Apple Butter in the Instant Pot

For your toast or to top your oatmeal,  this easy recipe for Apple Butter in the Instant Pot will have you dashing out to the apple farm or local market for apples.

Have you had apple butter yet? My mom made it all the time when I was a kid and it is a favorite of mine. Store-bought is usually way too sweet for my tastes so I especially like to make it myself so I can reduce the sugar.

So get your apples and let’s go!  I used some small and very delicious apples that a nice woman gave me on my Buy Nothing group.

(If you don’t know about Buy Nothing, google it or message me.)

No need to peel them, just wash them and cut them and core them. Chop into about 1″-2″ chunks. It’s not even necessary to chop them…you could slice them into 1″-2″ slices too. Add them to the inner liner of the Instant Pot.

This is the Instant Pot that I have had and used a million times (probably) for the last few years.

Add one cup of water.

Choose Manual or Pressure Cook (these are the same thing… depends on your model) and add 2 minutes on high pressure.

Once it reaches pressure and counts down the 2 minutes, allow it to naturally release pressure (NPR) for about 10-15 minutes or until the pin drops.

Open carefully.

If you have a stick blender (This is the one I have. This is an affiliate link so I will get a few pennies if you order through this link.)

Blend until you have a smooth pureé.

If you don’t have a stick blender, transfer to a blender and pureé. You may need to do it in batches, depending on the size of your blender. Return it to the Instant Pot when smooth.

Now you have applesauce and maybe you want to take some out for the kids? Got any babies?

Add sugar and cinnamon and stir it in. Add in the smaller amounts that I’ve listed first. Taste it and decide if you’d like more of either. I tend to go big on the cinnamon and less on the sugar. The flavors will intensify after it cooks awhile.

If you haven’t already, stop the Instant Pot and select Slow Cook. I let mine cook for about 12 hours and I did mine in the evening, so I stirred it a few times before I went to bed. I left the lid just resting on top, not sealed on, so there was space to release moisture.

It will get thicker and darker as it cooks. Scrape any condensed apple butter that sticks to the sides and stir it in.

Scoop into jars and store in the refrigerator for a few weeks (if it lasts that long) or freeze it. Serve on toast, oatmeal, or anything else you like spicy apple flavor on or in.

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Apple Butter in the Instant Pot

For your toast or to top your oatmeal, this easy recipe for Apple Butter in the Instant Pot will have you dashing out to the apple farm or local market for apples.

Course: Breakfast, Sauce

Keyword: Apple Butter in the Instant Pot

Ingredients

• 10 cups chopped apples I used what I think is Fuji
• 1 cup water
• 1/2-1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1-2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Add chopped apples to the Instant Pot

2. Add water

3. Set on Manual high pressure for 2 minutes.

4. After the Instant Pot reaches pressure and counts down the 2 minutes, allow a natural pressure release (NPR) of about 10-15 until the pin drops. 

5. Blend with a stick (emersion) blender or transfer to a blender. Blend until smooth.

6. Now you have applesauce! Maybe you want to take some out for the kids?

7. Add sugar and cinnamon. Start with smaller amounts listed and taste. Flavors will intensify after slow cooking. 

8. If you haven't already, stop the Instant Pot. Select Slow Cook and add time to about 12 hours. I did this in the evening so I was able to stir and scrape the sides down a few times before I went to bed. Leave lid skewed, not sealed, so moisture can escape while it cooks. 

9. It will be darker and thicker at the end of 12 hours. 

   Scoop into jars. Store in the refrigerator for a few weeks (if it lasts you that long) or freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 

   Slather on your toast. Spoon onto oatmeal or other hot cereals. It's excellent on a PB&J. Or would that be a PB&AB?