Name: Instant Pot Apple Cider
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon Whole Cloves; 3 Cinnamon Sticks; 8 Apples (quartered ); 4 Oranges (peel removed); 4 cups Water; 1/4 cup Honey (coconut sugar for vegan or omit for whole30 (optional))

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This Instant Pot Apple Cider is really the next best thing to making cider in the traditional way. It has a remarkably similar flavor that’s only enhanced by the addition of spices.

two mugs of apple cider surrounded by apples and spices

I grew up on the East Coast (shout to Buffalo!) and every fall we would go to a local farm to pick pumpkins and watch apple cider be made. It was impressive to watch a huge press squeeze the juice out of all these apples. True apple cider is made with nothing but apples. No sugar. No spices. No water. It’s a very different product than what you see on the grocery shelves.

Pressing your own apple cider isn’t exactly realistic. I don’t think my husband would dedicate our garage to an apple press so that we could use it a few months out of the year for making cider. Although I may float the idea past him . . .

two mugs of apple cider surrounded by apples

Best Apple for Apple Cider

I prefer to use a juicy and sweet apple like Fuji or Gala. Growing up, I recall the farm near us used to make their own apple cider and used Macintosh apples. Macintosh apples aren’t readily available in my area. I would suggest doing a little apple tasting and using something that’s local to you. I find that apples that are local are generally sweeter and they don’t have to travel a long distance in a refrigerated truck. Refrigerated apples tend to loose their sweetness.

Is hot apple cider gluten free?

This one is! I can’t imagine why apple cider wouldn’t be gluten free in all cases but there could be cross contamination if it’s made in the same location as wheat based product. Plus companies are always adding unnecessary ingredients so make sure you’re always checking the list of ingredients before you buy. Or just make this one at home for a little piece of mind.

How to make Instant Pot Apple Cider

Tie the cinnamon sticks and cloves in a cloth teabag or cheesecloth with butcher's twine to create a sachet.

Add the sachet, apples, oranges and water to the instant pot. Add enough water to cover the fruit, about 4 cups.

cut apples, oranges and spice sachet in instant pot

Close the instant pot. Set to pressure cook for 20 minutes. Once it’s finished cooking, wait 10 minutes then switch then switch to venting (quick release). Once the stopper has dropped, then remove the top.

Take out the bag of spices. Use an immersion blender to puree the fruit, then strain. If using, add the honey to taste before serving.

immersion blender in instant pot and apple cider being strained

Tip for Making the Best Instant Pot Apple Cider

Reserve the strained apple and use in place of applesauce in a baked good recipe such as Gooey Apple Sheet Cake. The recipe would benefit from the added flavor of the spices.
Prior to straining the cider, I transferred it to a large pitcher to make it easier to pour. I then used a large mesh strainer over another large pitcher.
I used this type of mesh strainer. However a cone strainer would have been much easier and less messy.
I use the Instant Pot Duo.

two glasses of apple cider surrounded by apples and spices

If you like this Instant Pot Apple Cider recipe, try these other AIP instant pot recipes.

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mugs of apple cider surrounded by apples and spices

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Apple Cider

This Instant Pot Apple Cider tastes like a traditional cider recipe but it’s made in a pressure cooker and using zero refined sugar or chemicals. Making cider is going to be a new fall tradition! This recipe fits the Paleo, Vegan, Whole30 and AIP diets.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time50 mins

Strain20 mins

Total Time1 hr 30 mins

Course: Drink

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Calories: 161kcal

Author: Beth Chen

Equipment

▢
Cone Strainer
▢
Instant Pot
▢
Immersion Blender

Ingredients

▢ 1 teaspoon Whole Cloves
▢ 3 Cinnamon Sticks
▢ 8 Apples quartered
▢ 4 Oranges peel removed
▢ 4 cups Water
▢ 1/4 cup Honey coconut sugar for vegan or omit for whole30 (optional)

Instructions

Tie the cinnamon sticks and cloves in a cloth teabag or cheesecloth with butcher's twine to create a sachet.
Add the sachet, apples, oranges and water to the instant pot. Add enough water to cover the fruit, about 4 cups.
Close the instant pot. Set to pressure cook for 20 minutes. Once it’s finished cooking, wait 10 minutes then switch then switch to venting (quick release). Once the stopper has dropped, then remove the top.
Take out the bag of spices. Use an immersion blender to puree the fruit, then strain.
If using, add the honey to taste before serving.

Notes

Reserve the strained apple and use in place of applesauce in a baked good recipe such as Gooey Apple Sheet Cake. The recipe would benefit from the added flavor of the spices.
Prior to straining the cider, I transferred it to a large pitcher to make it easier to pour. I then used a large mesh strainer over another large pitcher.
I used this type of mesh strainer. However, a cone strainer would have been much easier.
I use the Instant Pot Duo.

Nutrition

Helpful Info for All Recipes

I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise.
I always use Himalayan sea salt or Celtic sea salt, unless otherwise noted.
The majority of my recipes are strict AIP or include notations for reintroductions. However while I make every effort to label non-AIP ingredients and recipes sometimes they slip past me. If you have questions, please ask in advance.

Did you make this recipe? I love hearing your thoughts on my recipes so please rate and comment below.