Stewed Apples
We eat a lot of fresh apples in our house, but sometimes, we just want something a little extra. These stewed apples are super flavorful and so incredibly easy and fast to make. I love doing this with apple cider for extra flavor, especially during the fall, but there are a few options for the liquid. And you can add spices such as cinnamon or ground ginger, as well as raisins, if you want to vary the result even more. These soft apples are a great baby snack, an easy side to offer with a toddler breakfast or toddler dinner, and they are also wonderful on top of oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, pancakes … and really anything else you decide sounds good to you! (You may also like Stewed Peaches, Cinnamon Pears, and my DIY Fruit Cups.
Ingredients You Need
To make this recipe you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Fresh apples: I like to use Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Jonathan, but the recipe is flexible. Use an apple that you like the flavor of when eaten fresh, though! (You can also make this recipe with frozen apples.) Apple cider, apple juice, or water: Any of these liquids work, so go with the one that you prefer. Cinnamon, optional
Ingredient Substitutions
Choose the liquid that you prefer. I like apple cider, but they all work. To make this without the natural sugars that juice or cider contain, cook them in water. Add one of the spice options if you like. This method of cooking fruit also works with pears and peaches.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the basics involved in this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full info.
How to Use Stewed Apples
You can serve these as a simple snack on their own or over yogurt, cottage cheese, Apple Pancakes, or as a side dish for roasted meats. You could also stir them into oatmeal or use them in Apple Yogurt or Fruit-on-the-Bottom Yogurt.
How to Store
Store apples in storage containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serve chilled or slightly warmed. Or, you can freeze stewed apples by letting them cool fully, then placing into freezer-safe storage containers. Freeze for up to 6 months.
More Fruit Recipes
You may also like:
Stewed Peaches Fresh Pear Puree Baked Apple Slices DIY Fruit Cups
Best Tips for Success
Peel the fruit if you prefer a smoother final texture. You can totally leave the peel on, it’s safe for kids to eat. Use an apple variety like Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Jonathan. Choose any you like the flavor of when eating fresh. Simmer just until soft when poked with a fork—you don’t want to overcook it and have it turn into applesauce. Add an optional spice if desired for more flavor. Use water as the liquid to make these without the natural sugars in the apple cider and juice.
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below to share!
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This post was first published December 2021.
