Skip to Content

Easy Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples Recipe

I am so excited that I finally got my Instant Pot cinnamon apples recipe the way I want it! Finally I can share. Some links in this post are affiliate links that earn me a commission if you purchase through them.

Simple cinnamon apples recipe

There are certain restaurants where I order cinnamon apples every time. While these aren’t strictly a Cracker Barrel cinnamon apples copycat recipe, they satisfy me perfectly.

Looking for more yummy Instant Pot ideas? Check out my favorites at the end of this article.

The key is to use crisp apples – I love Granny Smith apples for this. There are other great varieties too like Cortland or Empire or Idareds.

Do I need to peel apples to make cinnamon apples?

Short answer? No, you don’t need to peel your apples when you make these Instant Pot cinnamon apples.

When I make my simple cinnamon apples, I keep them simple. That means that just like when I make applesauce or apple crisp or other recipes, I leave the skins on.

Homemade cinnamon apples

Why?

Wellllll first of all, it’s faster and easier to not peel the apples. The other reasons are more practical and less lazy. Skins on give the dish more nutrition, and they help the apples hold their shape after baking.

Easy cinnamon apples

And no, the skins don’t affect the flavor of the final dish. They soften as they bake, so why take the time and effort to peel?

How do you thicken the syrup for Instant Pot cinnamon apples?

If you’ve used your Instant Pot at all, you know you need liquid in there to avoid burning. But I didn’t want a soupy version of cinnamon apples.

When I make my honey bourbon chicken or chicken paprikash, I use cornstarch to thicken the sauce. When I did this at the end of the cinnamon apples recipe, it caused the apples to break up, which defeated the purpose.

Then I got smart and added the cornstarch slurry to the apples before I started cooking, and it turned out perfectly. Winner winner Instant Pot cinnamon apples dinner!

Instant Pot cinnamon apples bowl

And yeah… it’s super simple and ready so fast. Enjoy them as a side with your meal or over ice cream or pancakes. There are so many delicious ways to eat them!

Simple apple cinnamon snack

Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out my favorites at the bottom of this article.

How to Make Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples

Core and slice your apples. If you have the tool that slices and cores your apples in one push, you’re set.

Take a quick look at your apples. If any look too thick or big, slice them in half to make them thinner. Even though the apple slicer has the same size cuts, apples aren’t even and some slices end up bigger than others.

The same holds true if you don’t slice perfectly straight and have slices with apple seeds in them. Use a paring knife to quickly clean them up before you move on to the next apple.

If you choose, you can cut them in half to make them bite size, but generally I leave them in whole slices.

Apples for cinnamon apples

Add them to the liner of your Instant Pot. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice then stir to combine.

In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup cold water to the cornstarch and use a fork to stir it until smooth. Pour the slurry into the Instant Pot and stir again.

Stir apples in Instant Pot

Add the lid and ensure the vent is set to seal. Cook for seven minutes. You can release the pressure immediately or let it do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes.

Stir gently with a large wooden spoon to ensure the delicious sauce coats all the apples and serve immediately.

Delicious Instant Pot cinnamon apples

Make sure you store any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in your fridge for up to a week. Heat leftovers before serving.

How would you eat these Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples?

More great Instant Pot Recipes:

Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples

Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples

Yield: 6 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 7 minutes
Time to Pressure: 10 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes

These easy cinnamon apples taste delicious as a side dish, over ice cream, on pancakes and waffles and so much more. Instant Pot cinnamon apples are perfectly kid friendly and a delicious fall recipe.

Ingredients

  • 6 apples
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Core and slice apples, then add to Instant Pot liner. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice, then stir to combine.
  2. In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup cold water to cornstarch and use a fork to stir it until smooth and stir. Pour slurry into Instant Pot and stir again.
  3. Add lid and set vent to seal. Cook for seven minutes. Open lid immediately or NPR for 10 minutes.
  4. Stir gently with a large wooden spoon to coat apples in sauce and serve immediately.
  5. Store leftovers in tightly sealed container in fridge for up to a week. Heat leftovers before serving.

Notes

Use a crisp apple for this recipe - Idared, Granny Smith, etc. You want an apple that will hold its shape. This recipe leaves the skin on the apples, but if you prefer, you can remove the skin.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 89Total Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2.5gSugar: 18.4gProtein: .3g

Did you make this recipe?

Please rate the recipe above and save it on Pinterest so you can find it to make again and again. Leave me a comment to let me know what you think about it, too!

Enjoy these easy Instant Pot cinnamon apples. This recipe mimics fried apples but they're surprisingly healthy. They're reminiscent of Cracker Barrel cinnamon apples and so delicious. Learn how to make this delicious side dish, pancake topping, or even ice cream topping. This recipe is naturally gluten free, too!

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Enjoy this article? Please share it and save it for later!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Sally says:

    Michelle – I made the recipe as written, using Granny Smith apples. Instructions did not say to pressure cook on “high” or “low”; I used the usual “high”. End result was mush, apples did not hold their shape. Taste is great; I am refrigerating the end result to have “cinnamon applesauce” with pork tonight! I might try again on “low” setting.

    • Michelle says:

      I have one of the original Instant Pots, and mine has no option to toggle between high and low. Definitely try on low and see if that changes things for you. I do also wonder if there is some power boost on the newer models and shaving a minute or two off the time may change things. I’ve made this and remade this a few times and never run into a burn notice or had mushy apples when making it – but I’d love to hear if you are able to find a fix for your model pot that I can share with others!

  2. Lori Close says:

    It never said what settings or temperature to cook these at I I just left it on manual.

    • Michelle says:

      The different buttons really are just ways to save certain time settings so you don’t have to keep pressing buttons up and down to increase or decrease minutes – for the most part. Manual is fine for this 🙂 You should be A-OK!

      • Danielle says:

        I keep getting a burn message on my instant pot. I followed the directions. I pushed pressure cook and set it to 7 mins. Am I doing something wrong?

        • Shelley Parsons says:

          I also got the burn message. I followed the recipe and stirred it well. I wonder if backing off on the corn starch or adding more liquid might help. The flavor and aroma are lovely!

          • Michelle says:

            Try stirring less or adding a little more water. It seems like most people don’t get the message (based on emails and other comments) – so I wonder if there’s a difference in the apples people use or the different IP models. BUT I also know from other people’s recipes that the more you stir, the more likely you are to get the burn message. I hope this helps!

        • Michelle says:

          Hmm. I’ve never gotten a burn message with my IP making this recipe, so my guess yes, but I don’t know what. You can see exactly what I did in the video… It’s definitely important to not have spices sitting on the bottom of the IP. Did you try doing it at low pressure v high pressure to see if that makes a difference? Let me know, and fingers crossed!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe