Instant Pot Slow-Cooker Skinny Copy-Cat Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider is a quick and easy crockpot and pressure cooker spice recipe that is low-calorie. This recipe gives you one of your favorite Starbucks holiday drink favorites. Serve this caramel apple spice for brunch and parties!
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There is so much going on in the title for this recipe. Yes, I know. Let's start with how fall really rushed into Kansas City this weekend. We have had some pretty cool temperatures this weekend. Cool temps call for warm, soothing drinks. Insert Apple Cider here.
Next, I want to point out that I have full instructions on how to make this recipe using a pressure cooker and a slow-cooker. I have listened to you guys!
I know that I have fallen in love with my Instant Pot, but not everyone has one.
Pretty much every Instant Pot recipe I have put together can be prepared in a slow-cooker. However, I made it easier for you guys and I outlined the steps below.
Now onto how I created a lightened-up version of Starbucks' Caramel Apple Cider. The tall size of this drink at Starbucks has 300 calories and 55 grams of sugar. That goes up to 380 calories and 71 grams of sugar when you order a grande. WOW.
That's a ton of sugar. Apples alone already have more sugar than berry fruits, such as strawberries and blueberries. When you take a fruit that is already sweet on its own, add in more refined-sugar, this is the result.
One gala or honey crisp apple has a little over 20 grams of sugar. There is no need to pile on the sugar when you make your own apple cider. You will probably want to sweeten it some. But there's no need to go overboard.
I used a little bit of organic stevia in this recipe. Feel free to add additional stevia if you do feel like you need something a little sweeter. I feel like this recipe has the perfect balance of sweet and the spices of fall.
This recipe saves 33 grams of sugar in comparison to the Starbucks version. Do yourself a favor. Make your favorite drinks at home! You can save some money and potential damage to your waistline.
You will have to strain this recipe to get the cider. The perk here is if you are a fan of applesauce, you have a yummy fall version to save for later! Save the strained apple mixture if you wish.
Table of Contents
More Apple Recipes
Sugar-Free Apple Crisp
Instant Pot Apple Sauce
Instant Pot Apple Steel Cut Oats
Sugar-Free Apple Butter
Sugar-Free Apple Pie
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Instant Pot Slow-Cooker Copy-Cat Starbucks Apple Cider
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Ingredients
- 3 gala apples, chopped
- 3 honeycrisp apples, chopped
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 ground cloves
- ¼ cup sweetener Adjust to taste and use more or less as desired.
- 6 cups water, Use enough water to completely cover the apples
- whipped cream For Topping
- caramel I used Sugar-Free Smuckers
- ground cinnamon For Topping
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions (Click the video above for step by step guidance.)
- Combine all of the ingredients in the Instant Pot.
- Close and cook on Manual/High-Pressure Cooking for 10 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot indicates it is done, quick release the steam.
- Open the pot and puree the mixture using a hand blender. You can also mash with a potato masher. If using a hand blender, be careful! The mixture will be hot. Be careful of splashes. Blend with the blender fully submerged in the mixture.
- Close and cook on Manual/High-Pressure Cooking for 5 additional minutes.
- Quick release the steam. Strain the mixture using a strainer.
- Serve topped with whipped cream, caramel, and cinnamon.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in the slow-cooker.
- Close and cook on high for 2.5 hours or low for 7 hours.
- Open the slow-cooker and puree the mixture using a hand blender. You can also mash with a potato masher.
- Close and cook for an additional hour on low, 30 minutes on high.
- Strain the mixture using a strainer.
- Serve topped with whipped cream, caramel, and cinnamon.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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Alicia says
Oh my goodness that looks so good! I miss having Starbucks nearby, but this gives me hope! I will have to give this recipe a go very soon. Thanks for sharing it!
Lois Alter Mark says
It never ceases to amaze me that you can make all these things in an Instant Pot! This looks so delicious, and would probably save me a fortune!
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
This sounds delicious! I love all the seasonal fall drinks, but usually the versions at Starbucks have too much sugar for me. Can't wait to try something like this at home, where I can adjust to my taste!
Sarah says
I didn't know you could make apple cider in an Insta-Pot! That's the first thing that's ever made me want one! YUMMMM
Sarah Newman says
I'm head over heels for this! I prefer sugar free treats so this is perfect, and with the fresh apples - oh my goodness, I bet this is delicious! Pinned for later 🙂
staysnatched says
Thanks so much for pinning!
Katie says
What!? I love my instant pot! I have no idea you could use it this way! Can't wait to try it! Looks amazing!
Helene D'Souza says
Oh my God I can imagine this being a favorite at any outdoor party. Would definitely want to try this soon. 🙂
Serena says
Love my instant pot! Will have to give this a try! Looks delish
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze says
I too would never have thought of doing this in the Instant Pot, but it's a great idea! And I'm sure it tastes WAY better than Starbucks!
corinne & kirsty says
Oh nom nom nom this looks super good! So yummy and your photography are amazing! So perfect for fall!
Dannii says
I am hearing so many great things about the instant pot at at the moment and I have to try it.
This looks amazing and a great way to save money on Starbucks.
Tina Lindquist says
This looks great and so much healthier than I can imaging SB version is. Thanks so much for this! Gonna try this when my daughter comes home for the holidays:)
Ben Myhre says
Holy camoley that looks good. These are some great pictures, as well!
Ben Myhre says
Holy camoly this drink looks good. These are some great pictures, as well!
Alicia Taylor says
My birthday was on the 20th. My friend got me an Instant Pot for my birthday - so I am thrilled I FINALLY get to try one of your recipes. And... you share a recipe that totally rocks!
Sam says
wow! This looks amazing!! We are looking to get an instant pot and I am definitely going to have to give this recipe a try for a family gathering!
Dawn Inglett says
Beautiful... and festive. I cannot wait to try this recipe out. I'll probably make it for Thanksgiving when we have a crowd.
Sarah Bailey says
Now this sounds like the perfect drink for this time of year, warming and really quite easy to make, I'm going to have to give it a try!
Jen Walker says
I didn't even know Starbucks offered an apple cider! I love hot ciders when it gets cold outside so I'll definitely have to try out this recipe!
Milton Goh says
Oh just by looking I can tell that this will taste so good! I love the photos you took and the way you styled the shots 🙂
Aishwarya Shenolikar says
This really looks so amazing!! I always love Starbucks drinks & now I can actually make it is saying something!! 🙂
Angela Milnes says
I made this one year, but it wasn't the greatest. I think I will try yours out. It looks great!
Anosa says
Yum, I am glad you included a recipe for the slow cooker as I dont have an instant pot. Thanks for the recipe
Ashley says
You had me at apple cider. Yum! I need to try making my own at home with this recipe.
Nicole Aguilar says
I LOVE their caramel apple cider. thanks of sharing the DIY recipe! Now I can make it at home AND skinny!
Jamie says
This sounds amazing! I'm a big fan of apple cider but usually just buy the drink mixes, I want to try this!
reesa says
Boy does that look amazing!!! I would love this!
Melanie says
Today it was 103 degrees. It’s hard to feel like it’s fall when it is that hot. So I love fall themed treats and drinks to make the seasons feel special. This sounds so yummy!
Ana De- Jesus says
OMG yes bring me that starbucks apple cider immediately and I love how you used your instant pot slow cooker to make it. Plus you have fantastic presentation skills x
staysnatched says
Thank you!
Alecia says
I had no idea Starbucks cider had that much sugar! I guess it's a good thing I can't afford it lol. We have lots of fresh local cider around here but I always forget how great it tastes hot
Liz Mays says
That fresh apple flavor must be so good with the cinnamon and caramel. I could really go for some of this cider!
Jenn JG says
This look delicious! I keep hearing about this instant pot and how awesome they are. After seeing your recipe I really do need to look into getting some for myself!
Amber Myers says
Thank you SO much for this! I had no idea you could make this drink in an instant pot. I'll have to try this out.
Helen Chik says
This looks so incredible and I'd almost not one to consume it when it's presented so beautifully. We're heading into summer now so I'm going to have to try this when it gets cooler over here!
Helen xx
Adelien says
I don't have instant pot and I think I need to have one. The recipe looks yummilicious! It is really something to try.
Mayuri Saxena says
This looks deee-licious! I can’t wait to try something like this at home as this could be the perfect drink to serve to friends this festive season 🙂
Emman Damian says
I can't believe that this yummy treat is just 157 calories! It looks so delish!
ashley says
yet another reason for me to get an instant pot! I hear such great things! can't wait to try this recipe when I get one 🙂
Blair villanueva says
Thanks for sharing your new recipe. Wow this is amazing and you got an eye on food photography 🙂
staysnatched says
Thank you so much!
hey sharonoox says
This drink looks so good it's making me wanted to make it this instant. I love a good delicious apple cider so this recipe is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing!
Susan says
Please clarify. Three "ground" cloves? Should we grind 3 whole cloves?
staysnatched says
Yes, that's what it means.