Pork and apples pair beautifully together. This Instant Pot Pork Chops and Apples recipe is a great way to enjoy this wonderful flavor combination.
I adapted this recipe from my most popular non-Instant Pot recipe. My Baked Pork Chops and Apples with Brown Sugar Glaze is so easy and kid-friendly, I knew Instant Pot fans would love an IP version.
How to Make Instant Pot Pork Chops and Apples
Normally, my favorite feature of Instant Pot recipes is that I only dirty one pot. This recipe is one of the exceptions, but other than the additional bowls called for in the instructions, it’s just as easy as my other recipes, like my Instant Pot Pork and Beans.
Step 1 – Cut the Apples
First, set the pot to saute. While the pot heats up, slice the apples.
Then, place the apples in a large bowl and set them aside.
Step 2 – Prepare the Seasoning
Next, you’ll combine brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon in a small bowl.
This is going to become an amazing sauce on your pork chops and apples. It will also make your house smell amazing when you open the lid of your Instant Pot later!
Pour the brown sugar mixture over the apples and stir well. Make sure you coat all of the apple slices with the sugar and seasonings.
Step 3 – Saute the Apples
Now, add butter to the Instant Pot. After it has melted, add the apples and saute them for four minutes. Stir the apples occasionally to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Pour water over the apples.
Step 4 – Add the Pork Chops
Once you’ve sauteed the apples, you’ll season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Make sure to season both sides.
Then, add the seasoned pork chops to your Instant Pot and turn the pot off.
Step 5 – Pressure Cook
Now it’s time to let your Instant Pot pressure cook this meal. Secure the lid, select meat setting and set the time to 10 minutes.
When the Instant Pot beeps, quick release the pressure. Your Instant Pot Pork Chops and Apples are ready to serve!
Spoon some apples and a pork chop onto each plate and drizzle with some of the sauce from the bottom of the pot.
Instant Pot Pork Chop and Apples Recipe
Ready to make this Instant Pot Pork Chop and Apples? Here’s the recipe card with the exact measurements.
Instant Pot Pork Chops and Apples
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 2 apples
- 4 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon to taste
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg to taste
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 pork chops
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Select the saute setting as you chop or slice your apples.
- Place the chopped apples in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the apples and stir well to coat.
- Add the butter to the pot and let it melt. Then, add the apple mixture to the melted butter and saute for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour water over the apples. (This step was added after several readers experienced a burn error)
- Season your pork chops, front and back, with salt and pepper.
- Place the pork chops over the apples and turn off the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid and select "meat setting" for 10 minutes (8 minutes if your pork chops are thin).
- Quick release and serve the pork chops overtop of the apples.
Notes
Nutrition
If you liked this recipe, check out this Roasted Garlic and Herb Pork Loin with Vegetables and my other Instant Pot Pork Recipes.
No Instant Pot? No problem! See my original version here.
More Instant Pot Resources
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This is a definite must-try recipe! I love applesauce with my pork chops, but don’t like cinnamon in my applesauce, so I may leave the seasoning out altogether! I’ll put carrots in too, and perhaps sweet potatoes to round out the meal. Can’t wait to try it! Pinning for later!
Can I do this with frozen pork chops or do they have to be thawed? Beginner here 😉
I don’t usually post reviews but I had to let you know that my dad and husband LOVED this meal! My dad always eats applesauce with pork so I knew this might be a hit. I used 5 apples and cut back on the brown sugar, added knob of ginger and the 8 minute cook time for thin pork chops was perfect! I’ll be making this again for sure.
Tried this last night. I used 4 apples only because I bought 4 by mistake . Loved how the apples came out tasted great. The pork chops were awesome too the change I made though was I did use Thin chops and i poked them with a fork I think this helped them get more tender as I seen alot say the pork chops were dry. I added about 3/4 cup of water and cooked 10 mins then natural release for 10 minutes and it was great however the rest of the family didnt like the taste as when it comes to pork chops we always make them with cream of celery soup in the crock pot
A little different spin, but equally delicious- delete the cinnamon and nutmeg, substitute chicken broth for water, add a sliced onion to sliced apple and a dash of balsamic vinegar and minced garlic. The apples come out tasting like a chutney and are delicious on top of the pork chops.
I love your suggestions! Thanks for sharing.
too much cinnamon
I browned the chops before watering the apples and used white wine instead of water and they were delish. Going to try the same recipe tonight but with country style ribs. Will pop them in the broiler once done.
“before sautéing the apples”
Made this tonight in my Instant Pot. The flavors were a hit but the meat was really dry and the apples super mushy. We are willing to try again but maybe less time, Just not sure how much less time.
Thanks for the feedback Margret. Definitely sounds like too much time. I’ll try this again this week with a shorter cook time and see if I can adjust the recipe.
I made this exactly as written and ours turned out with very dry pork chops! I used boneless chops, should this only be made using bone-in chops? If I shortened the cooking time would that help? Maybe 7 minutes? Apples were very tasty, even though super mushy! 2 stars given due to dryness of the chops.
I think it might actually have more to do with the thickness of the pork. Some people get perfectly moist pork with this recipe but you aren’t the first reviewer to have them come out dry. I’m going to add a note to the recipe suggesting a shorter cook time for thinner pork chops. Thanks for your feedback!
perhaps brining the pork chops before?
Tried the dish with everything as is in the recipe except I adjusted the spices down a little and it came out tender and sweet. There was plenty of juice from the apples and pork chops
I’m going to try to make these tonight, but I am also skeptical about having no liquid. I think I will use a cup of apple juice
Hi Debbie, let me know how they turn out. If you are happy with the result, I’ll add a note recommending the juice in the instructions.
I’ve never used the Meat setting. Would it be the same as high pressure?
The smart settings control the heating element to make sure it doesn’t heat too quickly or too slowly. You can just use manual high pressure and adjust the time, but the outcome might be slightly different since the pot will heat at a different rate.
can i put 7 pork chops in i have the 8 qt
Yes, I’ve doubled the recipe before without issue.
I too was skeptical about lack of liquid and got burn message first time thru. Added 1/2 cup water and it cooked fine. I thought 10 minutes was a little overdone for the size pork chops we had.
I also added the extra pot of sweet potatoes on top with a little butter and cinnamon on them. Quite good.
Thanks for the idea!
I made the recipe exactly as written. It does make plenty of its own liquid. I thought that a Tablespoon was a lot of cinnamon plus a 1 tsp of nutmeg. They tasted okay but I thought my food was a lot darker than your picture. Then I looked at your oven version and it called for a lot less spice. My apples were very mushy too. Is 10 minutes too long? We liked it so I will probably make it again with some adjustments.
This sounds great, but I thought you had to have at least a cup of liquid to cook in the instant pot. Does it work without the liquid?
Pork chops release a LOT of liquid when they cook so that is where the liquid will come from to help the pot come to pressure.
Mine said “burn” a couple minutes into building pressure so I added broth. Hoping they turn out. I was skeptical about the no liquid too.
Amanda, did these work out after you added the broth?