This homemade mulled (hot) apple cider will have your kitchen smelling amazing! Make this in your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot).
PIN FOR LATER
After I made homemade mulled cider for the first time, I never store-bought it again. After you make this once I think you’ll understand why. It’s super simple and a heck of a lot healthier. At least for me, it’s cheaper to buy 7 apples than to buy store-bought cider full of added preservatives. Not that I drink a lot of mulled cider, just around the holidays.
before (electric pressure cooker)
What Type Of Apples To Use
You can use your preferred apple but I recommend a sweet apple like gala or red delicious. The apples you see in the picture here are gala apples. There’s no need to remove the skin from the apples before adding them to the slow cooker or electric pressure cooker. The apples are just going to get mashed up and strained anyway so there’s no need to waste your time with peeling them.
before (slow cooker)
Using A Sweetener
This is the honest truth. I used to always add either honey or maple syrup to this recipe. When making this most recent time in my Instant Pot, I forgot to add the sweetener and I though it taste better without it. But that’s just me. I say that admitting that I don’t have a sweet tooth (hence the lack of dessert recipes on this blog). Add the sweetener of your choice whether it be maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, stevia etc.
mash the apples
Add-Ins & Substitutions
What I love about homemade mulled cider is that every recipe is different. I like to add things like citrus (I use a sliced orange but lemon can also be used) and fresh cranberries. Sometimes I even add 1/2 teaspoon of an apple pie spice like the one from Primal Palate. If you don’t like any of these ingredients, omit them.
strain the cider
Serving & Storing Mulled Cider
After the cider has completed cooking and you have mashed it, it’s time to strain the cider. I run mine through a mesh strainer at least twice to remove excess pulp. Mulled cider is intended to be served hot. You can reheat the cider on the stove-top or in the microwave. This is a great recipe to serve at your next potluck or dinner party. After you strain the fruit out and add the cider back into the slow cooker, keep it on the WARM setting while you serve it. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Yes, this is also good served cold!
Other hot beverage recipes you might enjoy:
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Spiked Mulled Cider
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Latte
{VIDEO} Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Mulled Apple Cider
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 mins
- Yield: Approx 6-8 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 3 pounds apples, cored & sliced
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Water (approx 6-8 cups)
- 4 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1/2 cup sweetener of your choice (optional)
- 1/2 tsp apple pie spice (optional)
Instructions
- Add apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and sweetener (if using) to the slow cooker. Add enough water to cover the apples, approx 6-8 cups.
- Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6 or until apples are soft.
- Directly in the slow cooker, mash the softened apples with a potato masher or wooden spoon.
- Strain mashed fruit out using mesh strainer. Pour cider back into the slow cooker.
Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
- Add apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and sweetener (if using) to the electric pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the apples.
- Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 15 minutes. Natural release pressure.
- Directly in the pressure cooker, mash the softened apples with a potato masher or wooden spoon.
- Strain mashed fruit out using mesh strainer. Pour cider back into the pressure cooker.
I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.
PIN FOR LATER
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I tried this recipe after noticing at had all of the ingredients on hand. I wouldn’t change a thing. Perfect for the fall and winter months!
★★★★★
I have never attempted to make apple cusee before but this sounds amazing and very doable! I’m going to have to put this on the menu for Thanksgiving!
So, I am a weird one as I don’t like drinking apple cider, but absolutely love the way it smells. I am definitely going to use this recipe for Thanksgiving however, as everyone in the family enjoys it at the end of the evening around the fire. I never even thought about making it using a slow cooker. Thanks for sharing.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
This seriously looks so delicious!! I definitely need to make this!
Love paleo living!! This looks amazing!
I love using our slow cooker for all kinds of things. I am saving this recipe, thank you! Perfect for Thanksgiving!
I’ve been trying to stick with paleo but it has been hard with the holidays and they have barely started. Thanks for the idea!
I absolutely love apple cider. I’ve been making a mulled cider using these tea bags and store bought cider, but I would much rather make one from scratch. Not only will taste better but I can only imagine how delicious it would make the house smell.
Apple cider is one of my favorite Fall drinks. Had no idea you could make it in the slow cooker!
Making apple cider in the slow cooker sounds fabulous! I have never really made drinks in the slow cooker before but need to!
After making apple sauce in the slow cooker, I can just imagine how nice your house smells! This is awesome!
Oh my goodness, yes! I am going to make this. I’ve never thought to do anything like this in my slow cooker. I would love to though, it would be a huge hit!
That looks heavenly! Nothing like Apple cider to warm your bones in the winter!
I LOOOOOOVE warm apple cider! Sometimes, yes, I add a dash of rum! Tasty.
-Mama from Mama Writes Reviews
This looks delicious! I didn’t even know that apple pie spice was a thing! Now I want to make this soon!!
I’m pinning this for my Thanksgiving feast. I’ve made apple sauce before, but not cider. Thanks!
I love slow cooker apple cider! I like it, when I know I’m going to be out in the cold for a while, so I can come in and warm up with a cup or 2. I like the paleo twist, in the event I’m working with someone who’s doing paleo.
I want some warm apple cider like ..now! It is so good! Your pictures are amazing!
I never thought to make apple cider in a slow cooker, but this recipe sounds so delicious. Thanks for sharing!