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Simple and sweet, these stovetop Steamed Apples are the perfect healthy comfort food. Cinnamon apples are sugar-free, vegan, paleo, Whole30 compliant, and freezer-friendly.

cinnamon apples in a white bowl with an apple and cinnamon stick
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I have been making these apples for so long that I could cook them in my sleep; they are that simple. Calling this a “recipe” is almost embarrassing.

When we have a lot of apples, we make cinnamon steamed apples. Double the recipe, and save leftovers to make Cinnamon Pretzel Bites with Apple Syrup, Healthy Apple Pie Pancakes, or Apple Pie Egg Rolls.

And yes, this recipe can work with other fruits! Check out our Peach Compote recipe for a stonefruit option.

How Long Does it Take to Steam Apples?

Diced steamed apples are ready in only five minutes. If you prefer to make apple slices instead of diced apples, you will need to add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time for a soft texture.

4 photos showing how to steam apples

Variations 

I tend to consider cinnamon a condiment and have a bit of a heavy hand with it. I reigned myself in for this recipe but you could (and should!) absolutely add more cinnamon to your version. And while you’re at it, how about a pinch of cloves and a dash of nutmeg?

A splash of homemade vanilla and/or almond extract is also amazing with the base recipe. 

Recipe Notes

  • Freeze leftovers in small Souper Cubes or 4 oz mason jars. Thaw on the counter for a few hours or in the fridge overnight.
  • Use an apple that will retain its shape and won’t turn into mush upon steaming. I prefer Fuji, honeycrisp, or Gala.
  • Leave the peel on for added fiber and nutrition and less prep.
  • Five minutes of steaming works for our preferences for texture, but if you prefer a firmer apple, check at three minutes.
  • Cool completely before freezing.
a white bowl with cinnamon apple slices

WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS

One serving has 0 WW Freestyle SmartPoints.

5 from 11 ratings

Steamed Apples

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
cinnamon apples in a white bowl with an apple and cinnamon stick
Cinnamon apples are sugar-free, vegan, paleo, Whole30 compliant, and freezer-friendly.

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Peel apples, and dice in bite-sized pieces or cut into slices.
    5 apples
  • In a pot fitted with a metal steamer basket, add ~1 inch of water.
  • Add the apples to the steamer basket and place a lid over the pan.
  • Steam the apples on medium until the apples are able to be pierced easily with a knife (about 4-5 minutes).
  • Drain, place in a small bowl, and toss with the cinnamon.
    1 tsp ground cinnamon

Notes

Five minutes of steaming works for our preferences for texture, but if you prefer a firmer apple, check at three minutes.
Cool completely before freezing.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ozCalories: 95kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 0gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgPotassium: 194mgFiber: 4gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 8.3mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah

Helping you serve up budget-friendly sustainable recipes with a side of balanced living.
Come for the food. Stay for the snark.

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32 Comments

  1. Could you tell me how you would freeze them and reheat them? I want to make these for my little guy. Thank you so much!

    1. I suggest freezing them in small containers (I used 4 oz mason jars most of the time). No liquid or anything needs to be added, just put them in and freeze.

      Most of the time I defrosted in the fridge overnight. My kiddo preferred them cold, but if you’d like to heat up, start with 10-15 seconds in the microwave and test.

      They’re so good! Now I’m craving them. 🙂

  2. Can explain the steaming process? Do you use a lid? Do you heat up the water in the pan before adding the apples? Thank you!

    1. Hi Grace, the good news is that it a basic steaming process (like if you’ve ever steamed veggies). Nothing fancy! 🙂

      I do heat the water first. Sometimes I use a lid and sometimes I don’t. It’s such a fast process that its one that it is best to not overthink, i.e., you won’t break it!

  3. I tried steaming apples in a microwave steamer basket I bought on amazon and my apples came out rubbery =( I diced them up nice and small for BLW and added 2 tbsp of water in the basket, put them in for 3.5 minutes and they all came out really rubbery and not easily mashable. Do you know what I did wrong? Thank you!

    1. With the caveat of never steaming apples in a microwave before, if they’re rubbery I wonder if they’re either over or undercooked? Did the basket come with an instruction manual with time recommendations?