Instant Pot Cinnamon Pear Chunky Applesauce

Applesauce is totally for adults, right? This easy, delicious and chunky Instant Pot pear applesauce is made with apples, pears, cinnamon, maple syrup and vanilla.

The best part is that it only takes 12-minutes to make! Don't have an Instant Pot? It can also be made in the slow cooker or crock pot.

Homemade applesauce with apples and pears

I consumed copious amounts of applesauce as a child, and for some reason, I forget about it as an adult. 

Maybe it's because my mom doesn't pack my lunch with tiny applesauce cups anymore (thanks mom) or because whenever I think about making it from scratch, it seems like such a big project.

But the truth is, homemade applesauce can be extremely simple to make, and so much more delicious than those tiny little cups (sorry mom). 

I use the Instant Pot - this one: 8 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Instant Pot - to make my applesauce because it's ready in just over 12 minutes.  I repeat, homemade applesauce in 12 MINUTES! 

It takes a couple of minutes to get the Instant Pot going on the pressure cooker setting, and a few minutes to rest at the end before you can open it, but you get what I'm saying. 

Usually it takes hours to make homemade applesauce.

Unpeeled apples and pears for added fiber (and ease!)

The other cool thing: I don't peel my apples.  There might be some grandmas or other home cooks cringing right now, but I just can't help it. 

The dietitian in me is always screaming for more fiber, and leaving the skins on is one way, plus it gives the applesauce a nice texture and saves a bunch of time when prepping. 

Now all you have to do is dice up your favorite crisp apples and throw 'em in the pot.

I also use pears in this recipe (although you could swap them out for more apples) just to give it an additional flavor profile and texture. 

Plus, I just feel bad for pears because they're DELICIOUS but totally underutilized in cooking.

And as if this recipe isn't easy enough, I have one more thing to add. 

There are only a handful of ingredients to make this applesauce: apples, pears, water, pure maple syrup, cinnamon, pure vanilla extract and salt.  I'm gonna go ahead and guess you have almost all of those items at home. 

YES!  And!  There are directions in the recipe for making this Cinnamon Pear Chunky Applesauce in the Instant Pot, slow cooker/crock pot or on the stove top (and how to can it if you wish to do so).

There are literally no excuses for not making this applesauce!

I will be posting more delicious recipes before Christmas, but if I still want to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS.  Enjoy this last, chaotic week before the big day.

And if you love the maple-apple combination, you may want to try this recipe for Maple Sweet Potato & Apple Soup.

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P.S. You totally deserve to buy yourself an Instant Pot for Christmas, or if you're feeling generous, you could buy one for a loved one.  Or both.  Grab one (or two) here:

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