Imagine transforming ordinary apples into a silky, cinnamon-kissed delight that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Instant Pot Applesauce recipe is about to become your new secret weapon in the kitchen - no complicated techniques, no hours of stirring, just pure, delicious magic in mere minutes. Whether you're a busy parent, a meal prep enthusiast, or simply craving a comforting homemade treat, this recipe will revolutionize how you think about desserts and side dishes forever.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 cups
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and chopping them into roughly 1-inch chunks. Choose sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji for best flavor.
- Add the chopped apples to the Instant Pot inner pot, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the bottom.
- Pour 1/2 cup of water over the apples to help create steam and prevent burning during cooking.
- If using, sprinkle the optional sugar and ground cinnamon over the apple pieces, gently stirring to coat the apples evenly.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to "Sealing" position.
- Set the Instant Pot to Manual/Pressure Cook mode on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release of remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and use a potato masher or immersion blender to achieve desired applesauce consistency - chunky or smooth.
- Let the applesauce cool for 10-15 minutes. It will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Transfer to storage containers and refrigerate. Applesauce will keep for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Tips
- Apple Selection: Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji for a more complex flavor profile. Avoid overly soft varieties that might turn mushy.
- Consistency Control: Use a potato masher for chunky applesauce or an immersion blender for ultra-smooth results. Adjust to your personal preference!
- Sweetness Hack: Skip added sugar if your apples are naturally sweet. Taste after cooking and add sugar incrementally if needed.
- Spice it Up: Experiment with additional spices like nutmeg or a pinch of cardamom to elevate the flavor.
- Storage Tip: Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months, perfect for quick desserts or baby food.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 80kcal
Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
