Instant Pot Apple Butter

Name: Instant Pot Apple Butter
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 6 apples (I use Gala apples); ¼ cup water; 2 tablespoons orange juice; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, more if you like it sweeter; 2 tablespoons molasses (I use this brand); 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (I use this brand); 1 cinnamon stick or 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

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With just a few simple steps, 5 ingredients, and less than 30 minutes, you can make a lightly sweetened, perfectly spiced Instant Pot Apple Butter. Best of all, you don't even need to peel the apples. Homemade apple butter makes the perfect gift for the holidays.

A jar of apple butter with a wooden spoon and apples and fresh herbs in the background.

Table of Contents show

Ingredients in Instant Pot Apple Butter

Ingredients laid out to make a homemade apple butter in the instant pot. Apples, orange juice, water, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Apples: Gala apples are my favorite for this recipe because of their sweet and slightly tart flavor, but see my notes below for some other varieties of apples that work well with this recipe. Try my Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies
Orange Juice: The natural acidity in orange juice helps balance the sweetness of the apples and sugar, creating a more complex and well-rounded flavor. You can also use lemon juice.
Sugar: I use granulated cane sugar, but you can also use brown sugar, a mix or both, or even coconut sugar. For a sweeter apple butter, add more sugar during the sauté step. See my notes below about sweetener options.
Molasses: Molasses adds depth and a rich, caramel-like flavor to the apple butter. If you do not have any molasses on hand you could also substitute more sugar, maple sugar, agave, or even honey. Don't want to buy molasses just for this recipe? You can also use to to make my Thin and Crispy Gingersnap Cookies
Vanilla: The pure vanilla extract enhances the overall aroma and flavor of the apple butter.
Cinnamon: You can use either a cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon. A stick imparts a subtle, milder flavor, while ground cinnamon delivers a stronger, spicier taste.

How to make The Best Apple Butter

An Instant Pot with apples, vanilla, sugar, water, cinnamon and orange juice in it.

How to Make Instant Pot Apple Butter

Core and slice the apples. Add the apples, water, orange juice, molasses, sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon to the Instant Pot.

Close the lid and secure into the locked position. Set it to manual and cook for 20 minutes on high pressure.

Carefully push open the quick release valve on top to release the steam, then remove the lid and set aside.

Pressure cooked apples in a high-powered blender about to be blended.

Transferring the Cooked Apples to a Blender

Transfer the mixture to the blender (discarding the cinnamon stick). Blend until smooth and then transfer back to the Instant Pot. You can also use an immersion blender and puree it right in the Instant Pot.

Using the sauté function on low, sauté the apple butter, stirring occasionally to let it thicken, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator.

A fresh homemade batch of apple butter cooked in the Instant Pot.

The Best Apples for Making Apple Butter

The best apples for making apple butter and baked apples are typically those that are sweet, tart, and firm. Some popular apple varieties for apple butter include:

Gala: Gala apples are sweet and have a pleasant tartness, making them a great choice for apple butter. They also break down easily during cooking.
Cortland: Cortland apples are slightly tart, firm, and juicy, making them excellent for apple butter.
Jonathan: Jonathan apples are tart and aromatic, which adds depth of flavor to your apple butter.
Granny Smith: If you prefer a more tart apple butter, Granny Smith apples are a good choice. They also hold their shape well during cooking.
Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and crisp, providing a nice balance of sweetness in your apple butter.
Honeycrisp: Honeycrisp apples are sweet and juicy, making them a good option if you want a sweeter apple butter.

Ultimately, the best apples for apple butter can vary depending on your personal preference for sweetness and tartness. You can also experiment by using a mix of different apple varieties to achieve your desired flavor profile.

The Best Sweeteners for Homemade Apple Butter

You can experiment with various types of sugar and sweetener to add different flavors and textures to your Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe. Here are some alternatives to granulated sugar you can consider:

Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will add a rich, caramel-like flavor and a slight molasses undertone.
Maple Syrup: Pure maple syup will add a natural sweetness and a distinctive maple flavor to your apple butter.
Honey: Honey will contribute a unique floral sweetness and a smoother texture.
Agave Nectar: Agave nectar offers a mild, neutral sweetness and is an excellent option for those looking for a lower glycemic index alternative.
Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar has a deep, caramel-like flavor and is less refined than white sugar, providing a slightly different taste profile.
Stevia: For a sugar-free option, you can use a stevia sweetener. Be sure to use a stevia product specifically designed for baking to ensure proper sweetness.
Date Sugar: Made from dried, ground dates, date sugar adds natural sweetness and a subtle date flavor.
Monk Fruit Sweetener: Monk fruit swee tener is a natural, calorie-free sugar substitute that can be used to sweeten your apple butter.

When substituting sugars, keep in mind that the flavor and sweetness levels may vary, so you may need to adjust the quantity to achieve your desired taste. Start with a similar measurement as the granulated sugar in the recipe and add more if needed. Additionally, some sugar alternatives may affect the texture or color of your apple butter, so be prepared for slight variations in the final product.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Storage: Store leftover apple butter in the refrigerator for up 2 months.
Freezing: If you make a large batch, you can freeze apple butter in smaller portions and store in the freezer for up to a year.
Uses: Apple butter isn't just for spreading on toast. Use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, yogurt, or as a filling for pastries and desserts. It is also delicious to eat as an apple sauce. It is naturally gluten-free, dairy free, nut free, vegan, and vegetarian.
Flavor: While this can be enjoyed right away, the flavor will mature and intensify after a day or two in the refrigerator as the spices meld.
Use Pears: Swap out the apples for pears to make a delicious homemade pear butter.
Spices: Mix up the flavors by adding a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cloves for extra spice. It's even delicious as a pumpkin spice apple butter. Simply swap out the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice.
Extracts: Swap out the vanilla extract for caramel extract, almond extract, hazelnut extract, or maple extract to change up the flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make apple butter in a slow cooker?

To make apple butter in a slow cooker, combine sliced apples, water, orange juice, sugar, molasses, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Slow cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until the apples are soft. Remove the cinnamon stick, blend the mixture, then return to the slow cooker and cook on low for an additional 1 to 2 hours until it thickens. Adjust sweetness and spice, cool, and store.

How do you make apple butter on the stovetop?

To make apple butter on the stovetop, simmer sliced apples with water, orange juice, sugar, molasses, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until they break down and thicken (about 1.5 hours). Blend the mixture, return it to the pot, and sauté until it reaches your desired consistency. Adjust sweetness and spice, cool, and store.

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