Sweetly cinnamon and full of apple goodness, this Instant Pot apple cider is easy to make with fresh apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks and has all the tastes of fall you can make anytime of the year.
Gosh is it too soon to be thinking pumpkin spice, hayrides, and everything nice?
One of my favorite memories, when the kids were young, was going to the local “u-pick” apple orchards, loading up on fresh apples, baked goods, and gallon jugs of apple cider!
Luckily, you can make your own apple cider at home any time of the year with apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Make this fresh apple cider recipe in your Instant Pot for a fresh fall cider taste you can make at home.
What you’ll love about this Instant Pot apple cider recipe:
- fresh
- easy
- cinnamon spicy and sweet
- you control the amount of sugar
For more apple recipes, click to try my:
- Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake
- Puff Pastry Apple Cranberry Strudel
- Apple Spice Cake in the Slow Cooker
- Sour Cream Apple Pie Dump Cake
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- What you’ll love about this Instant Pot apple cider recipe:
- For more apple recipes, click to try my:
- Pin now to save for later
- Ingredients needed to make fresh apple cider in the Instant Pot
- How to make homemade Instant Pot apple cider
- A few FAQs and answers
- The printable recipe card for homemade apple cider
Pin now to save for later
Ingredients needed to make fresh apple cider in the Instant Pot
- fresh apples – I like to use a variety for a more interesting flavor
- brown sugar
- water
- cinnamon sticks
- You will also need an pressure cooker like an Instant Pot, and strainer covered by cheese cloth or a nut bag
How to make homemade Instant Pot apple cider
Step 1: select you apples and prepare your ingredients
Start by selecting the best fresh apples for your cider. If I can, I try to use a little variety. Each type of apple will lend a different flavor. Read this article from Cider Culture and learn about the different types of apples.
Wash and cut your apples into wedges.
Step 2: Cook the apples In the Pressure Cooker (the first time)
Put the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, and water into the Instant Pot. Close the lid and vent and set for 30 minutes on high pressure.
Do a quick release and open the lid. To do a quick release, I use a long-handled wooden spoon or spatula. I carefully turn the vent to the open position to allow the steam to release more quickly. After the pressure pin drops, you can safely open the lid.
Step 3: mash the apples
When you can safely open the lid, do so, and with a potato masher smash the apples up. Work around the cinnamon sticks because you can leave them in there for the second cooking.
Step 3: bring to pressure for the second time
Once again, close the lid and vent and set on high pressure for 30 minutes. Since the mashed apple mixture is already hot, it shouldn’t take as long to come to pressure as it did the first time.
After the apples have cooked at pressure for another 30 minutes, do a quick release and open the lid.
Step 4: Strain the apples
Take the apples out with a ladle and strain with a strainer and cheesecloth or with a nutbag. You can discard the leftover apple mash. If you can figure out something useful to do with it then please let me know!
Step 5: cool and put into jars or another container
Let the apple cider cool in the refrigerator for several hours. If you would like to drink it warm, then only allow it to cool down until you are ready to enjoy!
A few FAQs and answers
No, you will get too many fine pieces through the holes. A fine mesh strainer *might* work better? But for the best results, cover the strainer with cheesecloth or use a nut bag.
This recipe was developed using brown sugar. I am not that familiar with artificial sweeteners. If you try it, do let me know so that I can update this post.
You can but remember that ground cinnamon doesn’t dissolve so you will have little cinnamon particles in your cider – which really should be clear.
That would be interesting. I can see a few whole cloves, perhaps a small piece of ginger root. Do strain them out though.
Why not? Add in after it’s cooked and cooled and let me know. I can see some spiced rum or bourbon perhaps. You MUST disclose to anyone you are serving that this cider contains alcohol!
You will be straining the apples and all the pieces out of the finished cider so it’s okay if you want to leave them in and certainly a lot easier!
The printable recipe card for homemade apple cider
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Instant Pot Apple Cider with Fresh Apples
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- strainer with cheesecloth or nut bag
Ingredients
- 8 apples use various varieties
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 6 cups water
- 5 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Wash and quarter the apples, removing the core and seeds. Place in the Instant Pot.
- Add the brown sugar, and water. Give it a little stir. Place the cinnamon sticks on top.
- Close the lid and vent/pressure valve. Set on high pressure for 30 minutes. It will take up to 10 minutes to come to pressure. This this the first time (out of two) that you will bring the apples to pressure.
- After the pressure has counted down for 30 minutes, carefully manually (quick) release the pressure and open the lid according to your manufacturer's directions.
- Remove the lid and with a potato masher, mash the apples. They will very soft and juicy.
- Close the lid and pressure valve again, and again manually set for 30 minutes. Allow to come to pressure (it won't take as long this time) and count down 30 minutes for the second time.
- After the second 30 minutes has counted down, again, manually release the pressure.
- With a ladle, scoop up the apples into a strainer covered with a cheese cloth or into a nut bag. Strain the cider into a bowl.
- Serve warm or chill for a couple of hours in your refrigerator.
