This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.
This delicious, homemade, instant pot applesauce with cinnamon and honey is one of the easiest things to cook and is ready in just 20 minutes! With just 5 simple ingredients, this warm, sweet applesauce is the perfect healthy snack or dessert.
Applesauce is one of my favorite healthy side dishes - it's smooth, sweet, and satisfying - and you can enjoy it year-round! But did you know that most store-bought applesauce isn't really that good for you?
Most store-bought applesauce has added sugar and preservatives (to keep it shelf-stable). Sometimes it has so much added sugar it's as much as a candy bar! But apples are already naturally sweet!! There really is no need to add a ton of sugar to apples, unless you're making apple pie 🙂
Homemade applesauce is so easy to make and so delicious, there really is no need to buy it at the store. Especially if you have a pressure cooker or instant pot! This is the one I have, and I'm seriously obsessed with it.
What ingredients do you need to make instant pot applesauce?
There are 5 ingredients that go into this recipe, and a few add-ins that are optional! The core ingredients are:
- 3 lbs (or 5 medium-large) apples: Fuji Apples, Red Delicious, or Gala all work well
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon of honey: note - this will add 2.8g added sugar per serving of applesauce. For a sugar-free version, omit the honey! For a vegan option, use maple syrup instead.
- large pinch of fine sea salt (or regular salt)
What kitchen tools do you need to make homemade applesauce?
You really just need two main tools for this recipe:
- An Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
- A potato masher or immersion blender
How to make this instant pot applesauce with cinnamon and honey - step by step
Step 1: Cut the apples into even-sized chunks. You don't have to peel the apples to get a smooth applesauce, especially after pressure-cooking, so I'd recommend leaving the peels on for added nutrition. Place the apple pieces into the pressure cooker / instant pot, then sprinkle in the cinnamon and salt.
Step 2: Pour in the honey (if using) and then the water. Give the ingredients a good stir until well combined.
Step 3: Place the lid on the pressure cooker and set the pressure cooker valve to Sealing then press Pressure Cook, High and for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Once the cooking time has completed allow to sit for 5 minutes then turn valve to Venting to do a quick release and allow all of the pressure to release.
Step 5: Carefully open the lid away from your face. Use a potato masher to mash the applesauce to your desired consistency.
Step 6: For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to blend until completely smooth.
Step 7: Serve warm or allow to cool in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
What spices can you add to applesauce?
I love pairing warm with applesauce - in addition to the cinnamon, you can add any of these into this recipe to taste:
Is Instant Pot Applesauce Kid Friendly?
Absolutely! Kids LOVE applesauce, and I love making it at home because that way I can control how much added sugar my kids are getting from it. To be honest, when I make this for my kids, I don't add any honey. I combine apples and ripe pears (for some natural added sweetness), then I add cinnamon and nutmeg and cook it all together in the Instant Pot. It turns out great and they think it's dessert!!
What can you serve with this Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe?
- As a topping for oatmeal (instead of added sugar), or as a topping for pancakes/waffles instead of syrup!
- Paired with potato pancakes
- Added to a smoothie or stirred into plain yogurt
- Paired with a tangy cheese like Manchego or Sharp Cheddar
- As a replacement for butter to lighten up baked goods!
- This recipe works well with Fuji, red gala, red delicious, golden delicious, or McIntosh apples.
- You can add fresh lemon juice to your applesauce if you'd like! It's not necessary to preserve the applesauce but it'll give it more of a tangy flavor, which can pair nicely with the sweetness of the apples
- Don't forget the salt! It brings out the flavor of the apples really well - makes for a completely different dish.
- If the applesauce is too liquidy for your taste you can set the pressure cooker to sauté and cook it down to your desired thickness.
- The honey is optional! I use the honey when I'm planning to serve it as a dessert, or for a party. If I'm making it at home for my kids - or using it as baby food, I'll omit the honey altogether.
- For storage: this applesauce will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week - if it lasts you that long! 🙂
Applesauce is so versatile - you can eat it on its own for dessert or a snack, or enjoy it with breakfast, lunch or dinner! Here are some fun ways to use applesauce:
