Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Instant Pot apple butter is full of cozy fall flavors and ready in under an hour. This smooth, spiced spread is delicious on sourdough toast, pumpkin spice pancakes, and even sourdough stuffing.

Growing up in Western Maryland, apple butter was a staple of my childhood. My favorite way to eat it was, and still is, with my cottage cheese recipe, a classic fall breakfast where I grew up.

Now that I live in coastal North Carolina, a good apple butter is hard to find. So I make my own. This Instant Pot apple butter is quick, easy, and ready in about an hour.

We love it on sourdough English muffins, pumpkin spice pancakes, or fresh-milled pumpkin bread, and for dinner, it's delicious with pork chops and sourdough stuffing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: From start to finish, Instant Pot apple butter is ready in an hour or less.

Versatile: This recipe works with any apple variety or even a mix of your favorites.

Freezer-Friendly: Homemade apple butter can last in the freezer for up to a year.

Simple Ingredients: Unlike many store-bought varieties, this recipe uses simple, wholesome (and delicious) ingredients.

Key Ingredients

Apples: I used Gala apples because they were on sale, but you can use any apple you prefer. Classic apple butter usually uses a mix of sweet and tart apples.

Sugar: You will need brown and granulated sugar. I prefer dark brown sugar, but light brown will also work.

Spices: I used cinnamon and allspice. However, you can swap the allspice with cloves if you prefer.

Vanilla: I used homemade bourbon vanilla. Store-bought vanilla extract will work just fine, too.

Get the full list of ingredients and measurements on the printable recipe card below.

Variations

Reduced Sugar: Skip the added sugar and rely only on the apples’ natural sugars, or replace some of the sugar with honey.

Maple Apple Butter: Swap some of the brown sugar for maple syrup.

Spiced: Double the cinnamon and add pumpkin pie spice for a warm, cozy flavor.

Pumpkin-Apple: Stir in pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice before pressure cooking for a cozy fall spread.

How To Make Instant Pot Apple Butter

Step 1: Wash, core, and chop apples into chunks. Then, place them into the Instant Pot. You do not need to peel the apples (though you can if you prefer).

Step 2: Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.

Step 3: Pour in the water.

Step 4: Secure the lid and pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for about 20 minutes.

Step 5: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot until completely smooth.

If you don’t have an immersion blender, blend it in small batches in a regular blender. Either way, be mindful of splashing.

Step 6: To thicken the apple butter, turn the Instant Pot to sauté and cook uncovered for 10-30 minutes.

If your pressure cooker has a stove-safe pot, you can also do this on the stove (this is my preferred method).

The apple butter is ready when it mounds on a spoon and slides off slowly.

Step 7: Let the apple butter cool to room temperature. Then, store it in jars in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for up to a year.

Tips for Success

• Adjust sugars to taste. You can use up to 1 ½ cups of each sugar for 6 pounds of apples.
• You can also adjust the spices to taste. For a more spiced flavor, swap the allspice for cloves.
• The peels blend smoothly. So I leave them on for convenience and added nutrition. However, you can peel the apples if you prefer.
• The added water is necessary for the Instant Pot to pressurize, but it can create a thinner consistency. If needed, simmer after cooking to thicken it to a classic texture.
• Taste your apples first. Sweeter varieties need less sugar, while tart apples may benefit from a little extra.
• Blend with an immersion blender for a silky apple butter, or leave it a bit rustic with small apple pieces for more texture.

Serving Suggestions

Toast: Spread apple butter on toast, biscuits, fresh sourdough bread, or sourdough baguettes.

Breakfast: Swirl apple butter into my cottage cheese recipe, yogurt, slow cooker wheat berries, millet, or oatmeal.

Filling: Use as a sweet filling for cinnamon rolls, sourdough Pop-Tarts, or as a layer in cakes.

Cheese Board: Serve alongside a cheese board with sharp cheddar or creamy brie.

Pancakes: Add a dollop to no-flour sourdough discard pancakes or pumpkin spice pancakes.

Storing & Freezing

• Instant Pot apple butter will last in the fridge for 2-3 weeks in an airtight container.
• You can also freeze your apple butter for up to a year.

Instant Pot Apple Butter FAQs

More Condiment Recipes

If you tried this Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks, y'all!