Healthy Cinnamon Apples

Enjoy the taste of apple pie without the fuss with these easy and healthy cinnamon apples. Perfect for fall, try them spooned over yogurt or ice cream, or served with pancakes or waffles.

Apple season is here, and there’s and there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy them throughout the fall.  From apple crumble, apple sauce, apple smoothies and of course baked apples you can be sure that apples will be on the menu.  Of course it wouldn’t be fall if I didn’t also make a batch of cinnamon apples. 

Cinnamon apples are one of my favorite ways to prepare apples this time of year. Quick and easy, they taste like apple pie minus the fussy crust.  These healthy cinnamon apples take just minutes to make and can be served in so many ways.

Healthy Cinnamon Apples

While many fried apple recipes are loaded with fat and sugar, these healthy cinnamon apples are tender, sweet and perfectly spiced without all the extra butter and sugar.  Naturally sweetened and made with just a fraction of the butter (or coconut oil) of other cinnamon apple recipes these healthy cinnamon apples come together quickly on the stovetop. 

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.  Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredient Notes:

(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.  As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

• Apples – The best apples for cinnamon apples are those that are both sweet and tart and hold their shape well when cooked.  Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady are all good choices.  (If you prefer your cinnamon apples on the sweeter side try Galas.)
• Butter – You can use either regular or vegan butter for these apples or substitute coconut oil if you’d prefer.
• Spices – Cinnamon is a must but feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or experiment with a little allspice.
• Apple Juice – We’re using apple juice to create the flavorful sauce but you could also use apple cider.  Just look for one that’s unsweetened, not from concentrate and 100% juice.
• Maple Syrup – Use your favorite 100% real maple syrup.
• Lemon Juice – A squeeze of lemon juice provides some acidity to balance out the sweetness of the fruit and balance the flavors.
• Arrowroot – Arrowroot thickens the sauce creating the caramel-like consistency.

How to Make Healthy Cinnamon Apples:

(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe.  Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

• Start by heating the butter and water and adding the cinnamon and apple slices.  Cover and simmer until tender.
• Meanwhile whisk together the apple juice, maple syrup, arrowroot and lemon juice.
• Once the apple slices are tender, add the apple juice mixture to the pan and cook stirring occasionally until the sauce is syrupy and the apples are coated.
• Serve the apple warm or let them cool and store in the fridge until needed.

Enjoy!

Variations:

• Use a variety of apples.
• Use vegan butter or coconut oil.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice.
• Use coconut sugar instead of maple syrup.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve over ice cream.
• Spoon over yogurt.
• Add to oatmeal.
• Serve with pancakes or waffles.
• Top with granola.

More Apple Recipes:

• Cinnamon Apple Tea
• Easy Pumpkin Apple Butter
• Cinnamon Poached Apples