Imagine spreading a luscious, velvety smooth apple butter that captures the essence of autumn in every single bite. This Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe is your express ticket to creating a mind-blowing homemade condiment that will elevate your toast, pancakes, and baked goods from ordinary to extraordinary. In just over an hour, you'll transform simple apples into a rich, deeply spiced spread that looks like it took hours of careful preparation - but our secret Instant Pot method makes it incredibly easy!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 60 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 cups
Ingredients
- 6 cups of peeled and chopped apples
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon of allspice
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and chop apples into small, uniform pieces, approximately 1/2-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice. Gently mix until apples are evenly coated with spices and sugar.
- Pour the apple mixture into the Instant Pot inner pot, spreading it evenly across the bottom to promote uniform cooking.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to "Sealing" position. Select the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" setting and set the timer for 15 minutes at high pressure.
- Once cooking cycle completes, allow natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes to help break down apples and develop deep flavors.
- After natural release, carefully open the lid and use an immersion blender to puree the cooked apples until smooth and spreadable.
- If desired, use the "Sauté" function to further reduce and thicken the apple butter, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Once reaching desired consistency, transfer apple butter to clean, sterilized jars and let cool completely before sealing.
- Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or process in a water bath for longer shelf life.
Tips
- Choose the Right Apples: Opt for a mix of sweet and tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji for complex flavor depth.
- Uniform Chopping Matters: Cut apples into consistent 1/2-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and smooth texture.
- Spice Balance is Key: Don't be afraid to adjust spice quantities to suit your taste preferences.
- Blending Technique: Use an immersion blender for the smoothest consistency, but a regular blender works too.
- Storage Hack: For longer preservation, process jars in a water bath canner, which can extend shelf life up to 18 months.
- Bonus Serving Suggestion: This apple butter isn't just for toast - try it as a glaze for roasted meats or a filling for pastries!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 60kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
