Description
This Easy Sautéed Cinnamon Apples recipe offers a warm, comforting dessert or side dish that’s quick to prepare. Tender apple slices are cooked in butter and flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, making it a perfect autumn treat or a simple sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 medium apples (e.g., Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith)
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil for vegan option)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon water (if needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin wedges to ensure even cooking and a tender texture.
- Melt Butter: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter (or coconut oil if using a vegan option) until it’s nicely melted and bubbling slightly.
- Sauté Apples: Add the apple slices to the skillet and sauté them for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they start to soften but still hold their shape.
- Add Spices and Sweetener: Sprinkle the ground cinnamon, optional nutmeg, and a pinch of salt over the apples. Drizzle with maple syrup or sprinkle brown sugar evenly and gently stir to coat all apple slices.
- Caramelize: Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the apples for another 5–7 minutes. Stir occasionally until they become tender and caramelized, adding a tablespoon of water if the mixture looks too dry to prevent burning.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, stir in the vanilla extract for added aroma and flavor, and serve the cinnamon apples warm.
Notes
- You can use any variety of apple depending on your sweetness preference; tart apples like Granny Smith are excellent for balance, while sweeter apples like Fuji add more natural sweetness.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
- Adding a splash of lemon juice to the apples before cooking can help prevent browning and add a fresh tang.
- If the mixture dries out during cooking, adding a small amount of water will help maintain moisture and avoid burning.
- This dish pairs well with oatmeal, pancakes, or as a topping for yogurt and ice cream.
