Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe

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This easy Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe is a delicious preserve that can be used in place of any jam or jelly.

This no-peel Instant Pot Apple butter recipe so it’s incredibly easy to make.

Cooking apple butter in the Instant Pot takes a fraction of the time as the traditional method of cooking apples.

It’s the best Instant Pot homemade Apple Butter recipe that you can make in less than an hour.

You don’t have to remove the apple peel for this to come out delicious.

 

 

The name is deceptive as Apple Butter contains no actual butter.

The name actually refers to the butter-like thick, soft consistency.

Do you know what apple butter is?

And how it’s different from applesauce?

I’ll tell you.

Apple butter is the smoothest, most enticing, spreadable apple spread.

That’s true but more technical: apple butter is just concentrated apple sauce.

You cook apple sauce until the sugar in the apples caramelizes – that’s what gives apple butter its rich caramel-like color.

That made me think of caramel apples–but I’m back on track now.

Seasoned with cinnamon and clove, this super easy instant pot apple butter is delicious on bread, or when used as an ingredient in baked goods.

Apple butter can be used as a fat substitute in reduced-fat or fat-free cooking, as well as vegan recipes.

Use this Instant Pot Apple Butter as:

Spread: 

Use it as a spread on toast, pastries, pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, biscuits, cornbread.

It tastes delicious with peanut butter.

Flavoring: 

Use this super easy Instant Pot apple butter as a mix in yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, marinade

Side dish, Condiment: 

This no-peel Instant Pot Apple Butters pairs with pork loin or pork chops, chicken, cheeses, dips

Filling:

Use this easy instant pot apple butter as an add-in into baked goods such as pie fillings, muffins, or classic oatmeal.

Replacement:

Use this apple butter as a replacement for recipes calling for applesauce.

 

Soft apples like McIntosh, Granny Smith, and Cortland apples, are a great choice for apple butter because they break down faster when cooked.

The best type of apples to make Instant Pot Apple Butter with are tart apples to mildly sweet apples.

These apples work best for this easy Instant Pot Apple Butter:

Granny Smith apples

Gala apples

Fuji apples

Jonagold apples

McIntosh apples

Cortland apples

Honey Crisp apples

Or mix them up using a combination of 2 or 3 varieties.

There are so many apple varieties, the possibilities are endless!

This being said, you can use any apples you have, or a combination of apples to make apple butter.

The sugar from the apples breaks down and caramelizes, giving the apple butter a beautiful caramel brown coloring.

You may also want to check out my Pinterest Instant Pot board for more great recipes like this pressure cooker Apple Butter!

Let’s get on to the deliciousness!

Spread this Instant Pot Apple Butter on pancakes, sandwiches, it goes delicious with cheddar cheese. 

Consider adding it to a cheese and meat board.

It goes well inside a pie.

I love to spread it on the bottom crust of apple or peach pie. 

It’s delicious on croissants.

You’ll find so many foods that this Instant Pot Apple Butter complements.

Forget low and slow–Here’s how to make apple butter in the instant pot.

You can make a half batch if you are using the 3 quart Mini Instant Pot– the cooking time stays the same.

You can make it with no added sugar, or add lemon juice, it depends on your apple flavor preference.

 

Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe Ingredients:

5 pounds of apples, cored and quartered

1/4 cup of water, or apple juice

2 cinnamon sticks

1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar, optional (using brown sugar will give it more of a caramel taste.) (taste test as the apples may give it plenty of sweetness)

 

 

Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe Directions:

Add cored and quartered apples to Instant Pot. Add water and place cinnamon sticks on top of apples

Secure the lid and set the time.

Place lid on Instant Pot and lock it into place.

Turn the valve to “sealing” and set the timer for 20 minutes on high pressure.

Allow Natural Release.

Allow pressure to release naturally, about 25 minutes.

Remove lid of instant pot once pin has dropped.

Remove and discard Cinnamon Stick from the apple mixture.

Use an immersion blender or regular blender or food processor to puree the cooked apples.

I have even used a potato masher (just more work).

Add remaining ingredients and stir.

Press Saute and reduce to desired consistency 15-45 minutes.

I recommend using a splatter guard or placing the Instant Pot on a mat as the apple butter may pop and splatter as it reduces.

Typically apple butter is done when a spoon is dipped in and then turned upside down and “butter” doesn’t fall off of the spoon.

You may also like this Instant Pot Strawberry Habanero Jam recipe.

Apple Butter Tips:

You don’t need to peel the apples.

The peels help thicken the apple butter and if you have a high-speed blender you can pour the apple butter in the blender and blend to the silky smooth texture.

Once the peel is soft and blended into the apples, it serves as a natural thickener.

Sugar helps thicken the apple butter.

If you opt not to add the sugar, you’ll have a little longer cooking time to get the apple butter thick.

The longer you cook the apple butter the thicker it will become.

Just make sure you stir frequently.

If you want smooth apple butter try using cheesecloth to remove the excessive pulp,

Store this delicious Instant Pot Apple Butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator, I find the mason jar works great, for up to 1 week or keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.

t’s easy to freeze and take a jar out when needed.

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can also make this in a slow cooker, place all ingredients into a slow cooker and turn on low for about 6-8 hours for the slow cooker version.

Here is a quick video of just how easy it is!