples peeled or unpeeled, cored and sliced
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt (optional)
    • ¼ cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Add the apples to the Instant Pot
    • Sprinkle cinnamon and sea salt over apples, and pour water around the sides 
    • Cover, turn vent to sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes
    • Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then cook for 4 minutes and beep when cooking is done
    • Do a gradual quick release to avoid liquid spraying from Pot, or allow pot to release naturally. When pin drops, open lid, and use an immersion blender for smooth applesauce or stir or mash with fork for chunky applesauce

    Notes

    Applesauce was made in a 6-quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker.
    Due to the high water content of the apples, ¼ cup water is enough for pot to reach pressure. For thinner applesauce, use ½ cup water. 
    You can use unpeeled apples or peeled apples.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 95kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 195mgFiber: 4gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 98IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!
    homemade Instant pot applesauce with cinnamon in white ramekins

    Recipe was originally published in 2018 and updated for extra tips and clarity in 2019

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Recipes made in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    • instant pot tuna noodle casserole in white bowl with crackers and cheese
      Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole
    • bowl of instant pot cheesy chicken and rice with peas on the table
      Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    • Instant Pot pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and bbq sauce
      Instant Pot Pulled Pork
    • Instant Pot Kraft Mac and cheese (boxed mac and cheese) in a white bowl
      Instant Pot Kraft Mac and Cheese

    You May Also Like

    pumpkin muffins with applesauce on the table
    Easy Pumpkin Muffins with Applesauce
    instant pot meatballs from frozen in marinara sauce
    Instant Pot Meatballs and Sauce
    instant pot salsa verde chicken shredded in white bowl
    Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. James says

      September 30, 2019 at 6:40 am

      How simple! Kids loved it. We had a bunch of apples that we needed to use up, too! Yummy!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 30, 2019 at 8:35 am

        Awesome! I'm so glad you all liked the applesauce!

    2. Miz Helen says

      August 13, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      Your Applesauce looks delicious, Dee. Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    3. KANKANA says

      August 09, 2018 at 2:46 pm

      Why buy store bought at all when it's so easy to make at home!

      Reply
    4. Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says

      August 09, 2018 at 12:30 pm

      Such an awesome side dish! It sounds really easy to make!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Jamielyn says

      August 09, 2018 at 8:20 am

      Perfect for school lunches!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Kimberly says

      August 08, 2018 at 8:57 pm

      Nothing beats homemade applesauce, it's the best!

      Reply
    7. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      August 08, 2018 at 8:36 pm

      Yet another fabulous dish for me to try in the Instant Pot! What a great recipe for the season's fruit!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 09, 2018 at 7:06 am

        This is a great way to use up apples if you go apple picking! 🙂

    8. Delaney | Melanie Makes says

      August 08, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      My sister would love this!

      Reply
    9. Carlee says

      August 08, 2018 at 6:37 pm

      I love homemade applesauce and now I can't wait to make some in the instant pot! What a great way to do it!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 09, 2018 at 7:02 am

        It's so easy this way!

    10. Des says

      August 08, 2018 at 12:24 pm

      What a great way to make this at home. It's perfect for school lunches!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 08, 2018 at 3:07 pm

        Thanks, Des. We just love it!

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • baked breaded pork chops with panko bread crumbs and mashed potatoes on plate
      Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • ground beef pasta, creamy shells and beef, in creamy tomato sauce in dutch oven
      Creamy Shells and Beef
    • Easter bunny bait snack mix with popcorn and candy in glass bowl
      Bunny Bait Snack Mix
    • easy strawberry jello fruit salad on plate
      Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
    • baked kielbasa and sauerkraut in casserole dish with parsely
      Grandma's Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe
    • no bake banana pudding with cool whip and nilla wafer cookies and sliced bananas
      Easy No Bake Banana Pudding
    • slices of grandma's nut roll with swirls walnut filling on a white platter
      Grandma's Nut Roll Recipe
    • easter lamb cake decorated with buttercream frosting, colored coconut and jelly beans
      The Best Easter Lamb Cake Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2023 Meatloaf and Melodrama