Instant Pot Apple Cider (made with maple syrup)
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This homemade Instant Pot apple cider recipe is the coziest fall or winter beverage. Made with fresh apples, oranges, cranberries, and warming spices, it’s super simple to make and ready to sip in under an hour.
Get ready to bring on the ultimate coziness. This apple cider is richly spiced with warm, apple-pie flavors and is perfect for sipping by the fire or packing into a thermos for outdoor adventures.
I love using the Instant Pot to make a big batch in under an hour — it couldn’t be easier. Then I just reheat the leftovers whenever I’m craving a deliciously cozy break.
Key Ingredients in Instant Pot Apple Cider
- Apples: use whatever variety you like! I use a combination of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples.
- Cranberries: fresh cranberries add a delicious tartness to the sweet cider. Unfortunately, dried cranberries will not work for this instant pot apple cider recipe.
- Cinnamon sticks: These can also be replaced by a couple of teaspoons of ground cinnamon if you are unable to find whole sticks.
- Maple syrup: I use maple syrup as a sweetener, but brown sugar, cane sugar, honey, or even a few pitted dates also work well. Depending on what variety of apples you use, the cider on its own will be quite tart. If you’re ok with that, feel free to omit the sweetener completely.
Tips for making Instant Pot apple cider
- If you can’t find or don’t like one of the ingredients, feel free to omit anything (except the apples) as you choose. You can also play with ratios and swap in different flavors. Experiment with fresh ginger, different types of citrus, and other spices.
- After you strain the cider, you will be left with something resembling apple sauce. Use this flavorful mash as a topping for ice cream, oatmeal, yogurt, or add it to baked goods.
- Compared to the traditional method, this Instant Pot apple cider recipe is made in a fraction of the time. Just keep in mind the Instant Pot must come to pressure and release, so the whole process ends up taking about an hour.
- When the mood strikes, turn this into a cozy cocktail by adding a splash of bourbon or rum to your mug!
Serving suggestions
I love serving Instant Pot apple cider on a chilly evening in, especially after a cozy meal. The last time I made this, it was after having my butternut squash rice with sage pesto for dinner, and it was a wonderful way to end the meal. I think it would be lovely after roast chicken, served with my olive oil and herb mashed potatoes.
Instant Pot Apple Cider (made with maple syrup)
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples (sliced)
- 1 large orange (sliced)
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 2-inch cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 10 whole cloves
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 5 cups water
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into the inner pot of the Instant Pot.6 medium apples, 1 large orange, ½ cup fresh cranberries, ½ cup maple syrup, 2 2-inch cinnamon sticks, 3 star anise, 10 whole cloves, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 5 cups water
- Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Once the time is up, release naturally or use the quick release function after 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid and use a potato masher or slotted spoon to mash the fruit.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl and add the mixture, using the back of a spoon to push the liquid through. Serve cider warm or cold and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Notes
Nutrition
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The maple syrup and cinnamon sticks add so much flavor to this apple cider! I love how it’s made in the instant pot too!
This apple cider recipe is loaded with fall flavors and fragrance. I absolutely love it.
This is the perfect apple cider recipe to make after having a fun day out in the snow sledding or skiing. So cozy!