Instant Pot Applesauce

Once you have tried this cinnamon spiced applesauce in an instant pot, chances are good that you will never go back to plain old applesauce again. It is a sweet and tasty and surprisingly complex treat that can be used in everything from pastries to savory dishes.

And best of all, thanks for the wonders of the pressure cooker, this cinnamon applesauce is quick and easy to prepare. The next time you find yourself with an abundance of apples on hand, you know just what to do with them: make applesauce in the instant pot.

Instant Pot Applesauce Ingredients

• Apples: This recipe uses 5 pounds of apples, which is about 15 medium-sized apples. Make sure they are cored, peeled and chopped.
• Sugar: You can’t have an applesauce without the sweetness — or at least we certainly wouldn’t recommend it. The sugar further heightens the natural sweet taste of the apples themselves.
• Ground cinnamon: Cinnamon pairs perfectly with the taste of apples, which is why you’ll find cinnamon and apples together in countless recipes, like a classic apple pie.
• Nutmeg: There’s always a risk of the nutmeg overpowering a dish so measure it with care. It is a wonderfully rich accompaniment to the cinnamon when used just right.

Directions

Step 1: Pressure cook the ingredients

Combine all of the ingredients in a 6-quart electric pressure cooker and lock the lid and close the pressure-release valve. Set the instant pot to pressure-cook on high for five minutes, then let the pressure release naturally.

Step 2: Mash or blend the applesauce

Mash the apples with a potato masher or use an immersion blender to process the fruit until it’s evenly blended. Serve the applesauce warm or save it for later.

Cinnamon Applesauce Variations

• Skip the spices: For a traditional applesauce follow this exact same recipe and just leave the cinnamon and nutmeg out of the mix.
• Use brown sugar instead: For an applesauce that’s not quite as sweet but that has a more robust flavor profile, use a third of a cup of packed brown sugar instead of regular white sugar.
• Add a little kick: A pinch or two of cayenne pepper will add a bit of heat and will accentuate the other flavors, bringing depth and interest to the taste of this applesauce.

How to Store Cinnamon Applesauce

Cinnamon Applesauce Tips

Can you make this applesauce without a pressure cooker?

Yes. You can make this cinnamon applesauce in a pot on the stove. Just plan for a long, low simmer time and add additional water as needed during the process. Cook until the apples are good and tender, stirring regularly.

What are the best uses for this applesauce?

This cinnamon applesauce can stand in for regular applesauce in just about any dish, adding a spiced complexity to your meal. It is especially good on white meats like pork or chicken.

Is applesauce healthy?

While there is a fair amount of sugar in each serving of this applesauce, there is very little sodium and absolutely no fat. So it is a treat you can certainly allow yourself to enjoy from time to time.