Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples (Printable)
Tender apple slices cooked with warm spices and brown sugar for a quick, comforting dessert or topping.
# Ingredient List:
→ Produce
01 - 6 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
→ Sweeteners
02 - 1/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
03 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
→ Liquids
04 - 1/4 cup water or apple juice
→ Spices
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
→ Other
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - Pinch of salt
# Steps:
01 - Peel, core, and slice apples into 1/2-inch wedges for uniform cooking.
02 - Place apple slices in the Instant Pot. Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg if using, and salt evenly over the apples. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey if desired, then add the water or apple juice.
03 - Distribute the butter pieces evenly across the top of the apples.
04 - Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the valve is set to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.
05 - Allow natural pressure release for 3 minutes, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
06 - Open the lid and gently stir in the vanilla extract. For a thicker consistency, select Sauté mode and simmer for a few minutes while stirring gently. Serve warm over oatmeal, pancakes, or ice cream.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The apples turn impossibly tender without turning into mush, perfect for spooning over everything
- It takes twenty minutes from start to finish including the time it takes to peel the apples
02 -
- Natural release for at least 3 minutes prevents the apples from foaming up through the steam vent
- Thicker apple slices need an extra minute but still cook much faster than stove or oven methods
03 -
- Do not overfill the pot past the max fill line because foaming can happen during quick release
- Start with less sweetener and add more at the end since some apple varieties are naturally sweeter than others