Instant Pot Apple Butter

This Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe is made of only 5 ingredients and sweetened with honey. The instant pot also makes this recipe really easy.

Can you make apple butter in the instant pot?

Yes! While I love Apple butter, I wasn’t about to sit and watch it cook on the stovetop for hours. Making this recipe with the instant pot is a pretty independent recipe. You really don’t need to hover over it. The instant pot just takes care of it for you. It’s a really low maintenance recipe.

Just FYI, I also have a Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter recipe, which is just as easy to make.

What do you put apple butter on?

This would be great on some gluten free toast. However, is you are strict AIP then try with some apple slices, plantain chips or Gluten Free Flatbread. My ultimate favorite way to eat Instant Pot Apple butter in to smear some on my Gluten Free Flatbread, add some lettuce and a few slices of crispy bacon. That sweet and savory combination is so good!

How do I thicken apple butter?

Letting the apple butter cook down will thicken the apple mixture. The majority of your cook time is because you need to cook down the apples, let the moisture evaporate and concentrate those flavors.

Why is it called apple butter?

Apple butter contains no actual butter. It’s only called that because the thick, butter like consistency.

What's the difference between apple butter and applesauce?

Apple butter and applesauce are actual very similar. Apple butter is just a cooked down version of applesauce. Cooking down the applesauce allows the sugars to concentrate giving it a dark brown appearance.

How to make instant pot apple butter?

1. Add all the ingredients into the instant pot. (see step one picture)

2. Stir to combine and then cover.

3. Let pressure cook for 10 minutes. Making sure that the knob is in the sealing position.

4. Let sit for about 10 minutes and then allow to vent (quick release). Make sure that the red stopper has dropped before you remove the cover. (see step four picture)

5. Next set the instant pot to sauté on low. Allow to sauté for 1 hour 15 minutes or so while stirring occasionally. This will allow the moisture to cook off and allow the mixture to thicken and reduce. You want it to be slightly darker than applesauce. (see step five picture)

6. Use the immersion blender to puree the apples. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender or food processor. Either way, you’ll need to take the apple mixture out of the instant pot to puree.

Remember, the mixture will firm up slightly once it’s cooled. You’ll need to stir more towards the end of the cooking, as you don’t want the apple mixture to burn.

7. Once it’s finished cooking, place in mason jars or another airtight container and store in the fridge. Allow to cool for at least 3-4 hours. Once cooled, you’re ready to serve.

Tips for making the best Instant Pot Apple Butter

• This is not a shelf stable canning recipe. This recipe needs to be stored in the fridge or the freezer or it will go bad.
• If you store this in an airtight container, this will last about 2 weeks in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.
• Every apple butter recipe I found online was for pounds and pounds of apples or drowning in sugar. I eat apple butter like a treat. I’ll smear it on a cracker every few days so 5 cups of apple butter just wasn’t going to work for me. While this recipe is a small batch, it’s a lot for me. I ended up splitting the apple butter into 1/4 cup servings and then pouring them into glass mason jars. I put one serving in the fridge to eat right away and the rest in the freezer.
• You don’t need to peel the apples. They will get cooked thoroughly and then blended so there is no need for that extra step.
• If you’d prefer to make this in the slow cooker, add all the ingredients in a slow cooker then cook on high for 4 hours. Remove the cover and then stir. Continue cooking without the cover for another 2 hours on low. Once the slow cooker has stopped, use the immersion blender to puree the apples. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender.
• You’ll need to stir more towards the end of the cooking, as you don’t want the apple mixture to burn.

If you love this Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe, try these other AIP apple recipes.

• Apple Cider Kombucha
• Apple Pie Smoothie (tastes just like Apple Pie)
• Apple Salsa
• Gooey Apple Sheet Cake (includes an AIP Reintroductions - egg)
• Healthy Caramelized Apples

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Helpful Info for All Recipes

• I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise.
• I always use Himalayan sea salt or Celtic sea salt, unless otherwise noted.
• The majority of my recipes are strict AIP or include notations for reintroductions. However while I make every effort to label non-AIP ingredients and recipes sometimes they slip past me. If you have questions, please ask in advance.

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