Stovetop cooked apples are a quick, 10-minute dish that hits the spot all year long. Fresh apples, butter, cinnamon, and salt are all you need, and they taste like you put in a lot more effort than you did! Use them in my yogurt parfait recipe or a high-protein Greek yogurt bowl! I love making them at the beginning of the week, along with my freezer breakfast sandwiches, for a quick, sweet, and savory breakfast combo
Buttery cinnamon apples are one of my favorite ways to use fresh apples because they’re incredibly easy to make and SO delicious! Serve them at Thanksgiving or Christmas as part of your holiday brunch or dinner, and watch them disappear. These should definitely be added to your collection of fresh apple recipes!
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 four ingredients and can make them in about ten minutes. We’re not even turning on the oven, which is especially helpful during the holidays when you’re in the thick of cooking a big Thanksgiving or Christmas meal and your stove can’t hold any more.
Apples, butter or ghee, cinnamon, and a touch of salt are all you need. They can be stirred into oatmeal, yogurt bowls, or parfaits, like this one with apples and granola. The variations are endless!
Stovetop Cooked Apples
Enjoy cozy fall flavors all year long with the simple cooked apples! If you love baked apples but don’t want to turn on your oven, this recipe is for you. They’re incredibly versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Double the recipe as part of your weekly meal prep, and enjoy these simple cooked apples on their own, use your favorite caramel sauce to make a caramel apple sundae, stir them into oatmeal or yogurt bowls, or pair with grilled or baked pork chops – a classic combination. Sauteed apples are high in fiber and nutritious, making them a healthy choice that tastes like a treat. They’re dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian.
Cinnamon Apples Ingredients
Four ingredients are all you need for these stovetop cooked apples. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card 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 ghee (clarified butter) or butter, depending on what I have available at the time. 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 bit more salt to the apples while they’re in the pan.
- Sea salt. Just a touch brings out the sweetness of the apples.
 | 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!
- Start by dicing the apples and removing the cores. 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.
- 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, ghee butter, and salt.
- 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 |
Tips + Serving + Storage
- If you want your apples to be a little sweeter, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup added to the pan 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.
- A little pumpkin pie spice and vanilla would be delicious, especially if you plan on using the apples in desserts.
- 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, fiber, and rich in nutrient-dense nuts.
- 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.
 | 10" Hard Anodized Nontoxic Nonstick Skillet Ceramic Hard Anodized 10" Skillet | Non-Stick, PFAS/PFOA-Free Non-Toxic | Oven & Broiler Safe |
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Stovetop Cooked Apples | Easy 10-Minute Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 apples
- 1 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt
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, salt, 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!
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