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. It’s a healthier alternative to traditional fried apples recipes, which typically call for loads of sugar and butter.
This recipe has just three ingredients- apples, cinnamon, and water, and it’s hard to mess up. I like using granny smith apples since they’re tart, firm, and great for baking, and they’re actually the lowest in sugar out of all the apple varieties. And an added bonus is that since the recipe doesn’t use butter, honey, etc., it’s vegan-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 them a la mode, it’s almost just like eating warm apple cobbler. I’ve also stirred leftover cinnamon apples into plain Greek yogurt or oatmeal, which is amazing.
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.
If you try these healthy cinnamon skillet apples, feel free to let me know in a comment or post a picture and tag me @livbane on Instagram– I’d love to see! Hope you enjoy!
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 granny smith apples
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional for topping
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Peel and chop apples into small, fairly uniform pieces, about 1/4 inch thick.
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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.
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Add cooked apples to serving bowls and top with nuts and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
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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!
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I love baked apples but I’ve never thought about heating them on the skillet. Thanks for the easy recipe with minimal ingredients. These sound great! My favorite apple to eat is “gala” and definitely a la mode dessert!
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Love galas, too!!
Definitely going to have to try this! Makes me feel warm and cozy just reading it.
Definitely give it a try and let me know what you think! 🙂
I crave these all the time! One of my favorite “desserts”!!!!
So do I! I’ll have to make them again soon!
Yum. Yum. Yum. I always love a scoop (or two!) of ice cream on top of my dessert!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…My 5 Healthy Kitchen Essentials
I love doing this! Warm, spiced apples scream comfort to me. My favorite apples are Braeburns and Honeycrisps, but I feel like they have a super short “good” season, so I eat a lot of Jazz and Gala apples since they’re always around 🙂 And yes to a la mode everything! Pretty much any hot dessert could be improved with some melty ice cream.
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Hot desserts are a good distinction to make! I guess ice cream and cold desserts don’t go super well together…not that I’d be opposed to it still 🙂
Mmmm… Yes, and these could work so well for people with allergies, because it’s so simple and so delish. You could even do different kinds of whipped cream like coconut whipped cream or regular whipped cream. Now you’re making me want cooked apples for breakfast.
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I say go for it 🙂 And yes! Coconut whipped cream is a great idea!
Oh yes, and my favorite type of apple to eat is probably a Gala or a Honey Crisp, but Granny Smiths work AMAZINGLY for baking!
Emily recently posted…Why EVERY Life Matters
Yes!! I love cooking apples this way. So warm and comforting. And so simple too! I love using these to top my pancakes or waffles with!
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Ooh yes, I bet these would be amazing on waffles or pancakes! Love 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!
Mmmh, yes. Apples and cinnamon are one of those matches made in heaven. Your recipe sounds simple but so satisfying. My family used to eat apple crumble topped with a mix of sour cream and créme fraîche in autumn all the time so I can see how the flavours of your dish would work amazingly with a scoop of ice cream.
I really like Pinova apples for snacking and Boskoop for both that and baking. Pink Lady should be cheaper :).
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I haven’t tried Pinova or Boskoop apples! I actually don’t think I’ve even seen them at grocery stores near me but I’m intrigued!
Yum! I love cinnamon apples! Actually , cinnamon anything lol
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This is like the healthier and easier version of apple pie. I totally dig this and would love to add these apples to some oatmeal, mmmmm!
rachel @ Athletic Avocado recently posted…Gluten-free Roasted Strawberry and Toasted Coconut Scones
Mmm yes, I love stirring leftover cinnamon apples into my oatmeal or even cooking chopped raw apples right into it!
My favorite apples to eat are gala. The worst for me are red delicious, too grainy. I think for baking I’d say granny smith. Whenever I’ve eaten those not cooked I get a belly ache. As long as the “a la mode” is a scoop of peanut butter, I agree, I don’t think anything can’t be improved without it haha
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I totally agree about red delicious apples- they always taste a little grainy and mushy to me, too. Love galas, though. And you’re right, it’s hard to go wrong with a scoop of PB on top of just about anything!
I really think my favorite dessert is any dessert that involves warm spiced apples. Apple pie, baked apples, I even love to saute apples and cinnamon and put it in my oatmeal. This looks perfect with the ice cream, yum!
Cooked apples are so good! There’s just something about warm apples + ice cream.
I’d have to say my fav apple is golden delicious. Particularly picked straight off a tree!
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Love golden delicious, too! And I agree- what IS it about warm apples and ice cream?! So good!
Apple + Cinnamon = YUM 🙂
I normally go for Galas but also enjoy a Pink Lady or Jazz apple when they come into season. If you have a lot of apples left over, cooking them like this and freezing them is also a great way to extend their lifespan and gives you instant apple and cinnamon compote once warmed again in the microwave!
xx
Awesome tip about freezing the apples, Charlotte!! I’ll have to make extras next time (& refrain from eating all of them!) so I can try it out!!
I made baked apples once. It was a lot of work, but they were so good! I think I demolished them in a day or two because I couldn’t resist.
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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!
These apples were so good!
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed these, Sarah! Thanks for reporting back!
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! 🙂
love cinnamon apples! But I usually make them the unhealthy way with brown sugar and butter lol i’m excited to try this version!
Hope you love this method of making cinnamon apples, Lexi!
Yum! Thanks for sharing. I’m going be making this tomorrow. I love how cinnamon completely complements apples.
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