Name: Instant Pot Apple Butter
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: apples
Ingredients: 3 lbs. fuji apples (or your favorite kind of apples); 1/2 cup coconut sugar; 4 tablespoons agave nectar (honey or maple syrup works); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

This is an overhead image of a glass jar with apple butter. An antique spoon is scooping some apple butter and leaning against the top of the jar. The glass is on a white counter and an apple is in the top right corner of the image. — Instant Pot Apple Butter is so simple to make in only five steps! Once you make homemade apple butter, you’ll be slathering it on everything!

Instant pot apple butter is so easy to make in your pressure cooker! You can whip it together in one hour and it’s the perfect sweet treat for fall!

Spread it on your pancakes, dollop it on your ice cream, pipe it inside your donuts or cinnamon buns, serve it on your cheese platter. Apple butter has a place in your life, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Once you see how easy this apple butter recipe is, you’ll be making it all autumn long! Drop some off at your neighbors, give some to friends, apple butter is like giving a little jar of joy.

So let’s jump right in and make this sweet and delicious apple butter!

Ingredients you’ll need to make this instant pot apple butter

Apples. Use whatever apples you like or a combo! I got a 3 lb. bag of Fuji apples and I thought they were delicious sweet and made for a nice, smooth apple butter.

Coconut sugar. A low of apple butter recipes use both regular sugar and brown sugar. I’m swapping the traditional sugar for some coconut sugar. Coconut sugar keeps the deliciously caramel-y flavor but you don’t have to use as much.

Agave nectar. Adding some tablespoons of this to keep it sweet. If you don’t have/like agave nectar, honey or maple syrup works well too!

Spices. We’re using cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla and some salt!

Equipment you’ll need for instant pot apple butter

Vegetable Peeler. Use this to get the peel off the apple butter. I like a silky smooth apple butter so I took all the peel off. Peeling the apples is probably the most time consuming part of this recipe.

Apple Corer/Slicer. I have a corer/slicer situation that does it all the things all at once and it’s lovely!

Instant Pot. This recipes is specifically made in a pressure cooker but I give directions below to make it in a slow cooker or on the stovetop too!

Immersion Blender. I love my immersion blender! It’s so great for soups and for things like apple butter. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer to a blender or food processor – just be careful! It may be hot!

Rubber Spatula. This comes in handy while you’re reducing the apple butter. Love me a good spatula!

This is an overhead image looking into an instant pot. In the instant pot are cut apples, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and spices. The instant pot sits on a white counter.

This image is peering into an instant pot with smooth, brown apple butter. The instant pot sits on a white counter.

How to make apple butter in the instant pot

It’s so simple and only five steps!

First. Peel and core the apples. I used a vegetable peeler and an apple corer to cut them into pieces and remove the center. But, you can just use a knife if that’s what you have.

Second. Place everything into the instant pot and turn it on.

Third. Pressure cook for 15 minutes and allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for about 15 minutes before removing the lid.

Fourth. Use your immersion blender to blend everything into a silky smooth apple butter.

Fifth. Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté option and sauté the apple butter for 15 – 20 minutes until it reduces and thickens. You can test the thickness by pulling up your spatula and running your finger through it. Transfer to containers, allow the apple butter to come to room temperature and store in the fridge.

How to make apple butter in the slow cooker

After you peel and core the apples, place everything into your slow cooker. Slow cook on low for 8 hours. Use your immersion blender to make smooth.

You could continue to slow cook on high for a couple hours without the lid stirring occasion to reduce. Or, transfer the apple butter to a pot on the stove over medium-heat and reduce, stirring frequently for 15 – 20 minutes.

How to make apple butter on the stovetop

Place all the ingredients in a large pot along with 1 cup apple cider or apple juice. Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat. Put a lid on the pot and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the apples soften and begin to break down.

Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. Continue to cook with the lid off, stirring frequently for about 30 minutes until it thickens and reduces.

This is a side view of a glass weck jar with apple butter in it. The jar sits on a white counter and a vintage spoon is scooping some apple butter and leaning against the top of the glass. Apples are blurred in the background of the image.

What to spread this apple butter on

Everything! Once you make this apple butter, you won’t be able to stop yourself from slathering it on everything you eat! Try it on toast, or biscuits. It would be great on pancakes and waffles. Put a little bowl of apple butter on a cheese platter or on some baked brie.

How to store your apple butter

Place it in an airtight container in your fridge for about two weeks. Or, store it in an air tight container in the freezer for about three months.

More apple recipes!

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Recipe

GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free