Ridiculously Easy Instant Pot Applesauce (Dog Friendly)

Every fall I get asked so many questions regarding dog friendly applesauce.

Where I lived previously, we were lucky enough to have many large apple trees on the property. We were almost begging people to come and take them; there were just too many for us to eat. That's when I had a lightbulb moment: Why not make dog safe applesauce?!

That fall I began making batches of applesauce for the dogs and it was a hit. It also gave me peace of mind that I knew exactly what the contents of this filler was, and that it was people safe, too! When given in moderation, homemade applesauce can be quite the delicious treat for dogs, and it works wonders in enrichment toys.

Here's how to make your own dog safe applesauce at home.

All you'll need:

Instant Pot
5 apples (cored, peeled, and chopped).*
Lemon Juice
1 Cup Water
Pinch of Cinnamon

* Tip: For the least amount of sugar, go with Granny Smith apples.

Step 1: Core, Peel and Chop

Clean your apples and core, peel and chop them into large cubes. Ensure you get the entire core and all seeds out of the apples.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients Inside the Pot

Place the chopped apples in the Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of water, 1-2 TBSP of lemon juice, and a pinch of cinnamon. Stir.

Step 3: Place on High Pressure for 5 Minutes

Set your Instant Pot to high pressure for 5 minutes (it will take roughly 10 minutes to get up to pressure). Once the 5 minutes is complete, do a natural pressure release.

Step 4: Reach the Consistency You Desire

After the pressure release, open the lid once it's safe to do so. The apples should be incredibly soft and fragrant. Use a potato masher to create a thick consistency, or throw the applesauce in a blender for a smooth consistency.

Step 7: Portion and freeze.

When cool, you're okay to serve your applesauce immediately. Any excess applesauce can be stored in air-tight containers in the freezer for up to two months, or in the fridge for two weeks.

Tip: Want to amp it up for the people in your life? Simply add a bit of packed brown sugar in a separate container to sweeten it up for human consumption.

BON APPETIT!

Here's a quick enrichment recipe to get you started on using your homemade applesauce for dogs. The consistency of the apple sauce also works amazing in lickimats!