Fast Applesauce Recipe for the Instant Pot®

Step 1

Start by peeling two thick strips of lemon zest, being careful to leave out the bitter white part underneath. Bundle the lemon peel together with a cinnamon stick, a piece of ginger, star anise, and some cloves inside a small piece of cheesecloth so you can easily fish it out later. Toss the apples into your Instant Pot or any similar pressure cooker, then add the spice bundle, a bit of water, and a pinch of salt. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for about 5 minutes, remembering it will take 10 to 15 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure. When the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally—it usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes—since opening it too soon can cause hot applesauce to splatter. Once it’s safe, remove the spice bundle with a slotted spoon and discard it. Stir in some brown sugar until it melts into the sauce, then taste and add more if you like it sweeter.