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–+ servings
Instant Pot applesauce in a large bowl surrounded by apples and topped with a whole cinnamon stick

Instant Pot Applesauce

This recipe makes the very best applesauce, and it's made quick and easy in the Instant Pot! Perfectly sweetened with tons of flavor and just the right texture, it doesn't get better than this homemade applesauce.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Yield:8

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Silicone spatula
  • Potato masher

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds apples approximately 6 large apples; peeled, cored, and roughly chopped; see Notes
  • 2 strips lemon peel see Notes
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup white sugar or less, see Notes
  • ½ cup water or apple cider
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in Instant Pot and stir. Secure lid with valve in sealing position. Set to Manual High Pressure for 5 minutes.
    Ingredients for Instant Pot applesauce in Instant Pot
  • After cook time is up, naturally release all pressure. When pressure has released, carefully remove lid and stir applesauce.
    Instant Pot applesauce in Instant Pot
  • Use potato masher to mash apples until desired consistency is reached. Serve warm, or let cool then refrigerate until chilled.
    Mashed applesauce in Instant Pot

Notes

  • Lemon Peel: Use a vegetable peeler to peel two pieces of lemon peel, each about 2" long.
  • Sugar: ¼ cup is the maximum amount of sugar I recommend using. Feel free to use ⅛ cup, or for a very sweet applesauce you could go up to ½ cup if desired.
  • Consistency: For a thicker applesauce, after removing the lid, set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Simmer on low heat until thickened, stirring occasionally.
  • Make it Added-Sugar Free: Use ¼ cup granular Swerve or monk fruit instead of sugar.
  • Make it Vegan: Make sure your sugar is vegan (some is processed with bone char) or use maple syrup instead of sugar. Note that maple syrup may make the consistency thinner.
  • Make it Paleo: Use coconut sugar.
 
Recipe yields approximately 8 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 8. Result will be the weight of one serving.

 

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1serving | Calories: 143cal | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 246mg | Total Carbs: 38g | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 30g | Net Carbs: 32g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
Recipe By:Cheryl Malik