Instant Pot Apple Butter

Instant pot apple butter is perfect for fall. Sweet, packed with apple flavor, and thick enough to spread, it will be a hit!

Autumn is a great time for apples and pumpkins. Both are in season and ready for picking. We love apples around here, and one of my favorite ways to use fresh apples is by making homemade apple butter. 

What’s apple butter?

Apple butter is a thick applesauce-like mixture of spices and pureed cooked apples. It’s so delicious and works as a great spread for bread and biscuits (much like and jam/jelly would). My Instant Pot apple butter recipe here doesn’t include any spices, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t add them to taste! 

Once you know how to make apple butter, making it becomes kind of addicting. Watching a solid apple go from sliced cubes to mush in a matter of minutes is both fun and exciting. While you can make apple butter in a slow cooker, that usually takes several hours. 

This Instant Pot recipe is fabulous for cutting out the wait time and giving us a perfect batch of apple butter in a fraction of the time.

For those of us that are impatient, hungry, or just trying to work through a large batch of apples quickly, this is certainly the way to go. Once you try it, you may never go back to the slow-cooked way again.

How to make apple butter

• Wash and chop your apples into 1 inch sized cubes. You don’t need to worry about peeling them, but you could if you wanted to.
• In your pressure cooker or Instant Pot, combine all of the apples and the other ingredients.
• Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the vent to the sealed position.
• Cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes and then release the pressure.
• Remove the lid.
• Remove the apple mixture and place it in batches in a blender or food processor.
• Blend the apples until smooth and serve once cooled.

Can apple butter be frozen?

Absolutely! It does very well in the freezer! Simply let your batch cool completely and then store it in an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 1 year. Remove and let it thaw overnight in the fridge before use.

Does apple butter go bad?

Like most foods without added preservatives, this too will spoil if not eaten or stored properly. This recipe has not been tested for canning, so proceed at your own risk if you decide to do so. You will need to store it in the fridge and use it within about 5 days.

Does apple butter need to be refrigerated?

Yes, homemade apple butter needs to be kept in the fridge in an airtight container unless it’s been processed with water canning through an approved recipe for food safety.

What can apple butter be used for?

Apple butter can be used for a wide variety of things. The most commonly used way is using it as a spread for bread and pastries. Others prefer to eat it as-is with a spoon.

You can even use apple butter as an applesauce replacement in baked goods adding a nice flavor to your recipes. Apple butter muffins are fluffy and delicious!