Easy Instant Pot 4 Ingredient Homemade Applesauce is a remarkably simple and quick recipe, designed for your pressure cooker, taking less than 15 minutes of active cooking time. This delicious applesauce is crafted without any refined sugar, is naturally gluten-free, and appeals to both kids and adults alike. It’s the perfect wholesome treat for the fall season and an excellent addition to back-to-school lunches!
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Effortless Instant Pot Applesauce: A 4-Ingredient Delight
As a child, applesauce was one of my absolute favorite treats. I fondly remember pairing it with graham crackers, dipping them into the smooth, sweet sauce for a delightful snack. There’s something truly comforting and nostalgic about a bowl of homemade applesauce. It brings back memories of simpler times and the warmth of a home kitchen.
Unfortunately, many store-bought applesauce varieties are often laden with unnecessary preservatives and a significant amount of added sugar. Even options marketed as “no added sugar” can sometimes contain other additives to extend shelf life or enhance flavor, leaving us wondering if a truly wholesome option exists.
The good news is, we absolutely can enjoy pure, additive-free applesauce! The secret lies in making it ourselves, and with the Instant Pot, it’s easier and faster than ever before. This incredible kitchen appliance transforms fresh apples into luscious, homemade applesauce in a fraction of the time it would take on the stovetop, making healthy eating both convenient and delicious.
Why Choose Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce?
Opting for homemade applesauce, especially when prepared in an Instant Pot, offers a multitude of benefits. Beyond the delightful taste, you gain complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a wholesome and nutritious product for your family.
- No Refined Sugars: Many commercial applesauces contain high fructose corn syrup or large amounts of added white sugar. By making your own, you rely on the natural sweetness of the apples, with the option to add a touch of natural sweetener if desired (though often unnecessary with sweet apple varieties).
- Free from Preservatives: Say goodbye to artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Your homemade applesauce will be pure and fresh.
- Quick and Easy: The Instant Pot significantly cuts down cooking time. What might take an hour or more on the stovetop can be achieved in under 15 minutes of pressure cooking, plus minimal prep.
- Cost-Effective: Buying apples in season and making a large batch can be much more economical than continually purchasing individual cups or jars of store-bought applesauce.
- Customizable Flavor: Experiment with different apple varieties, spices, and textures to create an applesauce that perfectly suits your palate.
- Kid-Friendly & Healthy: It’s a fantastic way to get more fruit into your children’s diet. It makes a great snack, side dish, or even a healthy dessert.
The Instant Pot Advantage: Speed and Simplicity
From start to finish, I typically prepare a batch of this delicious Instant Pot applesauce in about 30 minutes. The majority of this time is dedicated to the simple task of peeling and coring the apples, which is easily manageable and quite meditative. The actual cooking time under pressure is incredibly brief, allowing you to whip up fresh applesauce even on busy weekdays.
As summer transitions into fall, and children head back to school, many of us naturally spend more time indoors and in the kitchen. This is the perfect season to embrace cozy, comforting recipes, and homemade applesauce fits the bill perfectly. It’s a wonderful way to utilize the abundance of fresh apples available during harvest season and fill your home with a delightful aroma.
This easy Instant Pot applesauce recipe should absolutely be added to your must-try list this year. It’s not just a recipe; it’s an experience of wholesome goodness, convenience, and delicious flavor that will quickly become a family favorite.
Choosing the Best Apples for Homemade Applesauce
The type of apple you choose can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your homemade applesauce. While you can use any apples you prefer, a mix often yields the most complex and delicious results.
- Sweet Apples: Varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Golden Delicious are naturally sweet and will produce a mellow, sweet applesauce without needing much, if any, added sweetener.
- Tart Apples: Granny Smith apples are a classic choice, offering a delightful tang that balances sweetness and adds depth of flavor. They also hold their shape well, contributing to a chunkier texture if desired.
- Best of Both Worlds: For the ultimate flavor profile, I recommend combining both sweet and tart apples. For this recipe, I used a delightful blend of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, creating a perfectly balanced sweet-tart applesauce.
Consider experimenting with different combinations until you find your signature blend.
Easy Instant Pot Homemade Applesauce Recipe Tips:
- Apple Varieties: Feel free to use any type of apples you enjoy, or a combination! As mentioned, I love using a mix of Honeycrisp for sweetness and Granny Smith for a slight tartness. This creates a wonderfully balanced flavor.
- To Peel or Not to Peel: While peeled apples result in a smoother applesauce, you can certainly add the apples to the pot with their skins on for extra fiber and nutrients. Just be aware the texture will be a bit coarser, and you might see flecks of red or green in your sauce. My preferred method for a silky smooth texture is always to peel them.
- Natural Release is Key: After the Instant Pot finishes cooking, it’s crucial to allow the steam to naturally release for at least 5-10 minutes. This helps the apples to truly tenderize and prevents a foamy or watery applesauce. While a quick release is tempting for speed, the natural release truly makes a difference in texture for applesauce.
- Creative Toppings & Servings: Elevate your homemade applesauce with your favorite toppings or serving suggestions for the perfect treat! Think a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, a dollop of yogurt, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
More Delicious Apple Recipes to Try
If you’re an apple lover like me, you’ll enjoy these other fantastic apple-infused dishes:
- Sugar-Free Apple Crisp
- Instant Pot Apple Cider
- Instant Pot Apple Steel Cut Oats
- Sugar-Free Apple Butter
Popular Instant Pot Recipes
Discover more Instant Pot favorites that simplify mealtime:
- Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes
- Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
Easy Instant Pot 4 Ingredient Homemade Applesauce
By Brandi Crawford
This Easy Instant Pot 4 Ingredient Homemade Applesauce recipe delivers a simple, quick pressure cooker applesauce that cooks in less than 15 minutes! It’s naturally free of refined sugar, gluten-free, and a beloved favorite for both children and adults. Perfect for fall harvest and healthy back-to-school snacks.
5 out of 5 stars from 3 votes
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10 mins
8 mins
10 mins
28 mins
Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish, Snack
American
6
109 kcal
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Apple Peeler
- Apple Slicer and Corer
Ingredients
- 8 apples, peeled and cored (I used 4 Honeycrisp and 4 Granny Smith)
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ lemon (juice of)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to the Instant Pot and stir gently to combine.
- Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook) for 8 minutes on High Pressure.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the steam to naturally release for at least 5 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release of any remaining pressure.
- Open the pot and mash the softened apples with a potato masher until you reach your desired consistency. The apples should be incredibly tender, requiring minimal effort to mash.
- Allow the applesauce to cool completely before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Video
Check out our video tutorial for a visual guide to making this easy Instant Pot applesauce!
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 109 kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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Serving and Storage Suggestions
Once your homemade Instant Pot applesauce has cooled, the possibilities are endless!
- Classic Snack: Enjoy it simply, warm or cold, straight from the bowl.
- Breakfast Booster: Stir it into oatmeal, yogurt, or use it as a topping for pancakes and waffles.
- Savory Pairing: Applesauce is a traditional accompaniment to pork chops or roasted chicken, adding a touch of sweet and tangy contrast.
- Dessert Delight: Serve it with a sprinkle of granola, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even blend it into smoothies.
- Baking Substitute: Use applesauce as a healthy fat substitute in many baking recipes to reduce calories and add moisture.
To store your homemade applesauce, transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 7-10 days. For longer storage, applesauce freezes beautifully. Pour cooled applesauce into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some headspace for expansion, and freeze for up to 3-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making Instant Pot applesauce:
Q: Can I make this applesauce without peeling the apples?
A: Yes, you can! Leaving the skins on adds extra fiber and a more rustic texture. The color of your applesauce will also be influenced by the skin color. Just be sure to wash the apples thoroughly.
Q: Do I need to add sugar to this recipe?
A: With sweet apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji, you often don’t need any added sugar. The natural sweetness of the apples is usually sufficient. If you use tarter apples or prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup or honey after cooking to taste.
Q: What if I don’t have an apple peeler/corer?
A: A sharp paring knife and a spoon can be used for peeling and coring, though it might take a bit more time. The equipment listed is simply to make the process even faster and easier.
Q: How can I make my applesauce chunkier or smoother?
A: For chunkier applesauce, simply mash less with your potato masher. For a super smooth texture, you can use an immersion blender directly in the Instant Pot or transfer the applesauce to a regular blender and process until smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids.
Q: Can I add other spices?
A: Absolutely! While cinnamon is a classic, you can experiment with nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves, or even a pinch of ginger for different flavor profiles. Add them along with the cinnamon before cooking.
Explore More Instant Pot Recipes
Dive deeper into the world of Instant Pot cooking with these other fantastic recipes:
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Sweet Potato Soup
- Instant Pot Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Instant Pot Low-Carb Pumpkin Spice Bread
- Instant Pot Lasagna
- Instant Pot Shrimp Risotto with Vegetables and Parmesan
- Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
- How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs Using the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Chicken and Spanish Rice (Arroz Con Pollo)
- Instant Pot Cheesecake
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
- Instant Pot Mongolian Beef
- Instant Pot Steak Tacos
- Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowl with Quinoa
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta