This easy homemade apple cider is made from scratch in the crockpot with just 5 simple ingredients. The perfect warm and comforting treat to enjoy on a chilly fall day! 

Glass mug of crockpot apple cider garnished with fresh apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

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Crockpot Apple Cider

Crockpot apple cider is the ultimate cozy fall drink. Fresh apples simmer with cinnamon, cloves, and other warm spices in the slow cooker until the flavors blend into a rich and fragrant homemade cider that fills your home with the best autumn aroma.

You can keep it simple or make it extra special with a caramel twist, similar to the flavors in my Thanksgiving punch recipe. A drizzle of caramel sauce or homemade whipped cream turns this crockpot apple cider into a caramel apple cider treat everyone will love.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Dump and go. The crockpot is perfect for making beverages like this slow cooker apple cider. Cooking it low and slow allows the fruit and spices to infuse into the liquid, creating a flavorful and cozy fall treat without needing any apple juice.
  • Quick prep time. It only takes 5 minutes to throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Hardly any prep time needed. Sign me up!
  • Great for entertaining. Whether you’re throwing a fall dinner party or hosting a Halloween celebration or Thanksgiving dinner, this crock pot apple cider is a favorite!

Crock Pot Apple Cider Recipe Ingredients

Fresh apples, oranges, and spices prepped in a bowl for slow cooker apple cider.

Find the full printable recipe with measurements below.

  • Apples: I used a combination of Gala, Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples. Using a variety of different types will give you the best flavor. Other varieties to try are Red Delicious, Pink Lady, McIntosh, Golden Delicious or Fuji.
  • Oranges: The citrusy orange adds another layer of flavor and compliments the sweetness from the apples. No need to peel the oranges unless you prefer a less tart cider.
  • Cinnamon: Whole cinnamon sticks are the main spice included in this homemade apple cider recipe and add a warm and sweet taste.
  • Cloves: This spice tends to be a bit more pungent, so add more or less to taste. I’d recommend starting small, then giving it a taste test and adding more if needed.
  • Water: Enough to cover most of the fruit. As the mixture cooks, it will get infused with the flavors and aromas from the fruits and spices.
  • Sugar: Fine granulated sugar works best in this recipe. You can add more or less to taste, depending on how sweet you prefer your apple cider.

Variations

Feel free to swap the sugar with your preferred sweetener of choice. Honey or maple syrup are great replacements for a healthier alternative. You may also add extra fall spices such as allspice berries, nutmeg or star anise.

How to Make Crockpot Apple Cider

Step-by-step process of making crockpot apple cider—apples and oranges in the slow cooker, softened fruit, mashed mixture, and strained cider.
  1. Fill. Place the fruit and spices in the bottom of the crockpot. Then pour the water over top (it should be about an inch below the top of the crockpot). Give it a good stir, so that the spices are fully incorporated.
  2. Cook. Then place the lid on top and cook the mixture on high for about 3 to 4 hours.
  3. Mash. After cooking, mash the fruit in the crockpot with a potato masher or large spoon.
  4. Strain. Then ladle the mixture into a strainer (a little at a time) so that the liquid drains into a large pot. Discard the fruit solids. Right before serving, mix in the sugar until dissolved.

Stovetop Version

For a stove top hot apple cider recipe, bring the ingredients to a light simmer and then cover with a lid and let simmer for 1-2 hours or until the apples have softened. Then follow the recipe as directed.

Apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, and spices simmering in a crockpot for homemade apple cider.

Slow Cooker Apple Cider Tips

  • Closing the lid. With 7 to 8 cups of water, the fruit may float and push the lid up. If that happens, place a small overturned bowl on top to weigh it down. Once the fruit softens, the lid will stay in place.
  • Sweetener. I use 1/3 cup sugar for a lightly sweet cider, but you can add up to 1/2 cup if you prefer it closer to store-bought. Add the sugar at the end so it dissolves easily and you can adjust to taste.
  • Serving. Add cinnamon sticks or apple and orange slices to the pitcher or glasses for a festive touch. Whipped cream is a fun topping, and leftover cider can be used for my apple cider donut cake.
  • Repurpose the apples. Don’t toss the cooked fruit! Core them before cooking, then blend with an immersion blender or mash for an easy crockpot applesauce. Adjust spices to taste.
Warm homemade apple cider in a glass mug with a cinnamon stick.

More delicious beverage recipes I serve in the fall include easy party punch, Halloween punch and homemade hot chocolate!

More Delicious Beverages

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Homemade apple cider in glass cup with apples and cinnamon stick.

Crockpot Apple Cider

4.96 from 24 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 7
This easy crockpot apple cider is made from scratch with just 5 simple ingredients. The perfect warm and comforting treat to enjoy on a chilly fall day! 
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Equipment

  • 6 quart crockpot

Ingredients 

  • 8-10 apples , quartered (a variety is best, I used honey crisp, gala and granny smith)
  • 2 oranges , quartered (peeled for less tart cider)
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1-2 teaspoons ground cloves , more to taste
  • 7-8 cups water
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar , more to taste

Instructions

  • Add ingredients to crockpot. Place 8-10 quartered apples, 2 quartered oranges, 3-4 cinnamon sticks and 1-2 teaspoons ground cloves in the crockpot. Add 7-8 cups water so that the fruit is just barely floating. The water level should be about an inch or so below the top of the crockpot. Give the mixture a stir to make sure the spices are incorporated. 
  • Add lid and slow cook. Put the lid on and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
  • Strain. After cooking, use a potato masher or large spoon to mash the fruit. Ladle the fruit mixture into a fine mesh strainer, a little at a time, allowing the liquid to drain into a large pot. Use a spoon to press the fruit mixture into the strainer and remove the juices. Discard the solids.
  • Add sugar and serve. While the cider is still warm, add 1/3 cup granulated sugar to taste. Ladle into a cup and enjoy!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Servings: Makes 1.5 quarts (about 7 cups)
Sugar: You can use any desired sweetener, I just prefer the sweetness sugar adds. You could also replace the sugar with honey or do half and half. 
Stove top apple cider: Bring the ingredients to a light simmer and then cover with a lid and let simmer for 1-2 hours or until the apples have softened. Then follow the recipe as directed.
Storage: This apple cider can be kept in a covered pitcher, refrigerated for up to 5 days. Can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 150kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 15mg, Potassium: 229mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 112IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

What size crockpot to use?

I used a 6-quart crockpot, which is the absolute perfect size for this recipe. With the fruit and water added, I usually have about an inch left to spare from the top. If your crockpot is on the smaller size, then I’d suggest cutting the recipe in half to make a smaller batch.

Do I need to peel the fruit?

No need to peel or core the apples…all the seeds and any hard or large parts will be strained out. I also didn’t peel the oranges. It wasn’t overly tart and was the perfect balance to the sweet flavor.

If you prefer a less tart flavor, remove the orange peel before you add the oranges in.

How many servings does this recipe make?

After straining out the fruit, the recipe yields about 1.5 quarts total. This will make enough for about 7 cups (6-7 ounces per cup).

How do you store crockpot apple cider?

This homemade apple cider recipe can be kept in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.