Put ½ cup apple cider and diced apples in a saute pan. Cook over medium heat until cider has been reduced and apples are soft.
Mash the apples with the back of a spoon. Leave a few chunks of apples.
Remove from pan and allow apple mixture to cool.
Mix Sausage
In a bowl, add ground pork, salt, garlic powder, pepper, sage, red pepper flakes and maple syrup along with apple mixture.
Mix all ingredients together with your hands. Add remaining apple cider and mix again.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Form into patties and cook over medium-low heat until cooked through. Keep an eye on the patties so they don't burn. The apple cider and syrup can burn quickly if not watched.