Classic Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot
There are certain scents that just immediately make a house feel cozy, and apple and cinnamon has to be near the very top of that list. It smells like apple pie baking in the oven, fresh apple cider, and basically everything I love about fall wrapped into one. As always, Team Apple.
And luckily, you don’t actually have to bake an apple pie every time you want your house to smell like one. Although I certainly won’t discourage that, because pie in the fall is the epitome of comfort.
This Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot is one of the simplest fall simmer pots you can make. Truly, it does not get easier as far as simmer pots go. Every time I make it I feel like I must be missing an ingredient because it comes together so quickly. But then the aromas start to hit and I know I’ve got it right. Fresh apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a little vanilla slowly simmer together on the stove, filling the house with the warmest apple pie scent. It takes just a few minutes to put together, and you can keep it gently simmering for hours.
If you’re brand new to simmer pots and it’s fall or winter, this is the recipe I’d start with. It’s simple, inexpensive, and uses ingredients easy to find in the grocery store.
What Is a Simmer Pot?
A simmer pot (sometimes called stovetop potpourri) is simply a pot of water filled with fragrant ingredients that is kept at a very low simmer on the stove.
As the water heats, the apples, spices, citrus, herbs, or other ingredients release their scents into the steam. It’s such an easy way to make your home smell amazing without needing a candle or room spray.
The best part is that there really aren’t many rules. You can follow a specific simmer pot recipe or use what you have on hand to create your own combination.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot
This is about as classic as a fall simmer pot gets. There aren’t a ton of ingredients competing with each other, so you really get that warm apple and cinnamon scent.
A few more reasons I love it:
- It only takes a few minutes to prepare.
- The ingredients are simple and inexpensive.
- It makes the whole house smell like fall.
- You can simmer it for hours as long as you keep adding water.
- It’s easy to customize with other fall spices or citrus.
- It’s a great way to use apples that are starting to get a little soft.
And unlike a recipe you’re actually eating, your apples don’t have to be pretty! Bruised apple? Getting a little mushy? Into the simmer pot it goes.
Ingredients for a Classic Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot
You only need a couple of ingredients:
- Apples – Use 1–2 apples, sliced. Any variety works here, so this is a great opportunity to use whatever you already have. You don’t need to peel or core the apples. Just slice them into pieces small enough to fit comfortably in your pot. The thinner you slice the apples, the more surface area there is and the more quickly they’ll become aromatic.
- Cinnamon Sticks – You’ll want 2–3 cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon is one of the strongest scents in this simmer pot and gives it that unmistakably warm, cozy fall fragrance. I prefer cinnamon sticks instead of ground cinnamon for simmer pots because ground spices can make the water murky and leave more residue behind in the pot. Also, cinnamon sticks look pretty!
- Whole Cloves – Add about 1 teaspoon of whole cloves. Cloves are strong, so you don’t need very many! They add a deeper, spicier note that makes the apple and cinnamon combination smell more like something delicious is baking in the oven.
- Vanilla – Add about 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Vanilla isn’t absolutely necessary, but I LOVE what it does here. It softens the spices and adds a warm sweetness to the scent.
- Water –You’ll need enough water to comfortably cover your ingredients. The exact amount will depend on the size of your saucepan. More importantly, you’ll need some additional water nearby because you’ll continue adding it as the simmer pot evaporates.
How to Make an Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot
This couldn’t be much easier.
- Slice your apples. There’s no need to peel them or make the slices perfect.
- Add everything to a saucepan. Place the apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and vanilla into your pot.
- Cover with water. Add enough water to cover the ingredients with an extra inch or two of water above them.
- Bring the water to a gentle boil. Once it begins boiling, reduce the heat.
- Simmer on low. Keep the pot at a very gentle simmer, uncovered, and let that cozy apple cinnamon scent start making its way through the house.
- Add more water as needed. Check your simmer pot regularly and add additional water before the level gets too low.
That’s it!
Within a short time, your kitchen starts smelling like you’ve been baking something much more impressive than a saucepan full of apples.
How Long Can You Simmer a Simmer Pot?
You can keep your apple cinnamon simmer pot going for several hours, provided there is always plenty of water in the saucepan.
The water will continually evaporate as it simmers, so this isn’t something you want to put on the stove and forget about.
I usually check mine periodically and pour in another cup or two of water whenever the level starts getting low.
Never allow a simmer pot to boil dry, and never leave a simmering pot unattended.
Can You Reuse an Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot?
Yes!
Once you’re finished using it for the day, let everything cool completely. Transfer the ingredients and liquid to a covered container and refrigerate them.
You can usually reuse the same simmer pot the following day. Simply put everything back into your saucepan, add fresh water, and bring it back to a gentle simmer.
I generally reuse mine for 1–2 days, depending on how the ingredients look and smell. Fresh ingredients will gradually lose their fragrance, so eventually you’ll want to start over with a new batch.
Easy Additions
The classic apple and cinnamon combination is wonderful on its own, but simmer pots are incredibly forgiving. If you have a few extra ingredients around the kitchen, try adding:
- Orange slices
- Orange peel
- Star anise
- Fresh cranberries
- A few extra whole cloves
- Nutmeg
- Allspice berries
- Fresh rosemary
- A splash of apple cider
You don’t need to add everything at once. In fact, I usually think simpler simmer pots smell better because you can actually distinguish the individual scents.
Use Up Apple Scraps, Too!
Here’s another reason I love simmer pots: you don’t necessarily have to use a whole apple.
If you’re slicing apples for snacks, baking, or another recipe, save the peels and cores. As long as they’re still fresh, you can toss those scraps straight into your simmer pot instead of using perfectly good apple slices.
It’s such a simple little way to get one more use out of something that otherwise would have gone straight into the compost or trash. Does it look at pretty? No. It’s obviously not what I would use for photos here. But does it work? Absolutely.
Stovetop vs. Crockpot Simmer Pot
You can also make this apple cinnamon simmer pot in a slow cooker.
Add all of the ingredients to your Crockpot and cover them generously with water. Leave the lid off and cook on low so the fragrant steam can escape into your home.
Just like the stovetop version, you’ll still want to keep an eye on the water level and add more as needed.
The slow cooker method is especially nice when you want the simmer pot going for a longer stretch of the day without taking up a burner on the stove.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks?
Technically, yes, but I recommend cinnamon sticks. Ground cinnamon doesn’t dissolve in the water and can leave your simmer pot looking cloudy and your saucepan messier afterward.
If ground cinnamon is all you have, though, a small sprinkle will still add fragrance.
What apples are best for simmer pots?
Any apples! Unlike baking, you aren’t worried about texture or sweetness here. Use whichever variety you have available.
You can even use apples that are past their prime for snacking as long as they haven’t spoiled.
Do I have to use vanilla?
No. The apple, cinnamon, and cloves will still make a wonderfully fragrant fall simmer pot without it. I just love the slightly sweet, bakery scent vanilla adds.
Can I drink the liquid from a simmer pot?
I wouldn’t. Even though this particular recipe uses kitchen ingredients, a simmer pot is intended to fragrance your home rather than be consumed.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the apples and spices ahead of time and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. Add the water when you’re ready to start simmering.
Can I leave a simmer pot on overnight?
No. A stovetop simmer pot should never be left unattended or allowed to simmer while you’re sleeping. Turn off the burner and let the pot cool when you’re finished using it.
The Perfect Simple Fall Simmer Pot
There are plenty of elaborate fall simmer pot recipes you can make, but sometimes the simplest combinations really are the best.
Apples and cinnamon are quintessential fall scents, and adding cloves and vanilla makes the whole thing smell almost like an apple dessert is baking somewhere nearby. It’s warm, cozy, inexpensive, and takes about five minutes to throw together.
If you’re looking for an easy way to make your house smell like fall, this Classic Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot is the perfect place to start.
And once you start making simmer pots, fair warning: you’ll probably start looking at every leftover orange peel, slightly soft apple, and sprig of rosemary as a potential new scent combination.
Be sure to check out our Cranberry and Orange Simmer Pot as fall starts to move into winter as well!
