Instant Pot Apple Butter (Pressure Cooker Method)

Name: Instant Pot Apple Butter
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 5 lbs apples (peeled and cored); 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1/2 cup coconut sugar; 1/4 cup water; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Naturally sweetened, with a handful of pantry ingredients, this instant pot apple butter is a simple recipe to make when you have a lot of apples that need to be used! Package and give as gifts, or enjoy throughout the autumn and winter seasons.

Instant pot apple butter in small glass jar. — Instant Pot Apple Butter

One of my favorite fall activities is taking the kids to the apple orchard to pick apples off the tree. We always end up with a bushel and sometimes two because the kids enjoy searching for the perfect apples so much!

With all those apples it’s time for me to start cooking! I start by preparing simple sugar-free applesauce, and then I prepare this easy homemade apple butter so that I can and give it as a gift to neighbors and friends.

You only need a handful of pantry ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on time! It’s way easier than baking an apple pie, and it has fewer calories and fat! Plus it’s delicately sweet. It pairs nicely with warm toast, stirred in oatmeal, topped on pancakes, or as an oil substitute in baking!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick: Making apple butter on the stovetop or in the slow cooker takes hours of time for the apples to cook down and thicken. Using the Instant Pot cuts the total time to under an hour.

Naturally Sweet Taste: Most apple butter recipes use a lot of sugar! Not this one, and don’t worry, it’s still perfectly sweet. It does include some coconut sugar which is unrefined. Feel free to sub the coconut sugar for brown sugar, or even maple syrup.

Vegan and Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free. If you are vegan be sure to use coconut sugar or maple syrup to sweeten. Brown sugar and white sugar that is made in the United States is sometimes processed with bone char.

Ingredients and Notes

Apple butter ingredients: diced apples, coconut sugar, water, vanilla extract, and warm spices. — Instant Pot Apple Butter Ingredients

5 Pounds of Apples: Core and peel apples. There are many types of apples you can use. Any type you have will work just fine. When choosing your apples, I recommend opting for one that has a softer texture because it will break down more easily in the Instant Pot. Soft apples include Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, and McIntosh. Using a combination of apples will also work well. Granny Smith apples which are tart and firm will also work but may need a longer cooking time.

Spices: A combination of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg gives the apple butter a full autumn flavor.

Coconut Sugar: This is an unrefined natural sugar made from coconut palm sap. It can be found at most grocery stores in the baking section.

Water: You need just a bit of water to help break the apples down and keep them from burning in the instant pot. If you choose, you can use apple cider or apple juice in place of water, for a sweeter finish.

How to Make Apple Butter in the Instant Pot

Step 1: Place apples in the Instant Pot and stir in the lemon juice.

Step 2: Add coconut sugar, water, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract to the apples. Stir to combine.

Diced apples coated in cinnamon in Instant Pot. — Diced apples Covered in Cinnamon

Step 3: Secure the lid. Set the valve to sealing. Set to Pressure Cook on HIGH for 8 minutes.

Step 4: When cooking time is up, allow Natural Pressure Release for 15 minutes. Manually release any remaining pressure. Remove the lid.

Diced apples cooked down in Instant Pot. — Cooked Apples in Instant Pot

Step 5: Using an immersion blender, puree the apple mixture until smooth.

Pureed cinnamon apples in Instant Pot. — Pureed Apples in Instant Pot

Step 6: Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté. Bring the apple blend to a simmer. Continue to cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until thickened to desired consistency.

Step 7: Turn the Instant Pot off. Allow the apple butter to completely cool inside the Instant Pot. Once cooled, spoon the apple butter into an airtight container. At this time you can choose to can the jars in a water bath, freeze, or keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Thick apple butter in small glass jar. — Apple Butter in Jar

Recipe FAQS

How do I know when the apple butter is done?

When sauteing the apple butter you will know it is done and thick enough to cool when it coats the back of a wooden spoon. It should be thick enough that when you run your finger across the spoon it leaves a trail.

How do I use apple butter?

Apple butter is a sweet spread that is enjoyable on biscuits, toasted bread, and sandwiches in place of jam. You can also add it to oatmeal, on top of pancakes or waffles, add it into baked goods in place of oil. You can also use it for more savory recipes. For example, add some to your baked sweet potato or butternut squash. There are so many creative ways to use it!

How do I store and keep apple butter?

This Instant Pot apple butter recipe needs to be kept refrigerated if it is opened and you have not canned it in a water bath. It will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. If you can it in a water bath it can be kept at room temperature for up to one year.

Can you freeze apple butter?

Yes, you can freeze apple butter. Place it in an airtight freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Expert Tips

Use apples that have a softer texture. This will reduce the cooking time needed.
Don’t add too much water. The apples themselves contain quite a bit of water and will break down. Adding too much liquid will keep the apples from thickening.
Don’t leave out the lemon juice. This adds needed acidity and helps the apples keep for longer.

Apple butter in glass jar beside cinnamon sticks. — Instant Pot Apple Butter

More apple recipes!

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