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These sautéed apples are tender and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. So simple! Enjoy as a dessert, snack, or sweet addition to your breakfast.
Update: This recipe was originally published in 2019 and has been republished with all new photos and updated recipe instructions.
When my son was really small and first discovering solid foods I’d make my Sugar Free Sautéed Apples often for him. They are so very tender and contain no sweetener whatsoever.
As he grew older I adapted that recipe to add more seasoning and maple syrup. My kids love these Maple Sweetened Sautéed Apples so much and I love how easy they are.
This simple dish is ready in about 15 minutes. And that includes the time you’ll spend chopping those apples!
For this recipe you’ll need (full list of ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below):
- Coconut oil, ghee, or butter
- Apples
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Wait. That’s it?
Yes. That’s it.
Serve these apples as a dessert just as is or add it to your dinner plate for a fun side dish. If you want to really have fun with this, serve over ice cream or waffles!
What kind of apples should you use?
Use whatever apples you like. I typically use gala, fuji, honey crisp, or pink lady because they’re all sweet and usually what we have on hand.
Make sure your apples are firm to the touch.
Cut them right before making this recipe as they can turn brown if you cut them too early.
Can these sautéed apples be vegan and dairy-free?
Yes! Just be sure to use coconut oil or a vegan butter.
Can these sautéed apples be nut free?
Yes. Use ghee or butter instead of coconut oil.
Can you omit the maple syrup?
Yes; however, the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg in this recipe will likely be too much without the maple syrup to balance it out.
If you want an unsweetened apples recipe try my Sugar Free Sautéed Apples instead. They have no added sugar or sweetener of any kind. The finished taste is milder and less sweet.
How small should you dice your apples?
I like a fairly small dice for these apples so I stick to around 1/2-inch.
You are welcome to slice your apples into wedges if you like and increase the cooking time a bit to accommodate that change.
Should you peel your apples?
Definitely leave the peel on. The peel softens as you sauté the apples and helps to keep the apples from dissolving into mush. We’re not going for apple sauce here.
Can you freeze these apples?
Sautéd apples freeze beautifully. Feel free to make extra to freeze until you’re ready to eat them. Store in an airtight sealed container like a ziplock freezer bag. Then thaw and reheat in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More sweet recipes:
Chocolate Chip Banana Oat Muffins
Maple Sweetened Sautéed Apples
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, ghee, or butter
- 4 cups diced apples, unpeeled, 1/2-inch dice
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Add the oil, ghee, or butter to a skillet over medium-high heat until mostly melted.
- Add the apples and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes or until softened.
- Once the apples are tender, stir in the maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this for a ladies brunch, just about to go. My husband and I loved it. I was looking for “fried” apples without sugar, so glad to find this recipe. I’ll let you know how the ladies liked it. Thanks!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!