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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Instant Pot Apple Butter
Equipment
- Instant Pot (or slow cooker)
- Immersion Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 6 Apples roughly chopped (Pears are a great substitute!)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into the instant pot.
- Stir to combine and then cover.
- Let pressure cook for 10 minutes. Making sure that the knob is in the sealing position.
- 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.
- Next set the instant pot to sauté on low. Allow to sauté for 1 hour 30 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Notes
- 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. That was not an omission or typo. 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.
Nutrition
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.
Did you make this recipe? I love hearing your thoughts on my recipes so please rate and comment below.
Love the easiness of this and it’s so yummy!!! The only issue I had was that when I put my instant pot to sauté, it went HOT and nearly burned the whole batch in ten minutes. I caught it and switched it to the low slow cook setting, and that worked great. Didn’t know if that was a typo or if my instant pot was just funny? But otherwise I love it!
Unless I'm loosing it, the instructions say saute on low. I read it over twice just to be sure. I am glad you didn't burn it and were able to enjoy it.
Can I use applesauce instead of apples?
I'm not sure. I've only tried the recipe with apples.
One of my favorites and made at home in a jiffy. It’s delicious!
it says to sauté on low for 1.5 hours, then after using the emulsion blender, in the next step it says to allow to cook for 3-4 hours. so cook for a total of 5 hours? or ignore that step....
thanks!
I'm sorry Carol. That was a typo. it should read 'cool' not cook for 3-4 hours. I've updated the recipe. Thanks for pointing it out.
Can you use maple syrup instead of honey. ?
Yes. That would work for this recipe.
I absolutely LOVE this recipe! The butter is decadent, yet simple to prep. The spices are flavorful but not overwhelming and the flavor is just scrumptious! My hubby likes to top his AIP shortbread cookies with the Apple butter. I love it with apples or just off the spoon. Sooo delicious!
This is amazing. Can you can it in a water bath?
I have no idea. I've never tried canning it before. I've always just put it in the freezer. Feel free to try it and then let me know how it goes. I'm curious to know if it would work.