Homemade Instant Pot applesauce with Red Hots will become your new favorite dessert. This easy applesauce recipe is flavored with the spicy cinnamon candy of Red Hots®.
My Grandma Bahr taught me this recipe many years ago when I helped her prepare Christmas dinner for our whole family. Her secret was to use a variety of different apples for the best flavor but also to achieve the “chunky” factor for the best applesauce! I am all about the chunks!!
On special occasions, my grandma wanted to make her traditional homemade applesauce special, so she would break out the Red Hots® which would turn the apple sauce into a vibrant red cinnamon dessert.
As times are changing, I wanted to use my Instant Pot to showcase her quick applesauce recipe. Only two ingredients are all it takes to make this easy applesauce.
Red Hots Applesauce
The sweet simplicity of my Instant Pot Applesauce is a timeless favorite that brings comfort and nostalgia with every spoonful. Whether you want to enjoy it as a snack, a side dish, or use it in various recipes, homemade applesauce is hard to beat!
When you follow Chef Sherry Ronning’s step-by-step instructions, you can make this delicious applesauce in a fraction of the time it takes on the stove. Use the hot trending kitchen tool, the Instant Pot, to whip up a batch of fresh, homemade applesauce in no time.
We’ll explore how to make Instant Pot Applesauce but will be introducing you to the delightful world of making applesauce with Red Hots candies.
Thirty minutes and two ingredients are all that you will need to make the best cinnamon applesauce that you have ever tasted! If you’re a fan of cinnamon candies, you’ll love this unique twist on a classic applesauce.
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Best Apples for Making this Applesauce Recipe
My father, James Mackey Sr., would always advise me on the best apples to make when I made my homemade applesauce recipe. My dad had a backyard apple orchard that had several varieties of fresh apples.
I personally like to use “soft” baking apples as well as “firm” eating apples. For me, variety is the key to the perfect applesauce!
A few of my top choices for apples are McIntosh apples, Gala apples, Honey crisp apples, and Red Delicious apples.
Chef Sherry’s Cookbook
How to Make Applesauce
With only 2 ingredients to make this applesauce recipe, it couldn’t be easier! Choose a variety of cooking apples. You want to have about 7 of your apples to be “baking” apples and 3 of your apples to be “firm” apples.
Not sure which apples are which? Look on the packaging of bagged apples in the store or ask your farmers market salesperson.
What is Red Hots®?
Red Hots® are a round, bit-sized classic cinnamon candy created in the early 1930’s. They are hard cinnamon candy pieces with a delectably sweet crunch that delivers wave after wave of spicy flavor when you let them dissolve in your mouth.
“Red Hots” have maintained their status as a beloved and iconic candy, thanks to their distinctive cinnamon flavor and versatility in both snacking and culinary applications. These spicy candies continue to be a nostalgic and enjoyable treat for people of all ages.
Ingredients for Red Hots Applesauce
- 3 pounds Apples
- Red Hots Candy
- Water
How Do I Make Applesauce in an Instant Pot?
Gather your ingredients to make the Instant Pot Red Hots® Applesauce. Peel, core and chop all of your apples. I like to use my corer/slicer to make quick work of this task.
Place all the sliced apples in the Instant Pot and sprinkle the Red Hots® overtop of the apples. Add the water, place the lid on the Instant Pot and line up to lock the lid into place.
Instant Pot Applesauce Cook Time
Press the Pressure Cooker button on high pressure or manual mode for 5 minutes. Make sure the valve on the lid is pointing toward the sealing mode and not the venting mode.
Once the timer goes off let the Instant Pot release naturally for 10 minutes. Follow the manufactures instruction on how to do a quick release of the pressure before opening the lid.
After 10 minutes, do the quick release while wearing oven mitts by placing the pressure valve into the venting mode very carefully!!
If there is still a lot of pressure built up in the Instant Pot, give it a few more minutes to release naturally and then try the quick release again. Make sure to use oven mitts when adjusting the pressure valve and unlocking the lid.
Set the lid aside being careful not to burn yourself with the hot steam or the hot water droplets that form on the top of the lid. Incorporate the apples and Red Hots® with a hand potato masher or an immersion blender. I like my cinnamon applesauce chunky, so I use the potato masher.
This Instapot applesauce will be watery. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté – Less mode and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until desired thickness is achieved.
How to Store Your Instant Pot Applesauce with Red Hots®
Place your leftover Red Hots® cinnamon applesauce in an airtight container and place in the fridge for up to 6 days. Freeze applesauce in an airtight freezable container for up to 6 months.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Chicken Salad
- Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup
Don’t Have an Instant Pot?
If you don’t have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, that’s okay! Make this homemade applesauce recipe in the microwave using a large microwaveable bowl with a lid that is on very loosely.
Cook for 10 minutes and them stir to combine. If needed, cook longer until the desired tenderness is reached. Use and immersion blender to puree the applesauce.
You can also use a non-stick pot on the stove over low heat to cook the apples down. Just make sure that the apples don’t burn.
Stir them often until they are cooked down. Mash with a hand masher or an immersion blender.
Applesauce with Red Hots – FAQ
This applesauce dessert recipe can be dressed up by adding different fruit with the apples such as strawberries or raspberries. Add a dash of cinnamon, sugar or any other spice of your choice.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot but still want to make this recipe? You still can!! For many years I have made this recipe in the microwave using the same ingredients but I would only use about 1/2 cup of water. I will use about 20 apples and place them in a large microwave safe bowl with a loose fitting lid. Microwave 10 minutes, stir apples, return to microwave and cook about 5 more minutes. Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to create your applesauce.
If you like this Instant Pot Applesauce recipe then you might like my Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Instant Pot Beef Tips and Noodles, Instant Pot Pot Roast, and Instant Pot Black Rice.
Absolutely! Keeping the peels on will give your applesauce a slightly different texture and flavor, as well as additional nutrients and fiber.
Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe
Get the full recipe and nutrition calories as well as nutrition information below!
Instant Pot Applesauce with Red Hots
Instant Pot Applesauce with Red Hots will become your new favorite dessert. Only two ingredients are all it takes to make this easy applesauce.
Ingredients
- Apples, peeled, cored and chopped 3 lbs (10 medium sized)
- Red Hots, cinnamon candy 4 oz.
- Water 3/4 cup
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients to make the Instant Pot Red Hots® Applesauce.
- Peel, core and chop all of your apples. I like to use my corer/slicer to make quick work of this task.
- Place all the sliced apples in the Instant Pot and sprinkle the Red Hots® overtop of the apples. Add the water, place the lid on the Instant Pot and line up to lock the lid into place.
- Press the Pressure Cooker button on high pressure or manual mode for 5 minutes. Make sure the valve on the lid is pointing toward the sealed mode.
- Once the timer goes off let the Instant Pot release naturally for 10 minutes. Follow the manufactures instruction on how to do a quick release of the pressure before opening the lid. After 10 minutes, do the quick release. Make sure to use oven mitts when adjusting the pressure valve and unlocking the lid.
- Set the lid aside being careful not to burn yourself with the hot steam or the hot water droplets that form on the top of the lid.
- Incorporate the apples and Red Hots® with a hand potato masher or an immersion blender. I like my cinnamon applesauce chunky, so I use the potato masher.
- This Instapot applesauce will be watery. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté – Less mode and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until desired thickeness is achieved.
Notes
How to Make Applesauce?
With only 2 ingredients to make this applesauce recipe, it couldn’t be easier! Choose a variety of cooking apples. You want to have about 7 of your apples to be “baking” apples and 3 of your apples to be “firm” apples. Not sure which apples are which? Look on the packaging of bagged apples in the store or ask your farmers market salesperson. For this recipe I used Pink Lady, Fuji and Golden Delicious apples.
What is Red Hots®?
Red Hots® are a round, bit-sized classic cinnamon candy created in the early 1930’s. They are cinnamon flavored candy with a delectably sweet crunch that delivers wave after wave of spicy flavor.
How Can I Make Applesauce Taste Better?
This applesauce dessert recipe can be dressed up by adding different fruit with the apples such as strawberries or raspberries. Add a dash of cinnamon, sugar or any other spice of your choice.
How to Store Your Instant Pot Red Hots® Applesauce
Place your leftover Red Hots® cinnamon applesauce in an airtight container and place in the fridge for up to 6 days. Freeze applesauce in an airtight freezable container for up to 6 months.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. Click on the highlighted text in a post to explore a product. If you purchase through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I ONLY EVER ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I TRULY LOVE. Thank you for your support!
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KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher, 10.24-Inch, Black -
Immersion Hand Blender, UTALENT 3-in-1 8-Speed Stick Blender
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Ferrara Pan Red Hots 25 Cent ,0.9 Ounce (Pack of 24)
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Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 92Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 110mgCarbohydrates 24gFiber 4gSugar 18gProtein 1g
Note: For exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information is simply a guideline.
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If you enjoy this recipe, you may like the following recipes: Venison Tips and Noodles or Homemade Dinner Rolls.
My kids love this recipe and I love how easy it is!
This was so much fun!
I made it yesterday to ho with some pork chops and it was perfect.
The ‘spice’ from the candy was so different but worked so well with the apples.
I had a mixed bag of apples that came with my fruit and veg box so I used those and it was perfect.
Definitely making this again ????