Description

This homemade strawberry applesauce recipe combines fresh apples and juicy strawberries to create a naturally sweet and flavorful sauce. Cooked quickly in an Instant Pot, it’s perfect as a healthy snack, topping, or baby food. The addition of a touch of brown sugar enhances the natural fruit sweetness, while optional blending allows you to customize the texture from chunky to smooth.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits

3 pounds apples, cored and chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 pound strawberries, stems removed and chopped into 1-inch pieces

Liquids & Sweeteners

1/4 cup apple juice, cider, or water
1/4 cup brown sugar (optional)

Instructions

Chop the Fruits: Wash and dry the apples and strawberries thoroughly. Remove apple cores and strawberry stems, then chop them into roughly 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
Add to Instant Pot: Place the chopped apples, strawberries, and your chosen liquid—apple juice, cider, or water—into the Instant Pot. This liquid helps create steam and prevents sticking during cooking.
Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and close the steam vent. Set it to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes, allowing the fruits to soften and flavors to meld.
Quick Release Steam: Once cooking is complete, carefully open the steam vent to quickly release pressure. Wait until all steam has escaped before opening the lid to avoid burns.
Sweeten the Sauce: After opening the lid, stir in brown sugar if desired to enhance sweetness, adjusting according to your taste preference.
Puree for Smoothness (Optional): For a silky texture, use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. For a chunkier sauce, leave as is.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith or a sweet variety like Fuji depending on your preferred flavor balance.
If you prefer less sugar, reduce or omit the brown sugar entirely since the fruit itself is naturally sweet.
To store, keep the applesauce refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
This recipe is naturally gluten free and vegetarian-friendly.
Adjust cooking times slightly if chopping fruits smaller or larger than recommended.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Instant Pot
Cuisine: American

Keywords: strawberry applesauce, homemade applesauce, Instant Pot applesauce, fruit sauce, healthy snack, baby food, easy recipe