Here’s my go-to recipe for homemade apple butter, made quickly and easily in the Instant Pot. It combines fresh apples, warm spices, and a touch of vanilla, all cooked down into a smooth, spreadable treat.
I make this apple butter at least once every fall when local apples are in season. My kids love spreading it on their morning toast, and I always make extra jars to give to neighbors during the holidays – it’s that good!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Butter
- Hands-off cooking – Your Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting – just add the ingredients and let the magic happen while you focus on other things.
- Perfect fall spread – This cozy blend of apples and warm spices makes the perfect spread for toast, muffins, or stirred into oatmeal during chilly mornings.
- Make-ahead friendly – One batch makes several jars that you can store in the fridge or give as thoughtful homemade gifts to friends and family.
- Simple ingredients – You only need apples and basic pantry spices to make this smooth, spreadable butter – no fancy ingredients required.
- Better than store-bought – This homemade version lets you control the sweetness and spices, plus it’s free from preservatives and artificial ingredients.
What Kind of Apples Should I Use?
For apple butter, you’ll want to use apples that break down well during cooking and have a good balance of sweet and tart flavors. Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp apples work great on their own, or you can mix different varieties to create a more complex flavor. A combination of sweet Honeycrisp and tart Granny Smith apples is particularly good for apple butter. When shopping, pick apples that are firm and free from bruises or soft spots – they’ll cook down better and give you a cleaner-tasting final product. If you’re buying apples in season (fall), you might also find local varieties at farmers markets that work perfectly for apple butter.
Options for Substitutions
This apple butter recipe is pretty flexible and can handle some ingredient swaps. Here’s what you can try:
- Apples: Any cooking apples work well here! Try Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady apples. Granny Smith apples are good too, but you might need to add a bit more sugar since they’re tarter. Mix and match different varieties for more complex flavor.
- Sugars: You can use all brown sugar or all white sugar instead of both. For a natural option, try maple syrup or honey (use about 3/4 the amount since they’re sweeter). Keep in mind that brown sugar adds a nice caramel note that other sweeteners might not provide.
- Spices: Out of fresh nutmeg? Ground nutmeg works fine. You can also skip cloves if you don’t have them, or add a pinch of allspice or ginger for a different spin. The cinnamon is pretty important for that classic apple butter taste though!
- Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract works the same as essence, or you can leave it out if you don’t have any. Some folks like to add a splash of bourbon instead for a grown-up version.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making Instant Pot apple butter is choosing the wrong type of apples – soft varieties like McIntosh or Red Delicious will turn too mushy, so stick to firmer apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith that hold their shape better during cooking. Another common error is rushing the natural pressure release, which can lead to hot apple butter splattering everywhere – always let the pressure release naturally for at least 20 minutes before opening the valve. To achieve that perfectly smooth consistency, don’t skip the blending step after pressure cooking, but be careful not to overprocess – a few quick pulses with an immersion blender will do the trick. For the best flavor development, make sure to scrape down the sides of the pot during the sauté phase and stir frequently to prevent burning at the bottom.
What to Serve With Apple Butter?
Apple butter is one of those spreads that makes breakfast and snack time so much better! It’s perfect spread on warm toast, English muffins, or fluffy buttermilk biscuits – basically anywhere you’d use regular butter or jam. For a quick breakfast, try spreading it on pancakes or waffles instead of syrup, or swirl it into your morning oatmeal or yogurt for extra flavor. You can also use it as a topping for vanilla ice cream or mix it into plain cheesecake batter before baking for a fall-inspired dessert. If you’re feeling creative, try using it as a condiment on a turkey sandwich or grilled cheese – the sweet and spicy notes work surprisingly well with savory foods!
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Your homemade apple butter will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks when stored in airtight jars or containers. Make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to containers, and always use clean utensils when scooping some out to prevent any contamination.
Can: For longer storage, you can process the apple butter in a water bath canner. Pour the hot apple butter into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace, and process for 10 minutes. Properly canned apple butter will keep for up to 1 year in a cool, dark place.
Freeze: If you’re not into canning, freezing is a great option! Pour cooled apple butter into freezer-safe containers, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top for expansion. It’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to use it, just thaw it overnight in the fridge.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 150-180 minutes |
| Total Time | 160-195 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 3800-4200
- Protein: 5-10 g
- Fat: 0-10 g
- Carbohydrates: 950-1050 g
Ingredients
- 6 1/2 pounds apples (peeled, cored, and cut into quarters)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon clove powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
Step 1: Prepare the Apples and Spice Mixture
Place the apples in a 6-quart Instant Pot.
In a medium bowl, combine sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
Pour this spice mixture over the apples in the Instant Pot and mix well to ensure all the apples are coated evenly.
Step 2: Pressure Cook the Apple Butter
Set the Instant Pot to “Manual” and pressure cook on high pressure for 90 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before carefully releasing any remaining pressure.
Step 3: Blend to Smooth Consistency
Once the pressure has been released and it’s safe to open the Instant Pot, use an immersion blender to puree the cooked apple mixture until it reaches a smooth consistency.
Ensure there are no lumps for a velvety apple butter texture.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Enhance Flavors
Switch the setting on the Instant Pot to “Slow Cook” and set it to high.
Cook the apple butter for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Keep the lid propped on about halfway to allow steam to escape; ensure the lid is not latched.
This step helps intensify the flavors and thicken the apple butter.
Step 5: Add Vanilla and Store
After the slow cooking period, stir in the vanilla for added depth of flavor.
Spoon the finished apple butter into sterile containers, cover them securely, and refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage.
Enjoy your homemade apple butter!