Easy Homemade Instant Pot Applesauce

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This recipe is for homemade instant pot applesauce.

Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day, Mardi Gras…..whatever you call it, is the Tuesday before Lent begins in the Christian Faith. The beginning of Lent is marked traditionally by the eating of pancakes (or other foods that would be eaten with the butter, eggs and fat that would be given up during lent). In the United Kingdom, Ireland and parts of the Commonwealth, Shrove Tuesday is known as Pancake Tuesday (or Pancake Day). The tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday dates back to the 16th Century. The word Shrove is a form of the English word Shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins.

Many other countries and cultures have their own name for this day as well. In Germany, the day is known as Fastnachtsdienstag. In the Netherlands, it is known as Vastenavond. In Portugugese-Spanish and Italian speaking countries, it is known as Carnival. The most famous celebration can be seen in the Brazilian Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. In Denmark and Norway, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is called Fetetirsdag (“Fat Tuesday). There are many more examples of countries who celebrate this day one way or another, with a particular food usually. Since my family and I live in North America, we celebrate “Pancake Day” and what better way to top pancakes, than with a delicious chunky applesauce made from scratch.

Instant Pot Applesauce

This applesauce is made in an instant pot, but you can also make it on the stovetop, it just takes more time. It is also very forgiving and adaptable. If you want it smooth or chunky, the only difference is how you finish it. If you want it completely smooth, then use an immersion blender and blend to your desired consistency. If you want it really chunky, then either leave it as it is coming right out of the instant pot, or give it a really good stir and break it down a bit. You can also get the consistency somewhere in between by using a potato masher. Whatever your heart desires, you can have in this case. Once the sauce is made you can use it immediately, refrigerate it or even freeze it if you want. It is very forgiving.

Applesauce is easy to make and customize to your liking. Smooth or Chunky, with spices such as cinnamon, sweetened or not, it’s all up to you. Experiment, and find what you like then go with it. Here is the link to the Instant Pot that I use.

This applesauce can be used as a topping for pancakes (as I mentioned above) French toast, latkes or fritters, or used as a dessert on its own, or as a baking ingredient (applesauce bread, or as a substitute for another ingredient such as oil – using a 1:1 ratio for the swap). Or as a side dish to go along with your favorite pork recipe. If you are using this applesauce as a substitute in your recipes then I recommend omitting the cinnamon or apple pie spice, unless your recipe calls for it, then of course leave it in.

The other great thing about homemade applesauce is that you can pretty much use any variety of apple. The best apples to use are the ones you already have. If you have a tart apple such as a Granny Smith, then you may want to add sugar to the apples (brown sugar would be my suggestion), along with your apple pie spices. If you have a sweet apple such as a Honeycrisp, then you have the option of not using any additional sugar. I have used Honeycrisp apples in this recipe, but I also chose to use a small amount of brown sugar, just to help distribute my spices better. I added my spices to the brown sugar and then added that mixture to the apples already in my instant pot. Give it a stir and close up the pot, making sure the vent is on seal and let it cook on High pressure for 5 minutes, then natural release for 20 minutes. DO NOT quick release prior to 15 minutes or you risk the chance of hot applesauce can bubble up with the steam and you could get scalded. Just be patient.

Any variety of apple can be used but if you are leaving the skins on, which is where alot of the nutrients are, then I would suggest you use organic apples that have not been waxed or sprayed, just to be safe. Otherwise, I recommend peeling them.

If you are doing a non instant pot version, something to keep in mind that sweeter apples will break down quicker than tart apples will, so give yourself some extra time (or less time) based on what apples you are using as well. This applesauce gets quite dark, mostly because of the spices in it. If you don’t like the color, add a bit more of the lemon juice to the apples and omit the spices.

HOW TO STORE YOUR HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

This healthy and delicious applesauce is ready to eat warm or cold. If you have excess, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months, in a freezer-safe container, or freezer bag.

APPLESAUCE AS A SUBSTITUE FOR EGGS

Applesauce is a great baking ingredient, it makes great sweet breads or cakes and also can be used to replace certain ingredients like oil and eggs. To substitue applesauce for eggs, use 1/4 cup applesauce to replace 1 egg in a cake or muffin recipe. If using applesauce as a substitute for oil (or butter) in a recipe then use a 1:1 ratio ( if 1 cup of oil is called for, then use 1 cup of applesauce).