How to Make Apple Butter (Vegan, Paleo)

I love making this slightly sweet, slightly tart, spiced apple butter with
seasonal Jonathan apples. It's so easy in the Instant Pot, whether slow- or
pressure-cooked. Here I share how to make apple butter!

Servings: 7 cups

Author: Beth of A Meal In Mind

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
3 hours

Course:

Side Dish Spread

Cuisine:

American

Keywords:

Instant Pot slow cooker apples easy recipe fruit butter Apple Butter low-added-sugar fruit spread

🧂 Ingredients

7 pounds washed

unpeeled apples (3.5kg, about 24 small to medium); pare out any bruises or spots, remove cores
5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon cloves
⅔ cup water
¼ cup coconut sugar

optional, for very sour apples (I do not use any with Jonathans)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

more for very sweet apples

Instructions

1 Core and cut the apples into chunks.
2 Instant Pot Pressure-Cook Method: Cover and cook on the Pressure-cook or Manual
setting for 15 minutes. When timer is finished, turn off power and let pressure
in pot release naturally for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the dial
to the Vent position and let remaining steam release, if any remains.
3 Instant Pot Slow-Cook Method: Cover and slow-cook on high heat for 3 hours.
4 3. Remove the lid, and using a potato masher or something similar, smash the
apples as much as possible. Stir well.
5 4. Puree with an immersion or stick blender. If you don’t have a hand-held
blender, allow the apple butter to cool for about 30 minutes, then transfer it
in batches to a standing blender. Puree until lumps are gone.
6 5. If you want it a little thicker, and it’s still in the IP, let the Instant
Pot sit open on medium heat for another 30 minutes or more, stirring every 10
minutes or so. If not, pour it back in.
7 6. When the apple butter is thick enough, it should mound up when you dip a
spoon into it. Or, when you drag a fingertip through it on the spoon, the apple
butter should not fill in the space. Careful - wait until the spoonful is cool
enough to touch before you try this!
8 7. When the apple butter has cooled, pour it into containers and refrigerate for
up for 5 days. Freeze any apple butter that you won’t use within 5 days; or use
safe canning practices, as this is a very low-sugar product. Makes about 7 cups.
See note.