This Instant Pot Applesauce is very easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients. No peeling apples needed, and no sugar is added. This homemade applesauce is naturally sweet and healthy!
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Why This Recipe Works
If you ever end up with a bunch of apples that need to be used up or you went apple picking and have so much, you need ideas on how to use them, let me show you how to make applesauce in the Instant Pot! It's super easy, delicious, and healthy, you will be looking forward to having apples to make it. It's a favorite snack for my kids and my favorite healthy ingredient for baking muffins!
I don't add sugar to my homemade applesauce because the apples are sweet enough. Adding vanilla also mimics the sweet flavor.
Ingredients:
- apples: any kind, the sweeter the better
- water: needed for pressure cooking
- lemon juice: prevents apples from turning brown and adds flavor
- cinnamon and vanilla: optional but recommended
How to make applesauce in the Instant Pot?
- Start by washing apples. Cut them into quarters, remove seeds and core and cut each quarter in half.
- Place apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in the Instant Pot and stir together.
- Close the lid and set the valve to a sealing position.
- Press the "manual" setting, then the timer to 5 minutes. The Instant Pot will beep and start building up pressure.
- Once the cooking cycle is done, press the "cancel/off" button. Do not release the pressure.
- Once the pressure pin is down, carefully open the lid away from your face. Add vanilla to cooked apples.
- If you have an immersion blender, blend the applesauce in the Instant Pot insert or cool the apples and blend in a blender. Do not place the hot mixture in a blender!
- Cool and place in containers.
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No added sugar
This applesauce recipe does not use any added sugar. The sweetness comes from apples. The sweeter apples you use, the sweeter the applesauce will be!
Do you have to peel the apples?
You don't need to peel the apples. The skin adds flavor, healthy nutrients and makes the applesauce rosy color!
Recipe FAQs:
I used what I had on hand: red delicious and fuji apples. You can use any kind: gala, golden delicious, Granny Smith, etc. If you went apple picking, use the apples you picked. They will be perfect! Even bruised apples or ones that need to be used up work great!
I recommend storing this applesauce in containers or jars with lids, in the fridge. If you are familiar with canning, you can do that.
If the applesauce seems too runny for you, leave it in the Instant Pot and cook it for a few minutes on the "saute" setting. The excess liquid will evaporate.
More homemade Instant Pot recipes:
For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Instant Pot category.
Also, check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Instant Pot Applesauce (no sugar, no peeling)
Ingredients
- 3 lbs apples
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Wash apples and cut them into quarters; remove seeds and core and cut each quarter in half.3 lbs apples
- Place apples, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon in the Instant Pot and stir together.½ cup water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Close the lid and set the valve to a sealing position. Newer models do it on their own as soon as you close the lid.
- Press the “manual” setting, then the timer to 5 minutes. Make sure the Instant Pot is set to cook at high pressure.
- The Instant Pot will beep and start building up pressure. This will take about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is done, press the “cancel/off” button. Do not release the pressure, meaning do not flip the valve. Let it release naturally.
- Once the pressure pin is down, carefully open the lid away from your face. Add vanilla to cooked apples.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- If you have a stick blender, blend the applesauce in the Instant Pot insert or cool the apples and blend in a blender. Do not place the hot mixture in a blender!
- Cool and place in containers.
Notes
- Please, note that a serving of applesauce is half of a cup.
- This recipe makes about 3 ½ cups of applesauce.
- Any apples can be used in this recipe. I used red delicious and fuji. No need to peel them, just wash and remove cores.
- I do not add sugar to the applesauce. Vanilla adds a sweet taste but feel free to add honey or sugar if your apples were particularly sour.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with.
Liz Becker says
How long do you think it's safe to store this in the fridge?
Shannon says
Thank you, Great recipe!
Susan says
Thank you very much for sharing such a delightful recipe!
Anna says
You are very welcome, Susan!
Beth says
My kids just loved this applesauce and definitely the easiest recipe to make! Such a great after school snack!
Jesse Burnett says
This applesauce is the easiest way to make it, and it tastes great without any added sugar!
April says
This was the easiest applesauce I've ever made!