These Healthy Cinnamon Apples are a clean-eating delight and can be enjoyed in so many ways! Because they are free of refined sugar, you can satisfy your sweet tooth guilt-free!
Today's lesson: When life gives you apples, make Healthy Cinnamon Apples! Because what's better than easy, delicious, and clean-eating cinnamon apples?
There's something kind of magical about cinnamon apples. I mean, c'mon now - we're talking just a few ingredients here. HOW are they so amazingly delicious? Like, stuff my mouth with the whole pan of cinnamon apples delicious? Judge me all you want - try these babies and tell me you don't agree.
If you've wondered how to make healthy cinnamon apples, they are so ridiculously easy to make and are great during this time of year. They'll make your home smell like the holidays and are a lovely topping to yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, waffles or just by themselves.
Because why on earth wouldn't you want to do such things, right?
I used to make these cinnamon apples with butter and brown sugar, but have reworked the recipe to use completely unrefined oils and sugars and I love this recipe even more. You don't even miss the old ingredients.
While you could make this recipe with most any variety of apple, I prefer the sweeter, crisper apples, like Gala and Fuji because they don't require much additional coconut sugar and hold up well when heated.
That being said, I recommend taking the apples off the heat before they get super tender and flimsy. Right before that point is the perfect time because they'll have the most texture when you enjoy them. Any longer and they can tend to get mushy which, while still tasty, is not ideal.
So, let's get cooking! Deliciousness doesn't get easier than this. 🙂
WHAT ARE THE BEST APPLES FOR HEALTHY CINNAMON APPLES?
I personally love to use Fuji and Gala apples when I make this oh-so-yummy fruit topping. I like their consistency when heated and I just like the flavor of these varieties, too. Mixing tart and sweet is the way to go, so you can try Granny Smith and Honeycrisp together as well, and the result is, well, divine!
CAN I BAKE HEALTHY CINNAMON APPLES?
You can definitely bake your apples as opposed to doing them in the skillet if you prefer. Just remember not to slice them too thin so that they don’t turn to mush as they bake. And, keep them consistent in size so that they cook evenly. Bake them about 30 minutes, depending on how soft you like them. When you bake them, you may want to stir them mid-way through so the flavors cover all of the apples.
WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR COCONUT OIL IN HEALTHY CINNAMON APPLES?
Grass-fed butter and avocado oil both work well as replacements for the coconut oil in this delectable apple dish. Avocado oil isn’t overpowering at all and gives an extra boost of Vitamin E to the topping. Grass-fed butter is loaded with Vitamins A, D, and K2, so also a healthy switch!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH HEALTHY CINNAMON APPLES
When looking for ways to use your healthy cinnamon apples, the possibilities are endless.
Think sweet, versatile, and delish! Top your oatmeal, pancakes and waffles with this apple topping. Get your combo of sweet and savory with cauliflower hashbrowns topped with healthy cinnamon apples. Really folks, these apples go with just about anything, including as a side for meat such as roasted pork tenderloin.
CAN I MAKE A SAUCE FOR HEALTHY CINNAMON APPLES?
If you want to vary the healthy cinnamon apples a little to include a sauce for serving over ice cream, add ½ cup of water mixed with a teaspoon of arrowroot or cornstarch to the skillet as the apples cook. Just cook the apples about 4 or 5 minutes before adding the water mixture to make the sauce.
MORE HEALTHY APPLE RECIPES
If you are like me and adore everything apple, it means you can’t get enough of this tasty fruit. Try one of these ways that I incorporate apples into my dishes:
- Easy Homemade Hot Apple Cider
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Paleo Apple Muffins With Crunchy Crumb Topping
- Apple Pumpkin Bread
- Apple Cinnamon Oat Bran Pancakes
Healthy Cinnamon Apples
Equipment
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 4 apples Fuji and Gala work great, peeled, cored and sliced into even ¼ inch thick slices
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the apples, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Toss to evenly coat the apples.
- Add coconut oil and allow to melt.
- Cook apple mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or until apples are almost fully tender.
Video
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.
Dustin
always a favorite
Lacey Baier
yea, such a fave topping for so many things!
Marion
I can see these being absolutely awesome on my morning oatmeal. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Yummmmmmm!
Lacey Baier
Yay! So glad you agree, Marion 🙂
Katie
How would this be best made ahead of time to have after dinner party for dessert served over ice cream?
Lacey Baier
Hi Katie - first off, YUM - what a great idea 🙂 I would really focus on not overcooking the apples on the first cooking so they aren't super mushy once it's time to reheat them. Otherwise, just pop them in the microwave until hot to serve:)
Sandy Headtke
Would make a good side or dessert, or for breakfast on my waffle
Lacey Baier
It sure would!! 🙂
Farrah stewart
I love how you reworked the recipe to be more healthy. My boys love cinnamon apples, I think I'll be making this tonight!!
Lacey Baier
Yay! I'm so glad you appreciate the healthier version 🙂 I'm always worried to change old recipes lol.
metha
These apples are amazing. I added a couple teaspoons of honey to them and they are seriously phenomenal! Thanks for sharing. I used golden delicious apples.
Lacey Baier
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed them, Metha! 🙂
Cindy
Yum! These will be made tonight!
Connie
This looks so good. I can smell them now. Can you use this to make apple pie? Your halloween pictures were precious. Thanks for a great blog.
lacey - a sweet pea chef
You know, Connie, I bet the apples would go great in an apple pie, but I haven't tried it out yet. If you do, I'd love to know how it turns out. 🙂
Lana
I am making these as a side for a company dinner tonight. I will using Matsu apples that hubby and I picked at an orchard about an hour away in Hendersonville, NC. I know they will be awesome!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Sounds delicious, Lana!
Cat
These look fantastic! Love the idea of them stuffed into homemade crepes...yum.
Thanks for the blog love/shout out! Your cookies were delish too 🙂
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Cat! Thanks for stopping by 🙂