These easy cinnamon apples are a simple, cozy treat made with fresh apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a quick cornstarch slurry. They’re soft, sweet, and full of warm cinnamon flavor, making them perfect for fall breakfasts, or holiday desserts.
I love recipes that use everyday ingredients and deliver delicious results with minimal effort. This cinnamon apples recipe is one of those versatile favorites.
You can serve the apples warm over oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream. They’re also delicious spooned over yogurt or tucked inside crepes.
We love apple recipes like Apple Pie Puff Pastry, Apple Chutney, Apple Crisp, and Instant Pot Apple Butter. They are perfect for cozy fall desserts and sweet treats. Mulled Apple Cider, Apple Nachos and Apple Pastry Roses are also amazing recipes.
Why You’ll Love this Apple Pie Filling
- Simple ingredients: Fresh apples, sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch are all you need.
- Quick and easy: The apples cook on the stovetop until tender, while a cornstarch slurry thickens the naturally sweet, cinnamon-spiced sauce.
- Versatile: Enjoy them as a healthy-inspired breakfast topping, a snack, or an easy apple dessert.
- Perfect for fall: The combination of apples and cinnamon brings classic autumn flavor to your table.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the sweetness and cinnamon to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Apples: Choose firm apples that hold their shape during cooking. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith are all good options. Granny Smith apples add a pleasant tart flavor, while sweeter varieties create a naturally sweeter filling.
Sugar: Regular granulated sugar sweetens the apples and helps create a light syrup as they cook. Adjust the quantity depending on the sweetness of your apples.
Ground cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and that familiar apple-pie flavor. I recommend starting with a moderate amount and adding more if you enjoy a stronger spice flavor.
Cornstarch slurry: Mix cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Adding this mixture toward the end of cooking thickens the sauce and gives the apples a glossy, spoonable consistency.
How to Make Cinnamon Apples
Step 1: Prepare the apples. Wash, peel if desired, core, and slice the apples into evenly sized pieces. Smaller pieces cook faster, while thicker slices retain more texture.
Step 2: Cook the apples. Add the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a little water to a saucepan. Stir to coat the apples evenly. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften.
Step 3: Make the cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with cold water until there are no lumps. Always mix the cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the hot apples.
Step 4: Thicken the sauce. Stir the slurry into the saucepan. Simmer gently for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the apples reach your preferred tenderness.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy. Remove from the heat and serve warm. The cinnamon sauce will thicken a little more as it cools.
My Tips for the Best Cinnamon Apples
- Cut the apples into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- If you prefer apples with a little bite, cook them for less time. For softer, pie-filling-style apples, simmer them a little longer.
- Add the cornstarch slurry gradually if you prefer a thinner sauce.
- Taste before serving and adjust the sugar or cinnamon as needed.
- A pinch of nutmeg works well in this recipe.
My favorite way to serve these apples is warm over oatmeal or vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the tender cinnamon apples and creamy topping is so satisfying!
Similar to my Apple Pie Oatmeal and Apple Cinnamon Muffins recipe, this apple pie filling is full of warming spices.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover cinnamon apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of water.
You can also freeze the cooked apples in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before reheating. Their texture may become softer after freezing.
Which apples are best for cooking?
Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith apples work well. Choose a variety based on whether you prefer a sweeter or more tart result.
How do you thicken apple pie filling?
A cornstarch slurry made with cornstarch and cold water thickens the cooking liquid into a smooth sauce. Simmer briefly after adding it.
Are cinnamon apples served hot or cold?
They’re delicious warm or chilled. Warm cinnamon apples are especially good over pancakes, oatmeal, and ice cream.
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📖 Recipe
Apple Pie Filling - Easy Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 apples peeled (optional), cored, and sliced
- ½ cup sugar adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup water for cooking
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water, for the cornstarch slurry
Instructions
- Prepare the apples: Wash, core, and slice the apples into evenly sized wedges or bite-sized pieces. Peel them if you prefer a softer texture.
Stovetop Method
- Combine ingredients: Add the sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and ¼ cup water to a medium saucepan. Stir well to coat the apples.
- Cook the apples: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover and cook for 8–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but still hold their shape.
- Make the slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth.
- Thicken the sauce: Pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring. Simmer uncovered for 1–2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Serve: Remove from the heat and serve warm over oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, yogurt, or vanilla ice cream.
Instant Pot Method
- Add the sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and ¼ cup water to the Instant Pot. Stir gently.
- Close and lock the lid. Set the pressure valve to Sealing and cook on High Pressure for 0 minutes if your model allows it, or 1 minute for softer apples.
- When cooking is complete, carefully perform a quick pressure release, following your Instant Pot's safety instructions.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth.
- Select Sauté. Stir the slurry into the apples and simmer for 1–2 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens. Turn off the Instant Pot and serve warm.
Notes
- Peeling: Peeling is optional. Leaving the skins on adds color and texture.
- Serving ideas: Spoon over oatmeal, pancakes, French toast, waffles, yogurt, crepes, or vanilla ice cream.
Storage
Refrigerate leftover cinnamon apples in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently. The apples may be softer after freezing.Nutrition
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