2-Ingredient Instant Pot Applesauce

A while back I shared our two-ingredient Instant Pot applesauce recipe on an Instagram story and now I’m sharing it here, along with how to can applesauce.

Easy Instant Pot Applesauce 

An Instant Pot has been all the rage lately, but we’ve been testing it on our own to decide if it’s a fad or something that is really worth it. Spoiler: it’s worth it. We’ve tested quite a few recipes, which you’ll slowly but surely be seeing on our site, but this post on how to make applesauce in an Instant Pot is our first one.

What usually takes patience in waiting for the apples to soften on the stove top took us a mere 8 minutes. My only regret is that I haven’t yet purchased this apple peeler and corer. I have done way too much research and not only does that one have the best suction and functionality, but it also has the best reviews and it’s on sale. Win!

Read more: If you love this applesauce in the Instant Pot, then you need to head to our Instant Pot Cheat Sheet where you will find all the details for making all the basics!

Instant Pot Applesauce Ingredients

This easy applesauce recipe uses just two (yes, two!) ingredients: fresh apples and water. Really, that’s it! We prefer making unsweetened applesauce at home, but if your apples are slightly tart or you prefer the flavor of sweet applesauce, you’re welcome to add a couple tablespoons of sugar to this recipe. 

 What Are the Best Apples for Applesauce?

There are a few opinions about applesauce and which apples you should use. Many prefer Golden Delicious or Gala apples for homemade applesauce, but I’m a diehard Honeycrisp and Sweet Tango fan. The flavor is fantastic so you don’t need to add a bunch of sugar, though we do occasionally add a tablespoon or two. 

I feel like Granny Smith is a bit to tart for me, but it also depends on what you are using it for. Watch for local orchards to have a sale, or just buy whatever is cheapest at the grocery store. 

How to Make Applesauce in an Instant Pot

Homemade applesauce is incredibly easy to make, but using an Instant Pot makes the entire process even easier! Here are the basic steps for making Instant Pot applesauce: 

1. Peel and chop the apples into large chunks. 
2. Throw everything into the Instant Pot, then make sure your valve is turned to seal and not vent.
3. Using the manual option, set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 8 minutes, shut the lid, and walk away. 
4. Vent all of the steam out and wipe up the lid and counter as it will be a little sticky.
5. Pulse the applesauce in a blender until it reaches your desired consistency and add a little sugar if needed.
6. Store your homemade applesauce as desired. 

How to Store Instant Pot Applesauce 

This unsweetened applesauce should be stored in the fridge in sealed containers. You’ll need to let the homemade applesauce cool to room temperature before popping it into the fridge if you’re using glass jars. Glass jars will crack if you fill them with hot food and put them immediately into a cold fridge or freezer! 

You can also can applesauce to extend its shelf life even further. I’ve given detailed instructions on how to can applesauce in the section below. 

Can You Freeze Applesauce? 

Yes, Instant Pot applesauce freezes very well. Once the applesauce has been pureed, divide it among glass jars (or another freezer-safe container) and let it cool on your countertop before storing it in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat the frozen applesauce, place it in your fridge overnight to thaw. Note that you can’t refreeze applesauce once it’s been frozen and thawed. 

 FAQs About Canning Applesauce

Canning applesauce is a straightforward process, but it does require some special equipment. I’ve shared our top tips for canning Instant Pot applesauce below, but please leave us a comment if there’s anything you need to know that I didn’t address! 

What Do I Need for Canning?

My mom is a pro canner; she cans everything from vegetables to fruits and jams to stews to syrups. In fact, until I was in college I’d never had store-bought canned vegetables or jams. Our kids still haven’t had many of those things from the store either.

This is the best canning pot bundle deal we’ve found as it’s a great canning pot and comes with the essentials like tongs, funnel, and jar lifter etc. If you don’t have a complete set and only have the pot, we love to use this 6-piece canning set as it has the wide mouth funnel, different tongs and lifters, etc and it’s only like $12 for all of it.

How to Sterilize Jars for Canning

Canning starts with the jars, not with the food. Sterilizing jars for canning takes one ingredient, water. In order to sterilize jars, they need to be covered by boiling water for 10 minutes. When the process time for canning a food is 10 minutes or more (at 0-1,000 feet elevation), the jars will be sterilized DURING processing in the canner. So, in that case it isn’t needed.

How to Can Applesauce

Fill the jars with applesauce and screw on the lids. Place the jars into a canner, half full of hot water, so that once the jars are added it covers them by at least 1″ of water. Cover with a lid and boil for 20 minutes.

Once finished, remove with one of these jar lifters, and set on a towel on the counter so you don’t have a wet mess. Allow to cool completely before storing.

How to Tell If Your Jars Sealed After Canning

Press the middle of the lid with a finger. If the lid springs up when you release your finger, the lid is unsealed.

How Long Can You Store Canned Applesauce?

Canned applesauce is generally good for 1 to 1 1/2 years after sealing, though we’ve never had to worry as it gets devoured in months at our house.

Tips for Making Instant Pot Applesauce

If desired, you can add some ground cinnamon and/or nutmeg to your homemade applesauce. We prefer making unflavored and unsweetened applesauce since it’s easier to use as an oil substitute in baked goods that way. Plus, if we’re craving cinnamon applesauce, we can easily add a sprinkle to each individual serving. 

If you prefer smoother applesauce, puree the Instant Pot applesauce in a food processor or blender. Or leave the applesauce as is and enjoy it chunky (chunky applesauce tastes really good spooned atop pork chops, just saying!). 

Lastly, your applesauce may turn out a slightly different color than ours did. Depending on what apples you use and if you add in additional ingredients like sugar or cinnamon, your homemade applesauce may wind up being a little darker or lighter in color. Either way, I’m sure your applesauce will be delicious! 

More Easy Apple Recipes: 

• The Best Apple Crisp Recipe
• Easy Apple Dumplings with Sprite
• Apple Cake with Caramel Frosting
• Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling
• Apple Pie Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
• Mini Dutch Apple Cheesecakes
• Apple Cheesecake Bars

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