Instant Pot Southern Cinnamon Apples
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If you’ve ever craved that cozy, sweet aroma of cinnamon apples simmering on the stove, this recipe brings it home, Southern-style and in a fraction of the time! My Instant Pot Southern cinnamon apples are tender, buttery, and caramelized in brown sugar and a selection of soulful spices, all with the magic of modern convenience.
You may know this dish by its other names: Instant Pot fried apples or Instant Pot baked apples. But no matter what you call it, it’s made my signature Southern soul food way. Each bite tastes like comfort, tradition, and a warm hug from Grandma’s kitchen!
What kind of apples are best?
Firm, crisp apples work best for this recipe because they hold their shape while soaking up all that buttery, cinnamon-sugar goodness. Try varieties like McIntosh, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Fuji, or Gala for the perfect balance of sweet and tart Southern flavor.
Ingredients
The magic of Instant Pot Southern cinnamon apples starts with simple, soulful ingredients. Fresh, firm apples cooked in rich butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cornstarch thickens the caramelized glaze, and a touch of nutmeg and vanilla deepens the flavor, creating tender, syrupy apples that taste like a warm hug in every bite!
How to make Instant Pot Southern cinnamon apples
This cozy recipe comes together fast in just 8 minutes of cooking time! The best part is the convenience. You can simply add everything to the Instant Pot and walk away! No need to stand over the stove or stir constantly like with my traditional stovetop cinnamon apples recipe. It’s a quick shortcut to all that warm, comforting flavor.
Here are the instructions at a glance.
- Prep the apples: Peel, core, and slice into thick pieces so they stay tender, not mushy.
- Load the pot: Add water, apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the Instant Pot.
- Thicken and flavor: Stir in the cornstarch mixture and vanilla, then seal and pressure cook. Let the pressure release, then serve warm and enjoy!
Do you peel the apples?
Peeling is optional! For the best texture, I like to peel the apples so they turn out tender and glossy, but you can leave the skins on if you prefer a bit more structure and color. I enjoy making them both ways, and they are delicious either way!
How to keep the apples from getting mushy while pressure cooking
To keep the apples from turning mushy in the Instant Pot, make sure there’s enough water in the pot and the cornstarch is mixed in before cooking. This creates a thick, caramel-like sauce that protects the apples’ texture while they soften perfectly.
What do you serve with fried apples?
Fried apples pair beautifully with classic soul food dishes like fried chicken, turkey breast, or baked ham. As a dessert topping, they’re also delicious served over biscuits, pancakes, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet Southern treat!
How do you store cooked apples?
Store cooked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until the apples become warm and syrupy again!
Equipment
- Apple corer and slicer optional
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 2 cups water cold water, divided
- 5-6 large apples
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted or vegan butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ground
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel the apples and remove the seeds and core.
- Slice the apples into one-quarter to half an inch thick slices. Thick slices are best to prevent the apples from becoming mushy. For ease, use an apple slicer and corer.
- Open the Instant Pot lid and pour in 1 cup of water, the apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining cold water with the cornstarch until it’s free of lumps.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the Instant Pot.
- Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine the ingredients.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring that the valve is in the sealing position, and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow for a natural pressure release for at least 4 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if necessary. Then, serve warm, and enjoy!
Nutrition
More easy cinnamon apple recipes
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These are one of my favorite memories of food in the South!