Easy Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe
There’s nothing quite like homemade applesauce. Apples are a good source of fiber, nutrients, and vitamin C, and eating applesauce is a delicious way of getting all these benefits in a single bite. Plus, when you make it at home, you have full control over the ingredients, ensuring a healthier and more flavorful experience. Whether enjoyed hot or cold, this homemade Instant Pot applesauce embodies the essence of comfort food, making it perfect for every season and every occasion.
Why We Like This Recipe
Before we dive into the details of this easy recipe, let’s talk about why we like it:
- Quick and Easy: Using an Instant Pot Applesauce shortens the cooking process and makes it a breeze to make. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Homemade Goodness: There’s nothing quite like homemade applesauce. Apples are a good source of fiber, nutrients, and vitamin C, and eating applesauce is a delicious way of getting these benefits. This simple recipe is free from additives and preservatives, and you get to control the level of sweetness. Plus, the aroma that fills your home while cooking is simply irresistible.
- Vegan Friendly: This recipe is vegan-friendly, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences. It’s a delightful treat for everyone to enjoy.
Selecting Your Apples
One thing to keep in mind when making applesauce is the variety of apples you choose. A mix of different varieties of apples adds complexity and depth to the flavor. Feel free to use your favorite apples. Here are some different apples that work beautifully in this recipe:
- Honeycrisp: Known for their sweet, crisp flesh, Honeycrisp apples bring a natural sweetness to the applesauce. They break down easily during cooking, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture.
- Granny Smith: These tart apples provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the Honeycrisp apples. They hold their shape well and add a lovely zing to the sauce.
- Golden Delicious: These apples are a fantastic addition, contributing a mild sweetness and a soft texture when cooked.
- Jonagold: A cross between Golden Delicious and Jonathan apples, Jonagold apples offer a balanced flavor profile with a hint of tartness and sweetness. They’re great for applesauce.
- Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and crisp, making them a delightful choice for applesauce. They add a touch of sweetness without being overly sugary.
Variations in Sweetness
Speaking of sweetness, this Instant Pot Applesauce recipe is as flexible as a Texas two-step. You can enjoy it in various ways to suit your taste buds.
For those who prefer a more natural, unsweetened experience, feel free to skip the organic cane sugar altogether. The natural sweetness of the apples shines through beautifully, offering a wholesome and slightly tart applesauce that’s perfect for those looking to cut back on sugar.
On the flip side, if you’re in the mood for a little extra sweetness, swap out the cane sugar for a drizzle of pure maple syrup. It’ll impart a rich, warm sweetness that complements the apple’s natural flavors, giving your applesauce a delightful twist. So, whether you’re going au naturel or adding a touch of maple magic, this recipe can easily adapt to your sweetness preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Instant Pot Applesauce
- 4 pounds of apples
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-4 tablespoons organic cane sugar
- ¾ cup water
How To Make Applesauce in the Instant Pot
Prep Those Apples: Start by peeling the apples. Once they’re all peeled, remove the cores and cut the apples into small, manageable pieces. We want them to fit snugly into the Instant Pot.
Mix It Up: Now, it’s time to add those beautifully prepped apple pieces into the Instant Pot. To that, toss in your cinnamon sticks for that warm, cozy aroma. For sweetness, sprinkle in your desired amount of cane sugar (2-4 tablespoons should do the trick). Don’t forget to pour in the ¾ cup of water to help create that luscious sauce. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the flavors.
Cook Time
Seal and Cook: Pop the lid onto your Instant Pot, ensuring that the vent is properly sealed. Set your Instant Pot to pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. But remember, darlin’, while it takes just 8 minutes under pressure, the process takes a little longer to come to pressure and release, so be patient. Good things come to those who wait!
Quick Release: Once the pressure cooking time is up, perform a quick release to let off some steam. Careful now, that steam is hot!
Blend to Perfection: With your trusty immersion blender, dive into that Instant Pot and blend until you reach your preferred applesauce consistency. If you like it chunky, a few pulses will do. For a smoother sauce, blend a bit longer. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more sugar.
Now, this Instant Pot Applesauce can be savored hot or cold. It’s perfect for spooning over pork chops, serving as a side dish, or simply enjoyed on its own.
Storing Applesauce
Store leftover applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for up to 1 week.
Instant Pot Tips
- Safety First: Always make sure the vent is sealed when pressure cooking. When releasing pressure, use a long spoon or oven mitt to avoid getting burned by the steam.
- Natural Release Option: If you’re not in a hurry, you can also allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally. This can take an additional 10-15 minutes but can help maintain the apples’ texture.
Ways To Use Homemade Applesauce
Use this delicious homemade applesauce as a side dish, a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or even ice cream. It’s also fantastic for baking or as a filling for pastries like turnovers or hand pies.
So, next time you find yourself with an abundance of apples during apple season or simply craving some homemade goodness, remember this recipe. It’s quick, easy, and filled with all the warmth and comfort you need.
Other Mouthwatering Apple Dishes
If you’re in the mood for more apple-infused delights, we’ve got you covered!
Cast Iron Skillet Fried Apples: For a warm and comforting dessert or side dish, look no further than Cast Iron Skillet Fried Apples. Sliced apples are gently sautéed in butter, brown sugar, and warm spices until they become tender and caramelized. It’s absolutely delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The rich, sweet aroma filling your kitchen is simply irresistible.
Easy Apple Dumplings: When it comes to delightful apple desserts, Easy Apple Dumplings are a classic choice. These individual apple-filled pastries are wrapped in dough and baked in sweet cinnamon and sugar syrup, creating a gooey, irresistible treat that’s perfect for indulging your sweet tooth.
With these delectable apple dishes in your repertoire, you’ll be able to savor the sweet, comforting flavors of apples in various forms, making the most of this versatile and beloved fruit.
Instant Pot Applesauce
Ingredients
- 4 pounds apples
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2-4 tablespoons sugar
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Peel the apples, remove the core, and cut into small pieces.
- Add the apple pieces, water, sugar, and cinnamon to the instant pot and mix well.
- Set the instant pot to pressure cook on high and make sure the vent is sealed. Cook for 8 minutes, and then do a quick release.
- Using an immersion blender, blend until it has reached your desired consistency.
- Enjoy hot or cold.
Notes
Nutrition
Please come back and tell us how your applesauce turned out!
