Sinful Cinnamon-Apple Sauté (Breakfast or Dessert?)
Actually, this little dish isn’t sinful at all, but that title just sounds so good doesn’t it? Well, this saute does produce tender, juicy apples with a wonderfully rich, sweet, and cinnamon-y syrup, rendering it indulgent enough for a healthy dessert.
However, I had it for breakfast. I ate it on its own as a part of my multi-course Sunday grazing. But, this simple recipe (just 10 minutes!) is incredibly flexible when it comes to serving options. You can:
- Serve the apples with your favorite yogurt (mine being this one), stirring a bit of the resultant cinnamon apple syrup into the yogurt if desired.
- Top waffles with the apples and resultant cinnamon-apple syrup.
- Spread nut butter on a bagel, toast, or rice cakes, and top with slices of cinnamon apples (one of my faves).
- Serve over rice or other grain (I don’t know why I just thought of this one, but it really sounds good).
- Sprinkle the apples with ground flaxseed or your favorite granola (homemade if you can!).
- Top the apples with a scoop of ice cream (this one and this one being my picks), drizzling some of the resultant syrup over top of everything for a sundae flare. Oh what the heck, sprinkle on some granola too!
- You say you’ve finished the apples, but have a little bit of leftover syrup? Use it to sweeten your favorite tea! Problem solved.
Okay, now that you are brimming with ideas, lets get to the kitchen …
Simply Scrumptious Cinnamon-Apple Sauté
Recipe adapted from the October 2007 issue of Natural Health Magazine
This recipe is Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, optionally Vegan, and optionally Soy-Free
- 2 Medium Apples (around 3/4 to 1 lb), sliced 1/4-inch thick (no need to peel!)
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed if you have it)
- 1-1/2 Teaspoons Oil or Margarine (I used coconut oil)
- 1 Tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup (I used honey, but I think maple syrup may be even better)
- 1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- Generous Pinch of Salt (especially if using oil rather than margarine)
In a medium sized bowl, toss the apple slices with the lemon juice and briefly set aside.
In a large skillet, melt heat the oil or margarine over medium heat. Add the honey or maple syrup and the vanilla extract, giving everything a quick stir. Add the apples, and stir to coat them with the sweet sauce. Sprinkle on the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, and once again, stir to ensure the apples are evenly coated.
Cover, and allow the apples to cook for 3 to 5 minutes (or until desired tenderness) checking in to stir once or twice.
They are ready! Enjoy them as is, or see the beginning of this post for some serving options.
Cinnamon Pears Option: Use 2 medium pears instead of the apples. Pears are generally softer than apples, so you will only need 2 to 3 minutes of cooking time once covered.
Yields 2 Yummy Servings of Apples
My Earth Day Note: One of my Earth Day resolutions is to try to eat more seasonally. While I was sure that apples were a fall fruit, it seems the crops are brimming right now. I purchase organic apples, since they are a top “pesticide crop.” An abundance of northwest apples (as local as it gets for this area) allowed me to purchase a bag of these beauties (Fuji I believe) for less than a dollar a pound.
25 thoughts on “Sinful Cinnamon-Apple Sauté (Breakfast or Dessert?)”
Those bring back nostalgia for me!!
Those sound and look delicious!
Wow tha tlooks really really yum. I can imagine the delicious aroma.
Yum, I can almost smell them through my screen! I like the idea of putting them over waffles!
I love these kind of apple dishes. This would be yummy with some vanilla ice cream.
YUMMMY!!!! this looks so good! i had an apple at lunch and it was so dull and boring. i wished i had seen this first!
Cooked apples are such a homey and delicious treat.
That looks wonderful! I bet it’d be good with pears too.
Those would be a perfect pie or tart filling, too, I’m sure–or the base for a crumble! They look sooo tempting.
We had these for breakfast with some gf chai muffins. They were delicious!
DAYAAAMMM YUM!!!! That really looks delicious I want to eat it straight up or wedged between bread for an apple pie sandwich!!!
P.s. Just a heads up, if you like salsa I’m doin’ a giveaway with 3 possible winners! <3
My son LOVES cinnamony apples for a healthy snack. Looks wonderful… perhaps I could pass it off as dessert 🙂
Alison – The original recipe called for pears, so I am sure they would be delicious.
Linds – I am so glad you enjoyed them!
Michelle – Thanks for the heads up on the giveaway!
Also, I made this recipe again, but with the maple syrup instead of honey, equally delicious!
Oh you’re going to make me be bad tonight. I can see it coming. These look delicious. I have some apples I’ve been saving for inspiration. You just gave it to me. Thanks!
I love the idea of putting these on a bagel/toast with nut butter! What a great sounding meal.
Dessert? Breakfast? Snack? Whatever! There is something so sweet and warming about cooked apples and cinnamon. toss on some toasted walnuts and raisins and its like a quickie baked apple.
These look fabulous. I got your book recently and can’t wait to dive into it.
Those look fabulous, Alisa! I’d love some with my yogurt in the morning!
You had me at sinful. This sounds great. Thank you for sharing it on Friday Foodie Fix.
Made oatmeal for my husband for breakfast and had no applesauce … but did have an apple so I made this for his oatmeal. He Loved It!
Haha! I found your masterpiece that will be holding my granola! 😉
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