Have trouble digesting raw fruits, especially apples? You are not alone. Gently cooking apples helps break down their fiber, making them easier on your gut. If you are looking for a way to enjoy apples in your yogurt bowls, oatmeal, or other dishes, try this easy gut friendly stewed apples recipe; it is warm and nourishing.
Gut Friendly Stewed Apples Benefits
When you stew apples with a bit of liquid, the heat softens them, making the apples more tender and easier to chew and digest. As they cook down, their natural sugars become more concentrated, enhancing their sweetness. Cooking also partially breaks down the pectin, making it easier to digest. However, some pectin remains, which acts as a prebiotic and supports healthy gut bacteria. Apples also contain quercetin and polyphenols—antioxidants that remain present even after cooking.
Ingredients
- 2–3 small apples, diced
- 1/2 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
- Splash of water
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Click on the images for the direct link to the ingredients/tools I used:
Instructions
Dice the apples into small, even pieces for faster cooking.
In a small saucepan, add the apples, water, honey, cinnamon, and salt.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender.
Stir in the lemon juice and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
Let cool slightly. Enjoy warm or chilled over oats, yogurt, toast, or on its own!
Gut Friendly Stewed Apples Storage Tips
- Let the apples cool down completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can store in the fridge for around 4-5 days.
- You can store the stewed apples in a a freeze-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Stewed Apples Tips
- Choose firmer apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
- Dice the apples into even pieces for uniform cooking.
- Add more water if needed to prevent sticking.
- You can add spices like nutmeg for extra warmth and flavor.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the stewed apples from sticking to the pan.
Stewed Apples
Ingredients
- 2 –3 small apples diced
- 1/2 tbsp honey adjust to taste
- Splash of water
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Dice the apples into small, even pieces for faster cooking.
- In a small saucepan, add the apples, water, honey, cinnamon, and salt.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender.
- Stir in the lemon juice and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
- Let cool slightly. Enjoy warm or chilled over oats, yogurt, toast, or on its own!
If you enjoyed this stewed apples recipe, you might also like my healthy apple muffins recipe.
