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Growing up, one of my favorite sides was a big scoop of caramelized apples. They were buttery, cinnamon-scented, and just sweet enough to pair with everything from dinner rolls to savory mains. Plus, they definitely have a flavor that always reminds me of Thanksgiving!
A few years ago I shared my caramelized stovetop peaches, so this year I wanted to create an autumn version with in-season apples. This easy stovetop recipe comes together quickly and makes the perfect apple topping for pancakes, waffles, or even a cozy bowl of oatmeal.
Why This Recipe Works
I have so many apple recipes on the site, from my vegan apple cinnamon cake to classic vegan apple pie. I’m a big fan of all things apple, especially as it starts to become fall! And in this recipe, sweet, crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Cosmic Crisp hold their shape well when cooked, so you get tender slices that don’t turn mushy.
A touch of brown sugar adds deep caramel flavor, while a bit of butter gives the apples a rich, glossy glaze. Plus…this recipe is easy to make dairy-free and completely vegan without sacrificing that classic, sticky-sweet finish. Here are a few more reasons why we love this recipe and you will too!
Emily’s Recipe Notes:
- Flavor: Sweet, lightly spiced, and warm with plenty of cinnamon.
- Texture: Tender, buttery, rich.
- Difficulty: Super easy (perfect as an apple topping or side for dinner).
- Time: About 10 minutes of cooking time on the stove.
Ingredients
Ingredient Highlights & Some Swaps
Apples
I love using Honeycrisp here because they’re naturally sweet, crisp, and large. You’ll only need about 3 to get 4 cups of diced apples. If you’re using smaller apples, plan on 4–5.
Another great option is Cosmic Crisp (the same variety I used in my Apple Cinnamon Star Bread filling). These apples both hold their shape when cooked which means the pieces stay tender (not mushy).
Brown Sugar
A little brown sugar goes a long way in creating that thick, sticky syrup. The molasses in the sugar adds depth and a subtle caramel flavor that makes these stovetop apples taste extra delicious.
Cinnamon
Just enough for a warm, cozy flavor without overpowering the apples. I find ¾ teaspoon is the sweet spot. You can swap in apple pie spice or make your own blend with ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon allspice or ground clove. A pinch of cardamom would also be delicious.
Dairy-Free Butter
This gives the caramelized apples their glossy glaze and a rich, buttery taste with a touch of salt. I love using Violife vegan butter, but any good-quality, salted plant-based butter will work. Dairy-free butter can be swapped 1:1 with other butters.
How to Make Stovetop Caramelized Apples
🍎 Exact ingredient quantities are in the recipe card below!
Peel and dice the apples, then add them along with water, cinnamon and brown sugar to a medium saucepan or pot.
Simmer the mixture over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. The apples should be tender and a syrup should form.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vegan butter and vanilla extract (if using).
Let cool at room temperature and transfer to an airtight container. The syrup will thicken as it cools.
Ways to Use Stovetop Apples
What I love about these caramelized stovetop apples is that they are so, so versatile. You can use them in sweet breakfasts, cozy desserts, or even as a side dish for a Thanksgiving dinner. Below are some of my favorite ways to use them:
- With Yogurt: Spoon them over my high-protein dairy-free yogurt.
- Layered in Overnight Oats: Add them to apple cinnamon overnight oats for a make-ahead fall breakfast.
- On Waffles or Pancakes: Use them as a warm apple topping for pancakes, waffles, or even French toast.
- With Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: Serve them warm over vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream for a quick dessert.
- In Pastries: Use as a filling for puff pastry to make vegan apple turnovers or homemade toaster strudels.
FAQ & Storage Tips
Yes, caramelized apples can be made in advance. However, I do think they are best when served slightly warm! You can store them in the fridge, and to reheat, I recommend heating them in a small saucepan or microwave to warm them back up.
If stored in an airtight container in the fridge, stovetop caramelized apples will stay fresh for about 5 days. The butter in the sauce may solidify slightly when chilled, so I recommend reheating them to bring back their glossy texture.
Firm, sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp, or Pink Lady work best. These varieties stay tender without turning mushy and soak up that buttery brown sugar syrup.
Yes! This stovetop caramelized apples recipe uses ⅓ cup brown sugar for 4 cups of apples, which creates a thick syrup that coats every piece. You can reduce the sugar to ¼ cup and it will still work. This is about 1 tbsp of brown sugar per 1 cup of apples.
The apples will be a bit less glossy with less syrup, but they’re still tender, sweet, and full of cinnamon flavor.
More Apple Recipes to Try
Easy Stovetop Caramelized Apples
Rate this RecipeIngredients
- 4 cups peeled and diced Honeycrisp apples, ¼-½" cubes (about 420g or 3-4 large apples- Cosmic Crisp also works well)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, see notes
- 3 tbsp water
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon, or apple pie spice
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, optional but recommended
- 1 ½ tbsp salted dairy-free butter, or butter of choice (add a pinch of salt if using unsalted butter)
Instructions
- Place the diced apples, sugar, water and cinnamon in a small pot over medium-low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The apples should become tender, darker in color, and the syrup should start to thicken slightly.4 cups peeled and diced Honeycrisp apples, ⅓ cup light brown sugar, 3 tbsp water, ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salted butter. Let the caramelized apples cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes to help thicken the sauce. Or serve immediately!1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1 ½ tbsp salted dairy-free butter
Recipe notes
- Too runny? Keep cooking for another 1–2 minutes so more liquid evaporates and the syrup thickens.
- Too thick or sticky? Stir in 1–2 teaspoons of water to loosen the sauce.
- Apples too soft? Use a firmer variety next time (like Honeycrisp or Cosmic Crisp) and cook for a minute less.
- Not sweet enough? Add an extra teaspoon of brown sugar while the apples are still hot so it melts into the sauce.
Did You Make This?
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Did You Make These Easy Caramelized Apples?
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