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Forget about apple pie filling - these caramelized apples are here to steal the spotlight this apple season! With their delicious, golden sweetness, and irresistible flavor, they’re an easy way to elevate a variety of dishes. I've swapped out brown sugar for coconut sugar in this simple recipe to make it refined sugar-free, and with just a handful of other simple ingredients, this recipe is your new go-to for the perfect apple topping.
Why You'll Love These Caramelized Apples
As fall arrives, so do the apple recipes- a delightful reason to indulge! Caramelized apples are a standout choice this time of year, offering both versatility and a heavenly aroma that will fill your home with warmth.
These sweet apples are a delicious dessert on their own or to pair with French toast, crispy waffles, creamy yogurt; rich vanilla ice cream, or even a spice or bundt cake. Whether you're adding a touch of autumn to your breakfast or a finishing touch to your dessert, caramelized apples are the perfect topping to so many sweet OR savory dishes!
Fall dessert recipes are my favorite! My family absolutely loves my Healthly Apple Crumble, my Grain Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, and The BEST Soft Baked Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies!
Ingredient Notes
- Honeycrisp apples: Or any other firm, red apple of choice. This adds the sweet to the sweet-tart combo!
- Granny Smith apples: Or green apple of choice. This adds the tart to the apple combination. I love this duo because it’s not too sweet and not too tart– it’s just right!
- butter: Use vegan butter for dairy-free/vegan. This is the base for sauteeing our apples and getting them nice and soft.
- coconut sugar: Use brown sugar if preferred. I like coconut sugar because it gets nice and caramelly, but it’s a natural sweetener.
- pure maple syrup: Use the pure stuff, not pancake syrup for best results.
- pumpkin pie spice: Add a little and then some more if you want even more spice! Swap for apple pie spice if preferred.
- sea salt: A little sprinkle of salt gives amazing balance to this recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat the butter over medium high heat until melted and bubbling.
Step 2: Add the cubed apples and cook for 5-7 mins, stirring occasionally, until they are beginning to soften and brown.
Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add in the coconut sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice and salt
Step 4: Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes as they continue to soften and caramelize.
Expert Tips
- Get your other ingredients prepped and ready in a large bowl before you cube your apple slices. Apples brown (oxidize) quickly!
- Firm sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, or Fuji apples work best for caramelized apple recipes.
Serving Tips
One of the joys of these simple caramelized apples is their versatility - they're a fantastic addition to so many dishes! Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy them:
- On a scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce
- Over French toast, fluffy waffles, or warm pancakes
- Swirled into Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for a high protein option
- Stirred into your morning oatmeal
- These caramelized apples pair so well with savory dishes too! Try them with my Air Fryer Pork Chops– trust me on this one!
Storage Tips
- While these caramelized apples are best served fresh, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 – 3 days.
- You can freeze the apples by letting them cool completely, putting them in an airtight container or baggie, and freezing for up to 3 months.
- When you need to reheat the apples simply put them in a microwave-safe dish and reheat 30 seconds at a time until warmed through.
- You can also reheat them on the stove by putting them in a large skillet and turning the heat to low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
You can use whatever apples you prefer but this simple recipe will turn out best if firm, sweet-tart apples are used.
You can use brown sugar instead of coconut sugar! While coconut sugar keeps these caramelized apples refined sugar-free and complements the pumpkin pie spice beautifully, brown sugar works just as well if that’s what you have on hand. Both options will create deliciously sweet results!
There is no need to peel your apples before making this recipe – making it even simpler!
More Fall Apple Recipes
Sweet & Spicy Delicata Squash with Apples & Onions
Amazing Fall Harvest Salad with Maple Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Grain Free Apple Crisp (Paleo, Gluten Free)
How to Make Caramelized Apples
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 honeycrisp apple, or red apple of choice, cored, peeled, and cut into ½ inch – 1 inch cubes
- 1 Granny Smith apple, or green apple of choice, cored, peeled and cut into ½ inch – 1 inch cubes
- 2 tbsp butter, use vegan butter for dairy free / vegan
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Heat the butter over medium high heat until melted and bubbling.
- Add the cubed apples and cook for 5-7 mins, stirring occasionally, until they are beginning to soften and brown.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add in the coconut sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice and salt and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes as they continue to soften and caramelize.
- Serve over cottage cheese or with a scoop of ice cream on top and enjoy!
Notes
- Get your other ingredients prepped and ready in a large bowl before you cube your apple slices. Apples brown (oxidize) quickly!
- Firm sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, or Fuji apples work best for caramelized apple recipes.
- While these caramelized apples are best served fresh, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 – 3 days.
- You can freeze the apples by letting them cool completely, putting them in an airtight container or baggie, and freezing for up to 3 months.
- When you need to reheat the apples simply put them in a microwave-safe dish and reheat 30 seconds at a time until warmed through.
- You can also reheat them on the stove by putting them in a large skillet and turning the heat to low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
Oh my….these are gooooooooood!!!
Thanks Katie!!