Published: · Updated: by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 14 Comments
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Delicious and easy homemade Instant Pot apple butter. This simple recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep time. Slather it on your toast or use it in your favorite Fall recipes.
What is apple butter?
Apple butter is simply concentrated apple sauce. In other words, it's cooked longer than apple sauce until the sugar in the apple caramelizes, giving it its rich caramel color.
So what makes an apple butter perfect?
- Thick and smooth consistency
- It's naturally sweet with a little tanginess
- Rich caramel color
How to make apple butter in the Instant Pot
1. Prepare apples: Rinse and dice the apples. Remove the core but leave the skin on as it's an essential component to making sure the apple butter is thick.
2. Combine ingredients: In the Instant Pot insert, add water, diced apples, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Add cane sugar, if using. Stir and close the lid of the Instant Pot.
3. Pressure cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve on “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once completed, turn off the Instant Pot and wait 10 minutes to naturally release the pressure. Quick-release any remaining pressure and remove the lid.
4. Blend: Using an immersion blender (or a blender), blend the mixture until it's smooth and creamy.
5. Sautee: Pour the mixture back into the Instant Pot insert, leaving the lid off. Press the "Sautee" button and adjust level to "Less". Carefully* stir the mixture for about 10 minutes until it thickens to desired consistency. Turn off and let apple butter cool completely. Serve or store for later.
Serving suggestions
Prepared Instant Pot apple butter can be used in a variety of ways and make a tasty addition to toasts, pancakes, and more. Here are some ways to enjoy it:
- Use it as a spread on toast, bagels, or English muffins.
- Add it as a syrup on pancakes and waffles.
- Drizzle it over ice cream.
- Add it as a dip in your next Fall tray.
- Use it in recipes that call for apple butter.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between apple butter and apple sauce? Both apple sauce and apple butter are made by cooking apples and spices, however, apple butter is cooked longer than applesauce to create a thicker, caramelized spread.
How long is apple butter good for? If stored in a sealed container, the apple butter stores for up to 7 days.
Which Instant Pot did you use to make this apple butter? I’ve tested this recipe on both myInstant Pot Duo Mini 3-QuartandInstant Pot DUO 6-Quartwith great results. However, you may need to tweak it based on the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.
More delicious dessert recipes
- Vegan Apple Crisp
- Edible Cookie Dough
- Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chia Seed Pudding with Fresh Berries
- Chocolate Chia Pudding
Other easy Instant Pot recipes
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
- Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
- How to Cook Beets in the Instant Pot
- How to Cook Quinoa in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Chickpeas
Did you make this Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe?Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let us know how it turned out. Save this easy recipe for later by pinning to your favorite Instant Pot Pinterest board and be sure to tag me onReal + Vibrant’s Instagramto show me your delicious apple butter.
Instant Pot Apple Butter
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 61kcal
Delicious and easy homemade Instant Pot Apple Butter. This simple recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep time. Slather it on your toast or use it in your favorite Fall recipes.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs apples, about 6 apples
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extra
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Rinse and dice the apples. Leave the skin on and be sure to remove the core.
In the Instant Pot insert, add water, diced apples, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Stir and close the lid of the Instant Pot.
Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve on “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once completed, turn off the Instant Pot and wait 10 minutes to naturally release the pressure. Quick-release any remaining pressure and remove the lid.
Cool down the mixture and transfer to a blender. Process until smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender until smooth.
Pour the mixture back into the Instant Pot insert and leave the lid off. Press the"Sautee" button and adjust level to "Less". Carefully* stir mixture for about 10-15 minutes until it thickens to desired consistency. Turn off and let apple butter cool completely. Serve or store for later.
Notes
*I recommend using gloves as the mixture is hot and may splash.
Note: I’ve tested this recipe on both my Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results. However, you may need to make adjustments based on the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.
Nutrition
Calories: 61kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 121mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 61IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!
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About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC
Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Cheryl Vigil says
Is this easy to double? I have about 15 apples (small and medium sized).
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Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I haven't tried doubling the recipe - you may need to make some minor adjustments with the amount of water you use as it will take longer to build up pressure.
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Janelle says
So easy to make!
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Cheryl Vigil says
Thank you
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Alison says
I've got a whole bunch of apples from our resent trip to the apple orchard and made this apple butter. It turned out really well. The best part is that it's not loaded with sugar!
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Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear - thanks for sharing, Alison!
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Danielle says
Love the consistency of this apple butter - just the way I like it on my toast. It's the perfect start of the day and a great flavor pop. Yum!
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Sapana Chandra says
So glad you enjoyed it, Danielle!
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Tisha says
I love homemade apple butter! Can't wait to try it in the instant pot!!
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Sapana Chandra says
I hope you love it, Tisha!
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Sylvie says
This is such a great recipe to make in big batch and keep in the fridge all winter! I can imagine so many different ways of using apple butter, either to top breakfast items or even in baked goods. Yum!
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Sapana Chandra says
So many ways to use it. I hope you enjoy it, Sylvie!
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Beth says
K, this is the my second most favorite thing I've seen today!! The first was my kids helping with dinner, so it's hard to top that, but this came close! I will be trying this on ice cream asap!
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Sapana Chandra says
Ah thank you, Beth, your comment made me smile. It would taste great on ice cream!
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