This no-sugar applesauce recipe uses a combination of apples (gala, fuji, honey
crisp and granny smith) and comes together in a matter of minutes in the Instant
Pot. The variety of apples, plus warming spices, creates the most complex and
delicious homemade applesauce you’ll ever taste.
There’s nothing like homemade applesauce. Some things are created equal when it comes to making them homemade vs. buying it at a store, but applesauce is not one of those things. And the good news is, it couldn’t be any better with my Easy Instant Pot Applesauce! I know how much you love easy Instant Pot recipes!
Sure, you could make applesauce in the slow cooker, but this applesauce in the Instant Pot is done in 20-30 minutes start to finish!
Here’s how to make it
- Peel and dice your apples
- Add them to the Instant Pot with the rest of the ingredients
- Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes
- Natural release and whisk until smooth
It’s really that simple. No need to overcomplicate it.
Can you make applesauce with unpeeled apples?
Yep! It’s up to you if you want to keep the skin on the apples. If you decide to peel them, the applesauce will of course be much more smooth, but if you don’t mind a slightly thicker/chunkier sauce then keep the skins on!
What type of apples are best for making applesauce?
My favorite thing to do is use a variety! My favorites are gala, fuji, honey
crisp and granny smith. I think this creates the most complex and delicious applesauce you’ll ever taste. Go to your local farmer’s market or even an apple orchard and pick all different kinds! It’s fun for the kids too!
If you have an Instant Pot then you know how easy this is to make. Literally done in minutes! But this can also be made in a slow cooker which is just as delicious (it just takes more time).
Can you freeze applesauce?
I do this all the time! It’s a great thing to freeze and tastes just as fresh as the day you made it when unfrozen. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and serve it cold, warm or at room temp.
If you’re in the apple spirit and want to make an apple dessert instead of turning those babies in sauce, you gotta try this Easy Apple Crisp or Apple Cake! Other than chocolate cake and ice cream, this is one of my all time favorite desserts.
I can’t wait for you all to try this. I eat it with EVERYTHING.
Effortless Instant Pot Applesauce (No Sugar)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
This no-sugar applesauce recipe uses a combination of apples (gala, fuji, honey crisp and granny smith) and comes together in a matter of minutes in the Instant Pot. The variety of apples, plus warming spices, creates the most complex and delicious homemade applesauce you’ll ever taste.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds your favorite apples (I used gala, fuji, honey crisp and granny smith) – (peeled or not peeled)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- Pinch of salt
- juice from half a lemon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (totally optional but doesn’t need it)
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- If peeling the apples, do this first. Then chop the apples into a large dice.
- Place the apples, water, cinnamon, allspice, salt lemon juice and brown sugar if using, into the Instant Pot. Close the lid and cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Natural release and using a whisk, immersion blender, ricer or potato masher, blend the applesauce to your desired consistency. Serve warm, room temperate or cold. The flavors will change slightly as it cools, so adjust to taste as needed.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- If peeling the apples, do this first. Then chop the apples into a large dice.
- Place the apples, water, cinnamon, allspice, salt lemon juice and brown sugar if using, into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
- Using a whisk, immersion blender, ricer or potato masher, blend the applesauce to your desired consistency. Serve warm, room temperate or cold. The flavors will change slightly as it cools, so adjust to taste as needed.
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Comments
Rachael Lee
This recipe has become a Hannukah tradition in our house! I’m tripling the recipe and bringing to a neighborhood party this weekend. So looking forward to “wowing” them!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
I love this so much! Thank you for trusting my recipes and making them a part of your traditions!
Devon
So easy & a crowd favorite. I love it warm!
★★★★★
Terra Wissbaum
This recipe is my family’s favorite! So simple and delicious. Always comes out great. Shared it several times because it is so great.
★★★★★
Suzanne
OMG- This is amazing. The hardest part was peeling the apples. Will never eat store-bought applesauce again! Next time I make it will double the recipe. Thanks!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
!Yes!! I always at LEAST double it!
Christina
I’ve made this three times in my crockpot now and it’s perfect every time! So easy, it takes like 15 minutes to get everything ready and then I just leave it cooling all day – voila, perfect applesauce in the evening! Thanks Laney for making this approchable and easy.
★★★★★
Jaime
So easy and so good. Didn’t use the sugar and it’s perfectly sweet.
★★★★★
Madison
Such a great way to use up all of the apples we picked! So so easy and delicious and love that I know exactly what is in it. Yum!
★★★★★
Colleen
So, easy! Great way to use up apples.
I’ve made it a few times with no problems!
But, I just showed my mom how to make it in her instant pot. It’s the first thing she’s made in it and was so nervous! Unfortunately, the apples weren’t cooked after 24 min of natural release. Do you have any ideas? I’m confused since I’ve made it at home and had awesome results!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
That’s strange! i bet it never came to pressure for some reason bc the apples should soften in minutes!
Erica
Making this for my daughter and when I do a stovetop method I add baby spinach and frozen peas. Could I simply add those to the InstantPot when I add the apples? Same instructions otherwise?
Life is but a Dish
I would maybe add them in after cooking because they might get shredded in the pressure cooking process.
Amy
What would be a good substitute for allspice? Just more cinnamon?
Life is but a Dish
Yes that’s fine!
Perry
Place the ingredients in the instant pot with the grades or without?
Julie Dooling
Can this applesauce be canned? if so, hot water bath or pressure cooker?
thanks~
ST
I would love to know the answer to this too!
Karen
OMG I just made this and it is amazing not to mention easy! I added a little honey and it is a perfect healthy snack or dessert. I did peel the apples as I have never cared for chunky applesauce and is is like butter cream! Even my sugar addicted husband loves it! I”ll get him off sugar one way or another.
Life is but a Dish
Yay!!!
Laurie
I am not an applesauce lover, but my husband and my mom, who lives with me, are. I made this for them, but holy cow!!! I am an applesauce LOVER now. It makes me so happy to make things that have typically been crappy, horrible ingredient things, with fresh, in-season ingredients and what a bonus that they taste so good!!! Love feeding my family healthy things.
Thank you for this recipe, Laney.
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Oh this makes me so happy!!
Piper Green
Hi, is this 3 lbs of apples before or after peeling and coring?
Life is but a Dish
before!
Lisa
It sounds yummy, healthy and super easy! Can it be frozen in batches also?
Life is but a Dish
yes!!
Brittany Lentz
Made this today (doubled the batch for my 8qt) and it is fantastic! Thank you! Any idea on the shelf life if it is just refrigerated and not canned? Thanks!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
Oh yay!! So glad you liked it! I would at least 1-2 weeks!
Niki cotton
Wonderful and so easy. I added some mashed strawberries and pineapple. I will never buy store applesauce again
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
SO happy you enjoyed it!