These Instant Pot pork chops with cinnamon apples are a quick and easy dinner. They can be prepared and on the table in under 40 minutes!
As a busy mama, I need an easy recipe that the whole family will love. I am always looking for a new easy Instant Pot dinner because they don't take forever to make. And, they are usually one pan recipes, which is even better.
In our busy world with the schedules we all have, this is a great improvement for the kitchen. While there are many of them to choose from, I like my 6 quart 9-in-1 instant pot.
I love a quick and easy weeknight dinner like our Instant Pot meatballs, pulled pork pasta or Mississippi chicken Instant Pot style and these instant pot pork chops and apples sure hits the spot. Also, our crab legs in the instant pot or this pork steak recipe is wonderful.
The sweetness of the apples goes perfectly with the protein filled pork. You can serve it over rice or they go great with our gluten-free crescent rolls, instant pot broccoli cheddar soup or potato cakes.
Why you should make this recipe
- You can cook this easy meal in a fraction of the time it usually takes to traditionally cook them and it only takes a few minutes of prep time.
- It also makes clean up a breeze because you can sauté the meat then cook it all in one pot. It's also great for thin pork chops.
- These delicious pork chops require simple seasoning, but have maximum flavor. It is a simple recipe with the best flavor. That's a win-win in my book.
Ingredients needed
- Boneless Pork Chops - For this recipe, we use boneless chops. You will see some recipes use bone-in chops, but we prefer boneless. You will need 4 chops (1.5 pounds).
- Large Fuji Apples - Two large apples will do. If you can only find smaller ones, get three or four so you have enough. Cut them into thin slices.
- Butter - Two tablespoons of butter are used to help sauté the chops. The remaining butter is used to make the delicious brown sugar mixture.
- Brown Sugar - Adding brown sugar to a recipe is one of my favorite ways to spice up a recipe. It has a deeper flavor, which subtlety seasons whatever you are cooking.
- Cornstarch - We use gluten-free cornstarch in our house, but any cornstarch is fine. It is used as a thickening agent in the brown sugar mixture.
- Cinnamon - Cinnamon pairs wonderfully with brown sugar, so of course I had to add it in. Also, the cinnamon mixed with apples is divine.
- Dry Sparkling Soda - We recommend using the fuji apple flavor because we use fuji apples for this recipe. If you can't find it, you can try another apple soda. It will work just fine.
How to make Instant Pot pork chops
Sauté butter
Place 2 tablespoons of butter in the bottom of your instant pot and push the sauté function. Let the butter melt, but make sure you stir it occasionally so it does not burn.
Then place the pork chops in the instant pot in a single layer (as shown in photo 1). Make sure they do not overlap.
Sear pork chops
Sear the pork chops for 2 minutes. Cook on one side until lightly browned then flip them over and do the same on the other side.
Remove the chops and place on a plate to the side. Be careful, as they will be hot.
Deglaze the pan
To completely deglaze the pan, pour ¼ of the bottle of apple soda into the pot. Make sure you scrape off all the bits of pork from the bottom of the pot.
You will be using the Instant Pot again, so to avoid a burn signal make sure all of the browned bits of pork is scraped off of the bottom. The apple soda will help loosen up any tough spots.
Make brown sugar mixture
Next, you will want to make the brown sugar mixture. Combine the remaining melted butter, corn starch, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
This mixture will top the pork chops and creates this flavorful meat. I find that brown sugar and cinnamon pair perfectly with savory dishes.
Top pork chops
Turn the Instant Pot off and place the pork chops back in the pot. Place them in a single layer, making sure the seasoning reaches all pork chops.
Top with sliced apples and brown sugar mixture. Try your best to make sure the seasoning is evenly spread.
Cook pork chops
Pour the dry sparkling soda over everything and seal the lid. Cook on pressure cook or on manual for 8 minutes.
It will take about 10 minutes for it to come up to pressure.
Release pressure
Once it has finished cooking, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then quick release the Instant Pot for the remainder and open the lid.
I love pressure cooking with the Instant Pot because it is incredibly easy. Plus, it always smells so good once you take off the lid.
Serve
After they are done, place pork chops on a plate. Serve pork chops smothered with apples and sauce over top.
These tender pork chops are tasty on their own, but the apples and sauce on top take them to the next level. They are so good, you will want to make them on a regular basis. Smoked bacon wrapped pork loin is another great option if you love pork.
Tips for Success
- Take your time: Yes, Instant Pots cook things quickly, but sometimes it takes a bit longer for the pressure to release. I hate feeling rushed when cooking (it happens a lot, unfortunately), so it is a good idea to plan ahead.
- Use a thin cut of pork chop: For this recipe, I recommend a thinner cut (about ½ inch thick).
Storage and Freezing
Storing: Allow the leftover Instant pot pork chops to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. Once you seal the container, place it in the fridge. It will last 2 days.
Freezing: You can freeze cooked pork chops for up to 3 months. Put a double layer of wax paper between each pork chop, then place them in a freezer bag.
FAQ
Why are my Instant Pot pork chops tough?
Overcooking meat will make it tough. It is important to keep an eye on the pressure cook time when you are cooking these pork chops. You will get the best results when you keep an eye on the time.
Do pork and apples really go together?
Oh, absolutely. Think about how you see cooked pigs with an apple in their mouth. The pair have gone together for years and years.
Ways to Enjoy
This perfect recipe is wonderful on its own, but I find that it pairs well with any of our mocktails. I think these easy pork chops would especially go with our virgin mojito or our non alcoholic mulled wine.
If you are looking for side dishes to pair these slow cooker pork chops with, you could try our gluten free stuffing if you want to continue with the apple flavor. Our gluten-free mashed potatoes also pair well, as does our cucumber salad.
We have tons of go-to Instant Pot recipes if you like this recipe. For example, our Instant Pot chicken noodle soup is a big hit. And if you need more pork, this Porchetta recipe is great!
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Instant Pot Pork Chops with Apples
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless pork chops 4 chops
- 2 large Fuji apples sliced thin
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 12 oz. bottle Dry Sparkling fuji apple soda (or another apple soda if you can't find this one)
Instructions
- Place 2 tablespoons of butter in the bottom of your instant pot and push sauté. Let the butter melt then place the pork chops in the instant pot in a single layer (as shown in photo 1).
- Sear the pork chops for 2 minutes, until lightly browned on one side then flip them over and do the same on the other side. Remove the chops and place on a plate.
- Completely deglaze the pan by pouring ¼ the bottle of apple soda into the pot and scraping off all the bits of pork from the bottom.
- Meanwhile, combine remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter, corn starch, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl (as shown in photo 2).
- Turn the Instant Pot off and place the pork chops back in the pot and top with sliced apples and brown sugar mixture.
- Pour the dry sparkling soda over everything and seal the lid. Cook on pressure cook or manual for 8 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for it to come up to pressure.
- Once it has finished cooking, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes then quick release the remainder and open the lid. Serve pork chops smothered with apples and sauce over top.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published on October 17, 2017, but was updated with new information on December 9, 2022.
Mickey says
Mine burned too. I scraped the bottom real good, but it still burned. Luckily the pork chops were done. I put them on a plate, and scraped the bottom again and cooked the apples for another minute. Haven’t taste the dish yet, but it looks good.
Chandice says
I am sorry it burned but hope you enjoyed the dish. 🙂
Katrina says
I've tried this recipe twice. The first time, I used sparkling cider, as I couldn't find the Dry Fuji Apple "Soda". Burn warning after burn warning; very frustrating. Then I looked up the "soda", which is basically sparkling water; huge difference in the sugar content! Tried again with apple sparkling water (no sugar). Pan deglazed beautifully, but I still got burn warnings. As much as I love the flavor, I'm not putting myself through the frustration of making it again.
Chandice says
I am sorry to hear that you had a hard time with it.
Amber says
Also, will sparkling apple cider work instead of soda?
Chandice says
Hi Amber, yes absolutely!
Amber says
I'm making this tomorrow and was wondering what would be a good side dish for this?? My husband is a tall, brawny man who eats well and he'd probably giggle at such little food in front of him. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!
Chandice says
I love serving it with rice, a salad and some rolls. 🙂
Jen says
It went great with a sweet potato too! This recipe is delicious!
Chandice says
Aww thanks Jen! 🙂
Jessica says
I think this is my new favorite recipe. I was intrigued by the combination of pork and apples, but my goodness it is the dream combo. I never thought they would go together, but YUM.
Maureen McPherson says
These turned out quite well. Next time I'd use apples that would hold together better (I had macs in the house) and really trim the fat. Having said that, they were really good, juicy and tender. Much better than dry old oven pork chops.
Chandice says
I love hearing this, thanks Maureen! 🙂
Barbara says
This sounds wonderful but I don’t have an instapot. Could you suggest slow cooker method?? TIA
Chandice says
Hi Barbara, thanks! I would recommend slow cooking everything for 5-6 hours on low with the apples on top of the pork chops.
Penny Brown says
You said it was best to use unthawed chops, but frozen was okay. Aren't unthawed and frozen the same thing?
Chandice says
Oops sorry let me fix that...
Dee Jackson says
Made this with orange juice. It was great but I would love to try with apple soda.
Where can I buy the soda?
Chandice says
Yum, sounds great! You can get the apple soda at any hispanic market or most grocery stores in the soda isle.
Mickayla says
I made this with 4 very thick pork chops from Costco, close to 2 inches thick. I decided to give 8mins a try instead of 15, since I don't love overcooked meat, even in the instant pot. Even with only 8mins cooking time and releasing the pressure after 11mins of NPR (to be exact), they were still cooked to over 200deg! My apples turned into applesauce too.. I'm amazed any type of apple survived 15mins, if mine were that disintegrated after 8. So just a heads up to anyone willing to experiment with times and doneness, or anyone who is using apples other than Fuji, I will be trying 5mins next time. 8mins was too much for even those massive pork chops, nevermind regular thickness ones.
Kathy says
Even with the Costco 2” thick chops I sauté 2 min per side then pressure cook for ZERO min with an 8 min npr and they are plenty done. I also tenderize the thick chops by whacking them a couple times in a crosshatch pattern with the dull edge of a knife.
Gail Cooke says
This recipe was a big fail for me.The sauce thickened so fast that I kept getting Burn message.Ended up by putting it in the oven to cook.
Chandice says
I am so sorry to hear that. I have only heard good things so far...did you have enough liquid?
Erica D. says
Hi Stephanie! Erica here! So actually corn has their own protein (and yes, it's called gluten), but it's not the gluten proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley that celiacs are sensitive too. I know I know, confusing right? But corn IS safe for celiacs and those with gluten sensitivities. However, separately, you can have a sensitivity to corn (like all parts of it, not just the protein) - so you might just have an issue with corn. If that's the case, arrowroot starch is a good sub.
Stephanie Robbins says
For those of us really sensitive to gluten, cornstarch has gluten. I will be replacing with arrowroot. Just thought you might want to know. Looks like a great recipe!