Make apple butter quickly and easily in the Instant Pot with this simple recipe. All the cozy flavors of fall come together in a smooth, spreadable treat.
Apples have been abundant at my grocery store lately, and I couldn’t resist bringing home several pounds to cook with. I used those apples to make this flavorful Instant Pot apple butter.
One of the best things about the Instant Pot is the speed. If you’ve tried slow-cooker versions—like my crockpot pumpkin apple butter—you know they can take 12 hours or more. The Instant Pot reduces that to about an hour, saving loads of time while delivering rich, concentrated apple flavor.
Ingredients
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Apples (see notes for varieties)
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Apple cider or apple juice
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Brown sugar
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Ground cinnamon
Which apples make the best apple butter?
You can use almost any apple variety. I used McIntosh because that’s what I had on hand, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, or blends of sweet and tart apples all work well. Mixing varieties often gives the best depth of flavor.
Can it be made without sugar?
Yes. Omit the brown sugar and use water instead of apple cider if you prefer no added sugar. Depending on the apple varieties, the result may be a bit tarter, so choose sweeter apples if you want a naturally sweeter spread.
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How to Make Instant Pot Apple Butter
Start by coring and slicing the apples. An apple corer/slicer speeds this up, but a paring knife works fine.
Place the apple slices in the Instant Pot. Add the apple cider (or juice), brown sugar, and cinnamon, and gently toss to coat the apples evenly. Seal the lid and pressure cook on high for 15 minutes.
After the cook cycle, perform a quick release. The apples (including softened peels) should be very tender. Puree the cooked apples until smooth—use an immersion blender directly in the pot, or transfer batches to a blender and return the puree to the Instant Pot.
Next, use the sauté function on a low or “less” setting to reduce the puree until it turns a rich golden brown and reaches your desired thickness. This can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much moisture remains; stir frequently to prevent scorching.
When the apple butter has reduced and darkened to your liking, let it cool slightly and transfer it to airtight containers. I stored mine in two mason jars in the refrigerator.
FAQs
Does it need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Store apple butter in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Does it go bad?
Yes. Refrigerated apple butter will keep for about a month. For longer storage, freeze it.
Can it be frozen?
Yes. Properly stored, apple butter can last 6 months to a year in the freezer.
Does it thicken as it cools?
Yes. Apple butter will thicken as it cools and firm up more after refrigeration.
What can it be used for?
Apple butter is wonderful on toast, rolls, pancakes, waffles, and oatmeal. It can also be baked into desserts, paired with pork, or used as a flavoring in drinks and cocktails.
Other Instant Pot Recipes
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Instant Pot Twice Baked Potato Casserole
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Instant Pot Wendy’s Chili
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Instant Pot Milk & Honey Corn on the Cob
More Apple Recipes
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Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts
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Crockpot Pumpkin Apple Butter
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Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
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Jello Apples
Instant Pot Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 5 lbs Apples, cored and sliced
- 1/3 Cup Apple Cider or Juice
- 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
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Place apple slices in the Instant Pot.
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Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the apples, then pour in the apple cider. Gently toss to coat.
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Seal and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. After cooking, perform a quick release.
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Puree the cooked apples using an immersion blender in the pot or in a stand blender, then return the puree to the Instant Pot.
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Sauté on the “less” or low setting for 15–45 minutes, stirring frequently, until the puree has reduced and turned a deep golden brown.
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Allow to cool, then transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate until ready to use.