Instant Pot Apple Cider

This Instant Pot Apple Cider is a delicious fall treat. Homemade apple cider has a wonderful aroma and flavor from the apples, citrus and spices.

Is apple cider just apple juice and cinnamon? What is apple cider?

Apple cider is made from pressed apples. It’s raw and unfiltered with zero added sugar or spices. It’s generally darker in color and may have some sediment. It’s also not pasteurized and has a short shelf life.

In the US, cider is non-alcoholic. However, hard cider contains alcohol so keep that in mind when shopping.

What’s the difference between apple juice, apple cider and apple cider vinegar?

Apple juice is also made from apples that have been pressed but it’s filtered, pasteurized and sugar is generally added. Apple juice is lighter in color without sediments. It usually contains a preservative to make it shelf stable. Apple juice also lacks the depth of flavor that apple cider usually has.

Like we mentioned above, apple cider is pressed from apples but not filtered with no added sugar. Apple cider vinegar is apple cider that has been left to ferment.

What kind of apples should I use?

You can use whatever apples are sweet and fresh. Picking apples at the peak of their season are the best. I prefer using fuji and gala apples with a few granny smith mixed in. The fuji and gala are sweet and fruity while granny smith apples are somewhat tart. The combination makes for a nice and balanced apple cider.

Why I love instant pot apple cider

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. There’s no standard when it comes to naming apple cider vs apple juice so it can be very difference from what you find in grocery stores.

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 . . . However, I’ve found that this recipe is the next best thing. The added citrus and spices really take the cider to the next level.

Ingredients

• Whole Cloves
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Apples: A combination of fuji, gala and granny smith apples are preferred. But whatever is in-season works.
• Oranges
• Water: To make this a mulled cider, replace the 1/2 cup of the water with spiced or dark rum.
• Honey: Maple syrup, coconut sugar or brown sugar for vegan or omit for whole30. If you want more info about honey being gluten free, check out this link. And check out this link to get more info about gluten free maple syrup.

Things to add to spiced apple cider

• Whole Star Anise: Just 1 whole star anise will add a warmth to this recipe.
• Cranberries: Add a 1/2 cup fresh cranberries for a tart twist.
• Pears: Swap out a few apples for pears.
• Dark or spiced Rum: Substitute 1/4 cup water for rum to a mulled cider.

How to make instant pot apple cider

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

2. Add the sachet, apples, oranges and water to the pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the fruit, about 4 cups.

3. 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.

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

Thoughts on 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 fine 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.
• Can also add 1/2 cup fresh cranberries as an additional add-in.
• To make this a mulled cider, replace the 1/2 cup of the water with spiced or dark rum.
• If you want more info about honey being gluten free, check out this link. And check out this link to get more info about gluten free maple syrup.

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

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

• Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup
• AIP Instant Pot Congee
• AIP Apple Butter
• Instant Pot Chicken Soup
• Healing Chicken Broth (Slow Cooker, AIP/Paleo)

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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.

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