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Perfect Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Cider (No Sugar)

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This no-sugar-added apple cider is made in the slow cooker with fresh apples, oranges, and warm spices. It’s naturally sweet, budget-friendly, and fills your home with the cozy aroma of autumn.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8–10 medium apples (mixed varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith)
  • 2 medium oranges
  • 4–5 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 2–3 star anise pods
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into thin coins
  • 1 whole nutmeg (or 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg)
  • 8–10 cups water

Instructions

  1. Wash all apples thoroughly. Cut them into quarters—no need to peel or core. Slice the oranges into rounds about 1/4-inch thick. Peel and slice the ginger into thin coins.
  2. Layer everything in the slow cooker: start with the apples on the bottom, then add the orange slices, ginger coins, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and nutmeg. If using whole nutmeg, toss it in; if using ground, sprinkle evenly over the fruit.
  3. Pour in enough water to cover the fruit by about an inch (about 8-10 cups). Do not overfill.
  4. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. The longer it goes, the deeper the flavor.
  5. After 8 hours, check for doneness: apples should be very soft and starting to break apart, liquid should be deep amber and smell intensely of apples and spice. If not quite there, let it go another hour.
  6. Optional: Use a potato masher to gently press the softened apples against the sides of the slow cooker to release more juice and pulp.
  7. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or pitcher. Carefully ladle the hot liquid through the strainer. Let it drip naturally—do not press on the solids unless you want a cloudier cider. For a clearer result, strain twice.
  8. Let the cider cool to room temperature before transferring to jars or bottles. Refrigerate for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months.

Notes

For best flavor, use at least three different apple varieties. The orange adds brightness—do not skip it. Cloves are potent; stick to the recommended amount. Low and slow is essential for deep flavor. Strain carefully to avoid sediment. The cider tastes even better on day two.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker apple cider, homemade apple cider, no sugar apple cider, fall beverage, apple cider recipe, easy apple cider, healthy apple cider

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/perfect-homemade-slow-cooker-apple-cider-no-sugar/