• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Milk and Pop
  • Recipes
  • Fall Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Fall Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Fall Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Compotes and Dips

    Instant Pot Apple Butter (No Sugar)

    Published: Jan 26, 2021 · Modified: Sep 11, 2023 by Milk and Pop · 2 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Homemade Apple Butter is smooth, naturally sweet and totally addictive. The best part: this instant pot apple butter is super easy to make and is ready in less than 1 hour.

    instant pot apple butter mounded, shown from above

    Jump To:
    🧈 Why is it called apple butter?
    🤷‍♀️ Do I need to peel the apples?
    🍎 Which apple should I use?
    📋 Ingredients and substitutions
    🔪 How to make it from scratch
    🥫 Storing and freezing

    🥞 How to use apple butter

    🧈 Why is it called apple butter?

    Despite the name, apple butter doesn’t contain any butter on it. It’s called butter purely because of its smooth, buttery texture. But the recipe is vegan, having only apples, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon and water as ingredients.

    If you’re wondering what does apple butter tastes like, it is like a very concentrated baked apple with a hint of cinnamon. It is sweet and rich, with just the right amount of tartness.

    The difference between the two is that applesauce is quicker to make: pressure cook the apples, blend it and there you have it. If you want to make apple butter, you’ll need to cook the pureed apples. Apple butter also has a richer taste and deeper color.

    apple butter stored inside a glass jar

    🤷‍♀️ Do I need to peel the apples?

    Leaving the apples unpeeled can make a less smooth apple butter. If you don’t mind the texture, go for it! Not peeling your apples can also deepen the final color of this recipe.

    I prefer to peel my apples, but let me give you a tip if you opt to use them unpeeled.

    Apple skin has fiber, vitamin A and C and quercetin, a flavonoid that can help to reduce inflammation, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, apples are also a high pesticide fruit.

    If you’re not buying organic apples to make this recipe and are choosing to keep the peel on, I would recommend washing them really well. Make a solution with baking soda and water, and leave the fruits immersed for up to 15 minutes. Use ½ teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of water.

    three apples that can be used in the recipe

    🍎 Which apple should I use?

    Every type of apple is suitable for making apple butter.

    Softer varieties will cook down faster, but as we’re using Instant Pot, I haven’t seen a significant difference between soft and crispy apples for this recipe.

    I like to use sweet apples for making this recipe. I’ve made it with Ambrosia, Golden Delicious and Honey Crisp, and they’re all turned out great.

    Adjust sweetness by choosing between sweet and tart varieties, or making it using a mix of different types. This recipe doesn’t have any added sugar, so if you want it sweeter, do it so by going with sweet apples only.

    📋 Ingredients and substitutions

    Apples. As said above, use any type of apple, or mix two or more of your favorite types.

    Cinnamon. To me, the combo apple and cinnamon is pure perfection. Allergic to cinnamon or just don’t like it? You can omit it completely, or substitute for ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg. If you like, add ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves.

    Water. You’ll need a bit of water for the pressure cooker to work properly.

    Lemon. Lemon juice brings out the apple flavor and gives a tangy, delicious taste. You can use lime juice instead. Don’t substitute for apple cider.

    🔪 How to make it from scratch

    This apple butter is super fast to make: less than 30 minutes you can get

    1. Pressure Cook Apples. Prepare the apples: peel (if choosing to do so), core, and slice them. Add all ingredients to pressure cooker, close the lid and set HIGH PRESSURE for 6 minutes, then 4 minutes of Natural Release. Do a Quick Release, and when done open the lid carefully.

    2. Blend. Using an immersion blender, blend the apple mixture into desired consistency. If you prove it, it might taste blend and not sweet enough, but trust me: it gets better after the next step.

    3. Sauté or Slow Cook. Now, you’ll thicken the applesauce until it gets caramel brown and with the desired consistency. For this last step, I’m giving you 3 options:

    • Using the SAUTE function, set it to MORE, and then 15 minutes. The apple mixture will splatter A LOT, so be careful. Use a splatter guard if you have one, and wear mittens while stirring it. You need to stir frequently when using this method.
    • You can do it in a lower temperature by using SAUTE, and the adjusting to LESS, and then 35 minutes. It will splatter less, but I still recommend using a splatter guard if you’ve got one, and mittens. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
    • Final option, you can use the SLOW COOK function, if your pressure cook has it. Select SLOW COOK, then set to MORE, and 2 hours. Check how thick is the apple butter after that time, and if needed, slow cook it for another hour.

    I like my apple butter not as thick as it’s easier to mix to my morning porridge. The one shown in most of the photos plus the video is made with sautéing on high (more) for only 10 minutes.

    If you like yours extra thick, follow the times on the directions. You'll get an apple butter with a deeper color and a thicker consistency, like the one below.

    deep caramel color instant pot apple butter being spooned
    How do you know when apple butter is thick enough?

    The color will be deeper than apple sauce: apple butter has a strong golden-brown color. With a teaspoon, spoon the apple butter onto a plate: there shouldn’t be a rim of liquid around it, and the butter should remain mounded.

    Why my apple butter looks like applesauce?

    Your apple butter probably just needs more cooking. Cook it for 5 to 10 minutes more and check color and thickness. Stir frequently. As the water vaporizes, it will get thicker, and as the apples caramelize, the color will get darker.

    Can I make this recipe without an immersion blender?

    If you don’t have an immersion blender, use a normal blender - just be sure to wait for the mixture to cool, or the lid might explode while blending.

    If you don’t have neither an immersion blender nor a normal blender, you can use a potato masher to smash the apples. The final texture might not be as smooth as when using a blender, but it is doable. If using that method, I’d recommend peeling the apples.

    Can I make apple butter with applesauce?

    You can make apple butter with any applesauce you have. Apple butter is, after all, applesauce cooked until thick and caramelized.
    If doing so, start on step 4. Sauté or slow cook the applesauce, only adding lemon juice and cinnamon to it, omitting the water completely.

    Note: Pressure Cooker might vary in temperature between brands, and different apples release more or less liquid. That said, you might need more time than the ones suggested above. Those times were defined using an Instant Pot Dual Nova, using Ambrosia and Honey Crisp apples.

    🥫 Storing and freezing

    After cooled, refrigerate your apple butter. That’s specially important because this recipe doesn’t have any added sugar on it, so it will spoil quickly if left with no refrigeration. It’s good for up to 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge.

    You can freeze apple butter. Use a freezer-safe container. Remember to leave about an inch of room at the top of the containers or jars. You can use glass mason jars as long as yours are freezer safe. It’s good for about 4 to 6 months.

    Before using frozen apple butter, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

    recipe being spooned to show its thickness

    🥞 How to use apple butter

    Just like with this blackberry jam, there are so many possibilities for using apple butter:

    • Spread it on toast (try this brioche for a delicious fall toast!), biscuits or scones;
    • Stir in Greek yogurt;
    • Use it instead of applesauce to make a delicious apple bread (if doing so, add 2 tablespoons of water to the apple bread recipe);
    • Top your waffles, pancakes and French toast with it;
    • Use on savory dishes such as roast pork or turkey sandwiches;
    • Or just grab a spoon and dig in!

    📖 Recipe

    apple butter shown from above

    Instant Pot Apple Butter (No Sugar)

    Milk and Pop
    Homemade Apple Butter is smooth, naturally sweet and totally addictive. The best part: this instant pot apple butter is super easy to make and is ready in less than 1 hour.
    4.80 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Additional Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Compotes and Dips
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 cups
    Calories 48 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 pounds apple peeled, cored and sliced
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ cup water
    • 3 teaspoon lemon juice
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare the apples: peel (if choosing to do so), core, and slice them.
    • Add all ingredients to pressure cooker, close the lid and set HIGH PRESSURE for 6 minutes (it takes about 12-15 minutes for it to get pressure), then 4 minutes of Natural Release. Do a Quick Release after 4 minutes, and when done open the lid carefully.
    • Using an immersion blender, blend the apple mixture into desired consistency. If you prove it, it might taste blend and not sweet enough, but it will get sweeter and more flavorful once is reduced.
    • Using the SAUTE function, set it to MORE, and then 15 minutes. The apple mixture will splatter A LOT, so be careful. Use a splatter guard if you have one, and wear mittens while stirring it. You need to stir frequently when using this method. See noted for more options for this step.
    • Wait for apple butter to cool. Place it in a recipient with lid and store inside the fridge. It will last for about 2 to 3 weeks.

    Video

    Notes

    Pressure Cooker might vary in temperature between brands, and different types of apple release more or less liquid. You might need more time than the ones suggested above. The times were defined using an Instant Pot Dual Nova, using Ambrosia and Honey Crisp apples.
    You can reduce the applesauce mix using a lower temperature. Choose SAUTE, and the adjust to LESS. You’ll need about 35 minutes. It will splatter less, but I still recommend using a splatter guard if you’ve got one, and mittens. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
    You can also use the SLOW COOK function, if your pressure cooker has it. Select SLOW COOK, then set to MORE, and 2 hours. Check how thick is the apple butter after that time, and if needed, slow cook it for another hour.
    If you don’t have an immersion blender, use a normal blender. Wait for the mixture to cool, or the lid might explode while blending. If you don’t have neither an immersion blender nor a normal blender, you can use a potato masher to smash the apples. If using that method, peel the apples.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 48kcalCarbohydrates: 13gSodium: 40mgFiber: 2gSugar: 9g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Compotes and Dips

    • vegan honey dripping off a honey dripper
      Vegan Honey (Made with Apples and Chamomile)
    • close up of a jar of blueberry compote over a kitchen towel
      Easy Blueberry Compote for Cheesecake (Without Cornstarch)
    • two caponata toasts with more caponata on the background
      Easy Caponata | Quick and without tomatoes
    • a spoon full of blackberry jam
      Blackberry Jam without Pectin (Small Batch)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Princess

      September 20, 2021 at 4:55 pm

      Do I cover instant pot if using the slow cooker method to reduce the apple mixture? Or leave it uncovered?

      Reply
      • Milk and Pop

        October 04, 2021 at 9:02 am

        Hi Princess, you can leave it uncovered. Cheers 😉

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Tatiana's headshot

    Hello! I'm Tatiana, self-taught baker, coffee lover and food photographer. Here at Milk and Pop, I'll share with you my favorite bread, baking and breakfast recipes.

    More about me →

    Most popular

    • Jar full of Earl Grey extract.
      Earl Grey Extract
    • Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso served in a mason jar.
      Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Recipe
    • a stack of sourdough tortillas
      The Best Sourdough Tortillas (with sourdough discard)
    • cheesecake factory brown bread toped with oats, cooling
      Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
    • 2bottles of Earl Grey Milk Tea.
      Earl Grey Milk Tea
    • A bottle of brown sugar syrup.
      Brown Sugar Syrup (For Boba and Drinks)

    Fall recipes

    • apple butter shown from above
      Instant Pot Apple Butter (No Sugar)
    • towers of pumpkin snickerdoodles, with two cinnamon sticks on top of a baking sheet
      Pumpkin Snickerdoodles Recipe (Soft and Chewy!)
    • pumpkin bagel close up, resting over brown parchment paper
      Homemade Pumpkin Bagels
    • a with bowl of baked pumpkin spice granola
      Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe (Vegan + Gluten Free)
    • flat image of sliced apple bread, apple and cinnamon sticks.
      Apple Bread (Vegan)
    • close up on fall fruit salad
      Fall Fruit Salad (With Apples, Pears and Cranberries)

    How to bake better bread image

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Copyright © 2023 Milk and Pop