Name: Applesauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 lb apples (peeled, seeded, and chopped); 0.25 cup water; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; a pinch salt

Learn how to make healthy homemade applesauce with just 5 ingredients and an Instant Pot. Naturally sweetened with cinnamon, perfect for snacking or baking. Get

My Go-To Easy Applesauce Recipe

Every fall, I find myself making batch after batch of this cinnamon applesauce. It’s hard to beat the combination of sweet and tart apples with a hint of warm spice, and the Instant Pot makes it almost effortless. With just five wholesome ingredients and no added sugar, it feels good to snack on something that tastes like the season. My favorite trick is to mix Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for that perfect balance of tangy and sweet.

5 Reasons to Make This Instant Pot Applesauce

Only 5 ingredients (plus salt), you probably already have them on hand.
Naturally sweet, no refined sugar needed. The apples and cinnamon bring plenty of sweetness.
Ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish, thanks to the pressure cooker.
Versatile, eat it as a snack, bake with it, or spoon it over oatmeal or pancakes.

Key Ingredients for Homemade Applesauce

Apples: A mix of Granny Smith (tart) and Honeycrisp (sweet) gives the best flavor. Avoid Red Delicious, which can turn mushy. Peel and chop into roughly 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is key for that classic spiced flavor. Stir it in before cooking so it infuses the apples.
Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice keeps the apples from browning and adds a subtle brightness that balances the sweetness.

Tools You’ll Need for Instant Pot Applesauce

Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker (for quick, hands-off cooking)
Potato masher (for chunky applesauce) or immersion blender (for smooth texture)
Wooden spoon for stirring
Vegetable peeler and knife for prepping the apples

Tips for the Best Homemade Applesauce Every Time

Make sure the pressure knob is set to “Seal” before you start cooking. After the timer goes off, let the steam release naturally for 5 minutes, this helps the apples finish softening gently. Then carefully turn the valve to release the remaining steam; the steam is extremely hot, so keep your hands away. For chunky applesauce, mash with a potato masher. If you prefer it smooth, use an immersion blender right in the pot, or transfer to a countertop blender in batches.

How to Mix Up Your Homemade Applesauce

You can easily swap the cooking method if you don’t have an Instant Pot. For the stovetop, combine all ingredients in a pot, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until tender. In a slow cooker, cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Feel free to play with the apple varieties, Fuji, Gala, Jazz, or Golden Delicious all work well. If you want a sweeter sauce, stir in a tablespoon of maple syrup, honey, or sugar before cooking.

Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade Applesauce

This applesauce is wonderful on its own, but I love it even more as a topping. Spread it on peanut butter toast for a quick breakfast, or scoop it over pancakes, waffles, or French toast. For a snack, swirl it into yogurt or cottage cheese. It also works as a fat replacement in baking, use it in place of oil or butter in muffins and quick breads. And don’t forget the classic pairing with pork chops or pork tenderloin.

How to Store Leftover Homemade Applesauce

Store the applesauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. Let the sauce cool completely before freezing, and leave about an inch of headspace in the container to allow for expansion.

Can You Freeze Homemade Applesauce?

Yes, this applesauce freezes beautifully. Let it cool to room temperature, then spoon it into freezer-safe jars or containers. Leave at least an inch of headspace because the sauce expands as it freezes. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator overnight or microwave individual portions on low power, stirring occasionally.

How to Reheat Applesauce

To reheat applesauce, spoon the amount you need into a small saucepan and warm it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each. Give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the moisture.

Instant Pot Applesauce FAQs

Why do I need to add lemon juice?

Lemon juice prevents the apples from browning during cooking. It also adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the apples and cinnamon.

Can I leave the apple peels on?

You can, but the texture will be more rustic and the color may turn darker. For the smoothest, most traditional applesauce, peel the apples first.

How do I adjust the sweetness?

This recipe is naturally sweet from the apples. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, stir in a tablespoon of maple syrup, honey, or granulated sugar before cooking. Taste and add more if needed.

What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?

No problem. You can make this applesauce on the stovetop (simmer 15-20 minutes) or in a slow cooker (low for 4-6 hours). The ingredients and proportions stay the same.

Equipment

Instant Pot
wooden spoon
potato masher
immersion blender

Recipe

Applesauce

Pin recipe

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 10 min
Total: 20 min
Servings: 8 servings
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Instructions

Add the chopped apples, water, lemon juice, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine. Put the lid on the Instant Pot, make sure the pressure knob is in the sealing position. Select the Manual function and high pressure and adjust time to 5 minutes.
When it beeps, let the steam release naturally for 5 minutes, then carefully use the quick release valve to release the remaining pressure. Use caution, the steam is hot!
Remove the lid and stir the applesauce with a wooden spoon.
You can use a potato masher to break up the applesauce or if you want really smooth applesauce you can puree the applesauce with an immersion blender or blender.