Apple picking is a fall tradition in our house, and one of my favorite ways to use a big haul of apples is to make creamy apple butter in the Instant Pot.
When the leaves change and orchards are full, this recipe shines. The best part: no peeling is required, the ingredient list is short, and the Instant Pot does most of the work.
After a few hours of cooking, the result is a thick, velvety apple butter—perfect on pancakes, toast, biscuits, or served alongside savory dishes. And the aroma that fills the house while it simmers is unbeatable.
Here’s how to make it.
How to Make Apple Butter In The Instant Pot
Makes about 5 cups of apple butter.
Ingredients
- 6 lbs apples* (a mix of sweet and tart varieties)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar (optional—see notes for sugar-free option)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
*6 lbs of apples before coring and chopping.
Instructions
1. Wash the apples thoroughly.
2. Core and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch pieces. No peeling needed.
3. Place the chopped apples in the Instant Pot. Add 1/2 cup of water and the cinnamon sticks.
4. Close the lid and set the valve to “sealing.” Use the “pressure cook” or “manual” function on high pressure for 30 minutes.
5. When cooking finishes, allow a natural pressure release for 20 minutes, then carefully move the valve to “venting” to release any remaining steam.
6. Open the pot and discard the cinnamon sticks.
7. Use an immersion blender to blend the apples (skins and all) until smooth. Alternatively, transfer small batches to a blender or food processor—be careful, the mixture will be hot.
8. Set the Instant Pot to “sauté” on the “less” setting. Stir in 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
9. Simmer gently for 3–4 hours, stirring every 20–30 minutes to prevent sticking, until the mixture reduces to about one-third of its original volume and becomes thick and deeply browned.
10. The apple butter is done when it leaves drag marks on a spoon, bubbling slows, and you hear occasional popping sounds. Taste and add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice if you’d like a brighter finish.
11. Press “cancel” to turn off the Instant Pot. Ladle the apple butter into clean airtight jars or containers and let cool completely before refrigerating or freezing.
What Apples Should I Use?
Use whatever apples are fresh and in season—those have the best flavor. I like mixing sweet and tart varieties for depth: Gala, Honeycrisp, Macintosh, and a Granny Smith or two for tang. Try different combinations to find your favorite balance.
Can I Make Apple Butter Without Sugar?
Yes. You can omit the sugar entirely if you prefer a less sweet or purely fruit-sweetened version. The texture and flavor will be slightly different, but it still works well.
Does Apple Butter Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes. Once cooled, keep apple butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. For long-term storage, freeze it for several months—leave headroom in the container for expansion.
Will Apple Butter Thicken as It Cools?
Yes. Apple butter continues to set as it cools thanks to natural pectin in the apple skins. Because this recipe keeps the skins on, you’ll get good natural thickening without added pectin.
Canning Your Apple Butter
If you’d like pantry-stable jars, you can water-bath can apple butter. For extra safety and acidity, add an additional tablespoon of lemon juice to the batch before canning and follow tested water-bath canning guidelines for processing times and jar preparation. Properly canned apple butter can keep for many months.
Why Does My Apple Butter Look Like Applesauce?
Most likely it didn’t cook long enough. Apple butter should be cooked down until concentrated, deep brown, and spreadable. If it remains pale or loose, continue reducing it on sauté until it thickens. Texture can also vary by apple variety and whether you used sugar; sugar and longer cooking produce a smoother, darker butter. For an extra-smooth result, press the finished butter through a fine-mesh strainer.
What Do You Eat Apple Butter With?
Apple butter is versatile—try it on:
- Toast with butter
- Pancakes or waffles
- Oatmeal or yogurt
- French toast
- Biscuits or scones
- In a peanut butter sandwich
- On a charcuterie board
- As a glaze for pork chops
Tips
- Use apples that are in season for the best flavor.
- Don’t skip the 1/2 cup of water in the Instant Pot—this prevents scorching during pressure cooking.
- If the butter isn’t thick enough after chilling, return it to the Instant Pot on “sauté” (set to “less”) and simmer until it reaches the desired consistency, stirring often.
Other Perfect Fall Apple Recipes
Try apples in pies, crisps, muffins, and homemade applesauce for more cozy fall baking and breakfasts.