If you love applesauce but dread all the peeling and stirring, this Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!) will be your new go-to treat! With barely any prep and endless flavor options, you’ll get the creamiest, most flavorful applesauce—classic or with fun fruit twists—right at home in a fraction of the usual time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra-Easy & No-Peel: There’s no need to peel the apples thanks to the Instant Pot, saving you tons of time while keeping all that lovely nutrition.
- Endless Flavor Variety: Make classic applesauce or jazz it up with the addition of peaches, strawberries, or blueberries—whatever strikes your fancy!
- Naturally Sweet & Healthy: Enjoy wholesome, homemade sweetness with zero added sugar and complete control over ingredients.
- Batch-Friendly & Freezer-Ready: This recipe makes enough to share and stores beautifully in the fridge or freezer for grab-and-go snacking any day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!) calls for just a handful of staples, but each one adds something special: fresh apples for body and flavor, a splash of water for perfect consistency, a pinch of cinnamon for warmth, and your choice of extra fruit to make it truly your own. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Apples (3 lbs, unpeeled, cored, and sliced): Choose sweet apples like Golden Delicious for a light sauce, or go bold with dark-skinned varieties for a richer color and deeper apple flavor. Leaving the peels on adds a rustic texture and extra nutrients!
- Water (1/2 cup): A small amount is all it takes to prevent scorching and create a creamy, spoonable texture without watering down the natural apple flavor.
- Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): Just enough to bring a gentle spiced note—so homey and elevates even the simplest applesauce.
- Additional Fruit (8-12 ounces, optional): Want extra flair? Stir in fresh or frozen peaches, strawberries, or blueberries for a fun color and a fruity twist!
Variations
The beauty of Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!) is how easy it is to adapt for your mood, what’s in season, or whatever you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to play with fruits and spices to make it perfectly yours!
- Peach Applesauce: Add diced peaches for a lush, summery sweetness that tastes like sunshine in a bowl.
- Strawberry Applesauce: Toss in hulled, sliced strawberries for a stunning rosy hue and juicy berry twist—kids especially love this version!
- Blueberry Applesauce: Pop in a handful of blueberries for a purple-tinted, antioxidant-rich upgrade that’s both pretty and delicious.
- Spiced Autumn Applesauce: Amp up the cozy factor with a pinch of nutmeg or cloves along with the cinnamon for those crisp fall vibes.
How to Make Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!)
Step 1: Load the Instant Pot
Start by coring and slicing your apples—no need to peel unless you prefer a super-smooth sauce. Pile them right into your Instant Pot, then sprinkle the cinnamon over the apples. If you’re going for a fruity spin, add your berries or peaches on top. Finally, pour in the water (it helps everything blend beautifully without scorching).
Step 2: Cook Under Pressure
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to Manual High Pressure for 10 minutes. It’ll take about 15–20 minutes to come up to pressure, so kick back and relax! When the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally—this can take another 20 minutes but helps keep everything tender and the texture just right.
Step 3: Blend to Perfection
Once it’s safe to open the lid, let your applesauce cool just a bit (it stays hot!). Use an immersion blender straight in the pot for a cozy, chunky texture, or transfer carefully to a blender if you want it baby-smooth. Work carefully—safety first, and you can always blend more!
Step 4: Chill and Enjoy
Spoon your applesauce into jars or storage containers and let it cool to room temperature, then pop it in the fridge. The sauce will thicken as it chills, making it extra spoonable and rich. Give it a taste—warm or cold—and marvel at how much better homemade Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!) is!
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!)
- Apple Variety Matters: Mix sweet and tart apples—like Golden Delicious and Granny Smith—for a more nuanced, nostalgic applesauce flavor.
- Adjust Water for Extra Fruit: If adding watery fruits like strawberries or blueberries, toss in 1–2 extra apples to keep your sauce nice and thick!
- Blending for Texture: Let the mixture cool slightly before blending for safety and a smoother sauce (plus, it’s easier on your blender!).
- Batch Size for Freezer Wins: Double the recipe to stock your freezer—homemade applesauce thaws perfectly and makes dessert or snacks any day a breeze.
How to Serve Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!)
Garnishes
You can dress up your Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!) with a flourish of cinnamon, a swirl of Greek yogurt, or a sprinkle of crunchy granola. For a more indulgent treat, add a dollop of whipped cream or even a drizzle of honey for extra shine and sweetness.
Side Dishes
Serve it simply as a snack, or alongside classics like potato pancakes or roast pork for a sweet-tart balance. It’s also wonderful over pancakes or swirled into morning oatmeal—the possibilities truly never get old!
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering your applesauce parfait-style in small glasses with yogurt and berries, or freeze it into popsicle molds for a wholesome, fruity summer treat. Spoon it warm over vanilla ice cream for a super-fast apple “pie à la mode” moment—everyone will swoon!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover applesauce should be cooled completely and stored in airtight containers in the fridge, where it will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. The flavor only deepens, and the texture gets even silkier as it chills.
Freezing
Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!) freezes like a dream! Portion it into freezer-safe containers (or even ice cube trays for baby food) and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.
Reheating
Gently reheat applesauce in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring between each. You can enjoy it cold, room-temperature, or warm—whatever suits the moment (and the weather) best.
FAQs
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Do I really have to leave the apple peels on?
Nope! Keeping the peels adds fiber, nutrition, and a homey texture, but if you want ultra-smooth applesauce (for babies or picky eaters), feel free to peel them first—it’s totally up to you.
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Can I add sugar to Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!)?
You absolutely can if you want a little extra sweetness! I prefer letting the natural sugars from ripe apples and added fruits shine, but a spoonful or two of sugar, honey, or maple syrup works great if desired.
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What’s the best apple variety for this recipe?
Golden Delicious yields a light, sweet applesauce, while Gala or Honeycrisp give you a deeper, more apple-forward flavor. A mix of sweet and tart varieties (like Granny Smith) is delicious, too. Just avoid mealy or super-hard apples for the best texture.
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Can I double Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!)?
Yes! Just don’t go above your Instant Pot’s fill line and adjust cook time only slightly (maybe a minute or two more). It’s a great way to stock the freezer or prep snacks for the whole family in one go.
Final Thoughts
Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!) is just one of those recipes you’ll reach for again and again—so simple, endlessly customizable, and impossibly delicious. Whether you love it classic or brightened up with berries and peaches, it brings pure comfort to every bowl. I hope you give it a try soon and fall in love with the homemade warmth of every spoonful!
Print
Instant Pot Applesauce (4 ways!) Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 cups (plain), 6 cups (flavored) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Pressure cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Instant Pot Applesauce recipe offers four delicious variations to enjoy. Whether you prefer classic apple or want to mix in peach, strawberry, or blueberry, this homemade applesauce is easy and versatile.
Ingredients
Plain Applesauce:
- 3 lbs apple, unpeeled, cored and large slice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Additional Fruit Options:
- 8–12 ounces peach, strawberry, blueberry (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit: Place sliced apple in the Instant Pot. Add water, sprinkle with cinnamon, and include additional fruit if desired.
- Cook: Pressure cook on Manual High for 10 minutes. Allow for Natural Pressure Release after cooking.
- Blend: Use an immersion blender to blend the cooked fruit. Alternatively, transfer to a high-speed blender for a smoother texture.
- Store: Cool and transfer to containers. Chill before serving. Consume within 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- To maintain thickness, add more apples when using fruits like strawberries or blueberries.
- Golden Delicious apples provide a sweet flavor and lighter color, while Gala apples yield a darker applesauce.
- Yield is 4 cups for plain applesauce and about 6 cups for fruit-infused versions.
- Nutrition based on a 1/2-cup serving of plain applesauce.
- This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot model.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
