Made with just three ingredients, these simple Sauteed Apples pair perfectly with oatmeal, pancakes, and yogurt, as well as savory mains like pork and chicken. We also love to make them ahead for snacking on their own!

Sauteed Apples

Whenever we have apples lingering in our fridge, I turn them into these delicious sauteed apples. They are soft, yet not falling apart, and they are pleasantly sweet and cinnamon-y without any added sugar. They’re great on their own and served with all sorts of foods.

And they are much more interesting and special than eating a plain apple after you’ve had your fill a few days in a row! These are easy for toddlers and older babies to chew, so no worries about the risk of choking that comes with raw apples. In fact, these are one of our favorite finger foods for babies.

These apples are cooked in a little butter or other neutral oil, so they are made with minimal ingredients. I’ve made them with both butter and coconut oil, and we love them both ways.

You can serve these warm or cold, according to your preference.

Ingredients You Need

All you need to make this easy side dish or snack is apples, butter or neutral oil, and cinnamon. They are totally sweet enough without adding any extra sugar!

Which apples are best in this recipe?

You can use any type of apple you have or like, though tart cooking apples (like Granny Smith or Pink Lady) soften nicely without falling apart too quickly. These cooked apples are also a little easier to digest than raw apples, which might be helpful to know if your kiddo (or you) have issues with whole apples.

TIP: Any apple will work in this recipe, but if you use an apple that’s softer fresh (like Gala), they will cook a little faster. Just keep an eye on the timing if you go with an apple that’s not traditionally used for cooking a pie.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making these easy apples. Scroll down to the full recipe at the bottom of this post for all of the info.

1. Warm the butter or oil in a skillet.
2. Chop the apples and add to the skillet.
3. Stir to coat and cook until soft when poked with a fork.
4. Stir in the cinnamon and serve warm. (Or store and serve cold.)

TIP: This recipe scales up and down well, so simply adjust the amount of ingredients as needed.

How long do these last in the fridge?

If stored in an airtight container, you can keep these apples in the fridge for 3-5 days. Serve them slightly warmed or cold, depending on your preference.

What are these Sauteed Apples good with?

For sweet options, try these over plain yogurt, oatmeal, or as a topping for pancakes. For savory, they’re a nice dinner side with chicken, roasted pork, or other roasted meats. They also work well as a simple snack with crackers and cheese or even just a cup of milk.

Best Tips for Success

• Use butter or coconut oil, according to your preference.
• Use any type of apple you prefer, though harder cooking apples work well here.
• If you use apples that are softer when eaten fresh (like Gala), they may cook a little faster.
• Double the recipe, if desired.
• Serve warm or cold, plain or over yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, chicken, pork, or another favorite meal.
• Portion out into snack containers to have grab-and-go snack options ready and waiting in the fridge.
• You may also like Sliced Baked Apples, Stewed Peaches, Favorite Early Finger Foods, and Apple Puree.

I’d love to hear if you make this recipe, so please leave a comment below with your feedback!

• Warm the butter or oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat.

• When melted, add the apples. Stir to coat and cook for 10 minutes or until soft when poked with a fork.

• Stir in the cinnamon and serve warm.

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serve cold or warmed slightly.
• Use butter or coconut oil, according to your preference.
• Use any type of apple you prefer, though harder cooking apples work well here.
• If you use apples that are softer when eaten fresh (like Gala), they may cook a little faster.
• Double the recipe if desired to make more.
• Serve warm or cold, plain or over yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, chicken, pork, or another favorite meal.
• Portion out into snack containers to have grab-and-go snack options ready and waiting in the fridge.

Calories: 73kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 99mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 137IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 1mg

This post was first published May 2020.