Stovetop Cinnamon Apples
These Stovetop Cinnamon Apples taste like warm apple pie filling and come together in a single skillet in just 15 minutes. Sweet-tart apples simmered in vegan butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and lemon until thick and glossy. Spoon over oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, or ice cream — or eat them straight from the pan.
Servings: 4
Calories: 158kcal
Equipment
- Silicone spatula
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 3 crisp, tart apples peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3-4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced apples, lemon juice, and water. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the apples are fork tender, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cinnamon, salt, maple syrup and vanilla. Stir well and cook another 2 to 3 minutes until thick and bubbly, stirring frequently. Do not walk away as the sugars can burn easily.
Notes
~ Choose tart, crisp apples. The sweetness from the maple syrup and the natural sugar in the apples builds as they cook — starting with a tart apple keeps everything balanced. Granny Smith are the most widely available tart apple at any grocery store. If you're apple picking in the fall, Empire and Cortland are wonderful choices.
~ Dice the apples evenly. Aim for pieces roughly the same size — about ½ inch — so they cook at the same rate. Uneven pieces mean some will be mushy while others are still firm.
~ Don't skip the lemon juice. It brightens the flavor and keeps the apples from tasting one-dimensionally sweet. It also helps prevent the apples from browning as you prep them.
~ Watch the heat once the maple syrup goes in. The natural sugars in the maple syrup can burn quickly. Keep the heat at medium, stir frequently, and don't leave the skillet unattended for the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
~ This recipe doubles or triples easily. Use a larger skillet so the apples have room to cook evenly rather than steaming. Great for making a big batch at the beginning of the week and eating from the fridge all week long.
~ Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom alongside the cinnamon for a slightly spicier, more complex flavor — especially nice as a dessert topping.
Nutrition
Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g