Unsweetened Instant Pot Apple Sauce
Unbelievably easy Instant Pot applesauce tastes just like the inside of an apple pie! This recipe is unsweetened and has a touch of cinnamon for the ultimate fall flavor. Enjoy this applesauce warm straight from the pot or refrigerate it for later!
Growing up in Upstate New York, it never truly felt like fall until we spent a day at the apple orchard. We’d always come home and make a giant pot of applesauce.
My favorite version is thick and chunky with a hint of cinnamon that makes it taste like pie filling!
Making applesauce on the stove like we used to do takes hours, but thanks to the Instant Pot this easy recipe is ready in just a few minutes! This is just one of the 80 amazing recipes you’ll find in my new Clean Eating Instant Pot Cookbook!
It’s great as a snack (I love it warm!) but you can also use it to replace oil in your favorite baked goods or add a natural sweetness to homemade barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
You’ll never believe how simple it is to make this homemade applesauce. To make it, you’ll need only need 2 ingredients:
- Apples. You’ll need about a pound and a half of apples for this recipe, which is about 4-6 apples depending on their size. The type of apples you choose will affect the final texture and flavor of your applesauce. I love using gala apples, which are naturally sweet and juicy. Other great options are Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Cortland apples. You can also use a mix of types to create your own custom flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon. Cinnamon helps balance out the sweetness of the apples and gives the sauce it’s apple pie flavor.
How to make applesauce in the Instant Pot
Start by peeling the apples coring the apples. Then, cut each apple into about eight large chunks. Keeping the apple pieces on the larger side will keep them from turning to mush and will help add texture to the final product. If you prefer smoother applesauce, you can cut the apples into small pieces.
Add the apple pieces to your Instant Pot along with the cinnamon and 1/2 cup of water. The apples will release a lot of juice as they cook, so you don’t need to add a lot of water to the recipe — just enough to create steam so the pot can come to pressure.
Lock the lid in place and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
Finally, remove the lid and use a potato masher or a heavy wooden spoon to mash the apples into a thick sauce. If you prefer a smoother sauce, similar to store-bought sauce, you can use an immersion blender for this step.
Pro Tip: The apples will continue to cook during the pressure release stage, so it’s important not to rush this step. Otherwise, they might not be soft enough.
Substitutions and Variations
For pear sauce: Swap the apples in this recipe for pears for a delicious twist!
Turn it into apple butter: If you’re a fan of thick, sweet apple butter you’ll need to reduce the applesauce. Pressure cookers don’t allow the necessary evaporation to occur for this, but you can use the Instant Pot’s slow cooker function! Once your applesauce is fnished, switch the pot to slow cook and prop the lid open so steam can escape. Cook for about 2 hours, or until the sauce is thick and smooth.
Add more flavorings to create your own variations. Stir in a little vanilla extract, freshly grated ginger, or a drizzle of honey. Let me know youre favorite add-ins!
More apple recipes that are perfect for fall
- Grain free Apple Crisp foil pakcets
- Apple baklava bites
- Turkey, Apple, and Cheddar Rolls
- Breakfast Risotto with Apples and Raisins
- Harvest Kale Salad with Pomegranate + Apples
- Sheet Pan Roast Sausages with Apples and Parsnips
Ingredients
- 6 apples about 1 1/2 pounds
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel and core the apples. Cut each apple into roughly eight large chunks.
- In the Instant Pot, combine the apples, water, and cinnamon. Lock the lid in place.
- Select Manual or Pressure Cook and set the cooker to High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- When the cook time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid and use a potato masher or heavy wooden spoon to gently mash the apples into applesauce.
- Serve warm or refrigerate for up to 10 days.
I will definitely give your recipe a try. Looks delicious and easy to make.