Skillet Cinnamon Apples

Simple, easy Skillet Cinnamon Apples makes an amazing side dish, or dessert and is perfect for breakfast. Made in just 30 minutes!
5 from 5 reviews

Simple Skillet Cinnamon Apples make an amazing side dish or dessert and are perfect for breakfast. They are ready in just 30 minutes, and I bet you already have everything you need to make them. Sauteed in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, your favorite apples are transformed into a classic Southern dish that’s hard to resist!

Cinnamon Apples cooked in a cast iron skillet using a wooden spoon.
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As soon as there’s a chill in the air, I start thinking about all the great food I will make for fall and the holidays. One recipe that’s always at the top of my “must-make” fall foods list is Skillet Cinnamon Apples. My family, along with folks who somehow tend to show up for supper, not only love this recipe, but they request it over and over.

Why You’ll Make These Apples On Repeat

  • Warm Spices – They are full of all the spices that make you feel cozy inside.
  • Quick – Ready in just 30 minutes in one pan.
  • Versatile – They are delicious spooned-over waffles or pancakes for breakfast or brunch!

Do The Apples Need To Be Peeled?

The answer to this question is that it’s totally up to you. I usually peel the apples, but I don’t if I run short on time. The recipe will turn out great either way.

Ingredients For Skillet Apples

  • Apples – I like to use a combination of Honey Crisp and Granny Smith.
  • Lemon – This brightens all the other flavors up.
  • Sugar – We’ll need both brown and white sugar for the perfect combination of caramel flavors and slight sweetness.
  • Butter – Coconut oil works too.
  • Spices – Grab cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to pack in all the fall flavors.

Let’s Talk Apples

For this recipe, you can use almost any kind of apple. I like a combination of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith for a sweet yet tangy flavor. Other varieties to consider:

  • Gala – sweet with a soft texture.
  • Fuji – readily available in the grocery store and they are great for cooking, baking, or eating as a snack.
  • Granny Smith – crisp and tart with a firm, crunchy texture.
  • Jonagold – mellow flavor that’s not too sweet and wonderful for baking and cooking.
  • Honeycrisp – juicy, sweet, and super crunchy.

Step-By-Step Directions

Skillet Cinnamon Apples are simple and great as a side dish, breakfast or dessert.
  1. Prep the Apples: Fill a medium-sized bowl ¾ full with water and add the juice of a lemon. Peel, core, and slice apples and add them to the lemon water as you go. Drain the water off the prepped apples and set aside.
  2. Heat the Spices: Add butter, brown and white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to a large skillet. Cook until the sugars are melted.
  3. Add the Apples: Add the apples to the sugar syrup and cook. Turn up the heat to medium-high and cook the apples until they are softened and the syrup has thickened.
  4. Enjoy: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How Long Do These Cooked Apples Last?

After you’ve made the apples, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Apples cooked in a cast iron skillet with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon.

What To Serve With Cinnamon Apples

These are delicious on everything, but here are a few of my favorite pairings.

In my family, Skillet Cinnamon Apples must be served with ham during the holidays. I know this is a bold statement, but after one bite, you’ll agree with the classic combination, especially at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

How To Save Leftovers

Save any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, warm up with apples in a microwave or on the stovetop in a pot or cast-iron skillet.

More Great Apple Recipes You’ll Love

If you tried this Skillet Cinnamon Apples Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

Cinnamon Apples cooked in a cast iron skillet using a wooden spoon.

Skillet Cinnamon Apples

5 from 5 reviews
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 229kcal
Print Pin Rate
Simple, easy Skillet Cinnamon Apples makes an amazing side dish, or dessert and is perfect for breakfast. Sauteed in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon your favorite fall apples are turned into a decedent creation that's hard to resist!

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 cups apples – about 4 apples
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • To a medium-size bowl, fill water to ¾ full and add the juice of a lemon. Peel, core, and slice apples and add to the lemon water as you go. Drain water off of prepped apples, and set aside.
  • To a large skillet, add butter, brown and white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 2 minutes until the sugars are melted.
  • Add the apples to the sugar syrup and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Turn up the heat to medium-high and cook apples until they are softened and the syrup has thickened.
  • Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 229kcal · Carbohydrates: 47g · Protein: 1g · Fat: 6g · Saturated Fat: 4g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g · Monounsaturated Fat: 1g · Trans Fat: 0.2g · Cholesterol: 15mg · Sodium: 51mg · Potassium: 200mg · Fiber: 5g · Sugar: 40g · Vitamin A: 254IU · Vitamin C: 20mg · Calcium: 48mg · Iron: 1mg
Skillet Cinnamon Apples are sweet and easy to make. They are the perfect side dish at the holidays.

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Recipe Rating




13 Comments

    1. I tried it and it will increase/decrease the amount of apples in the recipe – the “4 apples” stays the same since thats about how many in the 4 apples = 4 cups. Sorry for the confusion.
      ~Donya

  1. My “Almond Flour Favorite Layer Cake” recipe says to top it with fresh berries. These Skillet Cinnamon Apples would work for a topping in the Fall. Agree?

  2. If you wanted to can these apples, would you just mix the ingredients, put them in jars, and process them? Or, would you cook the apples in a skillet and then can them? It would be convenient to just need to warm up the canned apples.

    1. I made this recipe for a quick side dish or topping for ice cream or dessert. I’ve not tested it for canning.
      Thank you.
      ~Donya

  3. 5 stars
    Added a handful of pecans and doubled the butter and cooked the apples until they were extra tender. Served them as a side to French Toast Casserole. EVERYONE loved these apples One of our brunch guests who shall remain anonymous (Pam), said she would have licked her plate if we weren’t here. Fabulous is what everyone thought about your apples.

    1. WOW! Those additions sound amazing. I love that you served the apples with the French Toast Casserole. What a perfect combination!
      Thank you for the great rating.
      Have a lovely day,
      ~Donya

    2. 5 stars
      Hahaha! Yes, I did say that! And I definitely did lick the plate after the leftovers provided. The reason for leftovers? There was an abundance of delicious food! Roger is a fabulous chef!

      1. This is the best comment! Haha – so glad you liked the recipe.
        Tell Roger he did a great job.
        ~Donya

    1. Hey David.
      Good question. You could add it if you want. I just let it thicken a bit on its own yet still be “runny” enough to drizzle over the apples.
      I hope you like the recipe. Please let me know!
      Have a great day,
      ~Donya

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