Easy. Simple. Delicious. Ready in about 15 minutes. This Fork-tender Quick Stewed Apple recipe is ready to top SO many things! From pancakes, Creamy Oatmeal, waffles, and ice cream to baked brie, they can go sweet or savory.
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Stewed Apples; A Fall Must Make!
Warm, lightly sweetened and spiced, soft cooked apples are super cozy and delicious with sweet or savory eats. Use it as a condiment to top pancakes, waffles, ice cream and oatmeal or share it with cheese and crackers. Topping melty baked brie with a sprinkle of pecans is simply delicious!
During fall, I whip em’ up between flipping pancakes, baking waffles or making a pot of oatmeal, but they can be made ahead too and stored in the fridge or freezer for daaays.
If you make homemade condiment recipes, you’ll enjoy this tasty recipe for spiced Stewed Apples.
“Love this recipe and so does my family. Just as described–delicious and easy to make.”
Sharon
I found a variety of apples to work with the amount of brown sugar and maple in this recipe. However, if a little more sweet is desired, and because some apples are quite tart, you can adjust the sweetness to taste.
Recipes to Enjoy Stewed Apples With
- Chilled Cheesecake Bars with No Bake Filling
- Sourdough Oatmeal Pancakes
- Banana Pecan Oat Waffles
- Gluten Free Sourdough Pancakes
- Pumpkin Porridge
- Creamy Oatmeal
- Overnight Peanut Butter Oats
- Ice Cream (caramel sauce on top is sublime!)
Quick Stewed Apple Recipe (Fork-Tender!)
Ingredients
- 4 C (475g) Diced Apples, peeled*, diced to about 1/4"- 1/2" (.6cm – 1.2cm). You'll need about 2 large apples or 4 small. *See note
- 2 tsp Lemon Juice, from about 1/2 a lemon
- 1/3 C + 2 Tbs (105g) Apple Cider, or Apple Juice, divided (substitute water if needed)
- 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tbs Maple Syrup, plus more if desired
- 1 Tbs Brown Sugar
- 3/4 tsp Cinnamon, ground
- 1/8 tsp Nutmeg, ground
- 1/8 tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 3 tsp Corn Starch
Optional Stir Ins:
- 2 Tbs Butter
- 1/2 C (60g) Chopped Toasted Nuts, such as pecan or walnuts
- 1/2 C (55g) Dried Cranberries, rough chopped
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, add the peeled and diced apples, lemon juice, 1/3 C (80g) apple cider or apple juice, vanilla extract, maple syrup, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir.
- Bring the ingredients to a simmer, stir, lid and turn the heat down to low. Cook for 3-5 minutes, checking at three minutes for texture. They should be fork tender, and soft but not mushy (although if they get mushy, they're still delicious! – this is the versatility of this recipe). Cook for a few more minutes, lid on, if needed.
- Meanwhile, while the apples are cooking, whisk the remaining 2 Tbs apple cider or juice and cornstarch in a small bowl. Once the apples are done, remove the lid and pour in the slurry. Stir. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, stirring a few times. The apples will thicken further as they cool. If you prefer a little looser set, add a splash or two of apple cider, juice or water and stir. Now is a good time to taste for sweetness and cinnamon adjustment. If the apples are too tart, add a tablespoon or two of maple. If more cinnamon is preferred, sprinkle in another 1/4 tsp.
- Stir in additions, if using, and/or share the apples warm on banana pecan oat waffles, pancakes, like these sourdough pancakes, in creamy oatmeal or spooned over ice cream. They're delicious too topped on baked brie.
- To Store: Store the apples in a lidded container in the fridge for up to three days. Freeze for longer storage. Thaw in the fridge and gently rewarm on stove top adding a splash of water, apple cider or apple juice to thin as needed.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
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I HATE to rain on anybody’s parade, so I apologize ahead of time for this bad review. However, am a foodie, so I feel like I must warn people. I’m going to assume this recipe is regional and very popular in some part of the US, BUT IN MY PARTS (US west coast, countries up and down the Eastern and Western pacific) I’ve never had stewed apples that tasted like these. First of all 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar is waaaay too much. This is essentially vinegar-apple recipe, not stewed apples with some tartness. Better to have just added a bit more lemon juice if you want more acidity, and no ACV at all. Next, the smell of vanilla is overwhelming in my kitchen; not that warm scent that says these apples are going to taste just like grandma made them. I an having to air out the house for the overwhelming vanilla scent! I saw how much this recipe varied from any stewed apple recipe I’ve ever made, but thought, “oh here is a new taste adventure!” No, this is real bad unless you are expecting over vanilla’d sour, apples. Did you check your recipe before you posted it, or is this seriously a recipe for the way this is fixed in some region of the US?
Hi Jessie! It’s no wonder your stewed apples didn’t turn out like they should have. There is no apple cider vinegar in this recipe. The recipe ingredients call for apple cider OR apple juice (not apple cider vinegar). Adding apple cider vinegar would indeed give you an outcome that’s not favorable. All my recipes are rigorously tested by me.
Just made this. Delicious. I used Ocean Spray Apple Cranberry juice in place of cider, and cinnamon sugar by McCormick. Used Golden Delicious apples skin on. I love the apple pie filling aspect and will use it as filling in a crescent roll. Very versatile!
Hi Heidi! Thank you for your note and sharing your make! So glad you’re enjoying the apples!
Far too long recipe and instructions so not a quick stewed apple at all.
This recipe is divine! I’m so glad I found it and your website. I have a ton of apples to use up and didn’t want to make a buttery/ oily dessert. I followed the recipe exactly and it was perfect! I mixed the apples into Greek yogurt and oatmeal. I’ll try it on pancakes next. Thank you!
Love hearing this, Mara! With Greek yogurt and oatmeal are my favorites. Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go!