Instant Pot Apple Butter

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Made with tangy Granny Smith apples, molasses, brown sugar, and fall spices, this Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe is sweet, creamy and delicious! It's perfect for toast, pancakes, waffles, bagels, and more. Making pressure cooker apple butter has never been easier!

Why This Recipe Works

It's Way Cheaper: This apple mixture is cheaper homemade and definitely worth it if you want to save some moolah.
Tastes Better: With fresh ingredients and spices, homemade apple butter is packed with sweet, creamy flavor that just can't be beat with any store bought jar.
Quick: Using my Instant Pot, I can have delicious apple butter in less than an hour! Recipes like this used to take hours, and now I can quickly whip it up.

🥘 Ingredients

For creamy apple butter, you'll need a variety of spices, sugars, and of course apples.

Apples: Sweet and tart apples provide the base and natural sweetness for the apple butter, lending a smooth and fruity flavor that is rich and satisfying.
Molasses: Adds a deep and robust sweetness to the apple butter, enhancing its caramel-like taste and giving it a unique depth of flavor.
Sugar: Helps to sweeten the apple butter, balancing the tartness of the apples and creating a deliciously sweet spread.
Vanilla: Infuses the apple butter with a warm and aromatic flavor, adding a subtle richness that complements the natural sweetness of the apples.
Lemon juice: Brings a touch of acidity to the apple butter, balancing the sweetness and brightening the overall flavor profile.
Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice): Introduce a warm and comforting aroma to the apple butter, creating a delightful blend of flavors that enhance and complement the natural sweetness of the apples.

For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

📖 Substitutions & Variations

No molasses? Swap it for maple syrup or honey for a different kind of sweetness.
Want it extra cozy? Add a pinch of cloves or ginger for even more fall spice magic.
Less sugar? Use naturally sweet apples like Fuji or Gala and skip the extra sweeteners.
Smooth or chunky? Blend it silky smooth or leave it a little rustic for some texture.
Citrus twist? Try orange zest instead of lemon juice for a bright, unexpected flavor.

🔪 How to Make Instant Pot Apple Butter

Making your own homemade apple butter in your Instant Pot is actually really easy. With just a little prep work, the Instant Pot works its magic.

Apple slices being mixed with spices, molasses, and sugar in a bowl.

Step One: Peel all of your apples. Then, cut the apples into quarters or apple slices and remove the core. Place cut apples in your Instant Pot. Then, add all the rest of the ingredients into the Instant Pot. Mix to incorporate everything.

Cooked apple slices with spices and molasses in a an instant pot.

Step Two: Place the lid on your Instant Pot, put the pressure valve into the sealing position, and hit your manual or pressure cook button. Set the time for 20 minutes. Once the time is up and your Instant Pot beeps, let the Instant Pot completely naturally release the pressure.

Step Three: Next, pour everything from your Instant Pot into the blender and blend it until smooth. Place your apple butter in mason jars.

Instant pot apple butte in a jar ready to serve.

Step Four: Place your apple butter in mason jars. Your Apple butter is now ready to serve.

Taking out apple butter with spoon from jar.

👩‍🍳 Expert Tips

Choose the Right Apples: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, for a balanced flavor.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste your apple butter after blending and add more sugar or spices if needed, depending on your preferences.
Cool Before Storing: Let the apple butter cool completely before transferring to jars to avoid condensation that can affect shelf life.

💭 FAQs

Will Apple Butter Thicken as It Cools?

Apple butter thickens as it cools. If you're making apple butter and it looks runny, don’t worry because it will thicken. If you find it is still too thin after it has cooled, you can simmer it on the stove until it reaches your desired thickness.

What if My Apple Butter Is Too Thick?

If the apple butter is too thick for your liking, you can thin it out by adding small amounts of applesauce to it until it reaches your desired consistency.

Can I Blend My Apple Butter?

Yes, if your apple butter is too thick, simply use an immersion blender for a few seconds to make the apple butter smooth. The finished apple butter will be smooth and thick.

🧂Serving Suggestions

Wondering how to use apple butter? Here are some great ideas!

Spread on Toast or Bread: Use apple butter as a spread on toast, bread, bagels, or Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins for a flavorful and comforting breakfast or snack.
Mix into Yogurt or oatmeal: Stir apple butter into yogurt or Chocolate Overnight Oats to add sweetness and flavor. It provides a delicious twist to your morning routine.
Top Pancakes or Waffles: Drizzle apple butter over Buckwheat Pancakes or waffles instead of traditional syrup for a unique and tasty topping.
Pair with Cheese: Serve apple butter alongside cheese as a condiment or dip. It pairs particularly well with sharp cheddar, brie, or goat cheese. You can also dip sliced apples into your apple butter.
Use in Baking: Incorporate apple butter into baked goods such as muffins, cakes, Crispy Peanut Butter Cookies, and bars to add moisture, sweetness, and flavor.
Glaze for Meat: Use smooth apple butter as a glaze for grilled or roasted meat such as Creamy Pork Chops, Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken, or Texas Smoked Turkey Breast. It adds a sweet and tangy flavor to savory dishes.

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