There’s something about fall that makes us want the whole house to feel a little cozier—and this might be the easiest way to do it. With just a few everyday ingredients, this simple fall simmer pot fills your home with the warm scent of apple, orange, cinnamon and vanilla.
No special ingredients or complicated prep required. Just slice, add water and let it simmer.
Ingredients
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2–3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4–6 cups water, or enough to comfortably cover the ingredients
- Optional: A few whole cloves if you have them on hand.
Instructions
Add the sliced apple, orange and cinnamon sticks to a simmer pot. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients, then add the vanilla.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and leave the pot uncovered.
Let it simmer for 2–4 hours, adding more water whenever the level gets low. You can keep it going longer as long as you continue checking the water level.
That’s it! As it warms, your kitchen—and eventually the rest of the house—will start smelling like fall.
Our Best Simmer Pot Tips
Keep an eye on the water. This is the big one. Never allow a simmer pot to boil dry. Check it periodically and add more water as needed.
Keep the heat low. Once you get a gentle simmer going, turn the burner down. You don’t need a rolling boil to release all that fragrance.
Don’t worry about perfect measurements. Half an orange left from breakfast? Use it. An apple that’s getting a little soft? Perfect. Simmer pots are wonderfully forgiving.
Save fruit that’s past its prime. This is one of our favorite tricks. Apples or citrus that aren’t quite pretty enough to eat can still be perfect for a simmer pot, as long as they aren’t moldy or spoiled.
No cinnamon sticks? Ground cinnamon technically works, but it can make the water murky and messy. Cinnamon sticks are much nicer for this.
Make it stronger. Add another cinnamon stick, a few whole cloves or a little extra vanilla. You can easily adjust the scent as it simmers.
Don’t drink it. Even though these are familiar food ingredients, we’re making this specifically as a home-fragrance simmer pot rather than a beverage.
Easy Simmer Pot Variations
Once you know the basics, this is one of those recipes you really don’t need to follow exactly. Use what you have and change the combination depending on the scent you’re in the mood for.
Apple Pie
Apple + cinnamon sticks + vanilla + a pinch of nutmeg
Warm, sweet and basically smells like something is baking.
Cranberry Orange
Orange + fresh cranberries + cinnamon sticks + rosemary
Fresh, a little spicy and especially pretty for Thanksgiving and the holidays.
Fresh & Cozy
Orange + lemon + rosemary + vanilla
Still warm and inviting, but brighter and fresher than the traditional fall version.
Spiced Orange
Orange + cinnamon sticks + whole cloves + vanilla
Skip the apple for a warmer, citrus-and-spice scent.
Cozy Vanilla
Apple + cinnamon sticks + vanilla + a tiny splash of almond extract
Soft, sweet and extra cozy.
Fall Simmer Pot FAQs
Can you reuse a simmer pot?
Yes. Let it cool completely, cover and refrigerate it, then reheat the next day with fresh water. I’d personally add “discard it if the fruit develops mold, an off smell, or other signs of spoilage.”
How long can you simmer it?
Several hours is fine as long as you stay nearby, keep the heat low and continue adding water. Your current instructions say 2–4 hours, which is good.
Can I make a simmer pot in a slow cooker?
Yes — this is actually worth adding! Put everything in the slow cooker with water and use LOW, leaving the lid off so the fragrance can escape. Keep checking the water level.
Can I use ground spices?
Technically yes, but whole spices are much cleaner and easier to deal with. You already explain this well for cinnamon.
Don’t Want to DIY It?
We love making our own, but sometimes you just want the easy button. We found a ready-to-simmer fall potpourri kit with dried apples, oranges, cinnamon and warm spices. Just add it to a pot with water and simmer.
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