This Instant Pot Applesauce is incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. You won’t need to peel any apples, and no sugar is added, resulting in a naturally sweet and wonderfully healthy homemade applesauce that’s perfect for the whole family!

Effortless Instant Pot Applesauce: Your Guide to Homemade Perfection (No Peeling, No Added Sugar!)

There’s something incredibly satisfying about homemade applesauce. It’s a classic comfort food, a versatile ingredient, and a healthy snack that appeals to all ages. But let’s be honest, the traditional method of making applesauce can be a bit time-consuming, especially with all that peeling. What if we told you there’s a way to create deliciously smooth or perfectly chunky applesauce in a fraction of the time, without the fuss of peeling, and completely free of added sugars? Enter the Instant Pot! This ingenious kitchen appliance transforms the applesauce-making process into an effortless endeavor, delivering a naturally sweet, flavorful, and healthy treat that you’ll want to make again and again.

Whether you’ve just returned from an apple-picking adventure with baskets full of fresh fruit, or you simply have a surplus of apples that need to be used before they spoil, this Instant Pot applesauce recipe is your ultimate solution. It’s so simple, delicious, and healthy, you might find yourself wishing for extra apples just to whip up another batch. It’s a guaranteed favorite snack for kids and a fantastic healthy ingredient for everything from muffins to overnight oats. Say goodbye to store-bought versions loaded with unknown additives and hello to the freshest, most wholesome applesauce you’ve ever tasted!

Why This Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe Is a Game-Changer

Making homemade applesauce in your Instant Pot is a culinary revelation. Here’s why this recipe stands out and quickly becomes a family favorite:

• Unbelievably Easy: This recipe simplifies the entire process. There’s no need for extensive stirring or constant monitoring. Just chop, combine, set, and blend!
• No Peeling Required: This is perhaps the biggest time-saver! Leaving the apple skins on not only cuts down on prep time significantly but also adds extra fiber, nutrients, and a beautiful rosy hue to your applesauce. The pressure cooking process softens the skins perfectly, so they blend seamlessly into the sauce.
• Naturally Sweet & Healthy: We skip the added sugar entirely. The natural sweetness of the apples truly shines through, making this a wholesome snack or ingredient. A touch of vanilla extract is added at the end to enhance the perception of sweetness without any refined sugars.
• Quick & Efficient: The Instant Pot significantly speeds up cooking. Apples become tender in just 5 minutes of pressure cooking, plus the time it takes to come to pressure. Traditional stovetop methods can take much longer.
• Versatile & Customizable: This basic recipe is a perfect canvas for customization. You can easily adjust spices, apple varieties, and consistency to suit your preferences.
• Uses Up Excess Apples: If you find yourself with an abundance of apples, whether from apple picking or a great grocery store deal, this recipe is an excellent way to preserve their goodness and prevent food waste.

Simple Ingredients for the Best Instant Pot Applesauce

Creating this flavorful applesauce requires only a handful of common ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing the fresh apple taste to be the star.

• Apples (3 lbs): The core ingredient! Any kind of apple will work, but for naturally sweeter applesauce, choose varieties like Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious. If you prefer a tart flavor, Granny Smith apples are excellent, or you can mix sweet and tart varieties for a balanced profile. Don’t worry about bruised apples; they are perfectly fine for applesauce!
• Water (½ cup): Essential for creating steam and building pressure in the Instant Pot. It also provides a little liquid to prevent the apples from sticking and burning at the start of the cook cycle.
• Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon): This vital ingredient serves two purposes: it prevents the apples from browning during cooking and storage, and it adds a bright, fresh tang that beautifully balances the sweetness of the apples. Freshly squeezed is always best.
• Ground Cinnamon (¾ teaspoon): Optional, but highly recommended for that classic, warm applesauce flavor. Cinnamon complements apples wonderfully. You can adjust the amount to your taste or even add other warming spices like a pinch of nutmeg or allspice.
• Pure Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Added after cooking, vanilla extract isn’t just for flavor; it actually enhances the perceived sweetness of the applesauce, making it taste even richer without any added sugar. Make sure to use pure vanilla extract for the best results.

Step-by-Step: Making Applesauce in the Instant Pot

Making this homemade applesauce is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:

1. Prepare the Apples: Start by thoroughly washing your apples. There’s no need to peel them! Using a sharp knife, cut each apple into quarters. Then, carefully remove the core and seeds from each quarter. For faster cooking and easier blending, cut each quarter in half again, creating smaller chunks.
2. Combine Ingredients in the Instant Pot: Place the prepared apple chunks directly into the Instant Pot insert. Add the water, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon over the apples. Give everything a good stir to ensure the apples are evenly coated and the liquid is distributed.
3. Seal the Instant Pot: Secure the Instant Pot lid in place and ensure the sealing valve is set to the “sealing” position. (Note: Many newer Instant Pot models automatically set the valve to seal when the lid is closed.)
4. Set the Cooking Program: Press the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button (depending on your model) and set the cooking time to 5 minutes. Ensure the Instant Pot is set to cook at “High Pressure.”
5. Allow Pressure to Build: The Instant Pot will display “On” and begin to build pressure. This process typically takes about 10 to 12 minutes, during which time you will see steam escaping from the valve until it seals.
6. Natural Pressure Release (NPR): Once the 5-minute cooking cycle is complete, the Instant Pot will beep and switch to “Keep Warm.” Press the “Cancel/Off” button to stop cooking. It is crucial for applesauce to allow the pressure to release naturally. Do NOT manually release the pressure by flipping the valve. This natural release process can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes (or longer, depending on the volume), allowing the apples to continue tenderizing and preventing thin, foamy applesauce.
7. Open and Add Vanilla: Once the pressure has fully released and the float valve (pressure pin) has dropped down, carefully open the lid away from your face to avoid any lingering steam. Stir in the pure vanilla extract into the cooked apples.
8. Blend to Your Desired Consistency: You have a couple of options here:
   • Immersion Blender: For the easiest method, use an immersion blender (stick blender) directly in the Instant Pot insert. Blend until you reach your desired consistency – whether you prefer a super smooth applesauce or one with a few delightful chunks.
   • Regular Blender/Food Processor: If you don’t have an immersion blender, allow the apples to cool down significantly before transferring them to a regular blender or food processor. NEVER put hot liquid in a sealed blender, as it can create dangerous pressure. Blend in batches until smooth.
9. Cool and Store: Let the applesauce cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers or jars.

Enjoying the Natural Sweetness: No Added Sugar!

One of the best aspects of this Instant Pot applesauce recipe is its commitment to natural goodness. We deliberately do not add any refined sugar. The inherent sweetness of the apples themselves is perfectly sufficient to create a delicious and satisfying flavor profile. The type of apples you choose will directly influence the final sweetness of your applesauce. If you opt for naturally sweeter varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp, your applesauce will be wonderfully sweet without any extra help.

For those who prefer a slightly sweeter taste or if your apples turn out to be particularly tart, you can enhance the sweetness naturally. A touch of pure vanilla extract, added after cooking, magically elevates the perception of sweetness. If you still desire more, consider stirring in a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or a few pureed dates after blending, rather than granulated sugar. This keeps the applesauce wholesome and aligns with a clean-eating philosophy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Applesauce

Explore More Homemade Instant Pot Recipes

Once you discover the convenience and versatility of your Instant Pot, you’ll want to use it for everything! Here are more fantastic homemade recipes you can effortlessly create with your Instant Pot:

If you enjoyed this delightful Instant Pot Applesauce recipe, please let me know in the comments below! Your feedback and ratings are always appreciated and help others discover this fantastic recipe.

Instant Pot Applesauce (No Sugar, No Peeling) Recipe Card

Author: Anna

This Instant Pot Applesauce is incredibly easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients. No peeling apples needed, and no sugar is added, resulting in a naturally sweet and healthy homemade treat!

Prep & Cook Times

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Coming to Pressure: Approximately 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 35 minutes (including natural pressure release)

Recipe Details

• Course: Dessert, Snack
• Cuisine: American
• Servings: 7 servings (approx. ½ cup per serving)
• Calories: 104 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• 3 lbs apples (any kind, sweeter varieties recommended for natural sweetness)
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Wash apples thoroughly. Cut them into quarters, remove seeds and core, then cut each quarter in half for smaller pieces. (No need to peel!)
2. Place the prepared apples, water, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon (if using) into the Instant Pot insert. Stir gently to combine.
3. Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the sealing valve is in the “sealing” position.
4. Press the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and adjust the timer to 5 minutes on high pressure.
5. The Instant Pot will display “On” and begin building pressure, which typically takes 10 to 12 minutes.
6. Once the cooking cycle is complete, press “Cancel/Off.” Allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10-20 minutes until the float valve drops. Do NOT quick release.
7. Once the pressure pin is down, carefully open the lid away from your face to avoid steam. Stir in the pure vanilla extract.
8. Using an immersion blender, blend the applesauce directly in the Instant Pot insert until you achieve your desired consistency (smooth or slightly chunky). Alternatively, let the apples cool completely, then transfer to a regular blender or food processor and blend until smooth. (Caution: Do not blend hot liquids in a sealed blender.)
9. Allow the applesauce to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers for storage.

Notes

• A serving of applesauce in this recipe is approximately half a cup.
• This recipe yields about 3 ½ cups of delicious homemade applesauce.
• Feel free to use any apples you have on hand. Sweeter varieties will naturally result in sweeter applesauce. Remember, no peeling required – just wash and core them!
• This recipe contains no added sugar. The vanilla extract helps enhance the natural sweetness. If your apples are particularly tart, you may add honey, maple syrup, or a small amount of granulated sugar to taste after blending.
• The nutritional information provided below is an estimate and can vary based on the specific products and apple varieties used. Always consult a calorie counter you are familiar with for precise values.

Nutrition Information (Estimated per serving)