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    Effortless Instant Pot Applesauce (No Sugar)

    Dec 18, 2017 / by Laney Schwartz / 32 Comments(updated Nov 16, 2021)
    ★★★★★ from 12 reviews

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    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.

    bowl of applesauce with spoon resting in it, on red and white napkin and apple scattered around

    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

    1. Peel and dice your apples
    2. Add them to the Instant Pot with the rest of the ingredients
    3. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes
    4. 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!

    overhead shot of 13 apples on a wood plank board

    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!

    overhead shot of chopped up apples in an instant pot

    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.

    close up shot of applesauce in a bowl with apples around

    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.

    bowl of applesauce with spoon resting in it, on red and white napkin and apple scattered around
    Print
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    bowl of applesauce

    Effortless Instant Pot Applesauce (No Sugar)

    ★★★★★ 5 from 12 reviews
    • Author: Laney Schwartz
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 6 1x
    • Category: Side dish
    • Method: Instant Pot
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    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

    Scale
    • 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

    1. If peeling the apples, do this first. Then chop the apples into a large dice.
    2. 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. 
    3. 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

    1. If peeling the apples, do this first. Then chop the apples into a large dice.
    2. 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. 
    3. 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. 

    Did you make this recipe?

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    Filed Under: Gluten Free, Healthy, Instant Pot & Slow Cooker, Quick & Easy, Vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means the world and is greatly appreciated!

      xo, Laney

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      Comments

    1. Donna Malcom

      March 31, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      Wow this is absolutely delicious! I will be making it a lot, thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        April 01, 2022 at 7:47 am

        I’m glad you love it, Donna!

    2. Rachael Lee

      December 02, 2021 at 8:15 pm

      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!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        December 03, 2021 at 12:38 pm

        I love this so much! Thank you for trusting my recipes and making them a part of your traditions!

    3. Devon

      December 08, 2020 at 12:24 pm

      So easy & a crowd favorite. I love it warm!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Terra Wissbaum

      December 05, 2020 at 7:49 pm

      This recipe is my family’s favorite! So simple and delicious. Always comes out great. Shared it several times because it is so great.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Suzanne

      November 24, 2020 at 11:00 am

      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!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 24, 2020 at 11:25 am

        !Yes!! I always at LEAST double it!

    6. Christina

      October 17, 2020 at 7:05 pm

      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.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Jaime

      October 04, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      So easy and so good. Didn’t use the sugar and it’s perfectly sweet.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Madison

      September 30, 2020 at 6:17 pm

      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!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Colleen

      July 05, 2020 at 9:10 am

      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!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        July 16, 2020 at 10:12 pm

        That’s strange! i bet it never came to pressure for some reason bc the apples should soften in minutes!

    10. Erica

      January 12, 2020 at 5:47 am

      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?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        January 13, 2020 at 1:56 pm

        I would maybe add them in after cooking because they might get shredded in the pressure cooking process.

    11. Amy

      October 06, 2019 at 12:41 pm

      What would be a good substitute for allspice? Just more cinnamon?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        October 07, 2019 at 3:58 pm

        Yes that’s fine!

    12. Perry

      September 27, 2019 at 10:15 am

      Place the ingredients in the instant pot with the grades or without?

      Reply
    13. Julie Dooling

      July 22, 2019 at 10:21 am

      Can this applesauce be canned? if so, hot water bath or pressure cooker?
      thanks~

      Reply
      • ST

        October 27, 2019 at 10:48 am

        I would love to know the answer to this too!

    14. Karen

      November 04, 2018 at 10:12 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 06, 2018 at 3:06 pm

        Yay!!!

    15. Laurie

      October 21, 2018 at 9:25 am

      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.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        October 23, 2018 at 2:57 pm

        Oh this makes me so happy!!

    16. Piper Green

      September 19, 2018 at 11:57 am

      Hi, is this 3 lbs of apples before or after peeling and coring?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        September 19, 2018 at 2:15 pm

        before!

    17. Lisa

      September 11, 2018 at 6:28 am

      It sounds yummy, healthy and super easy! Can it be frozen in batches also?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        September 12, 2018 at 12:05 pm

        yes!!

    18. Brittany Lentz

      August 17, 2018 at 1:06 pm

      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!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        August 18, 2018 at 6:23 am

        Oh yay!! So glad you liked it! I would at least 1-2 weeks!

    19. Niki cotton

      April 15, 2018 at 9:24 am

      Wonderful and so easy. I added some mashed strawberries and pineapple. I will never buy store applesauce again

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        April 15, 2018 at 2:19 pm

        SO happy you enjoyed it!

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