Learn how to make fresh, homemade Instant Pot Applesauce in minutes with this SUPER quick and easy method. Bonus: It’s made without added sugar and you can make it smooth or chunky according to the preferences of your kids.
I recently started making instant pot applesauce and I am SO in love with this method! It’s so quick and easy and it makes perfectly sweet and smooth applesauce every time.
Crockpot applesauce has long been a favorite in out house, but this is a great option if you have an Instant Pot and want to make a batch of homemade applesauce much faster.
(You may also like my Recipes That Use Applesauce, Homemade Applesauce Pouches, or How to Freeze Apples.)
Table of Contents
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Best Apples for Applesauce
I like to use firm cooking apples such as Jonathan, Cortland, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Jonagold in this applesauce, though really any kind will work.
Just be sure that they taste good before you cook them to ensure that the finished applesauce will taste good too!
Ingredients You need
To make this easy Instant Pot applesauce, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.
- Apples: You can use any variety of apple here that you prefer, though those that taste good fresh will taste the best.
- Water: This liquid ensures that you don’t get a burn notice while cooking the apples in the instant pot.
- Cinnamon: This is optional, but recommended.
- Lemon juice: This brightens the flavor a little, which is nice in the mix.
TIP: All of the fresh apple flavor gets cooked into the sauce, so you don’t need to add any additional sweetener and it still tastes sweet.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the basic process involved in making this Instant Pot Applesauce recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full information, including the amounts and timing.
Step 1. Wash and dry your apples.
Step 2. Chop them and add them to the instant pot.
Step 3. Seal and cook.
Step 4. Release the pressure and mash or blend as desired.
TIP: You can blend this in a blender, food processor, or with an immersion blender. You can also mash it with a hand held potato masher.
Frequently Asked Questions
I like to keep the peel on this applesauce to add as many nutrients as possible. It’s also easier to not have to peel the apples! If your kids prefer their applesauce super smooth, you can of course peel the apples.
To make this chunky applesauce without a blender, simply peel the apples and mash them after you unseal the instant pot with a potato masher. They will mash very easily. (My kids love it this way!)
If you’d like to do a pear sauce, simply swap in pears. You’ll want them to be ripe, so look for pears that are fragrant and just soft to the touch. Any variety you like will work.
How to Freeze Applesauce
Let the Instant Pot applesauce cool completely and freeze in small freezer containers, such as these Ball freezer containers, or in an ice cube tray. If using an ice cube tray, you’ll want to transfer the frozen cubes of applesauce to a zip top freezer bag for more longterm storage.
You can store frozen applesauce for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and stir before serving.
Best Tips for Success
- Use firm cooking apples such as Jonathan, Cortland, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Jonagold—or any apple you have that has good flavor.
- To make a chunkier applesauce, peel the apples before cooking and mash lightly with a potato masher.
- Add cinnamon or fresh lemon juice to taste after the applesauce is cooked and blended.
- You can blend this in a blender, food processor, or with an immersion blender.
- Store finished applesauce in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Use the applesauce in my Homemade Granola, Overnight Oats, or Applesauce Cookies.
- Try my other applesauce recipes including Homemade Applesauce, Cinnamon Applesauce, Homemade Applesauce Pouches, and Strawberry Applesauce.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below to share!
Instant Pot Applesauce
Ingredients
- 6-7 medium apples (about 8 cups chopped; cores discarded)
- 1/2 cup water (or apple juice)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Chop the apples so they’re about 1/2-1 inch in size. It’s okay if they aren’t 100% uniform in size.
- Add to the instant pot. Add water. Seal.
- Set to cook for 8 minutes on high.
- When the cooking is done, either do a quick manual release OR let the pressure naturally release. Both are fine.
- Mash or puree as desired. (To get the skins smooth and well-blended, I prefer to add the cooked apples to a blender and blend smooth.) You can use a potato masher to make chunky applesauce or puree in a food processor.
- Stir in cinnamon, if desired.
Notes
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container in the fridge for a week or in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge and stir before serving.
- Use firm cooking apples such as Jonathan, Cortland, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Jonagold.
- To make a chunkier applesauce, peel the apples before cooking and mash lightly with a potato masher.
- Add cinnamon or fresh lemon juice to taste after the applesauce is cooked and blended.
- You can blend this in a blender, food processor, or with an immersion blender.
- Store finished applesauce in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months
Nutrition
This post was first published July 2020.
Would it be okay to peel the apples? Any changes needed? TIA!
Totally fine and should work the same. Enjoy
Turned out great!
Is there a way to alter the cooking to make Apple Butter? I want to use it as a jam in the oatmeal bar recipe.
I’m not sure it would be easy to do in an Instant Pot, but you could cook the finished applesauce down more in a pot over low heat until it thickens further. Ideally it will cook low and slow so it can thicken without burning or sticking to the pot.
Why can you freeze applesauce for 3 months and apple puree for 6? And can I use the instant pot method for apple puree?
Valid question and they’re both probably fine for 6 months. And yes, you can do the instant pot for the puree, you may just need to blend it longer and use a little more liquid to make it very very smooth
This was so simple and came out so yummy!!! I did not peel the apples and just mashed them with a potato masher. It could not have been easier. I added just 3/4 tsp of cinnamon and it’s perfect!