Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe – A simple 5 ingredient cinnamon applesauce made in your pressure cooker in 3 minutes!

Mom’s Homemade Applesauce

Applesauce is one of those foods that remind me of my mom.

Every time I taste cinnamon applesauce, my mind is flooded with memories of her standing over a large pot, stirring, as a tangy-sweet aroma wafted through the kitchen.

She always put a generous spoonful of cinnamon in the pot. And on special occasions, she would add red-hot candies to make it spicy and pink!

Every fall, as I stop at our local orchards, I think of mom and her applesauce. What a comforting association.

If one day my kids remember me in happy moments, nostalgic flavors, and cozy aromas, I will know I did my job well.

Today’s Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce recipe is a nod to mom. She kept applesauce simple, with only a few key add-ins such as sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. (Oh, and sometimes butter!)

After all, when apples are good there’s no need for a long list of ingredients.

Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe

Ingredients

• Firm Tart Apples – any variety
• Water
• Granulated Sugar
• Ground Cinnamon
• Salt

Nowadays, modern pressure cookers, like the Instant Pot, eliminate the need for standing over our applesauce while it cooks. Back in the day, one would need to stir incessantly as the apples softened, so they wouldn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

However, an Instant Pot makes it possible to throw in peeled apples, sugar, and spice. Then pressure cook for 3-4 minutes for perfect apple sauce. Isn’t that just crazy?!

Here I’ve made a simple dairy-free vegan version, so anyone can enjoy it, no matter their diet.

Yet, sometimes I like to add in a little butter for richness and sheen. It just gives the applesauce a touch of luxury. Either way, this recipe is quick to make and ridiculously delicious!

Homemade Pressure Cooker Applesauce Cooking Tips

1. The only tedious part of this recipe is the apple prep. Make sure to peel the apples well. Then core them, and cut them into wedges. The Instant Pot will do the rest.
2. Place all the ingredients in the pot and stir, so the cinnamon and sugar coats the apples.
3. If you want chunks in your applesauce, pressure cook it for 3 minutes. If you like silky-smooth applesauce, cook it for 4 minutes.
4. Homemade applesauce is a great recipe for canning and freezing. It will also keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take To Make Applesauce In A Pressure Cooker?

Does it really only take 3-4 minutes to cook the apples down to applesauce in an Instant Pot?

Why, yes!

Just remember, it will take the pressure cooker about 10 minutes to heat up before the cooking time starts. Yet once the timer begins, you’ll have amazing applesauce in less than 5 minutes. (Plus, the pressure release time.)

How Long Does Applesauce Made In A Pressure Cooker Last?

Keep the applesauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Can You Freeze Homemade Applesauce?

Absolutely! Homemade Applesauce freezes beautifully. I package it in gallon bags and lay it flat in the freezer. Once the bags are all frozen, you can stack them to save room in the freezer.

Why Did My Applesauce Turn Brown?

Just like apples turn brown when cut, and air is exposed to the enzymes, the same thing goes for applesauce. A simple way that this can be fixed is adding a little bit of lemon juice to increase the acidity and preserve the color.

The applesauce will also vary in color based on how much cinnamon you decide to add.

More Amazing Pressure Cooker Recipes

• Instant Pot Sweet Soy Chicken
• Pressure Cooker Perfect Carnitas
• Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken Curry
• IP Herb Chicken Orzo
• Pressure Cooker Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
• IP Spiced Apples