This stewed apple recipe makes tender, soft, and lightly sweetened apple chunks. They are the most DELICIOUS topping for oatmeal, yogurt bowls, pancakes, or ice cream. They’re spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, and maple syrup adds just a hint of sweetness. Healthy stewed apples take just about 10 minutes to make on the stovetop!

These stewed apples are the yummiest addition to apple cinnamon steel cut oatmeal.

stewed apples in a white bowl

Looking for a delicious and healthy recipe to make with apples? You’re going to love these cinnamon stewed apples!

Stewed apples are similar to poached apples, but they take a fraction of the time to make.

Stewed apples taste and feel similar to apple pie filling. Made on the stovetop, stewing apple chunks in water with warming spices and maple syrup makes them tender, soft, and perfectly spiced & sweetened.

As a Registered Dietitian, I love that these stewed apples have just a touch of added sugar in the form of maple syrup.

They get their warm flavor from cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Your kitchen will smell AMAZING as you cook these on the stove!

You’ll want to use stewed apples as a warm topping for oatmeal, cereal, yogurt bowls, pancakes, French toast, vanilla ice cream, and more. Or, just eat them by the spoonful right from the pot!

This recipe makes 4 servings of stewed apples. They’re vegan, gluten free, nut free, and dairy free.

stewed apples ingredients measured out in small bowls

Ingredients

You need just a handful of ingredients to make stewed apples, many of which you might have in your pantry already:

  • Apples: I like to keep the skin on when making stewed apples (the skin is where the fiber lives!). If you prefer, you can peel your apples. Learn about the best types of apples for stewing below.
  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon is slightly sweet and slightly spicy, and is always a delicious addition to apple recipes.
  • Ginger: Ginger is a warming spice that really compliments the flavor of cinnamon and apples.
  • Nutmeg: Nutmeg is a classic apple pie spice addition. The warm flavor profile created with cinnamon, ginger, plus nutmeg is perfect for stewed apples.
  • Maple syrup: Just two tablespoons of maple syrup add a touch of sweetness, which helps cut any tartness in the apples.
  • Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances all the flavors of this recipe, while imparting a subtle vanilla flavor.
  • Salt: Similar to vanilla, salt enhances the flavors in stewed apples and balances the sweetness.
  • Corn starch: A cornstarch slurry (cornstarch dissolved into a little water) added at the end of this recipe thickens up the stewing liquid for a syrupy consistency.
  • Water: All you need is a little water to make stewed apples.
hands cupping a white bowl of stewed apple chunks

Best apples for stewed apples

The same apples that are good for baking will also be good for stewing! Here are some apple varieties that would work well for stewed apples:

  • Gala
  • Fuji
  • Honeycrisp
  • Braeburn
  • Cortland
  • Granny Smith
  • Jonagold

Kitchen equipment needed

  • Small pot
  • Chef’s knife, 6 or 8 inch
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Step-by-step instructions

cubed apples on a teal cutting board next to a knife
1. Cut apples into small quarter-inch cubes.
cornstarch slurry in a small white ramekin with a silver fork
2. Prepare cornstarch slurry by whisking together cornstarch and water in a small dish.
cubed apples in a pot
3. Combine cubed apples, spices, salt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and water in a pot.
cubed apples in a pot
4. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, cover the pot, and cook for about 5 minutes, until apple cubes are fork tender. Stir once or twice while cooking.
cubed apples in a pot with a wooden mixing spoon
5. Reduce heat to low, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute or two while the liquid thickens.

What to do with stewed apples

Eat them warm by the spoonful, or use stewed apples as a delicious sweet topping for breakfasts or ice cream. Try them on:

Storage

You can prepare stewed apples ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Reheat: Portion into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until warmed through.

Freeze: You can freeze stewed apples for up to 3-4 months. Store in a freezer safe baggie or container and remove as much air as possible before freezing.

Let the stewed apples defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before using. Then, reheat them as instructed above.

stewed apples in a white bowl

Apples nutrition benefits

Apples are a nutritious, affordable, and widely available fruit! One medium apple provides:

  • 4.4 grams of dietary fiber (16% of your daily needs) – most of the fiber is found in the skin
  • 8.4 mg Vitamin C (9% of your daily needs)
  • A source of several other micronutrients, including potassium, copper, B vitamins, and Vitamin K

Apples are a source of soluble fiber – 1 medium apple has 1 gram. This type of fiber is beneficial for heart health.

Eating 5-10 grams of soluble fiber per day can help reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.

Let me know if you love this post by leaving a comment or star rating below, and check out Instagram and Pinterest for more healthy lifestyle inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
stewed apples in a white bowl

Quick & Healthy Stewed Apples with Cinnamon

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
  • Author: Alex Aldeborgh, RD
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4
  • Category: dessert, breakfast
  • Method: stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This stewed apple recipe makes tender, soft, and lightly sweetened apple chunks. They are the most DELICIOUS topping for oatmeal, yogurt bowls, pancakes, or ice cream. They’re spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, and maple syrup adds just a hint of sweetness. Healthy stewed apples take just about 10 minutes to make on the stovetop!

These stewed apples are the yummiest addition to apple cinnamon steel cut oatmeal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium-large apples, such as Gala, Honeycrisp, or Jonagold
  • Scant 1/4 cup water + 2 tbsp water, divided
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of Kosher salt
  • 2 tsp cornstarch 

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and dice them into 1/4 inch cubes.
  2. Put apple cubes in a pot with 1/4 cup water, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt.
  3. Stir everything together to combine and bring the liquid to a gentle boil on the stovetop.
  4. Cover the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes until the apples are fork tender, stirring once or twice.
  5. While the apples cook, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 2 tbsp water in a small dish to make a cornstarch slurry.
  6. Once the apples are fork tender, reduce to a simmer, pour in the cornstarch slurry and mix it in. 
  7. Cook for another minute or so, stirring, as the liquid thickens.

Notes

Storage

You can prepare stewed apples ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Reheat: Portion into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until warmed through.

Freeze: You can freeze stewed apples for up to 3-4 months. Store in a freezer safe baggie or container and remove as much air as possible before freezing.

Let the stewed apples defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before using. Then, reheat them as instructed above.

Keywords: healthy stewed apples, stewed apple recipe, best apples for stewing/stewed apples, stewed apples and cinnamon