Easy Caramelized Apples (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These easy caramelized apples are cooked till tender and golden brown, coated in glossy sweet caramel, and flavored with cinnamon. Enjoy them on their own, or as a topping to pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, crepes, or with homemade pie crust! Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.

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Flavorful, Tender Caramelized Apples

There are so many things I absolutely love about the fall season – auburn leaves, leaves crunching until our feet, wearing cozy sweaters and knits, the crisp cool evenings…

And one other thing that also makes fall so wonderful is apple season. Where all things apple are fair game, and the house literally smells of sugar, spice and everything nice! (*deep breath in* – can you smell it?)

Today, we’re making caramelized apples that are cooked until tender, coated in a glossy caramel sauce, and flavored with cinnamon.

You can literally eat it as a snack or delicious dessert on its own, or the perfect topping over a bowl of these caramelized apples with whipped cream or ice cream, or use it as a topping for pancakes, crepes, waffles… or as a filling with homemade pie crust.

YUM! So many apple-licious ways to enjoy it…!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The small handful of ingredients needed to make these caramelized apples are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Very Easy to Make: Preparing this caramelized apples recipe is just a matter of sautéing cubed apples and then adding sugar and cinnamon until a caramel is formed, and cooking till the apples are soft and tender.
• Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegan: The best part is that these caramelized cinnamon apples are 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances are able to enjoy them without worries!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making these easy caramelized apples.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Apples: Feel free to use whichever apples you like – whether sweet apples or tart apples (pink lady apples, honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples, fuji apples, etc).
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a lovely sweetness to these apples. I used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar would work too. If you are diabetic or insulin resistant, I highly recommend using golden monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
• Ground Cinnamon: I like adding a pinch of ground cinnamon for an amazing fall flavor. You may also use equal quantities of apple pie spice instead.
• Butter: I used unsalted dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular unsalted butter instead.
• Lemon Juice: Make sure to use fresh lemon juice for a nice tart flavor that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the caramelized apples.

How to Make Caramelized Apples (Step by Step):

1. Core and Cube Apples

Wash, then core the apples and remove the seeds and cut the apples into small even cubes.

(Note: I didn’t peel the apples, but if you prefer go ahead and peel them before coring and cubing.)

2. Sauté Apples

Melt the unsalted dairy-free butter in a large skillet and sauté the cubed apples for about 6-7 minutes on low heat, stirring.

3. Add Lemon Juice

Add the lemon juice and stir, continue stirring for another 2-3 minutes.

4. Add Sugar and Cinnamon

Add the sugar and cinnamon, stir and continue cooking, stirring for 5 to 7 minutes until the sugar melts and caramel is formed.

5. Mix to Coat

Stir the apple cubes so that each piece is well coated with the caramel. Be careful that the caramel does not start to burn. Once coated, remove from heat.

6. Serve or Store

Serve the apples warm or store them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Apples: Feel free to use whichever apples you like – whether sweet apples or tart apples (pink lady apples, honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples, fuji apples, etc).
• Storing: To store, place any leftover caramelized apples in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

What to Eat Caramelized Apples With:

• French Toast (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Waffles, Pancakes or Crepes
• Savory Dishes (Pork Chops, Pork Tenderloin, etc)

Other Gluten-Free Apple Recipes You’ll Love:

• Homemade Apple Pie Filling (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Easy Apple Galette (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Homemade Apple Butter (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Delicious Apple Crumble (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Tender Apple Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Moist Apple Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Desserts to Enjoy:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Easy Caramelized Apples (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These easy caramelized apples are cooked till tender and golden brown, coated in glossy sweet caramel, and flavored with cinnamon. Enjoy them on their own, or as a topping to pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, crepes, or with homemade pie crust! Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 apples, cored and cubed
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons unsalted dairy-free butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Core and Cube Apples: Wash, then core the apples and remove the seeds and cut the apples into small even cubes. (I didn’t peel the apples, but if you prefer go ahead and peel them before coring and cubing.)
2. Sauté Apples: Melt the unsalted dairy-free butter in a large skillet and sauté the cubed apples for about 6-7 minutes on low heat, stirring.
3. Add Lemon Juice: Add the lemon juice and stir, continue stirring for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Sugar and Cinnamon: Add the sugar and cinnamon, stir and continue cooking, stirring for 5 to 7 minutes until the sugar melts and caramel is formed.
5. Mix to Coat: Stir the apple cubes so that each piece is well coated with the caramel. Be careful that the caramel does not start to burn. Once coated, remove from heat.
6. Serve or Store: Serve the apples warm or store them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

Apples: Feel free to use whichever apples you like – whether sweet apples or tart apples.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a lovely sweetness to these apples. I used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar would work too. If you are diabetic or insulin resistant, I highly recommend using golden monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).

Ground Cinnamon: I like adding a pinch of ground cinnamon for an amazing fall flavor. You may also use equal quantities of apple pie spice instead.

Butter: I used unsalted dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular unsalted butter instead.

Lemon Juice: Make sure to use fresh lemon juice for a nice tart flavor that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the caramelized apples.

Storing: To store, place any leftover caramelized apples in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Snacks
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American