Cinnamon Apples

Cinnamon Apples

Cinnamon apples are one of my favorite ways to enjoy apples during the fall season. While there are plenty of ways to prepare them this time of year, from apple crumble and applesauce to apple smoothies and baked apples, these are one of the simplest.

Quick and easy, they taste like apple pie minus the fussy crust. The apples are cooked until tender, then coated in a silky, caramel-like sauce made with apple juice and a little maple syrup. They're just as good spooned over yogurt or oatmeal as they are served warm with a scoop of ice cream.

Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Apples

• Simple ingredients: Apples, cinnamon, apple juice, maple syrup and a few pantry staples.
• Naturally sweetened: Apple juice and a little maple syrup provide the sweetness, with no refined sugar.
• One pan: The apples come together quickly on the stovetop.
• Versatile: Serve them over yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes or waffles, or with a scoop of ice cream.
• Make-ahead friendly: They keep well in the fridge and reheat easily.

Healthy Cinnamon Apples

While many fried apple recipes are loaded with fat and sugar, these cinnamon apples are tender, sweet and perfectly spiced without all the extra butter and sugar. They're naturally sweetened and use just a small amount of butter or coconut oil.

The apple slices are cooked until tender, then simmered in apple juice or apple cider with a hint of maple syrup until coated in a silky, caramel-like sauce. Enjoy them as dessert served over ice cream, or for breakfast served with yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes or waffles.

Ingredients & Tips

Apples
The best apples for cinnamon apples are both sweet and tart and hold their shape well when cooked. Honeycrisp, Fuji and Pink Lady are all good choices. If you prefer your cinnamon apples on the sweeter side, try Galas.

Butter
You can use regular or vegan butter, or substitute coconut oil if you prefer.

Spices
Cinnamon is a must, but feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or experiment with a little allspice.

Apple juice or apple cider
Apple juice creates the flavorful sauce, but you can also use apple cider. Look for one that's unsweetened, not from concentrate and 100% juice.

Maple syrup
Use your favorite real maple syrup.

Lemon juice
A squeeze of lemon juice provides some acidity to balance the sweetness of the fruit.

Arrowroot
Arrowroot thickens the sauce and gives it that silky, caramel-like consistency.

How to Make Cinnamon Apples

Start by heating the butter and water in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the cinnamon and apple slices, cover and simmer until the apples begin to soften.

Meanwhile, whisk together the apple juice or cider, maple syrup, arrowroot, lemon juice and a pinch of salt.

Once the apple slices are tender, add the apple juice mixture to the pan and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is syrupy and the apples are coated.

Serve the apples warm, or let them cool and store them in the refrigerator until needed.

Variations

• Use a variety of apples for a mix of flavors and textures.
• Use vegan butter or coconut oil.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice.
• Use coconut sugar instead of maple syrup.
• Stir in chopped toasted walnuts or pecans just before serving.
• Add raisins or dried cranberries if you like.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm over vanilla or dairy-free ice cream.
• Spoon over Greek or coconut yogurt.
• Add to oatmeal or overnight oats.
• Serve with pancakes, waffles or French toast.
• Top with granola or toasted nuts.

Storage

Store the cinnamon apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a small splash of water or apple juice.

Final Thoughts

These cinnamon apples have all the flavors I love about apple pie, but without the crust or the fuss. They're simple enough for breakfast and good enough for dessert, which is probably why I find myself making them all through apple season.