Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins - No Peel Recipe! (2024)

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This recipe for no peel instant pot applesauce is the absolute easiest way to make homemade applesauce. It’s quick to make and so much less work since you can leave the skins on the apples!

Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins - No Peel Recipe! (1)

I’ve been making applesauce since I first got married. It was one of the first homemade healthy snacks I made to replace pre-packaged ones from the store. Probably because we grew up eating it!

My mom used to make a huge pot of applesauce on the stove. She never peeled or blended the apples afterward and the result was a chunky applesauce that looked pretty strange but tasted AMAZING.

For a fun Summertime twist, check out my strawberry applesauce recipe.

There’s just something so comforting about eating a bowl of warm, delicious homemade applesauce when you’re stuck inside on a rainy Fall day. It makes me happy and reminds me of my childhood.

I got my instant pot about 4 years ago, and first thing I tried in it was applesauce. Only 8 minutes of cooking time compared to the hour it used to take me to make it on the stovetop! Sold!

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Why You’ll Like making applesauce With Skins in the instant pot:

Healthier than store-bought

You can make homemade applesauce healthier that the kind you’d get in the grocery store because you control the quality of the ingredients and the amount of sugar in it.

Using organic apples with the skins on, you’ll be getting so many more vitamins and minerals than you would be if you peeled them!

You can make this recipe without any added sugar if you prefer unsweetened applesauce.

Delicious

This applesauce tastes like spiced apple pie, but with a lot less calories!

super easy

You literally just core and chop up the apples, press the button and let the instant pot do it’s thing. No peeling involved!

Quick To Make

After the pressure builds up in the instant pot, it just takes 8 minutes of cooking time to completely soften the apples.

What You Need To Make Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce With skins On:

ingredients

apples – any variety of apples will work for making homemade applesauce, but tart and sweet apples are best.

apple juice/cider – you need a 1/2 cup of liquid to build up pressure in the instant pot. Water would work, but using apple cider or apple juice doesn’t dilute the flavor of the applesauce.

brown sugar – adding sugar is optional. I usually add sugar to mine since my kids enjoy it when its a bit sweeter. For a healthier option, try using honey or maple syrup instead.

cinnamon – adding ground cinnamon makes this applesauce taste like apple pie!

How To Make no peel applesauce in the Instant Pot:

ChopWash and dry the apples. Remove the cores and chop them into about 1 inch pieces.

Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins - No Peel Recipe! (3)

Add – Add the apples, juice/cider and cinnamon to the instant pot.

Pressure Cook – Replace the lid with the pressure release valve open. Secure the lid and close the vent. Set the instant pot to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.

Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins - No Peel Recipe! (4)

Release – When the time is up, open the vent and quick release the steam.

Mash – When the steam has finished releasing, open the lid and mash the apples with the back of a wooden spoon or potato masher. For a smooth applesauce, blend with an immersion blender.

Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins - No Peel Recipe! (5)

Tips For Success:

To Serve– This applesauce can be served 2 ways:

  • Keep it chunky by serving as is straight out of the instant pot.
  • Blend it in the blender or use an immersion blender to chop up the peels.

To Store – Homemade applesauce is good in the fridge for 1 week, or frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Variations – For extra tanginess, squeeze a lemon into the apples before cooking.

Substitutions – Water can be substituted for the juice.

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FAQ About No Peel Applesauce in the Instant Pot

can you make applesauce in the instant pot?

You sure can! Its super quick and easy. It takes just 8 minutes to pressure cook several pounds of apples until they are soft enough to mash with a fork.

Can you leave the skins on when making applesauce?

No need to peel apples when you make applesauce. The cooking process softens the peels enough to be soft and tender.

If you want to remove them for a smoother applesauce, just press the cooked apples through a fine mesh strainer. Or you can blend the apples, skins and all in a blender or food processor.

Can I use any types of apples for making applesauce in the Instant Pot?

Any apples will work to make homemade applesauce. But the best apples to use are tart, sweet and juicy. Using sweeter apples, you won’t have to to add as much sugar (or any at all!)

Johnathon, Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, Fuji and Gala apples are my favorites for a flavorful, naturally sweet applesauce.

For no peel instant pot applesauce, avoid Granny Smith and Red Delicious apples because their peels are too tough and won’t be as easy to chew after being cooked.

How do I prevent the Instant Pot applesauce from being too watery?

Using apples that are recommended for making applesauce, such as Jonathon, Pink Lady or Honey Crisp will help ensure your applesauce isn’t too juicy and runny.

If your applesauce is turning out too watery, you might be using too much liquid in the instant pot. You only need to use 1/2 cup of either water or apple juice for 5 pounds of apples.

What is the best way to store Instant Pot no peel applesauce?

You can store applesauce in several different ways:

  • In an airtight container in the fridge for a week.
  • In the freezer in a gallon sized zip lock bag for up to 6 months.
  • Homemade applesauce can last up to 18 months if you can it properly.

Is Instant Pot applesauce safe for canning?

I have successfully canned this recipe using these instructions, but do your own research first to make sure you end up with canned goods that are safe for eating.

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More healthy instant pot Recipes:

If you liked this recipe, I think you’ll really enjoy these other easy recipes on the blog!

  • Vanilla Yogurt In The Instant Pot
  • Instant Pot Strawberry Applesauce
  • Simple Instant Pot Yogurt

I hope you love this instant pot applesauce recipe! If you make it, I’d love for you to come back and leave a comment and rating so that I know how you like it!

Pin these steps to try later. Tag @athomeontheprairie onInstagramto share what you’ve made with us!

Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins - No Peel Recipe! (8)

No Peel Instant Pot Applesauce

Yield: 1/2 gallon

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Time To Build Pressure: 15 minutes

Total Time: 38 minutes

This no peel applesauce is quick and easy to make in the instant pot. Its smooth, full of flavor and perfect for chilly Fall days when you're in the mood for a warm cinnamon apple snack.

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds apples
  • 1/2 cup juice/cider or water
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

Instructions

  1. chop - Wash and dry the apples. Remove the cores and chop them into about 1 inch pieces.
  2. add - Add the apples, juice/cider and cinnamon to the instant pot.
  3. pressure cook - Replace the lid with the vent open. Secure the lid and close the vent. Set the instant pot to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
  4. release - When the time is up, open the vent and quick release the steam.
  5. mash - When the steam has finished releasing, open the lid and mash the apples with the back of a wooden spoon. For a smooth applesauce, blend with an immersion blender.

Notes

to serve– This applesauce can be served 2 ways:

  • Keep it chunky by serving as is straight out of the instant pot.
  • Blend it in the blender or use an immersion blender to chop up the peels.

to store - Homemade applesauce is good in the fridge for 1 week, or frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

variations - For extra tanginess, squeeze a lemon into the apples before cooking.

substitutions - Water can be substituted for the juice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 107Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 4gSugar: 23gProtein: 0g

Instant Pot Applesauce With Skins - No Peel Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Why do you peel apples for applesauce? ›

Peel and core apples if you plan to simply mash them into chunky applesauce. Leave the peels on if you're going to pass the cooked pieces through a food mill, which will separate the skin and seeds from the apple mash. Leaving the skin on while the apple cooks also adds color to the sauce.

How do you make homemade applesauce Rachael Ray? ›

Add the apples and apple juice to a large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft. Remove from heat and let the apples cool for 5 minutes. Add the apples and their juice to a blender and blend to the desired consistency; serve warm or chilled.

How do you can applesauce without a canner? ›

To can your own applesauce, you'll simply cook the cut apples with lemon juice, ladle into hot jars, and allow the jars to cool for at least 12 hours. Check the seal and you're good to go!

What are the best apples for homemade applesauce? ›

The following apples are great choices for your next batch of homemade applesauce.
  • Cortland.
  • Golden Delicious.
  • Gala.
  • McIntosh.
  • Granny Smith.
Nov 18, 2022

Can you can applesauce with the skin on? ›

I've canned 36 pints so far and each pint costs less than a dollar and tastes delicious and has a red hue from the skins of the apples. The quality is so much better than what you can buy at the store. Ask my kids, they'll tell you!

Can you leave the skin on cooking apples? ›

Nutrition scientist, Dr Joanna McMillan, says we should be eating and cooking with apples that have the skin on to take advantage of the nutrients in the peel. So crunching on a juicy apple, skin and all, could actually be the healthiest way to eat this super fruit.

Why is my homemade applesauce watery? ›

Why is my applesauce watery?
  • The apples you put into the sauce could be extremely juicy, giving you a higher water content than the recipe anticipated.
  • The apples could be larger than usual, or you might not have had the heat on the stovetop high enough or left the sauce to stew for long enough.
Mar 17, 2021

Will homemade applesauce thicken as it cools? ›

You can also pass the sauce through a mesh strainer to separate the skins from the sauce. 7The applesauce will thicken a little as it cools, but if it seems too watery, place the applesauce back into a pot and simmer until reduced a little.

Does applesauce replace eggs and oil? ›

For every one egg called for in a recipe, use ¼ cup of applesauce instead. Butter & Oil: Substitute applesauce in equal quantities of butter and oil. For example, if the recipe requires ½ cup of oil, replace it with ½ cup of applesauce.

Is lemon juice necessary for canning applesauce? ›

Adding sugar to applesauce is optional…. However, lemon juice is not an optional addition. Lemon juice is added to help preserve the apples' natural colour and to assure the acidity of the finished product, since different varieties and harvesting conditions can produce apples of lower acidity.”

How long will homemade applesauce last? ›

And in case you're wondering, varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and McIntosh are the best apples for applesauce. How long will homemade applesauce last? It'll stay good for four to six days stored in the fridge. You could also can it to make it last longer, but that's a lesson for another day.

Do I have to peel apples to can them? ›

This also applies to home-canned apples — all the lab-tested recipes call for them to be peeled and the safety testing for home-canned apple slices and applesauce presume you have followed directions. By the way, wash even before peeling.

What makes applesauce taste better? ›

The mellow sweetness of toasted sugar adds complexity. Apple cider vinegar helps brighten cooked fruit. Using skin-on fruit improves both flavor and color in the finished product. Aromatics like cinnamon, orange peel, and rose water intensify the flavor of the apples.

What kind of apples does Mott's applesauce use? ›

Conversation. What kind of apples does Mott's use for applesauce? a) Golden Delicious.

Why is my homemade applesauce pink? ›

If you leave the skins on, you'll end up with pink applesauce, like mine, if you've used red apples. You'll want to puree the applesauce if you've left the skins on and strain it, otherwise, it can get “stringy” and I don't care for that texture.

Why should you leave the skin on an apple? ›

Peels are packed with nutrients

In fact, a raw apple with skin contains up to 332% more vitamin K, 142% more vitamin A, 115% more vitamin C, 20% more calcium, and up to 19% more potassium than a peeled apple ( 1 , 2 ).

Why should you eat the skin off the apple? ›

effective. Apple peels provide many essential vitamins for the body: Specifically, the peel of 1 apple will contain about 8.4 mg of vitamin C and 98 IU of vitamin A. When eating apples, if you peel them off, the amount of this vitamin will decrease. down to 6.4 mg of Vitamin C and 61 IU of Vitamin A.

What happens if you don't peel apples for apple pie? ›

peel your apples. While the debate on whether or not to peel your apples seems never-ending, it really comes down to a matter of personal choice. Unpeeled apples will add a bit of color and texture to your pie, but they may prevent the apples from melding together when baked.

Why you should peel apples? ›

According to Dr Rao, peeled apples may be preferred for those who have difficulty digesting the skin or prefer a softer texture. “You still get the nutritional benefits of the apple flesh. You can have peeled apples in moderation as part of your diet. Just be mindful of portion sizes,” said Dr Rao.

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