Easy Cinnamon Apples Recipe

Irresistibly Easy Cinnamon Apples Recipe for Cozy Fall Nights

Whipping up a delightful cinnamon apples dessert brings pure comfort to your kitchen.

Sweet aromas will dance through your home as you slice and sprinkle warm spices.

Crisp apple varieties work perfectly for this simple treat.

Autumn memories flood back with each fragrant bite of caramelized fruit.

Soft textures mingle with rich cinnamon notes that spark joy in every spoonful.

Home cooks adore this effortless recipe that requires minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Nothing beats the rustic charm of these tender, spice-infused apples that promise to delight you from the first taste.

Cooking Tips That Bring Out Apple Sweetness

  • Slice Smartly: Cut apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Control the Heat: Use medium heat to prevent burning and allow apples to caramelize slowly, developing rich flavors.
  • Butter Matters: Choose unsalted butter for better control of the dish's overall saltiness and to enhance natural apple sweetness.
  • Customize Sweetness: Adjust brown sugar quantity based on apple variety – tart apples might need more sugar, while sweeter apples require less.
  • Serve Creatively: Enjoy these cinnamon apples as a side dish, dessert topping, or breakfast companion with yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes.

Storing Apples for Future Enjoyment

  • Store cooled cinnamon apples in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
  • Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent overcooking.
  • Enjoy cold as a refreshing topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream if you prefer a cool treat.

Pairings for Warm Cinnamon Apples

  • Top warm cinnamon apples over creamy vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast between hot and cold, creating a heavenly dessert that balances sweet and spicy notes.
  • Serve alongside a steaming cup of chai tea or mulled cider, enhancing the cinnamon's warmth and creating a cozy autumn-inspired experience that comforts the soul.
  • Spread cinnamon apples over mascarpone or cream cheese on toasted brioche, offering a rich, decadent breakfast or brunch option that blends tangy and sweet elements perfectly.
  • Sprinkle toasted pecans or almonds over the cinnamon apples, adding a delightful textural contrast and nutty depth that complements the fruit's soft, caramelized texture.

Loving These Cinnamon Apples Just Makes Sense

  • Perfect dessert that kids and adults will love, requiring minimal cooking skills and just a few simple ingredients.
  • Only 10 minutes total cooking time makes this recipe ideal for busy families wanting a fast and delicious sweet side dish.
  • Serve warm over vanilla ice cream, pancakes, or enjoy as a standalone healthy snack that feels like a decadent treat.
  • Uses affordable, common ingredients found in most kitchen pantries, making it an economical choice for spontaneous dessert cravings.

What Goes Into This Sweet Cinnamon Apple Treat

Fruit Base:
  • Apples: Sweet and crisp fruit that provides the main texture and flavor, best when using firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for better hold during cooking.
Spice and Sweeteners:
  • Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Salt: Classic flavor enhancers that create a rich caramel-like coating, brown sugar adds deep sweetness while cinnamon provides warm, aromatic notes.
Cooking Fat:
  • Butter: Helps create smooth caramelization and adds rich, creamy undertones to the apple mixture, unsalted butter works best for better flavor control.

Steps to Sauté Apples Without Overcooking

Step 1: Prep the Fruit

Wash the apples thoroughly under cool running water. Use a sharp knife to carefully remove the stems. Grab a peeler and smoothly strip away the skin from each apple. Use an apple corer or a sharp knife to remove the core. Slice the apples into uniform thin wedges, aiming for about 14 inch thickness to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Warm Up the Cooking Surface

Place a large skillet on the stovetop. Turn the heat to medium. Drop in the butter and watch it melt, swirling the pan to coat the bottom completely. The butter should bubble slightly but not brown.

Step 3: Transform the Apples

Add the prepared apple slices to the buttery pan. Sprinkle in:
  • Brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Salt

Gently toss the ingredients using a wooden spoon or spatula, making sure each apple slice gets a beautiful coating of the sweet and spicy mixture.

Step 4: Create Caramelized Magic

Let the apples cook, stirring every couple of minutes to prevent sticking. Watch as the fruit softens and develops a rich, golden-brown color. The natural sugars will begin to caramelize, creating a luscious sauce. Continue cooking until the apples reach a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency, which typically takes about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the cinnamon apples to a serving dish. The warm, fragrant dessert can be enjoyed on its own, paired with vanilla ice cream, or as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal.

Cinnamon Apple Add-Ons to Try Next Time

  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil for those avoiding gluten and dairy.
  • Low-Sugar Version: Substitute brown sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce sugar content for diabetic-friendly recipe.
  • Spiced Variation: Add nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to enhance the warming flavor profile and create a more complex taste experience.
  • Vegan Alternative: Use plant-based butter substitute and coconut sugar to make the recipe completely vegan-friendly while maintaining the original sweet and comforting taste.

FAQs About Cinnamon Apple Recipes

  • Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji. Each type will provide a slightly different flavor and texture to the dish.

  • Is this recipe suitable for diabetics or those watching sugar intake?

You can modify the recipe by using alternative sweeteners like stevia or reducing the amount of brown sugar to make it more diabetes-friendly.

  • Can I make these cinnamon apples ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the apples in advance and reheat them gently in a skillet or microwave when ready to serve.

  • Are these cinnamon apples good for kids?

These apples are a great, kid-friendly dessert that’s both sweet and nutritious. Children typically enjoy the warm, comforting flavor of cinnamon and the soft texture of the cooked apples.

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Easy Cinnamon Apples Recipe

Easy Cinnamon Apples Recipe


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4.7 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 12 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Delightful cinnamon apples bring sweet warmth to classic dessert traditions from grandmother’s kitchen. Spiced with comfort and nostalgia, each bite offers a simple yet magical journey through homemade goodness you’ll savor completely.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced

Sweeteners:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) brown sugar (or maple syrup/honey)

Spices and Enhancers:

  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Carefully peel and remove the core from each apple, creating uniformly thin slices approximately 1/4 inch thick to ensure consistent cooking.
  2. Select a spacious skillet and warm it over medium heat, allowing the butter to melt smoothly and coat the cooking surface.
  3. Gently introduce the apple slices into the skillet, immediately sprinkling brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a delicate pinch of salt across the fruit to enhance its natural sweetness.
  4. Tenderly stir the apple mixture, ensuring each slice becomes thoroughly coated with the aromatic spices and caramelizing agents.
  5. Allow the apples to simmer gently, occasionally rotating them with a spatula to prevent sticking and promote even caramelization.
  6. Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes, watching for the apples to transform into a soft, golden-brown delicacy with a luscious, glossy appearance.
  7. Remove the skillet from heat once the apples have reached a tender consistency and developed a rich, deep amber color, signaling they are perfectly prepared.

Notes

  • Choose firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor balance.
  • Cut apple slices uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent caramelization throughout the dish.
  • Adjust cooking time based on apple ripeness – younger apples might need slightly longer simmering to become tender.
  • Transform this recipe into a versatile topping by serving over pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, or vanilla ice cream for added excitement.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

  • Program: Certificate in Patisserie
  • Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.

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