Stovetop cooked apples take ten minutes to make and taste like Fall. They can be used in a variety of ways, from desserts to savory dishes.
I’ve never been much of a fruit girl. It’s not that I don’t like it. I don’t go out of my way to eat it. I eat my weight and vegetables, though, and that makes me feel better about my life choices lol. Stovetop-cooked apples, however, are one of the few fruit dishes I look forward to making, especially when the weather starts to cool down, and I’m craving all the fall comfort food!
Simple cooked apples are nothing new. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of recipes on the Internet. What makes mine different is that you only need three ingredients and can make them in about ten minutes. We’re not even turning on the oven!
Apples, salted butter or ghee, and a touch of cinnamon are all you need to make this recipe. They can be stirred into oatmeal, yogurt bowls, or parfaits, like this one with apples and granola. The variations are endless!
Stovetop Cooked Apples
Why We Love It
- Quick and easy. Three ingredients and less than 10 minutes are all you need for this recipe.
- Healthy. These are naturally sweetened, so no additional sugar is required.
- Versatile. These can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. I’ll provide some ideas below!
- Meal prep. These keep well for days, making them perfect for your weekly food prep.
- Dietary friendly. Cooked apples are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Three ingredients are all you need for these stovetop cooked apples. I provide ingredient substitutions below.
- Apples. I see a lot of opinions online about the best type of apples to use for cooking and baking. While some apples do work better than others for some recipes, the beauty of this recipe is that any apples will work. For this recipe, use what you’ve got and what you like.
- Cinnamon. You can certainly make these with just apples and butter, but a little cinnamon adds warmth and depth of flavor. Plus, don’t apples and cinnamon just go together? I love using Ceylon cinnamon for its deep flavor and added nutritional benefits.
- Ghee or butter. I use salted ghee or butter, depending on what I have. Both will work. A little salt brings out the sweetness of the apples. If you only have unsalted or butter, that’s totally fine. Just add a tiny pinch of salt to the apples while they’re in the pan.
 | True Cinnamon Ceylon Powder True Ceylon Cinnamon Powder | No Preservatives, No Additives, Non-GMO | Pack In Small Batches |
How to Make Cooked Apples On The Stovetop
My favorite thing about this recipe, aside from its deliciousness, is how easy it is to make. While the apples are cooking, you have a few minutes to prepare your yogurt, granola, ice cream, or whatever you plan to eat them with!
- Start by coring and dicing your apples. I prefer to leave the peel on because that’s where a lot of the fiber and nutrition live, but feel free to peel them. If I were making these for small children, I would peel them. You can also thinly slice the apples if that’s your preference.
- Once you’ve prepped your apples, place an 8- to 10-inch nonstick skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the apples, cinnamon, and ghee butter.
- After about a minute, you should hear the apples sizzling. Give them a good stir to incorporate the butter and cinnamon.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and let the apples cook for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how soft you like them. You’ll be surprised how quickly they get soft.
- Remove them from the pan, let them cool, and enjoy!
 | Salted Grass-Fed Ghee Butter Himalayan Salt Grass-Fed Ghee, Clarified Butter, Pasture Raised, Non-GMO, Lactose Free, Paleo |
Helpful Tips
- Depending on the apples you use, you may or may not want your apples to be a little sweeter. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup added to the pan leather cooking will do the trick. If you’re watching your sugar, add a drop or two of liquid Stevia, which is my personal preference.
- If you have apples that need to be used up, this is a great way to do it. It’s quick and easy, and then you have 4 to 5 more days to enjoy them without anything going to waste.
- When I make this recipe, I typically use apples I already have on hand. However, if you’re going out to buy apples to make my stovetop cooked apples, consider using a variety for the best flavor and texture. Some apples are sweet, while others are more tart. Some are also more crisp than others. It’s nice to use a variety.
Variations and Ingredient Substitutions
- The flavors in this recipe are simple, making them more versatile when used in other dishes. Having said that, a little pumpkin pie spice and vanilla would be delicious, especially if you plan on using the apples in desserts.
- Salted butter or ghee eliminates the need for salt. If all you have is unsalted butter, the tiniest pinch of salt will help bring out the sweetness of the apples. I wouldn’t skip this step because it makes a difference!
 | 10" Hard Anodized Nontoxic Nonstick Skillet Ceramic Hard Anodized 10" Skillet | Non-Stick, PFAS/PFOA-Free Non-Toxic | Oven & Broiler Safe |
Serving Suggestions
Think beyond just oatmeal and yogurt! You can enjoy stovetop-cooked apples in a variety of sweet and savory ways!
- Enjoy them straight up as a side dish or dessert.
- Speaking of dessert, there’s nothing not to love about warm, comforting cooked apples and vanilla ice cream – it’s cool, creamy, and deliciously sweet. For some added texture, top with toasted nuts or granola.
- If you love apple crisp but don’t want to bother with making it, store-bought granola is the perfect solution! Add the cooked apples to a bowl, top with a generous layer of your favorite granola, and then top it with a bit of ice cream or whipped cream.
- Cinnamon-cooked apples are one of my favorite additions to a yogurt bowl, especially when I’m feeling all the fall vibes. I use Skyr or Greek protein for an extra boost of protein, and my favorite high-fiber granola is not only delicious and satisfying but also high in protein and fiber and rich in nutrient-dense nuts.
- When I posted my apple yogurt parfait recipe, one of the many questions I received was whether cooked apples can be used. I left the apples raw in that recipe for added texture, but I make it all the time using these quick stovetop cooked apples! It’s really a matter of preference.
How To Store
- Once the apples have cooled slightly, store them in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing these, as cooked or raw apples tend to deteriorate once frozen and then thawed.
If you’ve tried my stovetop cooked apples recipe or any recipe on my site, please leave a comment below!
Check out our vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-carb recipes if you have food sensitivities! |
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Stovetop Cooked Apples | Easy 10-Minute Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 apples
- 1 tbsp salted ghee or butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Core and dice the apples.
- Place a medium-sized non-stick pan on the stove.
- Turn the heat on to medium-high.
- Add the apples, butter, and cinnamon to the pan.
- When you hear the apples start to sizzle, turn the heat down to medium-low.
- Constantly stir to incorporate the butter and cinnamon.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the apples are cooked to your desired tenderness.
- Transfer the apples to a bowl to stop the cooking and enjoy!
Nutrition
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