Warm cinnamon skillet apples cooked over low heat with just water and cinnamon for a super easy, healthy dessert. Top your bowl of cinnamon apples with a scoop of natural vanilla ice cream to make it a little more decadent!
A year or two ago, I discovered that cooking apple slices in just water and cinnamon makes a really delicious, healthy dessert or even snack, so I’m sharing my super simple method for cinnamon skillet apples with you today.
This recipe has just three ingredients- apples, cinnamon, and water, and it’s hard to mess up. It’s a healthier alternative to a traditional fried apples recipe, which typically calls for loads of sugar and butter.
And an added bonus is that since the recipe actually doesn’t use dairy, honey, etc., it’s happens to be vegan-friendly and allergy-friendly!
I first made these cinnamon skillet apples for my family a few years ago since most of them were following a low-sugar eating plan, and they still request these apples all the time.
If you serve these skillet apples a la mode, it’s almost just like eating warm apple cobbler. I’ve also stirred leftover cinnamon skillet apples into plain Greek yogurt or oatmeal, which is amazing.
Best Apples for Baking
Apples with a firm texture are generally good for recipes where you want the apple slices to maintain their shape (rather than become mushy).
I typically use Granny Smith apples for baking since they’re tart, which is a nice balance in a sweet recipe. They’re also widely available, relatively inexpensive, and the lowest in sugar out of all the apple varieties!
Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Cortland, Braeburn, and Pink Lady apples are also great choices for baking in a recipe like this.
As far as peeling the apples go, you absolutely don’t *have* to. The skin contains extra nutrients and fiber, and it’s great for you. Personally, though, I prefer a smoother, less chewy texture so I do peel mine.
My two very favorite healthy desserts (this and my favorite healthy apple crisp) use apples, so I have this inexpensive peeler/corer/slicer that’s a total game changer when it comes to apple desserts.
It cuts the prep time way down, all of the pieces are a uniform size, and you don’t have to worry about nicking yourself while peeling with a vegetable peeler. LOVE this thing…and hope you love this recipe!
If you try these healthy cinnamon skillet apples, let me know in a comment or post a picture and tag me @livbane on Instagram– I’d love to see!
Healthy Cinnamon Skillet Apples
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 medium granny smith apples
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional for topping
Instructions
- Peel and chop apples into small, fairly uniform pieces, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Place a medium skillet onto medium-low heat and add water. Add apples and cinnamon to taste, stirring and cooking until apples are softened, about 6-10 minutes. If all of the water evaporates, add a little more water as the apples cook.
- Add cooked apples to serving bowls and top each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream, plus a tablespoon of chopped nuts if desired.
- Store leftover apples in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat in the microwave for 20 seconds, or stir them into oatmeal or vanilla/plain yogurt– no need to reheat!
Notes
Nutrition
I crave these all the time! One of my favorite “desserts”!!!!
So do I! I’ll have to make them again soon!
Hi there,
Just made these last night! I make overnight oats with chia seeds and scooped some of these apples on top. Very simple and easy to make. I like that they’re an easy way to add nutrition in the diet. I left the peels on to make the recipe even quicker and keep some extra fiber on the apples. I made plenty of apples to meal prep my oatmeal, thanks so much for this recipe!!!! I will definitely make again.
Chia seed pudding with these apples sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing that idea 😀
Liv,
Have you ever tried to make a single portion of this recipe with just one apple? Looks delicious!
Hi, Lizzy! I’ve done a single-serving version in a skillet with a couple of tablespoons of water and about 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. I’ve also done the same thing in the microwave by putting it all in a mug and microwaving for about 1 1/2 minutes. So good!
This sounds like a good way to try it. I was looking for a recipe to try w/o sugars to keep it healthy.
Just made these, looking all over for simple, low cal recipe for baked apples.
Had with Greek yogurt and pecans. Delicious. Thank you!
So glad to hear you enjoyed these, Bethany! The apples with Greek yogurt and pecans sounds delicious.
Just made a single serving with Gala, walnuts and greek yogurt..delicious!! Added a little vanilla. No guilt.
Mmmm sounds delicious, Flo! Thanks for sharing!
I came into three Granny Smith Apples that I didn’t want. Not an apple I like. I couldn’t find anyone else who wanted my three Granny Smith Apples either; so, I googled, and ended up here. I’m looking so forward to trying this recipe and sharing with my good friend Joyce. Fun! Gratitude! What a nice print out, to boot!
Could I make this in the crockpot? I try not to use the stove in the summer 🙂
Hi Grayce! I haven’t tried it but I’m sure you could! I’m not sure how long it would take but you could just keep an eye on the apples and check them periodically so they don’t turn to mush!
I personally enjoy McIntosh apples the most for baking and eating, pink lady are a close second. For this recipe while delish on its own I added some vanilla, nutmeg, dash of salt, and god forgive me, some butter flavored cook spray while cooling and tossed. I just can’t have apples without some creamy butter flavoring!
Sounds like yummy additions! I’m sure vanilla and nutmeg would be amazing in these apples!
Just made this last night. I used Honey Crips Apples my favorite. I’m on Weight Watchers so I used 1/2 cup of Salted Carmel Halo Ice Cream on top. It was so good!! Thanks!
Mmm, love honey crisps! I’m so glad you enjoyed these skillet apples!
Was looking for a healthy way to get rid of a bunch of apples that were going bad – googled and came across your recipe. So delicious!!! Thanks 🙂
Hooray!! I’m so glad to hear you loved this easy apple recipe!!
The kids love Granny Smith Apples. I will make them some of these!
Hope your kids love these cinnamon apples! 🙂
Yum! Thanks for sharing. I’m going be making this tomorrow. I love how cinnamon completely complements apples.
Can this recipe be frozen?
Thanks,
Debby
I just made this dish. I added 1/2 cup of chopped Omega-3 Deluxe Nut mix to the apples as they cooked. It is absolutely delicious. Didn’t top with ice cream but topped with Ready Whip. Really, really good.
About how many calories without the nuts
Hi Judy! Without the nuts, it’ll just be the calories from the apples you use, which will vary a bit based on how large they are 🙂
Why peel the apples first? Aren’t you taking away a lot of nutrients?
Hey BJ! It’s just a personal preference since the cooked skin can be a bit chewy; you’re welcome to leave the skin on!
I love this. Really simple really tasty. I could not find cinnimon, I used ginger instead. It worked berry good
So glad you enjoyed this apple recipe!!
Thanks a lot for sharing yummy and healthy recipe!
So glad you enjoyed this apple recipe!
Just cooked some old gala apples! Added a little nutmeg to the mix and a pinch of salt. Fabulous! Thank you 😊
So glad you enjoyed these apples! 😀
I am on a low sugar/low fat diet since I had surgery a month ago.. I was craving some ‘apple crisp’ and this hit the mark 100% I will continue to come back to this time and time again!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Kales, and that it works well for your dietary needs!