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sugar-free applesauce
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Instant Pot Applesauce

Learn how to make Instant Pot Applesauce, a simple and easy fall recipe that can be made with just a 30 minute cook time. It takes just 2 ingredients and it's sugar-free!
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword apple, applesauce
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Natural Pressure Release 15 minutes
Servings 5 cups

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds apples see notes
  • 1 cup apple juice apple cider or water

Instructions

  • Wash the apples to remove any potential pesticides or wax that may be on them. You can do this by soaking them in a sink full of water and adding a few tablespoons of baking soda. Rinse well and dry the apples.
  • Core the apples and then slice into wedges or 1-2" pieces.
  • Place the apples in the Instant Pot insert and then add the apple juice or liquid of choice.
  • Close the lid, set the valve to sealing and cook on manual high pressure for 12 minutes.
  • Once the time is up, allow for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure.
  • Use a potato masher (for chunky applesauce) or an immersion blender (for smooth applesauce) mixing, mashing and blending until you reach your desired consistency. If it is too thick for your liking, you can add a splash of water to thin it out.
  • Allow to cool to room temperature and then transfer to airtight containers and keep refrigerated. It should keep for up to 1 week in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.

Notes

**Note - if you are using a homemade apple juice that may be thicker than what you find in the store - add 1/2 cup of water before cooking.
**No need to remove the skins - unless desired. I leave mine on because I make creamy applesauce. If you like a chunky sauce - you'll probably want to remove the skins.
**Apple Equivalents & Measures - rough estimates
  • 1 bushel of apples is the dry equivalent to 2 gallons of produce
  • 2 large apples = 1 pound
  • 3-4 medium apples = 1 pound
  • 3 cups cored, sliced or chopped apples = 1 pound
  • 1-1/3 cups applesauce = 1 pound apples
  • 1 pound dried apples = 8 cups cooked apples
  • 1 pound dried apples = 4 1/3 cups
  • 4 pounds fresh apples = 1 pound dried apples
  • 4 pounds fresh apples = 4 cups applesauce
  • 1/2 cup mashed apples = 1 medium apple
  • 3/4 cup cored, chopped apples = 1 medium apple
  • 1 cup cored, sliced apples = 1 medium apple
  • 2 pounds fresh apples = filling for ONE 9" pie
  • Small apples are approx 2 1/4 inches in diameter.
  • Medium apples are approx 2 3/4 inches in diameter.
  • Large apples are approx 3 3/4 inches in diameter.