Did you know homemade applesauce is easy, delicious, and perfect to make in either an Instant Pot or a Crockpot? This simple recipe produces a naturally sweet, cozy applesauce with minimal fuss. Use it warm with a dollop of whipped cream, chill it for snacks, or can it for long-term storage.
Tip about rubber sealing rings: If you use a multi-purpose Instant Pot ring for both savory and sweet dishes, your applesauce can pick up lingering savory odors. Keep a separate silicone ring for desserts and sweet recipes. Clean rings by hand with baking soda rather than the dishwasher to avoid soap absorption.
Homemade Applesauce
This easy applesauce recipe works in an Instant Pot or a Crockpot. It requires only apples, a little water, and cinnamon. No added sugar is necessary for many varieties of apples, but you can sweeten to taste. The yield varies by apple size; this approach is scalable for small batches or a large 8-quart pot.
Why make applesauce at home?
Making applesauce at home gives you control over texture and sweetness, saves money, and reduces packaging waste. It’s a great way to use apples that are slightly overripe, and you can blend different apple varieties to tune flavor and consistency. This recipe is quick in a pressure cooker and low-effort in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
- Approximately 15–20 medium apples (adjust by pot size; 15 for a 6-quart, up to 20 for an 8-quart)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: sweetener to taste (sugar, honey, or maple syrup)
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Crock Pot (slow cooker)
- Knife and cutting board
- Spoon or potato masher
- Optional: blender or immersion blender for very smooth applesauce
Instant Pot Directions
- Remove the Instant Pot lid and swap the sealing ring if it smells of savory foods. Using a ring dedicated to sweet preparations gives the best flavor.
- Peel, core, and roughly chop the apples. Add the apples to the pot, staying below the maximum fill line.
- Add 1/2 cup water and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir gently to distribute.
- Secure the lid and set the steam valve to “sealing.” Cook on high pressure (manual) for 8 minutes.
- When the cook cycle ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes to ensure the apples finish softening.
- Open the lid and stir. Mash with a spoon or use an immersion blender for a smoother texture. Taste and add sweetener if desired.
- Serve warm or cool and refrigerate. Stored in the refrigerator, applesauce will keep for up to one week.
- To preserve long-term, fill sterilized quart jars, seal, and process in a 40-minute water bath. Ensure lids seal properly before storing on shelves.
Crock Pot Directions
- Peel, core, and chop the apples, then place them into the slow cooker.
- Add 1/2 cup water and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–5 hours, until the apples are very soft.
- Mash, blend, or pulse the applesauce to your preferred texture. Adjust sweetness if needed.
- Serve immediately or chill. Refrigerate leftovers up to one week or follow proper canning steps for shelf stability.
Serving and storage tips
Applesauce is delightful warm with whipped cream or a dash of cinnamon, and it’s also great chilled as a snack or side dish. For baby food, puree until silky smooth. For a rustic texture, mash coarsely and store in airtight containers. If you plan to can applesauce, follow safe canning practices and verify seals before storing.
Enjoy this straightforward homemade applesauce recipe—perfect for fall harvests or any time you want a comforting, homemade treat.