Easy Cinnamon Apples (5 minutes)
Posted Sep 29, 2019, Updated Nov 14, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These Cinnamon Apples taste like a warm apple pie, but they come together in 15 minutes on the stovetop! This cinnamon apples recipe makes a perfect breakfast, pancake topper, snack, or light dessert.
I can describe my favorite thing about fall in two simple words – Apple Season! If you find yourself with an abundance of delicious fall apples, you need to make these Cinnamon Apples! Not only are they easy to make in minutes, but they’re healthy and delicious!
These sautéed cinnamon apples are like eating a warm apple pie (or apple crumble pie), but without the crust! They take 15 minutes to prepare and can be used in a variety of ways!
Serve these Cinnamon Apples as a topping over pancakes, scoop them onto some vanilla ice cream or just eat them with a spoon for a healthy sweet treat! They are easy to customize to comply with just about every dietary need.
One of the reasons I created this healthy cinnamon apples recipe is so that my babies could enjoy eating apples too! These soft, cinnamony, bite-sized apples are perfect for adults and kids of all ages! (Note: when I serve these apples to my babies I do peel them first).
Sautéed Cinnamon Apples: Ingredients & Substitutions.
Let’s start by chatting about the ingredients in these cinnamon apples! This recipe uses coconut oil or butter, cinnamon, a dash of salt, vanilla and a touch of maple syrup to create the tastiest little bits of apple bliss you’ve ever eaten! Here are a few possible substitutes that could be made in this recipe.
- Apple Variety. I recommend honey crisp or pink lady apples, but any variety works beautifully in this recipe! Here are some suggestions:
- Gala
- Jonagold
- Golden delicious
- Honey Crisp
- Pink Lady (pictured in this post)
- Granny Smith
- Jazz
- Coconut oil. Butter or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil with delicious results! As you can see, I used butter in the photos and coconut oil in the video. Both taste amazing, just choose your favorite that complies with your dietary needs.
- Maple syrup. Honey is a great substitution, although I love the flavor of maple syrup in this recipe! You can also use granulated sugar, brown sugar, etc.
How to make Cinnamon Apples
Now let’s walk through how to make these sautéed apples step-by-step! They’re super easy but I like to make sure you know exactly how it’s done to ensure your culinary success!
Cook apples in water
Start making these cinnamon apples by placing diced apples into a non-stick fry pan and add water. Cover and cook until the apples are slightly soft.
Add the rest of the ingredients
Add the maple syrup, vanilla, salt and cinnamon and stir until everything is evenly distributed. Cover and cook again, stirring occasionally.
Cook
Once the apples are soft, remove the lid and cook uncovered until all the ingredients caramelize onto the apples and they brown slightly.
Serve
Transfer to a dish and serve the cinnamon apples warm! We like to serve them as a side dish, but they can also be used as a topping to your favorite breakfast foods! Here are some serving suggestions:
- Mix into overnight oats.
- Scoop on top of homemade waffles.
- Serve over a piece of warm french toast.
- Add more apple goodness to this apple cinnamon baked oatmeal (or this pumpkin baked oatmeal).
Store
Store leftover apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
Recipe FAQs
This cinnamon apples recipe is a healthy and nutritious way to enjoy fresh apples.
No, fresh apples don’t freeze well so I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
Yes! You can double or triple this recipe easily.
If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!
Easy Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 apples (about 3 cups, chopped)
- 2 TBS water
- 1 TBS salted butter (or coconut oil)
- 1 TBS maple syrup
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cut apples into same-sized pieces (about ½-1” cubes).
- Put apples pieces into a skillet with 2 TBS water. Cover the pan and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become slightly soft and water is absorbed.
- Add 1 TBS of butter to the skillet. Stir apples and oil together until all the apples are coated. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring every minute or so, until the apples become soft (you may need to cover them for the last 2 minutes).
- Add Maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and vanilla. Stir until well mixed.
- Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring every minute until the apples reach your desired softness!
- Remove from heat and serve!
Video
Notes
- You can choose whether or not you peel your apples (if I’m feeding them to a baby without teeth I always peel them)!
- Apple Variety. I recommend honey crisp or pink lady apples, but any variety works beautifully in this recipe! Here are some suggestions:
- Gala
- Jonagold
- Golden delicious
- Honey Crisp
- Pink Lady (pictured in this post)
- Granny Smith
- Jazz
- Butter. coconut oil or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil with delicious results.
- Maple syrup. Honey is a great substitution, although I love the flavor of maple syrup in this recipe! You can also use granulated sugar, brown sugar, etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but I’m looking forward to making it!
What would be the best way to reheat these?
Super quick, easy, and absolutely delicious!
Awesome and so easy
This sounds wonderful and I’d love to try it. My only question is to how soft the apple pieces become once the recipe is finished? Someone in my family has long-term dental issues and can only eat softer foods, so as much as she likes apples she hasn’t been able to eat one in weeks! (And yes, she’s had plenty of applesauce, but it’s just not the same.)I thought cooked apples would be softer and that’s what led me to your recipe. Any info/advice would be welcomed!
So easy and delicious!
I haven’t made these yet so I can’t rate it, but I was wondering if once made can they be canned and sealed to use other times. Thank you.
This recipe is a winner for sure! I used Granny Smith apples and butter and they were yummy. Glad I doubled the recipe.