These simple Caramelized Apples are ready in just 15 minutes and make the perfect topping for pancakes, waffles, ice cream or yogurt. They taste just like warm apple pie filling, without the work of baking a whole pie.
With buttery richness, caramel notes from brown sugar, and a touch of cinnamon, these apples capture the classic flavors of fall. While you can enjoy them year-round, they're especially cozy on crisp autumn days.
I love to spoon these caramelized apples onto Brown Butter Apple Pancakes or Brown Sugar French Toast. You can store it in a mason jar in the refrigerator and enjoy it throughout the week for breakfast, dessert, or even a spoonful for a snack.
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Ingredients For Caramelized Apples
There are no complex or hard to find ingredients here! And best of all, you can use any apple for this recipe. Here are the ingredients you'll need for this recipe:
- Apples. This recipe calls for 3 apples and I suggest using your favorite variety. A combination of a crisp, tart, and firm apple like Granny Smith along with a good sweet apple, like McIntosh, provide a perfect balance of texture and flavor. Other apples that work well include fuji, braeburn, or gala. Honeycrisp apples are especially good for caramelized apples.
- Butter. The diced apples are caramelized in unsalted butter. The butter provides rich flavor and helps the natural sugars in the apples to caramelize.
- Brown Sugar. Sugar is added toward the end of the apples caramelizing to provide sweetness and to create a saucy texture. I prefer brown sugar for its natural caramelly flavor, but you can certainly use regular granulated sugar instead. You can also use coconut sugar or maple syrup.
- Cinnamon. Apples and cinnamon are a perfect pairing. A big pinch of cinnamon adds warmth without overpowering apples. Of course there's no harm in using apple pie spice instead.
- Salt. A little pinch of salt brings out the flavor of the caramelized apples.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Caramelized Apples in a Skillet
You can make these caramelized apples in about 15 minutes. Here is how the recipe comes together:
Peel and finely dice the apples. If you aren't using them right away store in acidulated water (water with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar) to preserve the color. You also have the option to cut them into apple slices if you want a bigger bite.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and then add the chopped apples. Cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to turn lightly brown, about 4 minutes.
Add the brown sugar and cinnamon to the pan and reduce to medium-low heat, stir, and cook until saucy and deep golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes more.
Transfer the caramelized apples to a small bowl and serve immediately, or transfer to a mason jar and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Hint: Add a couple tablespoons of water to the skillet to make the apples even more saucy.
Substitutions
This is one of my all time favorite apple recipes, but you can make some simple tweaks to these stovetop apples based on your dietary restrictions or personal preferences.
- Dairy-Free & Vegan - Use coconut oil instead of butter to make dairy-free caramelized apples with a hint of tropical flavors.
- More Spices - If you want to up the spices, try adding a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, a small pinch of cloves and/or allspice.
- Pears - This recipe also works with pears instead of apples. Caramelized pears are a delicious variation. Use 4 ripe pears instead of 3 apples.
Serving Suggestions
These caramelized apples are just like apple pie filling and can be used in so many ways. Try them warm over yogurt with chopped nuts for breakfast, spooned onto oatmeal or served with Brioche French Toast Casserole or our dairy-free Fluffy Oat Milk Pancakes. Try using them as a topping for Cinnamon Overnight Oats. Or try serving over a cake or with a spoonful of caramel sauce.
Variations
If you love this basic recipe, try expanding the flavor profile with these variations:
- Cinnamon Maple Apples - Replace half the brown sugar with maple syrup for extra depth and an extra big pinch of cinnamon.
- Boozy Apples - Stir in a big splash of brandy, rum, or bourbon at the end for a grown-up dessert topping. It's so delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
- Honey Caramel Apples - Use honey instead of sugar for a lighter sweetness and floral notes.
- Spiced Apples - In addition to the cinnamon, add more warm spices like nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
- Caramel Sauce Apples - Stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream at the end, bring to a simmer, then finish with a splash of vanilla extract.
Equipment
You don't need specialty equipment for this recipe, however I suggest investing in a large skillet like this Cuisinart 12-inch Skillet with Glass Lid.
Storage
Caramelized apples will keep in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container or mason jar, for up to 5 days. You can eat them cold right out of the refrigerator or warm them in a skillet. If reheating, be sure to add a couple tablespoons of water to thin out the apples slightly and heat just until warm.
FAQ
Start by sauteing peeled and diced apples in butter until starting to brown, then add a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and cook until golden brown and saucy.
Use a combination of apples, including a crisp eating apple along with a softer cooking apple, for a pleasant texture and flavor.
Yes, store them up to 5 days and reheat with a splash of water.
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Recipe
Caramelized Apples
- Total Time: 15 min.
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
These simple Caramelized Apples are a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles, ice cream or yogurt. If you love the flavor and texture of apple pie filling, but don't have time to bake an actual pie, this is the recipe for you!
Ingredients
- 3 medium apples
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp. light brown sugar
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 1 pinch table salt
Instructions
- Peel apples and finely dice. If not using immediately, store in an acidulated water (water with lemon juice or vinegar, enough to cover the apples--drain and rinse before using).
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat then add diced apples. Cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to turn golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add the sugar, cinnamon and salt and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and saucy. Add a tablespoon or two of water as needed to make the apples saucier. Serve hot or room temperature.
Notes
- Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To reheat, add to a small skillet and add a couple tablespoons of water. Heat over medium and cook until warm.
- Caramelized apples taste delicious on yogurt, ice cream, French toast, pancakes or simply by the spoonful.
- Prep Time: 5 min.
- Cook Time: 10 min.
- Category: desserts
- Method: Sautee
- Cuisine: American
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