7 cozy apple cider recipes to try this fall: Including tea, overnight oats, and roast chicken

Spiced Apple Cider Tea

Warm up with a soothing cup of apple cider tea. Brew your favorite black or green tea, then add equal parts hot apple cider. Stir in cinnamon and a dash of lemon for a cozy twist. It’s like a hug in a mug and perfect for rainy afternoons.

© Getty Images

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cup hot brewed black or green tea
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• Squeeze of lemon

Instructions:

1. Brew a cup of tea and pour it into a large mug.
2. Heat the apple cider until steaming, then add it to the tea.
3. Stir in cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon.
4. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Apple Cider Pancakes

Elevate your weekend breakfast by swapping out milk for apple cider in your pancake batter. The cider adds subtle sweetness and depth, especially when paired with cinnamon and nutmeg. Top with maple syrup and sliced apples for a fall-inspired stack.

© Getty Images/Foodcollection

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup apple cider
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk egg, cider, and melted butter.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
4. Cook pancakes on a greased skillet until golden brown.
5. Serve with maple syrup and apple slices.

Apple Cider Glazed Donuts

For a dessert that tastes like a trip to the orchard, bake (or fry) some apple cider donuts. The batter uses reduced cider for bold flavor, and the glaze can be made with powdered sugar whisked with—you guessed it—apple cider.

© Getty Images

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups apple cider (reduced to ½ cup)
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup butter, melted

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp apple cider

Instructions:

1. Simmer cider until reduced to ½ cup. Let cool.
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
3. Whisk sugar, milk, eggs, melted butter, and reduced cider in another bowl.
4. Combine and spoon into a greased donut pan.
5. Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes.
6. Dip warm donuts in glaze.

Apple Cider Overnight Oats

A quick and healthy breakfast that tastes like apple pie. Combine oats, apple cider, chia seeds, and cinnamon in a jar. Let it sit overnight, then top with chopped apples and a sprinkle of granola in the morning.

© Getty Images/Foodcollection

Ingredients:

• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup apple cider
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup diced apples
• 2 tbsp granola (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Combine oats, cider, chia seeds, and cinnamon in a jar.
2. Stir, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
3. In the morning, stir again and top with apples and granola.

Apple Cider Roast Chicken

Not just for sweets—apple cider is amazing in savory dishes too. Marinate chicken in a mix of cider, garlic, rosemary, and olive oil before roasting. The result is tender, juicy meat with a hint of autumn flavor.

© Getty Images

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix cider, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
3. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, and pour marinade over.
4. Roast for 40–45 minutes until golden and cooked through.
5. Spoon pan juices over chicken before serving.

Caramel Apple Cider Float

Take your dessert game up a notch with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a tall glass, topped with chilled cider and a drizzle of caramel sauce. It’s refreshing, nostalgic, and perfect for when you want fall flavors without the heaviness of pie.

© Getty Images/Alloy

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chilled apple cider
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 2 tbsp caramel sauce
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Scoop ice cream into tall glasses.
2. Pour cider over the top.
3. Drizzle with caramel sauce.
4. Finish with whipped cream if desired.

Hot Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

For the grown-ups, a hot bourbon-spiked cider is the ultimate nightcap. Heat cider with cinnamon sticks and cloves, pour into a mug, and stir in a shot of bourbon. Garnish with an orange peel or star anise for extra flavor.

© Getty Images

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1 shot of bourbon
• Orange peel (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat cider with cinnamon and cloves until steaming.
2. Strain into a mug.
3. Stir in bourbon.
4. Garnish with orange peel or star anise.