This simple recipe for stovetop cooked apples is one my kids ask for over and over. I also love them! And as a registered dietitian and mom, I love it finding new ways to offer fruits and veggies.
Warm cooked apples taste great year round, but they’re especially good during the fall. They taste great and make your house smell so comforting.
They’re also easy to make and my kids love having warm cooked apples topped with cinnamon in a Thermos in their packed lunches. My kids also especially love cooked apples for oatmeal.
Pro Tip: Save the extra liquid from cooking the apples and use it the next time you cook oatmeal or freeze it in an ice cube tray and use it in smoothies!
Ingredients to make cooked apples
- Your favorite type of apples. I tend to use Granny Smith apples because I like the tartness.
- Cinnamon stick lends a hint of cinnamon to the cooked apples. Omit if you don’t like cooked apples and cinnamon.
- Lemon: a squeeze of fresh lemon juice prevents the apples from browing.
Did you know there are 100s of varieties of apples?
My typical favorites for eating are Honeycrisp, Jonagold, and Fuji. I tend to cook with Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Mutsu. And Honeycrisp and Johnathan tend to hold their shape best while cooking. So, I’d recommend one of these varieties for cooked apples.
Experiment with offering different kinds of apples
Do your children like apples? What kinds are their favorites? Offering different types of apples is an easy way to expose kids to different tastes and textures.
Toigo Orchards sells apples at my neighborhood farmers market. And they cut up all the varieties of apples they bring to our farmers market for people to sample. It’s fun seeing so many kids at that table sampling the different varieties.
What a fun and low-pressure food exposure for kids (and adults) to try different varieties!
How to make cooked apples
1. Peel and core the apples. I cut the apples in half and cut the core out of each half. You can also use an apple corer.
2. Dice the apples into large pieces. Alternatively, you can slice the apples if you want cooked sliced apples.
3. Place them in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover them. Add the lemon juice and 1-2 cinnamon sticks depending on whether you want a subtle or prominent cinnamon flavor.
4. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once the liquid comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium low and allow the apples to simmer until they’re just cooked and still hold their shape.
5. Remove the apples from the liquid and allow them to cool. Discard the cinnamon stick(s).
What to eat with cooked apples
Cooked apples are very versatile, and make a nice topping or side dish for many meals.
- Top cooked oatmeal with warm, stovetop cooked apples and cinnamon for a comforting breakfast or snack.
- Top homemade granola or store-bought with warm cooked apples. It’s like eating deconstructed apple crisp.
- Top the cooked apples with ground cinnamon and serve as an easy side with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I mean, who doesn’t love stovetop cooked apples and cinnamon?
- Leave the cooked apples plain and serve along side roast chicken, pork, Dijon mustard salmon, Crispy Zucchini Fritters, or any meal you’re in the mood to eat apples with.
Cooked Apples Recipe
Equipment
- 1 vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples peeled, cored and diced
- 1 stick cinnamon optional
- 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice the apples
- Place them in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover them (about 1 cup). Add 1-2 cinnamon sticks depending on whether you want a subtle or prominent cinnamon flavor.
- Add lemon juice.
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once the liquid comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium low and allowe the apples to simmer until they're just cooked and still hold their shape. Approximately 20 minutes.*
- Remove the apples from the liquid and allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Allow leftover cooked apples to cool to room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
