These sautéed cinnamon apples are a delicious snack or healthy dessert for the whole family to enjoy. They are a great finger food for babies, taste delicious served with ice cream/yogurt and also make a great topping for oatmeal, pancakes or waffles.
What’s to Love About Cinnamon Apples…
- TASTY – Sweet and cinnamony without the need for added sugar. (Pan-frying brings out the natural sweetness of the apple)
- EXPOSURE – Allows young children to see different ways apples can be prepared and served.
- NUTRITION – Serve these sauteed apples with some greek yogurt or peanut butter dip for a well-balanced snack.
- VERSATILE – They’re great on their own but also served with a range of foods. (serving suggestions below)
- FAMILY FRIENDLY – Not just for kids, the whole family won’t be able to resist these. Cook the apples until they are really soft so that toddlers and babies can enjoy them, without the same risk of choking that comes with raw apples.
Ingredient Information
- APPLES – In this recipe, the variety of apples used is down to personal choice. You are not cooking the apples for a long time and you don’t need them to break down to perform in a certain way. Use your favourite variety, or one with plenty flavour. Different varieties will have different cooking times, just keep an eye on them as they cook.
- COCONUT OIL – Butter also works great, the choice is yours!
- CINNAMON – Because some food combinations are meant to go together.
Process Shots and Cooking Tips
These cinnamon apples literally take minutes to make. We all know, as parents, that life is busy and we want easy, simple snacks to serve. This certainly fits the bill and within 10 minutes you can have a healthy and delicious snack or dessert.
- Prepare Apples: Core and chop each apple into sixteen wedges. The easiest way to do this is to half the apple and then half each half three more times. (see above photo). You can, of course, chop them any way you wish. Small chunks/cubes work really well. The wedges do make it easier for babies/toddlers to handle. Peeling is optional.
- Pan Fry: Heat the coconut oil until melted, add the apple slices and cinnamon and pan-fry, over low heat, until you achieve your desired softness. Add tbsps of water if and as needed. A nonstick skillet works best, you can use a cast-iron skillet but you may find that you need a little more oil and/or water.
Serving Suggestions
Cinnamon apples are a delicious dessert (served with ice cream) or snack served with yogurt. However, they can be used in a number of ways, why not try topping/ serving with…
- oatmeal
- peanut butter yogurt dip
- crepes or pancakes
- waffles
- custard
- mashed onto toast
Serve warm or cold, depending on your preference.
Storage Instructions
Leftovers can be refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to two days. Toss in some lime or lemon juice to prevent excess browning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, from 6 months + . Make sure that they are cooked until very soft as hard apple can be a choking hazard if bits break off. As with all foods, close observation is important when feeding a baby.
No, you can peel the apples if preferred. The peel contains a lot of fibre and leaving the skin on makes it easier for little ones to grip.
Have you tried this recipe? I’d love to know your thoughts and see your pictures. Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram
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Cinnamon Apples
Ingredients
- 2 Apples *SEE NOTE 1
- 2 tsp Coconut Oil *SEE NOTE 2
- 1 tsp Cinnamon *SEE NOTE 3
Instructions
- Core and cut apple into wedges. I cut them into 16ths (half apple then half again 3 more times)
- Heat coconut oil in frying pan over a medium / low heat. Add the apple wedges and sprinkle with cinnamon
- Lightly fry for 10-15 mins (depending on the firmness of the initial apple), stirring as necessary, until desired softness is achieved. Add tbsps of water as needed.
Video
Recipe Notes
- Use any apples you wish. As there is no added sweetener I find using a sweet apple works best. Pictured are Pink Lady apples.
- Coconut oil can be substituted with butter if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon you use to suit your taste. You can also omit it if you prefer.
- If making for a baby you will want to cook the apples until they are really soft. Hard apple can be a choking hazard if bits break off.
Erika says
Really appreciate your work in sharing healthy recipes so thanks for that.
One concern has come up though with the pretty high coumarin content of the general cinnamon which is toxic to the liver. I presume we should always highlight using Ceylon type which contains much less of this compound.
Amy says
Thanks for this Erika, if using cinnamon a lot then it is definitely best to use Ceylon.
Pia Sarris says
Fab ideas for healthy grandchildren the ones I made where agreat hit
Amy says
Hi Pia, thanks for taking the time to let me know. So glad they were a hit 🙂
Taylor says
Sorry if this was asked but I couldn’t really tell in the pictures.. did you leave the skin on? Really wanting to make these for my 6 month old
Amy says
Hi Taylor, Yes I left the skin on but you can peel if you prefer 🙂
Sharon says
Hi Amy, I really like this recipe, may i ask how long can keep this apple cinnamon? 1-2days?
Amy says
Hi Sharon, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. TBH I am not sure how long they can keep. I would presume they would turn brown but a touch of lemon juice could help with this. 🙂
Sam Davis says
I have this cooking right now and I am super excited! How do you keep this? My little one wont eat a whole apple but I would love to save this and then give her some throughout the week.
Amy says
Hi Sam, I hope you enjoyed these! I have never had to keep these, they always disappear quickly! I’d squeeze a little lemon juice on them and store in the refrigerator 🙂 I’m not sure how long they would last though.
Megan Denney says
Delicious and perfect without the cinnamon for the baby (she has reflux)! Thank you!
Amy says
Fab! Glad she liked them 🙂
Paige says
Do you peel the apples? (Doesn’t look like it in the pictures). If not, did your 6 mo do okay with the peels?
Amy says
Hi Paige, No I didn’t peel the apples. You can if you are more comfortable with that. I can’t remember if my little one ate the skin or not, often I would serve foods in their skin and he would suck the flesh off. Just keep a close eye 🙂
Supriya Kutty says
Hey Amy, your recipe is very interesting and healthy as well. I liked your idea of using apple in this way and now I got a new idea of giving an apple to eat to my daughter as she doesn’t like it. Keep sharing such healthy recipes.
Amy says
Thank you! Hope she enjoys it this way!
Hero Shot Photography says
Such a simple recipe and ingredients can look so good! Great photography, very minimalistic and it just looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing
Amy says
Thank you!
Diana says
How long would these stay good for?
Amy says
Hi Diana, I’m not sure, sorry. They never last long enough in our house. They do taste best just cooked and warm.
Amy says
Thank you, I hope you enjoy. A test run is a good idea, a good excuse to eat extra cake 😉
Lauren says
My 9 month old enjoyed them but struggled with the peel. Would these work if you peeled the apple beforehand?
Amy says
Hi Lauren, yes they should still work 🙂
Trista says
Delicious and easy. And kid friendly too! We just planted a peach and pear tree in the yard over the weekend and I bet this recipe would be good with them too.
Donna says
My kids will love this, they are obsessed with apples atm. Thanks for sharing #foodpornthursdays
Amy says
Glad you like it and thanks for commenting!
Madeline says
These look yummy! I love cinnamon too so these would be real treat! x
Amy says
Such a simple sweet treat, hope you enjoy them. Thanks for your comment, A x
Marta says
Simple and delicious. Toddler approved I believe?
Amy says
Toddler and baby approved 😉 Enjoy x
Becky, Cuddle Fairy says
What a great idea for a healthy snack! My kids would love this. Thank you so much for linking up with #foodpornthursdays 🙂
Amy says
Thanks for hosting Becky, I am enjoying finding new blogs and recipes x
Joann Woolley says
I will be sharing this! Many of my followers are new moms so this will be great to share all next week! Found you via #foodpornthursdays
Amy says
Thanks Joann, really appreciate it. A x
Laura says
Can these keep in the fridge at all?
Amy says
Hi Laura, to be honest, they are best eaten straight away. I’d maybe lightly brush with some lemon juice if storing in the fridge.