While I know that fall isn’t technically here yet, it is certainly starting to feel like it. The stores and restaurants are full of everything pumpkin spice and fall harvest fruits and vegetables. Our apple tree now has some gorgeous red cortland apples that we’ll be picking later today. (Watch for a recipe using those next week!) For this recipe I had a bag of super crisp gala apples that were calling to me from my fridge. I usually use this recipe but to really get into the spirit of fall flavors, I decided to make Pumpkin Spice Sauteed Apples.
I love these sauteed apples because they can be served in so many different ways. They taste great warm just by themselves or with some whipped cream, but they also make a great topping for ice cream or breakfast foods like pancakes, waffles and french toast.
While I love the look of apple slices, I think larger chunks make these apples much more kid friendly. Why bother having to cut them up when I can serve them in larger bite sized pieces? (I make them pretty large chunks because they do get smaller once you cook them. ) You’ll just want to make sure you make them as even sized as you can.
To make this really easy for my Mini Chef, we used a plastic zipper bag.
Wesley loves shaking to mix and coat ingredients and it is less messy than a bowl and spoon.
While the original recipe calls for a medium saucepan, I like using a large frying pan. This allows for more even cooking and makes it much easier to stir the apples while they are sauteed.
- 4 medium to large crunchy apples (around 2 lbs)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Core apples and cut into thick chunks. (You can peel if desired.)
- Place apples in gallon sized ziploc bag.
- Add brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice into bag.
- Shake until well coated.
- Melt butter in large frying pan over medium heat.
- Add water and apple mixture.
- Cook apples over medium heat, for 8 to 10 minutes or until apples are tender, stirring occasionally. (Be careful not to overcook.)
- Cool slightly and serve warm as is, with whipped cream or as a topping over ice cream, waffles or pancakes. Can also serve cold if preferred.
- Refrigerate any leftovers.

Serve them as a snack, dessert or side dish. Yum.
Refrigerate any of these pumpkin spice sauteed apples and eat them cold or warm them up again. Either way they are delicious!
What have you been up to with your mini chefs?
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Be sure to check out each of their Mini Chef posts as well!
- Chocolate Covered Apple Donuts // Courtney’s Sweets
- Fall Harvest Cake// Momma Lew
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip // We’re Parents
- Homemade Applesauce Recipe for Kids // Eating Richly
- Maple Cinnamon French Toast in a Mug // Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps
- Foil Packet Apricot Salmon // Vegging at the Shore
- Homemade Apple Cider // O’Boy! Organic
- Butterbeer Bark // My Mini Adventurer
Janet W. says
I love this time of year because of the apples being in season! This looks delicious!
Sarah L says
These would be so good on pancakes. Get a bit more fruit in my diet.
Valerie says
I just love this time of the year because its a time for apples, pumpkin desserts, and warm pie out of the oven. I could see myself making this for Thanksgiving.
Kathy Pease says
These look delicious and I will be making this when we go apple picking..I love fall! 🙂
Kailyn says
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing on Welcome Home Wednesdays. We hope to see you again this week.
Dana Rodriguez says
These sound really good! Thanks for the recipe!
Lily Kwan says
This recipe looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
Rosie says
I would love to have this over Greek yogurt. It looks soo good!
Julie Wood says
The Pumpkin Spice Sauteed Apples is a good dessert that is not too sweet and easy to make. I am making this dessert for the kids. They will love it.
Elena says
Looks delicious and easy to make. Thank you!
Brenda Haines says
This looks very yummy! Great idea!
Cheryla says
Oh my gosh, pumpkin spice and apples, what a great combination! Something I never thought of trying them together, thanks!
Stephanie, One Caring Mom says
Oh my goodness!!!! These look absolutely amazing. Pumpkin spice and apples…yes please!!! I can’t wait for apple season because I can already tell these will be a staple in my house.