If you love everything about fall, I have good news! There are plenty of apple cider recipes out there beyond just the drink, and you won’t have to wait until fall to make them!
When fall rolls around, it’s normal for people to go a little crazy when it comes to apple cider. You can add it to many different things, including soups, desserts, cocktails (or mocktails), main courses, and more.
If you have some leftover cider (or are just looking for new excuses to buy it), give these recipes a try.
1. Apple Cider Moscow Mule
If you’re a big fan of the Moscow mule but are looking for a drink with a bit more autumn energy, you absolutely have to give this a try. It’s a total game-changer.
We’re talking about a four-ingredient drink that comes together in just five minutes. You just take the usual players, vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, and introduce four ounces of apple cider to the mix.
The drink keeps all that crispness you love, but the cider just mellows everything out beautifully.
2. Apple Cider Caramels
It’s tough to top homemade soft caramels, but honestly, these might be even better than the classics. You still get that same comforting flavor and smooth, chewy texture you know and love.
But these also have hints of apple cider, sea salt, and cinnamon. That combination makes these some of the most amazing caramels you will ever taste.
3. Cider-Glazed Butternut Squash
Of course, if you’re just craving that amazing squash and don’t want the whole salad, this cider-glazed version is a super tasty side dish that doesn’t require a ton of work.
It’s got a slightly sweet, earthy flavor and is surprisingly filling! Plus, it pairs well with almost anything you can think of.
4. Sparkling Apple Pie on the Rocks (Apple Cider Cocktail)
This absolutely gorgeous golden cocktail is basically like sipping on an apple pie. It all starts with a champagne base.
To that, you’ll pour in some apple cider simple syrup, more apple cider, and any garnishes you want. I really love using gold and silver sparkling sugar for the rim; it just makes the whole drink feel extra festive.
5. Grilled Apple Cider Thyme Chicken
It’s hard to beat chicken that’s both sweet and smoky off the grill, and this recipe is one of the best I have ever tried. It takes just five minutes to get ready and another 20 before it’s ready to eat.
The ingredient list is simple, too. You just need an onion, garlic, apple cider, olive oil, thyme, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, brown sugar, black pepper, and of course the chicken.
Give them a try at your next barbecue; you will be so happy you did.
6. Apple Cider Cookies
These cookies are a true autumn favorite in my house. They are so unbelievably soft and crumbly, and that apple cider icing is just heavenly.
There are also real apple chunks in these cookies, along with nutmeg and cinnamon. And if that isn’t enough to make you want to bake them, they also make your whole house smell incredible.
7. Apple Cider Chicken
Any dinner I can get on the table in 30 minutes or less using just one pan is a dinner I am going to love.
But this one also happens to be so flavorful and filling, which is a huge win. Thanks to the cider, the tender chicken is incredibly juicy, and those caramelized apples are such a treat.
Add a little bit of rosemary, and the whole family will be begging for seconds.
8. Cheese Fondue with Apple Cider
I wasn’t totally sure about this at first. I mean, cheese and apple cider? But then I remembered how much I love eating apple slices with cheese sticks, so I gave it a shot. And wow, it’s terrific.
The cheese is hot and gooey and has this amazing flavor that’s hard to describe. You can use pretty much anything you want for dipping.
9. Sweet Cinnamon Biscuits with Apple Cider Glaze
If you are a fan of sweet biscuits, you are going to fall in love with these. They are warm and flaky with soft centers and so much brown sugar and cinnamon flavor.
But it’s that apple deliciousness in the glaze that really makes them special. It’s sticky and messy, but when something tastes this good, who even cares?
I had to fight my family for a second one, so you know it’s a winner.
10. Apple Cider Pancakes
If you’re a pancake lover and have never experienced apple cider pancakes, this recipe is about to blow your mind. These fluffy, apple-packed pancakes are so addictively good, it feels like they should be illegal.
And I’m not exaggerating when I call them apple-packed; there are apples in every single bite.
You’ll use cider in the pancake batter, fold in pan-fried cinnamon apples, and even top the stack with a caramel apple cider syrup. Are you hungry yet? Because you will be when you smell these!
11. Slow Cooker Apple Cider Beef Stew
With those thick, tender chunks of beef and lots of hearty veggies, it’s pretty hard for anyone to turn down another bowl of this slow cooker stew.
When you pour apple cider into the mix, though, it gets even more delicious. It adds this rich, underlying sweetness that just elevates the stew’s overall flavor.
12. Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions
These short ribs have everything going for them. They are melt-in-your-mouth tender and scrumptious.
The onions are perfectly caramelized, and the cider adds this sweet smokiness that’s impossible not to love.
The veggies and garlic pair perfectly, and while the apples are optional, I always throw them in because they add a lightness to the dish that you just can’t get otherwise.
13. Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider Vinaigrette
This salad might be simple, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious.
It has a crisp bed of baby kale, tangy dried cranberries and goat cheese, salty pumpkin seeds, and tender butternut squash. And that apple cider vinaigrette is totally heavenly.
My advice? Make a huge batch and keep it in the fridge, because once you try it, you’ll want it on all your salads.
14. Apple Cider Glazed Chicken Thighs
This one is for anyone who wants to jazz up their usual chicken dinner. It’s quick and easy enough for a weeknight meal but way more exciting than plain chicken.
You’ll add thyme, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, garlic, salt, pepper, cider, Dijon mustard, and butter. This infuses every single bite with a sweet and tangy flavor that is just lip-smackingly good.
Serve it over rice or with some simple greens for a complete meal.
15. Caramel Apple Cider Floats
If you like the whole idea of a root beer float but aren’t the biggest fan of root beer, try these caramel apple cider floats instead. It’s the same principle, just with a much sweeter, more apple-forward flavor.
You can whip them up in five minutes with just ginger ale, apple cider, vanilla ice cream, and some caramel sauce. Enjoy!
16. Apple Fritters
These are just so good. We’re talking crunchy and sweet on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, all covered in a sticky glaze with that amazing apple cider flavor.
It’s no wonder these are always at the top of everyone’s fall request list.
17. Apple Cider Sage Turkey Brine
When it comes to the best Thanksgiving turkey, it is all about the brine. That’s what gives the skin that robust, herby flavor, so you really have to get it right.
To make this perfect brine, you only need eight things: cold water, fresh cider, salt, bay leaves, allspice berries, peppercorns, sage, and oranges.
It gives the turkey a sweet, savory, smoky flavor and helps make sure you get the absolute crispiest skin.
Give this one a try next time you bake a turkey. You will be so glad you did.
18. Apple Sidecar Cocktail
You can even liven up the classic sidecar with just a splash of apple cider, some sage leaves, and a bit of nutmeg.
If the original drink isn’t quite sweet enough for you, you might find that you prefer this version instead. It’s a real treat.
19. Apple Cider Pulled Pork
If you’ve ever tasted pulled pork that was so juicy with such a sweet and savory flavor that it made you want to go back for a third helping, you’ve likely had this version.
With this recipe, you can make it for yourself. You just need ten ingredients, and it shouldn’t take more than an hour to make enough for everyone.
20. Mulled Apple Cider Chai French Crullers
These mulled apple cider crullers are beautiful, with a lovely crunch on the outside giving way to warm, soft centers. And they are all covered in a sticky chai glaze.
If you enjoy apples, cinnamon, and treats that are deep-fried, you are going to adore these.
21. Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes
If you’ve ever tasted a donut hole, then you already know how yummy they are. These are even more amazing because they have cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and apple cider.
Plus, because you bake them instead of frying them, they are a healthier option than the deep-fried kind. They’re still donut holes, though, so maybe don’t go too overboard.
22. Apple Cider Bundt Cake
Want something that has the flavor of donuts but looks even more impressive? This bundt cake is just the ticket. It’s absolutely gorgeous and has that rich flavor of an apple cider donut.
Like most bundt cakes, this one takes a little time to prepare, but trust me when I say it will impress anyone who sees or eats it. It’s time well spent.
23. Sparkling Apple Cider
If you’re in the mood to just enjoy some cider but want it to be a bit more bubbly, all you have to do is combine your fresh cider with a quarter teaspoon of dry champagne or baker’s yeast.
It has all the traditional flavor you love, but with bubbles!
24. Apple Cider Old-Fashioned
Just like you can tweak a Moscow mule to feel more like fall, you can do the same thing with an old-fashioned.
It shouldn’t take you more than five minutes to whip this drink up, and you just need apple cider, bourbon, some maple syrup, bitters, and your choice of garnishes like apples, oranges, or cinnamon sticks. Mix it all up and enjoy!