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Instant Pot Apple Butter 1

Instant Pot Apple Butter

This remarkable preservation technique transforms ordinary fall apples into a velvety, aromatic spread that captures autumn's essence in a jar. Making Instant Pot apple butter revolutionizes the traditional slow-cooking method, reducing the preparation time by 70% while enhancing the rich, caramelized flavors that make this spread so irresistible.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 38 minutes
Natural Release Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Breakfast, Condiment
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups
Calories 52 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Immersion Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 6 pounds apples Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp (approximately 12-14 medium apples)
  • 1/3 cup water or apple juice
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup substitute with honey or coconut sugar if desired
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt enhances apple flavor
  • 1 vanilla bean split (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Wash your apples thoroughly, then peel, core, and cut them into 1-inch chunks. Don't worry about uniformity—varying sizes create texture diversity in your final product.
  • Place the apple chunks into your Instant Pot and add the water or apple juice.
  • Sprinkle your spices, salt, and lemon juice over the apples. If using a vanilla bean, add it now for maximum flavor infusion.
  • Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and set the valve to "sealing." Select the pressure cook function and set for 8 minutes on high pressure.
  • Once the cooking cycle completes, allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the vanilla bean if used. Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the apples until smooth.
  • Turn on the Instant Pot's sauté function and set to "normal" or "medium." Cook uncovered, stirring every 3-5 minutes to prevent sticking. After about 25-30 minutes, the mixture will reduce by approximately 35% and reach a thick, spreadable consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
  • The apple butter is ready when you can drag a spoon through it and the line holds for several seconds before slowly filling in.

Notes

For a lower sugar version, reduce the maple syrup to 1/4 cup and add 1/4 teaspoon of monk fruit extract to maintain sweetness without the additional calories.
For a sugar-free version: Replace the maple syrup with 1/2 teaspoon of stevia extract or 1 teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener.
A blend of apple types (80% sweet, 20% tart) creates the most complex flavor profile.
Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. For longer storage, freeze for up to 6 months or properly can for 12-18 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gFiber: 1.2gSugar: 10.5gVitamin C: 4mg
Keyword Apple Butter, Instant Pot Recipe, Fall Recipe, Apple Spread, Sugar-Free
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