The pressure cooker simplifies making homemade applesauce. This Instant Pot applesauce uses just three primary ingredients—apples, orange juice, and cinnamon—and comes together quickly for a naturally sweet, wholesome spread or baking substitute.
Living in Minnesota, where apple season is abundant, yearly trips to the orchard are a highlight. Aside from apple cider and apple cake, applesauce is one of the most useful things to make with a bushel of apples. Homemade applesauce not only tastes better than store-bought, but it also serves as a great substitute for oil or butter in many baking recipes.
To prepare: add chopped apples, orange juice, and a cinnamon stick to the Instant Pot, seal it, and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Perform a quick release, then blend the mixture to your preferred texture. Chill the applesauce before serving or using in recipes.
Featured Comment
“My husband didn’t want the cinnamon so left it out. Still was very tasty and easy to make. The orange juice made it perfect.” – Jean
What do you need for Instant Pot applesauce?
This is a simple Instant Pot recipe that calls for Gala apples (or your favorite variety), orange juice, and a touch of cinnamon. The orange juice helps balance sweetness and prevents the apples from browning, while the cinnamon adds warmth and depth. We tested lemon as a substitute but preferred the flavor balance that orange juice provides.
Aside from the ingredients, you’ll need an Instant Pot or another pressure cooker and an immersion blender to achieve a smooth consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, a potato masher or a regular blender will work as well.
What apples work best?
Most apples are suitable for applesauce. Each variety influences the final flavor and sweetness:
- Gala: a balanced sweet-tart flavor—our go-to choice.
- Granny Smith/Green: yields a tarter, more tangy applesauce.
- Red Delicious: produces a sweeter, milder result.
- Honeycrisp: great for a crisp, bright apple flavor.
Variations
Citrus: If substituting lemon for orange juice, reduce the amount because lemon is more tart. Use about 3 tablespoons of lemon and add water if you need more liquid.
Spices: If you prefer different warm notes, replace the cinnamon stick with star anise, cardamom, nutmeg, or allspice. Ground cinnamon works fine if you don’t have sticks.
Texture: For a chunky applesauce, mash the cooked apples with a potato masher instead of blending. For very smooth applesauce, use a high-speed blender.
FAQ
Orange juice helps slow oxidation and browning while adding a subtle, complementary sweetness and bright flavor. It works better in this recipe than lemon or lime, which can be too sharp, and it’s milder than straight apple juice or water for preserving color and adding flavor.
Cinnamon sticks infuse a gentle, rounded cinnamon flavor during cooking. If you don’t have sticks, use ground cinnamon—start with about 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Applesauce naturally thickens as it cools. For an even thicker texture, stir in a small amount of arrowroot or cornstarch dissolved in cold water and heat briefly until thickened, or cook it longer on the stove to evaporate excess liquid.
Peeling is optional. Cooked apple skins blend down and are barely noticeable in texture while adding fiber and nutrients. If you prefer a silky texture, peel before cooking.
Storage
Store homemade applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 10–14 days. If you notice any mold, odd smell, or off flavors, discard the batch. Properly chilled applesauce keeps well and is convenient for snacks, breakfasts, and baking.
For longer storage, freezing is an excellent option.
Can you freeze applesauce?
Yes. Freeze applesauce in portions using an ice cube tray for small servings, or fill freezer-safe containers or bags for larger amounts. Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer bag to save space. Thawed applesauce works well for cooking, baking, or reheating as a side or snack.
What to Make with Applesauce
Applesauce is versatile. Use it in pancakes, muffins, quick breads, or as a topping. It can replace some or all of the oil in many recipes to reduce fat and add natural sweetness. Ideas include:
- Apple-cinnamon muffins
- Applesauce pancakes or skillet pancake cake
- Apple-cinnamon quick bread or zucchini bread with applesauce
- Use as a spread or swirl into yogurt and oatmeal
Instant Pot Applesauce
Instant Pot applesauce is ready in under 30 minutes. Pressure cook apples, a bit of orange juice, and a cinnamon stick for 6 minutes on high, quick-release, then blend to your desired consistency.
Ingredients
- 8 large Gala apples (or a mix of your favorite apples)
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Core the apples and cut them into thirds. Place the apple pieces in the Instant Pot.
- Add the orange juice and cinnamon. Toss to combine.
- Seal the Instant Pot and make sure the pressure valve is set to “sealing.”
- Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Allow the pot to come to pressure, then it will count down the cook time.
- Quick release the pressure, open the pot, and verify the apples are very soft. Use an immersion blender to puree into applesauce. For a chunkier texture, mash by hand.
- When you reach the desired consistency, transfer the applesauce to a glass container and let it cool. Refrigerate covered for up to 10–14 days.
Tips & Notes
- Apples: Any variety works. Choose sweeter apples for a sweeter sauce or tart apples for more tang.
- Peels: You can leave peels on to retain fiber and color—pressure cooking softens them so they blend smoothly.
- No immersion blender? Use a potato masher or transfer to a countertop blender in batches to finish the texture.
- Thickening: Applesauce thickens as it cools. To thicken further, simmer on the stove to reduce excess liquid.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 135 kcal; Carbohydrates: 32 g; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 0 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 25 g. Nutrition is an estimate and should be used as a guideline.
If you enjoy this method, try making applesauce in other ways—such as in a slow cooker—to explore additional textures and flavors. Share your results on social media and tag your photos to show off what you made!