Warm up your kitchen with this simple and comforting Stewed Apples recipe, perfect for a cozy snack or a healthy dessert. Made with fresh apples simmered gently with cinnamon and a touch of sweetness, it’s a naturally delicious way to enjoy fruit any time of day. Whether served on its own or as a topping for oatmeal or yogurt, stewed apples bring warmth and flavor to your table.
If you enjoy sweet fruit dishes, be sure to check out my air fryer peaches and my spiced whole baked pears.
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✔️ Why This Recipe is Great
Low Histamine Dessert: this straightforward dish came about after a big batch of apples basically fell into our laps, and we had to find several ways to use them up enjoy them. Adding a touch of sweetness and a dash of my favorite spices livened them right up!
Very Versatile: stewed apples make a great topping for desserts, though in reality, these are great for breakfast or dessert. They're even a great, quick way to use up apple slices your kid didn't want to finish off, but you just don't have the heart to throw out (you can freeze the bits to make a big batch at a later date).
Freezer-Friendly Dessert: these freeze incredibly well once cooked, but I wouldn't keep them frozen for more than 3 or 4 months. Remember that apples great for juicing are generally also good for stewing.
🍋 Ingredients
Apples: you can use any harder type of cooking apples, but I recommend a more tart, crisp varietal of apple like granny smith or pink lady. You can even mix varietals, but it's not necessary.
Lemon: this is an optional ingredient, especially if you use more tart apples, but it does help to brighten the dish, and you use well under 1 teaspoon per serving.
Sugar: the recipe calls for less than 30 grams of sugar in total, but you can swap some or all of it for allulose, if you want a lower-sugar option.
Spices: here I use cinnamon, though you can also add or use only cardamom and vanilla if you'd like more complexity in the delicious sweetness.
See recipe card for exact ingredients and quantities.
🍎 Best Apples for Stewing
When it comes to stewing apples, the sweetness and level of tartness are the most important factors. Some apple varietals, like Honeycrisp and Gala, are naturally sweet and make an excellent base for sweeter stewed apples, but I always prefer apples reocmmended for ciders or pies, because they tend to be more tart and hold up better.
- Pink Lady - these apples are a superb choice for stewing due to their unique sweet and tart flavor profile.
- Granny Smith - if you want tangier stewed apples, these are a fantastic choice with a distinct flavor that’s perfect for people who prefer less sweet stewed apples.
- Fuji - thanks to their sweet and crisp flavor, Fujis are another tasty option to add to the list, and arguably a very common option.
- McIntosh - this apple varietal has a sweet and tangy flavor profile that makes it a popular choice for many dessert recipes.
📝 How to Make Stewed Apples (Step-by-Step)
Step 1) In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced apples, sugar, and ground cinnamon or spices (image 1). If you’re using water, add it to the pan along with the lemon juice if desired.
Step 2) Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften, about 10-15 minutes (image 2).
Step 3) If the apples start to stick to the bottom of the pan, you can add a little more water to prevent burning.
Step 4) Once the apples are tender but still hold their shape, remove the pan from the heat. You can adjust the sweetness or add more cinnamon or other spices, if you like. Serve warm as a delightful dessert, topping for oat milk pancakes, or a cozy addition to oatmeal or chia seed pudding.
🌿 Variations
- Sweetener Options: Use honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar to adjust sweetness to your liking.
- Mix Fruits: Combine apples with pears, cranberries, or raisins as tolerated for added texture and flavor.
- Make It Savory: Add a pinch of salt and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a unique savory version to serve with meat or vegetables.
- Serve Warm or Cold: Enjoy stewed apples warm as a comforting dessert or chilled as a refreshing sweet snack.
- Add Nuts: Top with toasted pepitas, pecans, or almonds for extra crunch and nutrition.
🌟 Freezing and Reheating
Honestly, I don't prefer to freeze these, though they hold up pretty well. They also do reheat pretty well from the fridge, but that's not a viable storage option for everyone, so I purposefully use just two apples at a time when I make this recipe, as it can easily be halved or doubled for varying crowd sizes.
However, if you need to freeze them, cook them beforehand, and mentally prepare for a mushier texture once defrosted. To freeze them, put a single layer of apple slices on a baking sheet topped with a piece of waxed paper, freeze them fully through (at least 30 minutes), and place them in a larger container for long-term storage.
To reheat stewed apples, heat them in the air fryer at 400°F (205°C) for 3-5 minutes or in the oven at 310°F (155°C) for 7 to 10 minutes, then serve immediately. If you're not on a low histamine diet, these apples can stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an air-tight container and cooled to room temperature beforehand.
👨🏻🍳 Expert Notes & Tips
Apple Varietals: Feel free to mix different apple varieties for added flavor and texture. Tart apples like Granny Smith pair well with sweeter varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp.
Added Flavor: For an extra touch, consider adding a pinch of vanilla powder.
Storage: These stewed apples can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, making them a great make-ahead option for breakfast or snacks!
❓ What to Serve With Stewed Apples
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Firm apples like Granny Smith, McIntosh, or Fuji work best as they hold their shape and offer a balanced sweetness.
Yes, frozen apples can be used, but they may cook faster and become even softer, so adjust cooking time accordingly and cook at a slightly lower temperature.
Peeling is optional; leaving the skin on adds texture and nutrients, but peeling results in a smoother texture.
Yes, it’s a healthy and kid-friendly snack or dessert option, especially when sweetened naturally.
Yes, apples are naturally sweet, so you can omit added sugar or sweeteners, if desired, though I recommend using spices.
Have you tried this recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Super Easy Stewed Apples in 15 Minutes
Ingredients
- 2 medium medium apples about 12 ounces or 340g, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons sugar 30g (adjust based on your sweetness preference)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons water 30ml
- ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice optional, for brightness
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced apples, sugar, and ground cinnamon or spices. If you’re using water, add it to the pan along with the lemon juice if desired.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften, about 10-15 minutes.
- If the apples start to stick to the bottom of the pan, you can add a little more water to prevent burning.
- Once the apples are tender but still hold their shape, remove the pan from the heat. You can adjust the sweetness or add more cinnamon or other spices if you like. Serve warm as a delightful dessert, topping for pancakes, or a cozy addition to oatmeal.
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