Fall is one of the BEST times to work with apples because they are in season and if you are lucky enough to live by an orchard you can get some of the sweetest apples straight from the tree!
I don't live anywhere near an apple orchard, unfortunately, but the good news is that homemade applesauce can be made with any apples, especially if you have had some lying around for a while that aren't getting eaten....
If you haven't jumped on the instant pot bandwagon, that's okay. You can totally make this on the stovetop too, it just takes a lot longer.
Here's what you need:
- a whole big bunch of apples (10 ish)
- water
- cinnamon
- brown sugar (optional)
- lemon juice
Start by scrubbing all your apples clean. I always like to let my kids help out in the kitchen, and this is a GREAT recipe for them to help with. My 6 year old actually did the bulk of the work, and LOVED it!
Once your apples are washed, you can begin peeling, coring, and slicing them up. I actually bought this little gadget year and years ago at Target, but I know you can buy them on Amazon and lots of other brick and mortar stores too.
The awesome thing about it is that it cores, peels, and slices all in one step. My kiddos think it's so much fun to twist the handle and watch it do it's thing. They even eat the little peel coils too...
I take the spiraled apples and slice them in half to break them up into individual pieces, and drop them into my instant pot. I have the 6 qt, but you could totally use the 3 qt. instant pot if that's what you have. Just be sure you stay below the max fill line.
Add in the water, lemon juice, and brown sugar (if you want it) and stir it gently to coat the apples. The lemon juice helps to keep the applesauce from turning brown too quickly. My kids refuse to eat apples (or applesauce) if it's brown.
Next turn on your Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook for 5 minutes, sealing. Once it's done, let it pressure release on it's own for at least 8 minutes. Then you can vent it to release the rest of the pressure.
Now comes the fun part. Ladle the mushy apples into a blender or food processor, add a little bit of the liquid from the pot, and blend it to your desired consistency. We like our applesauce super creamy. It doesn't take long to do it, so if you want yours a little chunkier I would add very little water from the pot, and pulse it in your blender.
This batch makes enough to fill a quart sized mason jar (and maybe a little left over for tasting). Let it cool completely before putting a lid on. Store it in your fridge and use it within about a week... if it lasts that long.
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Yield
8-10Author
Naturally Creative MamaPrep time
10 MinCook time
5 Mininactive time
10 MinTotal time
25 MinInstant Pot Applesauce
Use fresh picked or store bought apples. The sweeter the better, but any variety of apples will work.
Ingredients
- 6-7 apples (any variety) peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- 3/4 cup water
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice apples.
- Place apple slices, lemon juice, brown sugar, and water in the instant pot insert and gently stir to combine.
- Pressure cook for 5 minutes on sealing.
- Let rest and self release for 8-10 minutes when cooking is done before you vent the Instant Pot (quick release).
- Use a potato masher to break up the cooked apples, OR puree everything in your blender for a smoother applesauce.
- Let cool in your air tight container before you put the lid on. Refrigerate for up to a week.
Notes:
This recipe will create enough applesauce to fill a quart sized mason jar.
If you want a thicker applesauce, add only enough water from the instant pot (after cooking) when blending or mashing.
Top with cinnamon, or add it in as you puree to give it a yummy flavor.
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