Whenever we have apples lingering in our fridge, I turn them into these delicious sauteed apples. They are soft, yet not falling apart, and they are pleasantly sweet and cinnamon-y without any added sugar. They’re great on their own and served with all sorts of foods. And they are much more interesting and special than eating a plain apple after you’ve had your fill a few days in a row! These are easy for toddlers and older babies to chew, so no worries about the risk of choking that comes with raw apples. In fact, these are one of our favorite finger foods for babies. These apples are cooked in a little butter or other neutral oil, so they are made with minimal ingredients. I’ve made them with both butter and coconut oil, and we love them both ways. These cooked apples are also a little easier to digest than raw apples, which might be helpful to know if your kiddo (or you) have issues with whole apples. You can serve these warm or cold, according to your preference as a baby snack, snack for toddlers, or easy component to add to a toddler lunch idea. (You may also like my Applesauce Bread, Cinnamon Apples or Instant Pot Applesauce.)
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at what you need to have on hand to make this easy sauteed apples recipe. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Apples: You can use any type of apple you have or like, though tart cooking apples (like Granny Smith or Pink Lady) soften nicely without falling apart too quickly. If you use an apple that’s softer fresh (like Gala), they will cook a little faster. Just keep an eye on the timing if you go with an apple that’s not traditionally used for cooking a pie. Butter or neutral oil: This ensures that the apples don’t stick to the pan, and adds beneficial fats to the recipe. Cinnamon: Adding cinnamon adds delicious flavor to the apple recipe for kids.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making these easy sauteed apples. Scroll down to the full recipe at the bottom of this post for all of the info. TIP: This recipe scales up and down well, so simply adjust the amount of ingredients as needed.
How to Store
If stored in an airtight container, you can keep these sauteedapples in the fridge for 3-5 days. Serve them slightly warmed or cold, depending on your preference. For an apples for babies option for blw, try my Sliced Baked Apples.
Serving Suggestions
For sweet options, try these over plain yogurt, oatmeal, or as a topping for pancakes. For savory, they’re a nice dinner side with chicken, roasted pork, or other roasted meats. They also work well as a simple snack with crackers and cheese or even just a cup of milk.
Best Tips for Success
Use butter or coconut oil, according to your preference. Use any type of apple you prefer, though harder cooking apples work well here. If you use apples that are softer when eaten fresh (like Gala), they may cook a little faster. Double the recipe, if desired. Serve warm or cold, plain or over yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, chicken, pork, or another favorite meal. Portion out into snack containers to have grab-and-go snack options ready and waiting in the fridge. You may also like Sliced Baked Apples, Stewed Peaches, Favorite Early Finger Foods, and Apple Puree.
I’d love to hear if you make this recipe, so please leave a comment below with your feedback!
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20 Best Healthy Apple Recipes for Kids
This post was first published May 2020.
