Easy Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe (No Peel Option)

The best and EASIEST Instant Pot Applesauce made with no added sugar! This homemade applesauce is ready in minutes and you can choose to peel or leave the skin on. Then just walk away and let the Instant Pot do the work!

Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe

This recipe for homemade applesauce is the freaking best…and if you hate peeling apples, you are in luck.

You can make this applesauce without peeling your apples!

Did I just blow your mind?

And not only is it quicker and easier, making your own applesauce with the skin on retains more fiber, vitamins, and nutrients than store-bought applesauce. I know I am always looking for ways to get more fiber in our diets, and my kids LOVE applesauce.

Why I love this recipe:

1. It is SUCH an easy recipe that it’s basically a no brainer.
2. This delicious applesauce is the perfect healthy snack or easy side dish for kids and adults (especially when you pair it with my )
3. No need for a blender or food processor if you don’t have one. Just a simple potato masher will do.
4. It taste so much better than the unsweetened applesauce you find in grocery stores.

Ingredients for Homemade Applesauce

Because I have picky kids and I like to use my applesauce for a variety of purposes including baking, this recipe is very simple. You only need two ingredients:

1. Apples: You can use your favorite apple or a combination of apples for this easy applesauce recipe. I love using Macintosh, Honeycrisp, Gala, Cortland, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or Pink Lady apples for my sauce, but you can use a mix, or use whatever sweet apples you have on hand. If you use tart apples, like granny smith apples, your applesauce won’t be as sweet.
2. Water: You could change this to apple juice or orange juice for additional flavor and sweetness, but this also adds sugar to your sauce and my kids really do prefer it with just water.

You can absolutely add your favorite fall spices to this before or after cooktime, if that’s your thing – I like a tiny dash of cinnamon on mine.

To Peel or Not to Peel

In the end, it’s totally up to you because with this recipe, you can make it either way.

• If you want chunkier applesauce, peel your apples! After cook time, you will just use a potato masher to mash up your apples for a chunkier applesauce.
• If you want quick and easy, and don’t mind a a smoother applesauce, try keeping the peels for all that bonus fiber and goodness! A quick blend at the end and the peels will disappear! **An important note – apples are considered one of the dirty dozen, so organic apples are best if you are keeping the peel on.

How to Make Applesauce in the Instant Pot

Be sure to check out the recipe card below for full recipe instructions.

1. Wash and dry your apples. Before cutting, decide if you are Team Peel or Team No Peel, then dice your apples into large chunks.
2. Place peeled or unpeeled apples in your Instant Pot and add 1/3 cup of water. Place lid on your IP and cook for 5 minutes on manual high pressure. After cooktime, do a natural release for ten minutes before releasing the rest of the pressure, by turning the knob to venting. Let applesauce cool for a few minutes before blending or mashing.
3. Carefully strain out the extra liquid from the pot. *I like to catch it in a bowl in case I want to add it back into my applesauce. If you peeled your apples, you can use a potato masher to just mash your apples into applesauce. If you left the peels on, grab your immersion blender and pulse the peels until they blend into the sauce.
4. Let cool and enjoy as is or with a little cinnamon. Store in the refrigerator for up to ten days or freeze in your Souper Cubes!

Recipe Tips and Variations

1. Mix up the type of apples you use for your sauce to find the perfect homemade apple sauce for your family.
2. Add in a little maple syrup or brown sugar for a sweeter sauce and a cozy apple pie feel.
3. Cook with a couple cinnamon sticks to add in extra fall flavor.

How to Store Homemade Applesauce

You will want to store your applesauce in the fridge in an airtight container to keep it fresh – it will last up to 10 days. I also love freezing applesauce in my Souper Cubes or an ice cube tray to have on hand whenever I need it!

Applesauce in Muffins + Baked Goods

I love using applesauce in muffins and baked goods – it’s a great way to keep the fat and oil content down, while also boosting the fiber factor! You can use this (or any applesauce) in my:

• Healthy Apple Muffins [Gluten Free + Dairy Free]
• Healthy Banana Bread | Gluten Free Banana Bread
• Healthy Banana Oatmeal Blender Muffins

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