How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (2024)

Warm cinnamon apples are easy to make topping for breakfast waffles or pancakes, topping for pork chops or fried chicken, or serve as dessert with ice cream! It’s a dish that is perfect celebration of FALL!

How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (1)
Jump to:
  • What you’ll love about this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to make it
  • What’s the best apple to use?
  • To peel or not to peel skin?
  • How to serve it?
  • Variations
  • Expert tips
  • Common questions
  • 📋Easy Cinnamon Apples

What you’ll love about this recipe

  • The perfect celebration of FALL! Crisp fresh apples are fried in butter and brown sugar with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. It’s warming, comforting, and utterly delicious!
  • It tastes like APPLE PIE without the crumb!
  • The perfect way to use fresh crisp apples that are best in quality.
  • You’ll need basic pantry ingredients.
  • Very easy to make. The dish comes together in under 15 minutes.
  • Warm, cozy, comforting, and satisfying dessert to enjoy on a chilly day.
  • Use it as topping on ANYTHING! From breakfast waffles/pancakes, sides for crispy fried chicken, top it over pork chops, and serve as dessert with ice cream.
  • It’s very versatile. You can swap with your favorite variety of apples. This recipe works for any fresh crisp apples which have a nice sweet and tart flavor. Granny Smith, honey crisp, and Fuji red apples are the best choices.
  • It’s completely up to you want spices you want to use and how much of it. Use cinnamon powder alone if you do not want to add nutmeg and ginger powder.
  • Easy to adapt this recipe to make baked cinnamon apples instead of cooking on a stove top. You can choose to cook in the microwave too.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need –

  • Butter
  • Apples
  • Light brown sugar
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Ground ginger
  • Nutmeg
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Corn starch
  • Water

All the ingredients’ exact measurements are mentioned in the recipe card below.

How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (2)
  • Apples – use fresh crisp apples that have sweet and tart flavors to them. Granny Smith, Honey Crispy, Fuji, Pink Lady, Gala, and Jazz are the best choices.
  • Lemon Juice – As soon as apples are chopped add lemon juice to prevent it from browning. Along with lemon juice, I always add a generous pinch of salt.
  • Brown Sugar – Use light brown sugar. A mix of cane sugar and brown sugar can be used too.
  • Spices – I love a mix of cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, and ginger powder. It adds warm flavors to the dish. Stick to just cinnamon powder if you don’t have or don’t want to use other spices.
  • Thickening Agent (optional) – towards the end add corn starch mixed in 3 tablespoon water. Cook for 2 minutes or until the sauce is thickened slightly. This step is optional.
  • Butter –fry apples in butter for a richer taste. For vegan options use coconut oil.

Additional Ingredients(optional):

  • Vanilla Extract – stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the recipe for added flavors.
  • Maple Syrup – you can add maple syrup or honey too for more flavors.
  • Brandy – add a good 3 to 4 tablespoons of brandy at the end while cooking. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. A great topper for ADULT DISH.

How to make it

Wash apples well, pat dry with a kitchen towel.

It’s a personal choice to peel the skin or leave the skin on. If you are feeding kids, it’s best to peel the skin and chop it into smaller pieces to make it easy for them to eat.

How to prep apples

Using apple slicer:-

I prefer to remove the skin off apples always. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the skin off apples.

Push down the apple slicer holding it firm in the middle to core and slice apples into 8 even slices.

Using apple corer:-

If you do not have an apple slicer, core the apple using apple corer.

Use an apple corer with little muscle to push it down in the center of the apple straightway down through it to remove the center core.

Peel the skin using a vegetable peeler. You can choose to leave the skin on.

Cut apple into half.

Cut each half lengthwise in the middle to make 4 quarters.

Cut even slices.

Note: don’t cut apples too thin, or they will break. I’d like to make 8 thick slices from each apple. If you want to cut into cubes, make 1 inch cubes.

Using knife:-

If you choose to peel the skin off, peel using a vegetable peeler.

Cut the apple into half from stem to bottom end.

Turn the half flat side down and cut into half again.

Using a pairing knife, make an angled incision at the center from one side. Turn the apple and make a similar angled incision on the other side to make a ‘v’ cut and release the core.

Cut each quarter into half once again to make 8 slices in total.

Note – if you don’t work fast in peeling and coring, the apple will begin to brown from the cut side. To prevent browning, rub the apple with a cut lemon.

How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (3)

Cook apples on stove top

Add lemon juice to apple slices and toss well to coat. This will prevent apples from browning. This is an optional step.

I prefer to add a generous pinch of salt along with lemon juice to prevent apples from browning while it sits until ready to be added to the skillet to cook.

Melt butter in skillet. Add apple slices to the pan.

Add the rest of the ingredients – brown sugar, cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, ginger powder.

Allow apple slices to cook for a minute.

Cover with a lid and simmer on medium-low heat for about 4 minutes.

Remove the lid and toss well.

Adding cornstarch is optional. Arrowroot powder can also be used in place of corn starch for thickening.

Mix corn starch in 1 tablespoon water making sure no lumps are left. Pour it over sautéed apples. Alternatively, directly sprinkle corn starch over the apples.

Stir and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.

Remove from heat.

Note: at this stage, you can add flavors to your dish like vanilla extract or maple syrup.

Serve immediately.

How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (4)

What’s the best apple to use?

Any apple that is crisp and has wonderful sweet and tart flavors can be used for an apple cinnamon recipe.

Choose any of these apples –

  • Granny Smith
  • Honey Crispy
  • Fuji Red
  • Pink Lady
  • Gala
  • Jazz
  • Braeburn
  • Golden Delicious
  • Cortland

To peel or not to peel skin?

There is no right or wrong way to do it. It’s a personal choice to choose to peel the skin off the apples or to leave it as it is.

Just remember if you are feeding this to little kids it’s best to peel the skin off and to dice apples into small cubes to make it easy for kids to eat. This cinnamon apple with skin will be slightly tougher to eat for kids.

I prefer to remove the skin.

How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (5)

How to serve it?

Cinnamon apples can be served in many ways. Serve it as a topping for waffles/pancakes. Top it over pork chop for dinner or serve alongside crispy fried chicken. Serve it as it is for a mid-meal snack. Serve it topped with ice cream or whipped cream as dessert.

Variations

Vanilla extract – stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the recipe for added flavors.

Maple syrup – you can add maple syrup or honey too for more flavors.

Brandy – the combination of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and brandy is deadly. It’s a great ADULT garnish for any dish. Add good 3 to 4 tablespoons brandy at the end while cooking. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. That’s it! A great topper for ADULT DISH is ready.

How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (6)

Expert tips

  1. Do NOT cut apples too thin, or they will break. Cut thick slices or cubes and make sure all are equal-sized so they cook evenly. If cutting into slices, consider making 8 equal-sized slices from each apple.
  2. Do not stir too much or they will break.
  3. Do not overcook apples. You don’t want mushy apples. Cinnamon apples should be softened slightly with a crunch to them but not soggy and mushy. Cooking time for apples will vary depending on how large your apples are cut.
  4. Adding a thickening agent is completely optional. Add corn starch or arrowroot powder as thickening agents. This recipe calls for mixing cornstarch with water before adding to the apples. Alternatively, you can just sprinkle starch directly over the pan.
  5. For adult-only servings, consider adding brandy to the recipe in the end. The combination of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and brandy is deadly.

Common questions

What’s the best apple to use?

Any apple variety that is sweet and tart can be used, like –
Granny Smith
Honey Crispy
Fuji Red
Pink Lady
Gala
Jazz
Braeburn
Golden Delicious
Cortland

To peel or not to peel skin?

It depends on personal choice to peel the skin or leave it.
I prefer to remove the skin.

Can I freeze cinnamon apples?

Yes, you can. Allow sautéed apples to cool completely. Transfer to freeze containers with tight lids or zip-lock bags. Freeze it for up to 3 months.
When ready to serve, simply thaw frozen apples in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a pan with a little butter until warm enough. Serve immediately.

OTHER APPLE RECIPES:

  • Apple pancakes
  • Apple pie enchiladas
  • Apple snickers salad
  • Apple dump cake
  • Apple fritters
  • Cranberry apple slaw
  • Instant pot apple cider
  • Apple nachos with peanut butter and chocolate

MORE FALL RECIPES:

  • Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
  • Pumpkin spice latte
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Instant pot butternut squash soup
  • Instant pot chicken noodle soup
  • Roasted butternut squash

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How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (7)

5 from 6 votes

📋Easy Cinnamon Apples

Jyothi Rajesh

Warm cinnamon apples are easy to make and a great option for toppings. Use it as a topping for any dish, topped over breakfast waffles or pancakes, topping for pork chops or fried chicken for dinner, or simply serve it with ice cream for dessert!

Print Recipe Pin RecipeRate this Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Course Dessert, fruit

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 255

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 4 apples peeled, cored and sliced into 8 thick slices
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • ½ teaspoon ginger powder
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon water optional

Instructions

  • Wash apples well, pat dry in a kitchen towel.

  • It’s a personal choice to peel the skin or leave the skin on. If you are feeding kids, it’s best to peel the skin and chop it into smaller pieces to make it easy for them to eat. I prefer to peel the skin.

  • Cut 8 equal-sized slices from each apple.

  • Add lemon juice and salt and toss well to coat. This will prevent apples from browning.

  • Melt butter in a skillet, and add apple slices to the pan.

  • Add all ingredients – brown sugar, cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, ginger powder.

  • Allow apple slices to cook for a minute. Cover with a lid and simmer on medium-low heat for about 4 minutes.

  • Remove lid and toss well.

  • Adding cornstarch is optional. Arrowroot powder can also be used in place of corn starch for thickening.

  • Mix corn starch in 1 tablespoon water making sure no lumps are left. Pour it over sautéed apples.

  • Alternatively, directly sprinkle corn starch over the apples. Stir and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.

  • Remove from heat.

  • Note: at this stage, you can add flavors to your dish like vanilla extract or maple syrup.

  • Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • Do NOT cut apples too thin, or they will break. Cut thick slices or cubes and make sure all are equal-sized so they cook evenly. If cutting into slices, consider making 8 equal-sized slices from each apple.
  • Do not stir too much or they will break.
  • Do not overcook apples. You don’t want mushy apples. Cinnamon apples should be softened slightly with a crunch to them but not soggy and mushy. Cooking time for apples will vary depending on how large your apples are cut.
  • Adding a thickening agent is completely optional. Add corn starch or arrowroot powder as thickening agents. This recipe calls for mixing cornstarch with water before adding it to the apples. Alternatively, you can just sprinkle starch directly over the pan.
  • For adult-only servings, consider adding brandy to the recipe at the end. The combination of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and brandy is deadly.

Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 231mgFiber: 5gSugar: 46gVitamin A: 273IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Follow @CurryTrail and tag #CurryTrail to share your creation!

Created by Jyothi Rajesh

Thank you for stopping by.

I’m Jyothi Rajesh (Jo for short) and i’m the founder of the food blog, Curry Trail where I share my culinary Adventures. I live in Bangalore, India. I’m a mom of two beautiful kids. My passion is creating and sharing delicious and easy recipes for the home cook. I have been blogging since 2007 and many of my recipes have appeared in both online and print publications over the years.Learn more about Jyothi Rajesh.

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How To Make Best Cinnamon Apples Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best method for cooking apple? ›

Baking: This is the go-to cooking method for apples, and that's because the end result is usually a sweet treat like apple pie or apple crisp. The dry heat used in baking keeps moisture locked in which is ideal when it comes to maintain the apple's juiciness.

What is the best way to soften apples? ›

Peel, core and dice apple into bite sized (small) pieces. Place apple pieces in microwave safe dish and add 2 tablespoons water. Microwave apple on High 1-3 minutes. Check on it and stir every 20-30 seconds or so until it reaches desired tenderness.

What are cinnamon apples made of? ›

Making cinnamon apples on the stove is as easy as sautéing sliced apples in a bit of butter with brown sugar and cinnamon. A slurry of water and cornstarch helps thicken the cinnamon-sugar coating for these soft and delicious apples.

What are the best apples for cooking? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

What do you soak apples in before baking? ›

To use this method to prevent apples from turning brown, create a water bath for your apple slices with a ratio of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of water. Soak the apple slices for 3 to 5 minutes, then drain and rinse them. This simple step should keep your apples from browning for several hours.

Should you soak apples before baking? ›

Some experts will tell you to par-cook apples before filling a pie by pouring boiling water over cut apples and soaking them for 10 minutes. Others say to roast them to reduce water content. Still, others say to let cut apples sit for 30-40 minutes to drain natural juices.

Why do you soak apples in salt water? ›

Here's the short version: The best way to prevent browning is to soak the cut fruit in a saltwater solution (half a teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water) for 10 minutes, then drain and store until ready to use. The mild salt flavor can be rinsed off with tap water before serving.

How do you stop cooking apples going mushy? ›

Don't cut or slice them into very small/fine pieces. Keep them a bit bigger in size, so while baking they get little mushy and remain firm.

What apples don't get mushy when cooked? ›

Pink Ladies and Granny Smiths are our go-to baking apples, but you can choose any kind you like as long as it has a firm texture and a good bit of acidity.

Is it good to eat cinnamon apples? ›

Not only are they easy to make in minutes, but they're healthy and delicious! What is this? These sautéed cinnamon apples are like eating a warm apple pie (or apple crumble pie), but without the crust! They take 15 minutes to prepare and can be used in a variety of ways!

Why do people put cinnamon on apples? ›

Adding cinnamon to apples enhances their flavor and creates a delicious combination. Cinnamon has a warm, aromatic quality that complements the natural sweetness of apples. It also brings a slightly spicy and earthy undertone, which can create a well-balanced and comforting taste.

Can you freeze cinnamon apples? ›

Sprinkle chopped/sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent apples from turning brown. *You can even add spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg along with some sugar to have seasoned apples ready for apple pies or apple crisp! Portion apples into freezer bags or other containers, seal, label, and freeze!

What is the healthiest apple to eat? ›

The more apples in your diet, the better, says registered dietitian Danielle Crumble Smith, regardless of the type. Some, however, have unique health benefits. Red Delicious apples are the healthiest from an antioxidant standpoint, Crumble Smith says.

What is the number one best tasting apple? ›

Some of the most popular apple varieties and their taste characteristics include:
  • Honeycrip: sweet, honey-like flavor.
  • Pink Lady: sweet-tart flavor.
  • Braeburn: sweet-tart, spicy flavor.
  • Fujis: sweet, fruity flavor.
  • Gala: sweet, mild flavor.
  • Golden Delicious: sweet, mild flavor.
  • Rome: sweet, slightly tart flavor.
Jan 14, 2023

What's the most expensive apple? ›

The Sekai-Ichi apple is considered the world's most expensive apple variety, costing around $20 per apple.

Is it better to steam or boil apples? ›

Steamed apples are wonderfully soft and healthy, but they aren't anywhere near as mushy as boiled apples are. To steam apples, you need to place them in a steaming basket above boiling water (not in the water). Then simply let the steam soften the apples. Remember to slice them up first, into bite-sized chunks.

What is the best cooking method for fruits? ›

Fruit can be cooked using moist- or dry-heat methods. Poaching, stewing and other moist-heat methods are wonderful for dressing up plain fruit. Sauces and compotes are usually made using moist-heat cooking.

Which cooking method is recommended for most fruit? ›

Poaching. One of the more popular cooking methods for fruits is poaching. Poaching softens and tenderizes fruits and infuses them with additional flavors such as spices or wine. Poached fruits can be served hot or cold and used in tarts or pastries or as an accompaniment to meat or poultry dishes.

Is it better to cook apples with the skin on or off? ›

Depends on what you're using them for. If they're for pie filling or applesauce, take the skins off. If they're for baked apples to eat as a dessert, you can go either way.

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