If there is one thing we can chow down on in the Mom’s Dinner kitchens, it is this Instant Pot Chunky Applesauce! I promise this is some of the best and easiest homemade applesauce you will make. Chunks of fresh apples are cooked to the perfect consistency with a little lemon juice and cinnamon right in your electric pressure cooker for 5 minutes!
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Ingredients
This Instant Pot Apple Sauce recipe only requires 5 simple ingredients:
- Apples – I have used Honey Crisp apples in the past, but a combo of different crisp apples will work great too.
- Water – just tap water is all you need!
- Lemon juice – fresh lemon juice helps to balance the sweetness in the apples.
- Cinnamon – ground cinnamon adds the perfect flavor to the applesauce.
- Kosher Salt – actually brings out more sweetness in the apples.
It is a great way to use up apples that are starting to go soft or that look so terrible your picky kids won’t eat them!
What Apples to Use
When I have made this recipe I have used Honeycrisp apples that had gone a little soft.
You can also use any combo of apples; Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, pink lady… really any apple you have will work.
How to Make Applesauce In The Instant Pot
Step 1
Start by washing peeling and coring your apples. Then cut them into 1 ½ to 2 inch chunks.
Step 2
Place them in the Instant Pot, pour ⅓ cup water over the apples. Add in 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (can use more for a stronger cinnamon flavor), and a pinch of salt.
Step 3
Pop the lid on and set your pot to cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. At the end do a quick release.
The apples should have broken down to a perfect chunky consistency during cooking.
Step 4
Give it a stir and taste. Sometimes we like a little extra sweetness by adding 2 teaspoon brown sugar or honey.
Storing
Store any leftover Instant Pot Applesauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!
You can also freeze completely cooled applesauce in a freezer safe baggie or container for up to 6 months. Only fill your bags about ½ way full to allow for expansion during freezing.
More Fresh Apple Recipes
Instant Pot Chunky Apple Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs apples - I used Honey Crisp but any kind or combo will work.
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon - extra for a stronger cinnamon flavor
- pinch of kosher salt
- OPTIONAL for more sweetness: 2 teaspoon brown sugar or honey - added after cooking
Instructions
- Wash, peel and core your apples. Cut them into 1 ½ to 2 inch chunks.
- Place the 3 lbs cut apples, ⅓ cup water, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of salt into the Instant Pot.
- Pop the lid on and turn the pressure valve to seal.
- Set to cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Do a quick release.
- Stir your applesauce and taste. If you like a little more sweetness you can add 2 teaspoon brown sugar+ or honey.
Dianna says
I wanted to use my new 3 quart IP. We have two 6 quarts and an 8 quart. Figured the 3 qt would use less water to come to pressure. I do not like liquidity applesauce. I have made many recipes of applesauce in the crockpot. That takes 3 1/2 to 4 hours on high. That recipe called for 1/2 cup water. I always do 1/4th cup. Tonight we peeled and cut up 9 apples. 3 each Gala, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious. 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. 1/3 cup water. I sat by the IP to make sure it was okay. No burn signal or problem having so many apples. Everything went great except releasing pressure applesauce juice and applesauce were spraying out. So I did small squirts and that worked. After cooking I just stir my apples because I like some apple chunks. About 10 minutes to come to pressure and 5 minutes to cook. Beats the crockpot. We love homemade applesauce. Thanks for the recipe for a 3 quart! Maybe it would work to cook maybe 3 minutes with a 10 minute? Natural release? Would that help with the venting?
Susie Weinrich says
You can absolutely try the shorter cook time with a longer natural release. Using the on/off method when venting usually works for spattering, or you can throw a towel over the vent if it gets too bad.
Sarah says
This was always our favorite type of jarred applesauce, but I couldn’t find it anymore. So glad I found this recipe. It is perfect! I halved the recipe for my Instant Pot Mini (3 qt).
karin says
I made this in a 6 quart and 3 quart instant pot and its excellent!!! My go to apple sauce recipie from now on. Perfect.
Susie Weinrich says
That is great to know that it works in the 3 quart too! Thank you for sharing!
Nancy Wood says
Quick question? What size was your pot? When I did quick release I had a disaster- apple sauce all over and through the valve etc. :(. What was left tastes good. I am thinking I should have done natural release!
Susie says
Hmmm… I use a 6 quart. Sorry that happened!
Edith Beers says
Easy, fast and chunky, just like I like it.
John says
This is as good as it gets! Awesome recipe!
Chris Schelp says
Hey Susie! I hope you continue to stay well. Please take care of yourself. I can’t imagine the brain block a 7 yr old has!! It’s stories like that that make me actually glad I decided not to have children! I Let my career take over. Sometimes God knows better about things than I do! I’m making this recipe for the apples today!! I just happen to have about 8 apples (BIG ones) that are perfect for this. Take care & stay safe!!