Instant Pot Caramel Apple Cobbler–homemade apple cobbler that’s brought to a whole new level with the addition of drizzly caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A quick and easy fall dessert.
Slow Cooker instructions are listed in the recipe card below.

Each week in 2020 I’m sharing a recipe inspired by one of the 50 states. So far I’ve covered…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- See all the state recipes in one place
If you have an idea for a state I haven’t covered yet please email me [email protected] –remember it’s a recipe that has to be made (at least in part) in the Instant Pot.
Today’s recipe is inspired by the Evergreen State, Washington. As the nickname implies Washington is known for its abundant evergreen forests. It is the only state named after a United States president.
I have fond memories of the state of Washington. My dad was born and raised in Seattle and we would visit there in the summertime to see my grandparents. Now I have 4 of 6 siblings that live in the state of Washington as well as my parents. I love traveling up there and enjoying the beauty of Washington state!
Instant Pot Caramel Apple Cobber
Washington is the nation’s largest producer of apples so I felt it appropriate to make an apple recipe. I settled on Instant Pot caramel apple cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. It was so delicious and a perfect dessert for after Sunday supper.
What equipment do I need? To make Instant Pot caramel apple cobbler you’ll use the pot-in-pot method. You’ll need the following equipment:
- Instant Pot*: a 6 or 8 quart will work fine. The 3 quart pot is too small.
- Trivet/Sling with handles*: This will allow you to drop the cobbler pan into the Instant Pot and then retrieve it when it is done cooking.
- A pan for pot-in-pot cooking: I like to use the 3 quart Instant Pot liner* inside my 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot! It works so well and you can buy the liner on Amazon. Another pan that works well for this recipe is the Fat Daddio 7 inch by 4 inch cake pan*.
If you’d like to see how the pot-in-pot method works watch this video where I make another apple recipe! If you are a visual learner please subscribe to my YouTube channel. I post Instant Pot stuff weekly.

More Apple Recipes…
Instant Pot Apple Cider Donut Cake
Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Instant Pot Cran Apple Rice Pilaf
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Sundaes


Instant Pot Caramel Apple Cobbler
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
Homemade apple cobbler that’s brought to a whole new level with the addition of drizzly caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
For the apple filling:
- 4 medium apples (granny smith, jonagold, honeycrisp or braeburn)
- 2 Tbsp white sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup caramel topping (you can find this in the ice cream section)
For the cobbler topping:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/3 cup boiling water
For serving:
- 1/4 cup caramel topping
- vanilla ice cream
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Wash and thinly slice the apples (you can peel the skins or leave the peels on). Add the apples to a pan that fits inside your Instant Pot (I use this one*). Add in the sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and cinnamon. Toss well. Drizzle ¼ cup caramel topping over the apples.
- In a mixing bowl whisk the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Use a pastry blender*to mix in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Pour in the boiling water and stir until combined.
- Spoon the mixture over the apples and spread to cover all the apples.
- Place a layer of paper towels on top of the pan and then secure the paper towels with foil. This will prevent condensation from dripping on to the cobbler topping.
- Place the pan on a trivet/sling with handles*. Pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot. Lower the pan into the Instant Pot.
- Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 30 minutes. When time is up let the pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting to remove any remaining pressure. Remove the lid. Remove the pan with the sling. Remove the foil and paper towels.
- To brown up the top of the cobbler place the pan under your oven’s broiler for about 3-5 minutes, watching closely so that it doesn’t burn. You can also use your air fryer lid for this step.
- Scoop cobbler into bowls and top with vanilla ice cream and additional caramel topping.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Wash and thinly slice the apples (you can peel the skins or leave the peels on). Add the apples to the slow cooker. Add in the sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and cinnamon. Toss well. Drizzle ¼ cup caramel topping over the apples.
- In a mixing bowl whisk the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Use a pastry blender*to mix in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Pour in the boiling water and stir until combined.
- Spoon the mixture over the apples and spread to cover all the apples.
- Place a layer of paper towels on top of the slow cooker and then secure the paper towels with the slow cooker lid. This will prevent condensation from dripping on to the cobbler topping.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours. Remove the lid and paper towels.
- Scoop cobbler into bowls and top with vanilla ice cream and additional caramel topping.
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*.You can also make this recipe with an 8 quart Instant Pot.
- Category: Dessert
*Karen Petersen is 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.
Are you using all purpose flour or self rising?
I used all purpose
I have used several of your recipes, so I also purchased your 365 Days of Pressure Cooking. While I don’t always prepare the recipes exactly as you do, I have enjoyed the recipes and the recipes that have started with yours. (My kids told people I made mystery meals, but they rarely complained about the results.)
I want to thank you for the idea of the 3qt pot for pot-in-pot recipes. I have been looking for something that is larger than the Ecovana stacking pans and that will work. 😀
★★★★★
I’m so glad to hear this site has been helpful to you!
This may be stupid, but what are you using for caramel? I have no idea what that is.. Have you ever done a Peach or Cherry cobbler in the Instant pot
I just use a jar of caramel sauce that I find by the ice cream toppings at the grocery store.
I’ve done a peach cobbler before with a cake mix: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-3-ingredient-peach-cobbler/
Thanks Karen
Made this tonight. I used homemade pie filling and browned it in my instant vortex air fryer. This is so good and easy to make.
Thanks Karen.
★★★★★
I don’t have a pastry cutter but I have a food processor, can I use that until I get one?
Yes pulse a few times and it should be great!
Thank you! I’m not great at baking and this is the second ‘dough’ recipe that didn’t turn out. The first was the dumplings that were too sticky to even roll out and then didn’t cook. Now this crust didn’t turn out and I baked it instead of IP. I followed your oven directions in the comments but no go. Not sure what I’m doing wrong but could you maybe write the directions for dummy’s like me and not assume everyone knows how to bake. Cuz I’m def doing something wrong as all your dinner recipes turn out fantastic!
★★★★★
I made this tonight and it was really good! However, it seemed like it was not quite cooked all the way after 30 minutes. Is it supposed to be slightly raw tasting or did I do something wrong?
No, it’s supposed to be cooked all the way through and not raw tasting. I would increase cooking time next time by 5 minutes.
Hi Karen,
You’re the best! I have a question…..I know you’re a great fan of Costco (me too). Have you cooked the Costco frozen Spinach Mozzarella Ravioli with herb cheese packets in the IP? I thought I would try it using the method you recommend for pasta using the directions dividing by 2, subtract one minute with a 5 minute NPR….would that be correct for frozen ravioli?
Thanks so much!
That sounds amazing! I haven’t seen that or tried it. I would use this recipe for instructions: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-lasagna-ravioli/
Oh I love that recipe, but what if I don’t what to use tomato sauce? What would the correct amount of chicken broth be?
I’d just do 1 cup of broth and the cooking time mentioned in that recipe. Should be great.
Can i bake this in the oven for a crisper top?
Yes I think so! Bake for 35 minutes at 375.