Easy to make, healthy and really tasty, you'll want to make homemade stewed apples, or apple compote, time and time again. In this healthier recipe apples are cooked with ground cinnamon and a little maple syrup to taste. A delicious way to prepare apples without too much sugar.
With just three ingredients, this stewed apples recipe is an easy, simple and healthy dessert or breakfast.
Sometimes called apple compote, this is one of my favourite ways to prepare apples. Stewing your apples like this is a great way to use up a glut of apples.
It’s also a brilliant way to dispose of apples that have gone a bit soft. Like when you’ve ordered a whole bag and then your kids decide they don’t like them any more.
Or even those apples your toddler has taken a single bite out of and then discarded. If you've had kids you know what I mean, right?
Whatever the reason that you have a surplus of apples, this stewed apple recipe is a great use for them. It's a deliciously healthy dessert or breakfast that the whole family can enjoy.
Is this recipe suitable for weaning babies?
Yes. Because this recipe is lower in sugar than most compote or stewed apple recipes it’s perfect for weaning babies.
I’ve sweetened it with a little maple syrup but if you prefer you can leave this out and let your baby enjoy the natural sweetness of the apples.
Can you freeze stewed apples?
Stewed apples can be frozen in portions for later use.
When cooked allow to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer bag or container.
Leave a little space at top to allow for our apples to expand as they freeze.
Remember to label your container with the date and what’s inside before placing in the freezer.
What’s the difference between stewed apples and apple compote?
They are both apples cooked with sugar until soft. How far you cook them down - so they still hold their shape or until they’re really soft and broken down is up to you.
What other spices can be used?
I have used ground cinnamon with my stewed apples. Ground ginger, nutmeg or mixed spice are also good options.
Do you need to peel the apples?
Again this is up to you. You can leave the apples unpeeled if preferred and this way you’ll be eating more of the goodness in the apple.
I usually peel my apples because my kids prefer it that way.
What kind of apples are best for stewing?
Most eating apples work well for stewing. I usually use whatever I have in the fruit bowl.
Here are some good varieties to try
- Braeburn
- Cox
- Fuji
- Granny Smith
- Golden Delicious
- Jazz
- Pink Lady
- Royal Gala
If you want to use cooking apples, or Bramley’s, you may need to add extra maple syrup as they can be a little tart. Taste them when cooked and adjust the syrup to taste.
What ingredients do you need to make stewed apples ?
- Apples
- Lemon juice
- Cinnamon
- Maple syrup
- Water
What can you use your stewed apples for?
- As a crumble filling
- In pies
- With porridge
- As a healthy dessert with some yoghurt
- On top of pancakes
More apple recipes you might like
- Apple and cinnamon porridge
- Parsnip and apple soup
- Healthy apple cinnamon cookies
- Apple and mincemeat swirls
- Apple flapjacks
- Healthy apple crumble
- Parsnip and apple muffins
Or you might like this recipe for mixed berry compote.
How to make stewed apples
Stewed apples with cinnamon
Ingredients
- 6 apples
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or more to taste
- Splash of water
Instructions
- Peel your apples and chop up into chunks.
- Place in a saucepan with 1 teaspoon lemon juice* and mix.
- Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a tablespoon of maple syrup and a splash of cold water.** Stir well
- Heat over a medium heat for a few minutes, stirring often. Then reduce to heat to low and cover your saucepan with a lid.
- Continue cooking for a further 10 or minutes until soft, stirring occasionally to stop it sticking.
- If you prefer your apples to be completely broken down continue cooking for another ten-fifteen minutes, stirring often.
Notes
**The water is to stop the apples from sticking as they start to cook. Nutritional information is approximate and is intended as a guide only.
Nutrition
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Paulette
Can I do this without maple syrup?
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Paulette, yes you can - it will taste less sweet and this will depend on the natural sweetness of your apples too. Hope you enjoy.
Holly
Hello, do you think this will work with cooking apples? A neighbour has given us some cooking apples and I'm wondering what to do with them...
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Holly, yes it would work with cooking apples but you may want to add some additional sweetener eg sugar or maple syrup - add a little, taste and add more if needed.