This recipe for Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins is a quick way to make delicious homemade applesauce without the hassle of peeling the apples. Plus, it's a great way to use up any apples you have on hand that are starting to get a little too soft.
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Check out my Zucchini Bread with Applesauce and my Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast for more apple recipes!
Instant Pot applesauce with skins is a variation of the classic homemade applesauce recipe that skips the step of peeling the apples. By leaving the skins on, you not only save time but also retain more of the nutrients and fiber found in the apple peels.
It's a healthy and easy snack that can be enjoyed warm or chilled. It's a great way to use up any extra apples you have on hand, and you can customize the sweetness and spice level to your liking.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy. With just a few simple ingredients and an Instant Pot, you can make homemade applesauce in no time.
- No peeling required. Skipping the step of peeling the apples saves time and effort, and also adds extra nutrition and fiber to the applesauce.
- Healthy. This recipe uses natural sweeteners and spices, making it a healthy snack.
- No preservatives. By making your own applesauce, you can avoid the preservatives and additives found in store bought varieties.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Apples: You'll need about 3 pounds of apples for this recipe. It's best to use a variety of apples to get a more complex flavor, but any type of apple will work.
- Water: You'll need water to help create steam and build pressure inside the Instant Pot.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to the applesauce. You can adjust the amount of sugar based on your personal taste preference.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm and cozy flavor to the applesauce.
- Salt: Added to balance out the sweetness of the applesauce.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the chopped apples to the Instant Pot. Pour in the water.
Step 2: Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt over the top of the apples. Give everything a quick stir to distribute the spices.
Step 3: Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 5 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Step 4: Open the lid and use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the apples into applesauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Expert Tips
- Use a variety of apples. Using a mix of sweet and tart apples will give your applesauce a more complex flavor.
- Cut the apples evenly. To ensure even cooking, make sure to chop the apples into similar-sized pieces.
- Adjust the sweetness and spice. Taste the applesauce after cooking and adjust the amount of sugar and cinnamon to your liking.
- Mash the applesauce to your desired consistency. Use a potato masher for a chunkier texture or an immersion blender for a smoother applesauce.
Variations
- Apple Pie Spice: Use apple pie spice in place of ground cinnamon to add a more complex spice blend to your applesauce.
- Maple Syrup: Replace the brown sugar with maple syrup for a deeper, more complex sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to your applesauce to give it a warm and comforting flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Add a squeeze of lemon juice to your applesauce for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Nutmeg: Sprinkle some nutmeg over the top of your applesauce for a warm and nutty flavor.
- Honey: Replace the brown sugar with honey for a natural, sweet flavor.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Let the applesauce cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezing: Spoon the cooled applesauce into a freezer safe container or resealable freezer bag, leaving a bit of space at the top to allow for expansion as it freezes. Freeze for up to 6 months.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you need to add water to help create steam and build pressure inside the Instant Pot.
Yes, you can use any type of apple you prefer, but it's best to use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a more complex flavor.
No, you do not need to peel the apples for this recipe. The skins will soften during cooking and will be blended with the rest of the applesauce.
Yes, you can double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch of applesauce. Just be sure not to fill your Instant Pot more than two-thirds full.
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Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples peeled, cored and chopped
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the chopped apples to the Instant Pot. Pour in the water.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt over the top of the apples. Give everything a quick stir to distribute the spices.
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 5 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the apples into applesauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Using a mix of sweet and tart apples will give your applesauce a more complex flavor.
- To ensure even cooking, make sure to chop the apples into similar-sized pieces.
- Taste the applesauce after cooking and adjust the amount of sugar and cinnamon to your liking.
- Use a potato masher for a chunkier texture or an immersion blender for a smoother applesauce.
- Storing: Let the applesauce cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: Spoon the cooled applesauce into a freezer safe container or resealable freezer bag, leaving a bit of space at the top to allow for expansion as it freezes. Freeze for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
Hmm this is why I love Apples! So many delicious recipes to make. This Instant Pot cinnamon applesauce looks totally mouthwatering. My son will love this.