Instant Pot Applesauce

Even if you’ve never made homemade applesauce before, this recipe is for you. Instant Pot Applesauce is a perfect beginner recipe because it only requires 2 ingredients and most of the work is done by the Instant Pot. I don’t know about you, but nothing screams fall to me like a batch of homemade applesauce! Sweetened or unsweetened, slow cooked or instant pot, cinnamon or not- this family will eat it ALL!

A Homestead Apple Story

Here in Minnesota, we are definitely limited on the types of fruit trees we are able to grow. Luckily, apple trees do really well in our cold climate. Farmer Mars and I decided to go all out last year and we purchased 12 apple trees from a local nursery. It was to be the glorious beginning of the Mars Family Farm Orchard. We dreamed of picking shiny red HoneyCrisps, tart Harelsons, and gleaming Snow Sweets for apple pies, apple butter, apple cake, applesauce…

Then there was winter. A good ol’ fashioned polar vortex Minnesota winter. Oh ya, you betcha! It wasn’t the -40 below temperatures that killed all 12 trees, though. It was the mice and rabbits! They had nothing to eat and so they decided to girdle our tender apple trees. Girdling all the way around almost always leads to the demise of the tree. There’s a little layer of tissue just below the bark called the phloem and it’s responsible for carrying food produced in the leaves by photosynthesis to the roots. Once it’s gone, no more nutrition can get to the roots.

I hate rodents 🙁   I hate girdling 🙁

Lessons learned and we will try again this fall! But until the homestead apple orchard is up and running, we will enjoy supporting our local farmers markets and orchards for our homemade applesauce ingredients!

 

New to Making Applesauce– Start Here

Have you ever wanted to make quick and easy applesauce from scratch? This recipe is where you start. This applesauce is for any level of experience in the kitchen and you will appreciate its flavor and ease. It’s so fresh, so flavorful, and so surprisingly easy because it basically makes itself with the help of your Instant Pot or Slow Cooker. 

You only need 2 ingredients to make this scrumptious and simple recipe.  

Once you see how easy and delicious it is, you may never buy applesauce at the store again!

 

Why You’ll Love This Applesauce

• Simple process
• Flavorful and fresh
• Customize your sweetness
• Customize your “chunkiness”
• No special tools required
• Only 2 ingredients
• You decide the variety of apples to use

 

Only 2 Ingredients (3 optional)

1. Apples: There is no limit to the combinations of apples you can use in this recipe. The most highly recommended for applesauce are Braeburn, Courtland, Empire, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, and Rome.  On our homestead, a Granny Smith and Honeycrisp combo is a favorite. But really, friends, ANY mix of apples will do!
2. Water: The Instant Pot needs liquid to work its magic. One cup of water will do the trick.  You could also sub in a little apple juice or apple cider if you were so inclined.

1. Sugar (optional): If you use some apples more on the tart side like Granny Smith or McIntosh, you may want to add a sprinkle of white or brown sugar.  My suggestion would be to cook your applesauce, let it cool a bit, and then give it a taste.  If it’s too tart for you, you can add sugar at that point in time.  I would start with a small amount of sugar- maybe 1 TBSP to start. **Note for low carb folks- Lakanto Golden Monkfruit Sweetener works nicely in this recipe if you’re trying to keep carbs down
2. Optional Lemon Juice: If you are planning on water bath canning or pressure canning your applesauce, plan on adding 1 TBSP of fresh lemon juice for acidity.  
3. Optional Cinnamon or Spices: If you’d like to add some spices, just like the sugar, it’s best to do so after cooking to ensure you don’t overpower your applesauce with other flavors.  Add cinnamon 1 tsp at a time until you get the desired flavor.  Some folks love apple pie spice in there as well!

   

How to Make Instant Pot Applesauce in 6 Steps

1. Peel, core, and chop the apples. Grab your handy OXO Swivel Peeler and get peeling!  Chop the apples into 1-2″ chunks.

1. Add apples and liquid to Instant Pot. Toss to mix.

 

1. Prepare Instant Pot for cooking. Secure the lid, cook on manual (or high pressure) for 9 minutes. Do a quick release of the pressure.  **Pro tip:  Get an extra silicone ring for your Instant Pot.  Keep one for “savory” cooking and one for “sweet” recipes.  I made this mistake once and my applesauce came out smelling like the beef roast we had made a week before- gross!  Instant Pot Ring
2. Mash the apples. Transfer the apples to a bowl. For homestyle applesauce, simply mash a few times with a potato masher or large fork. For a smooth applesauce, let it cool a bit then give it a few pulses in the blender (or food processor, or immersion blender, or magic bullet- whatever works for you)
3. Check for desired sweetness and spice. Now is the time to add sugar or spice if desired. 

Ways to enjoy your homemade applesauce

1. Serve warmed with vanilla or caramel ice cream
2. Make your own convenient applesauce pouches!  I purchased these and we use them constantly!! Reusable Food Pouches
3. Serve alongside savory pork chops
4. Use applesauce to replace eggs and oil in baked goods for a healthy alternative and moist dessert.
5. Top pancakes or waffles with applesauce
6. Use on your next charcuterie board alongside some tangy or sharp cheese- a Manchego or Sharp Cheddar

Applesauce FAQ’s

Q:  How long is homemade applesauce good for?

A:  Applesauce will last 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.  It also freezes well and will last 6 months-1 year frozen.

Q:  Can I preserve applesauce for long term storage?

A:  Acceptable ways to preserve applesauce include water bath canning, pressure canning, and freezing.  Some folks also like to dehydrate applesauce by making fruit leather.