This is the easiest Instant Pot Apple Butter recipe that doesn’t need peeling and has no added sugar! Smooth Apple Butter is vegan, gluten-free and is made with simple ingredients. You can spread it on toast, pastries or use as a breakfast topping.
Apples are appearing on roadside trees and parks close to where I live. This is undoubtedly the best indication that autumn is on its way!
What is apple butter?
Apple butter is a sweet condiment thought to originate in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It is soft and spreadable, similar to butter and is made from cooking down apples with sugar.
Apple butter is essentially thickened apple sauce that has been slowly reduced. The sugars in the apples caramelize during cooking, creating a rich, brown color.
Despite the name, apple butter does not actually contain actual butter! Instead, it is the deep velvety smoothness that gives it this name.
In the UK, we’re more familiar with apple sauce rather than apple butter but I couldn’t wait to give this recipe a try! It is full of autumn or fall flavors and you cannot beat delicious homemade apple butter spread across warm toast!
The difference between apple sauce and apple butter is in the cooking process and ingredients. Apple sauce is effectively caramelised and cooked down further to become thick apple butter.
This recipe is made only with naturally occurring sugars in the apples. Of course, the result will be a little tarter than adding sugar.
Despite the lack of sugar, you still get sweet apple butter!
Why you should make this recipe:
Great way to use up leftover apples
You only need a handful of ingredients for unsweetened apple butter
Easy to make ahead and suitable for freezing or canning
A fun way to involve the family – whilst making apple butter involves sharp knives and hot pans making it unsuitable for kids, it’s a great way to go apple picking together or visiting an apple orchard .
A great gift for loved ones – make a big batch and share with your friends, family or neighbours.
Suitable for vegans and vegetarians . No gelatine is required.
Nut free spread.
Healthier than apple butter with sugar making it a great snack option for kids
Health Benefits of Apples
Naturally fat free and free from saturated fat
Source of fibre
Naturally salt and sodium free
Ingredients:
Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post
All ingredients are available with a very quick trip to your local grocery store.
Apples
The type of apple that you use for apple butter varies. For sugar-free apple butter, I recommend using sweet apples. Tart apples are great for butter that is made with sugar.
I used a mix of gala apples and granny smith apples. I used granny smith because I like my apple butter tart but you can use sweet varieties alone.
Other apple varieties you can use are:
Honey crisp
Fuji
Cox
Discovery
The best apples are
If you use 2 pounds of apples , you will get around 1 mason jar worth (300ml) of apple butter .
If you leave the peel on your apples, your apple butter will be richer, darker and contain more fibre.
Spices – I have used cinnamon and nutmeg powder. For ease, use pumpkin pie spice or chai masala powder.
Vanilla extract – vanilla extract or essence is a wonderful way to add warm depth of flavour
Lemon Juice – use fresh or bottled. Lemon juice has pectin
Salt – just a pinch
Optional:
For sweeter apple butter, you may want to add:
Brown sugar
Maple syrup
Honey
100% natural sweetener – a blend of stevia and erythritol
Some recipes call for apple cider vinegar. The reason it is not added in this recipe is because sugar is not added. The apple butter would be far too tart.
An alternative to apple cider would be to use pure apple juice which has plenty of its own natural sweetness.
Variations:
Here are some flavours to add to your butter as these go well with apples
Add a pinch of cardamom
Add a tiny piece of peeled ginger to the IP along with the apples
Zest of an orange for a citrusy flavours.
How to make pressure cooker apple butter in the instant pot
The process is simple, it just takes a little bit of time!
Firstly, core and slice up the apples using an apple corer and a sharp knife. This doesn’t need to be an exact science but keep the chopped-up apples roughly the same size.
Add the apples to the instant pot along with vanilla, spices and water.
You need around 1/4 cup of water.
Even if you add a greater quantity of apples, do not increase the amount of water directly. Stick to around 1/4 cups of water.
Pressure cook on High Pressure. Select 10 minutes cooking time. Allow for natural release of pressure for 10 mins. After this, you can “vent” the valve to release the remaining pressure.
Using an immersion blender, blend up the mixture. If you have low quantity of apples, use a food processor or jug blender.
Select the sauté function and keep on Low heat. Now you want to reduce down the mixture.
Be careful as the apple mixture will spatter as it cooks. Use a clear lid or splatter guard that fits over the edges. You may need to stir every minute or so to ensure the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Sauté until the mixture begins to thicken. This time varies depending on how much mixture you have.
To check if the apple butter is ready, using a spoon or a knife, draw a line through the butter.
If it immediately comes back together, it is too runny. If the line holds for a few seconds, then the apple butter is done.
Allow the delicious apple butter to cool to room temperature before storing or serving.
Decant into a mason jar and keep in the fridge.
Tips
Follow these tips for the best apple butter ever!
Use crisp apples, free from damage where possible.
I like to leave on the peel for extra flavour, colour and nutrition.
You can core the apples or simply slice and do not core. The core will soften in the IP.
Adding a pinch of salt helps bring out the sweetness.
Apple butter will thicken as it cools so you still need to have it just a little looser than your desired consistency
How to use apple butter
Think of apple butter as a jam, like this strawberry jam also made in the Instant pot – it goes great on toast, in oatmeal (porridge) or rice pudding. Essentially, it’s a super flavorful spread and there are so many possibilities!
The first time I tried it, I spread it in the centre of a croissant. SO GOOD!
Top your Instant Pot Tapioca Pudding or Buckwheat Pancakes
It is also incredible delicious eaten with a spoon!
Add it to either shortcrust or puff pastry as an apple pie filling and enjoy Apple Hand Pies (air fryer) or in a peanut butter sandwich.
Stir some in chia pudding, smoothies or even in hot coffee, yes coffee!
Add in to make vegan oatmeal waffles if you want to make vegan waffles without banana.
The butter can also be enjoyed with cheese or a charcuterie board.
How to store apple butter
You can store apple butter in a mason jar or an airtight container.
it will keep well in the fridge for around 1 week. Sugar has preservative properties and as this apple butter has less sugar, it will not last as long.
You can also freeze apple butter in small portions in containers or freezer safe bags – perfect to last through to the holiday season.
This apple butter recipe can be considered healthier than the original recipe as there is no added sugar. Apples are low in fat and contain fibre. However, the natural sugar from the apples concentrates down as the mixture cooks and thickens. Also, the apples are being treated with lots of heat so I don’t know how much of the nutrients are retained in the final product. It is best to enjoy food in moderation.
You need to turn off the heat just before the butter reaches your desired consistency. This is because it thickens further as it cools. If you draw a line through the butter with a spoon, the mixture should stay apart for a few seconds.
A combination of varieties gives you the best flavour. For this no sugar version, stick to sweet apples or sweet and tart apples.
Other Apple and Fall Recipes
Air fryer Apple Ring Donuts
Non alcoholic Apple Martini
Apple Relish
Puff Pastry Apple Tart (easy, vegan)
Pumpkin Scones (Sweet and Savoury)
Semolina Pumpkin Waffles
Harry Potter Pumpkin Pasties
Sweet Potato and Black Beans Quesadilla
Save Instant Pot Apple Butter Recipe to Pinterest
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
- YouTube
Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter (No added sugar)
Equipment
- 1 Instant pot
- 1 Immersion blender
Ingredients
- 2 pound apples
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 pinch nutmeg powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the apples. 2 pound apples
- Core and slice your apples.
- Place sliced apples in the liner of the Instant Pot.
- Add cinnamon, nutmeg powder, vanilla, lemon and salt along with water. 1/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 1 pinch nutmeg powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, pinch salt
- Close the lid and keep the vent on sealing position.
- Select the HIGH PRESSURE button for 10 minutes.
- When pressure cooking cycle is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Now release the pressure manually if any left.
- Puree cooked apples using an immersion blender until it reaches a smooth consistency. If using a stand blender, let the apples cool before blending.
- Now we need to thicken the sauce. Turn the instant pot back on, this time select saute mode.
- Saute until the mixture is thick. Use a splatter guard and whisk/stir often. BE EXTRA CAREFUL, wear an oven mitt as butter will splatter and may cause burns.
- Once you are happy with the consistency turn off the instant pot.
- Let the butter cool, then transfer to clean and dry jars to store, freeze, or gift.
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter (No added sugar)
Equipment
- 1 Instant pot
- 1 Immersion blender
Ingredients
- 2 pound apples
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 pinch nutmeg powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the apples. 2 pound apples
- Core and slice your apples.
- Place sliced apples in the liner of the Instant Pot.
- Add cinnamon, nutmeg powder, vanilla, lemon and salt along with water. 1/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 1 pinch nutmeg powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, pinch salt
- Close the lid and keep the vent on sealing position.
- Select the HIGH PRESSURE button for 10 minutes.
- When pressure cooking cycle is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Now release the pressure manually if any left.
- Puree cooked apples using an immersion blender until it reaches a smooth consistency. If using a stand blender, let the apples cool before blending.
- Now we need to thicken the sauce. Turn the instant pot back on, this time select saute mode.
- Saute until the mixture is thick. Use a splatter guard and whisk/stir often. BE EXTRA CAREFUL, wear an oven mitt as butter will splatter and may cause burns.
- Once you are happy with the consistency turn off the instant pot.
- Let the butter cool, then transfer to clean and dry jars to store, freeze, or gift.
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Making frozen empanadas in air fryer is hands down the best way to prepare them! Empanadas are perfect when served as an appetizer, light lunch or quick snack! For the best results, simply place uncooked empanadas in the air fryer instead of the deep fryer and they’ll be ready in 10 minutes or less!
Air Fryer Frozen Empanadas are a tasty meal that is also filling. The results are nice and crispy and healthier than the deep-fried option.
What are empanadas?
Empanadas, originating in Spain, are made by folding filling into a pastry dough and then either baked or fried. These turnovers are a bit like hand pies / meat pies or Cornish pasties. This deep fried goodness is now enjoyed worldwide!
You can find empanadas made with meat such as ground beef, chicken empanadas or tuna. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options are now out there such as cheese and onion, cheese and spinach, black bean and mixed vegetable.
I’ve even come across sweet apple empanadas!
This is such an easy air fryer recipe and definitely the best method to get the much-desired flaky texture of the pie crust.
Other Air Fryer recipes with puff pastry that I’ve tried and tasted include:
Vegan Curry Puffs (Thai)
Rose and Pistachio Puff Pastry Cream Horns/Cones
Tandoori Paneer Tarte au Soleil
Why you should use the air fryer:
Meals in less time – you can make a big batch of empanadas quicker than baking in a conventional oven – delicious food for a large family in less than 15 minutes! You do not even need to thaw them first.
Perfect crispy texture all over , including the bottom of the empanadas as the air fryer circulates hot air.
Uses just enough oil . Excess oil is needed for deep frying increasing the fat content of each serving. These are much heathier than the deep-fried version.
These are easy air fryer empanadas perfect for a snack when craving hits or add to a lunch box.
Ingredients:
Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post
So simple, the main ingredients you need are:
Ready-made frozen empanadas – you can either make them yourself or buy shop-bought. If you are vegan, check the side of the package to ensure they do not contain dairy products.
In America, you can find Goya Empanadas. In the UK, I have come across frozen empanadas online.
Glaze/egg wash – you need a glaze for the pastry
As I do not use egg, I made a glaze with milk, a pinch of turmeric and paprika .
Good alternatives are milk/non-dairy milk or water mixed with honey/maple syrup .
Alternatively, brush with olive oil or vegetable oil. If you have it , cooking spray also works.
How to make frozen empanadas in the air fryer:
I have used the Instant Pot Pro Crisp but you can also use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp which also has an air fryer lid. Any other brand will also do.
Select your favourite frozen empanadas and prepare your glaze in a small bowl.
Place on a baking sheet or plate and brush with your “egg wash” or glaze.
You can layer the air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminium foil to save on cleaning later on. You do not need to use a baking tray in the air fryer.
Place unbaked empanadas in a single layer the basket. There is no need to thaw empanadas first.
Air fry on 350 degrees F or 180 C for 8-10 minutes and cook until golden brown. 350 F is medium-high heat which is about right to cook the empanadas in the centre without burning the pastry.
You may want to check the empanadas at around 6 minutes.
Note that this cooking time may vary depending on the size of your frozen empanadas. You may need extra minutes if the empanadas are very large.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can probably fit in around 6 mini empanadas or 4 large empanadas.
Repeat for any remaining empanadas. Despite preheating, I have noticed that the next batches require less cooking time, presumably because the air fryer is now so hot.
Serving Suggestions
Empanadas are the perfect finger-food that can be served just as they are – hot or cold. The flavourful fillings make empanadas an exciting meal.
For dip suggestions, sour cream or tomato sauce such as marinara would go great.
For a complete meal, why not try Cilantro, Lime and Coconut Rice , White Bean Panzanella , Mango Avocado Black Bean salad or Air Fryer Banana Chips with Black Pepper
Storage
Want to store air fried empanadas for later?
Once they reach room temperature, they can be stored in an airtight sealed container and placed in the fridge. They will keep well for 2-3 days.
To reheat, place in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes. Try not to overcrowd the basket – stick to a single layer. You can also microwave but the pastry may go soft.
I do not recommend re-freezing empanadas that have been defrosted.
How to make frozen empanadas at home
You can use store-bought empanada dough or pie dough for ease. Alternatively, make your own empanada dough. Roll out the dough into equal sized rounds/discs.
Next, you need to prepare your filling.
Allow the filling to cool.
Spoon the filling onto the dough on one side only. Leave a small gap on the edge. Do not add too much filling to the empanada discs as it may tear the pastry when you try to seal it.
Fold over the dough and either crimp with a fork or twist to make a pattern.
To freeze, place onto a baking tray and put it in the freezer. Wait until they are frozen. Then, wrap individually in plastic wrap or place in a freezer bag.
Approximately 8-10 minutes for standard sizes empanadas.
Thawing the empanadas will cause the pastry to go soggy and the filling may spill out. They are best cooked in their frozen state
There can be many reasons for this: 1. Not preheating the air fryer – if the air fryer is cold when you add the frozen empanadas, it will take longer to cook. 2. If your empanadas are large, they may need longer to cook. To ensure the filling is well cooked, turn down the heat and air fry for a few extra minute 3. Do not overcrowd the basket – the hot air will not reach the empanada dough and they will not cook properly
Other Air Fryer Recipes
Air fryer Potato Slices
Indian Potato in Air Fryer
Salt and Pepper Halloumi Fries
Air fryer Sheet Pan Focaccia Pizza
Air fryer Toasted Ravioli (No Egg)
Pumpkin Scones (2 ways)
Easy Avocado Fries
Grilled Air Fryer Pineapple
Best Air Fryer Baklava
Save Air Fryer Frozen Empanadas Recipe to Pinterest
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
- YouTube
How to cook Air Fryer Frozen Empanadas
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
- 12 Empanadas Frozen
- 4 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
- Mix milk, turmeric and paprika. Brush the empanadas with this glaze using a pastry brush. 4 tablespoon milk, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Place frozen empanadas into the air fryer basket. 12 Empanadas
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through.
- Remove from the the Air Fryer.
Notes
- Do not thaw empanadas before adding them in the air fryer.
- The glaze will give these empanadas a beautiful golden colour.
- Large empanadas will take a bit longer to cook, while mini empanadas may cook faster.
- Goya empanadas : 9 minutes Trader Joe’s chicken and chimichurri empanadas : 12 minutes Mini empanadas : 7 minutes
- Keep the empanadas in a single layer, and don’t overlap.
- Flipping the empanada over during cooking is optional.
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
