These sliced apples with cinnamon and fresh lemon juice are such a simple and delicious apple snack that I originally created for my daughter’s school lunch box. Toss fresh apple slices with lemon juice and cinnamon for a sweet, tart, refreshing snack that takes only a couple of minutes to make. As a bonus, the fresh lemon juice helps keep the sliced apples fresh and prevents them from turning brown!
I had actually never put sliced apples in my daughter’s lunch box before because I knew they would turn brown after being cut, and I didn’t think she would want to eat them by lunchtime. But one day she came home adamant that she wanted cinnamon apples in her lunch just like her friend had.
I immediately remembered how a friend of mine had once served fresh sliced apples with lemon juice. The apples sat out for hours without turning brown, so I decided to squeeze fresh lemon juice over my daughter’s apple slices before sprinkling them with cinnamon.
I was surprised by how much I loved the combination myself! The tartness from the fresh lemon tastes so good with the natural sweetness of apples and warming cinnamon. I actually think they taste even better than apples with cinnamon alone, and my girl loved them too.
She ate them all up and never came home with brown apple slices that nobody wanted to eat anymore. Now cinnamon apple slices with lemon are one of my favorite easy fruit snacks to pack in her lunch box.
Cinnamon Apple Ingredients
You only need three simple ingredients to make these sliced cinnamon apples.
Apple: Use a fresh, crisp apple that you enjoy eating on its own. A naturally sweet apple tastes especially delicious with the tart lemon juice and cinnamon.
Fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is my secret ingredient for these cinnamon apples. It adds a refreshing tart flavor and helps keep sliced apples from turning brown.
Cinnamon: A generous sprinkle of cinnamon adds a warm, naturally sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with both the apple and fresh lemon.
How to Make Sliced Apples With Cinnamon
Wash your apple, then cut it into thin slices or wedges.
Place the sliced apples in a bowl and squeeze fresh lemon juice over top. Toss the apples until all of the slices have a light coating of lemon juice.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and toss again until the cinnamon is evenly distributed.
That’s it! Enjoy your cinnamon apple slices immediately, or pack them in an airtight container for later.
How to Keep Sliced Apples Fresh
If you’ve ever wondered how to keep sliced apples from turning brown, fresh lemon juice is one of the easiest options.
Apples begin to brown after they’re cut and the inside of the apple is exposed to oxygen. The vitamin C and acidity in lemon juice slow this process, which is why I use it before adding the cinnamon.
You don’t need to drench the apples in lemon juice either. I use just enough to coat each slice lightly. This helps keep the apples looking fresh while adding that delicious tart lemon flavor that I now wouldn’t leave out of this recipe anyway.
How to Pack Sliced Apples for Lunch
These sliced apples with cinnamon are perfect for school lunches because you can cut the apple ahead of time instead of sending a whole apple.
I prepare the apples with fresh lemon juice and cinnamon, then pack them in a small airtight container in my daughter’s lunch box. The lemon juice helps prevent the sliced apples from browning before she gets a chance to eat them.
You can prepare the cinnamon apples in the morning and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to pack them.
Sliced Apple Topping Ideas
While my daughter loves these with just lemon and cinnamon, you can easily turn sliced apples into a more filling snack by adding your favorite toppings or serving them with a dip.
Almond butter or peanut butter is delicious with cinnamon apples and adds some healthy fats and protein. You can also add a sprinkle of coconut sugar for a sweeter treat.
But for a simple school lunch or afternoon snack, I think the combination of fresh apple, lemon, and cinnamon is perfect as-is.
Sliced Apples With Cinnamon Recipe
- 1 fresh apple
- 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, or enough to lightly coat the apple slices
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, or to taste
Instructions
- Wash the apple and cut it into thin slices or wedges.
- Place the sliced apples in a bowl and squeeze fresh lemon juice over top.
- Toss until the apple slices are lightly coated with lemon juice.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon over the apples and toss again.
- Enjoy immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to eat.
These sliced apples with cinnamon are the perfect way to spice up a simple apple while also keeping the slices from turning brown. They only take about 2 minutes to make and are such an easy apple snack to pack into your kid’s lunch box or enjoy at home.
I prefer a sweet red apple, such as Gala or Pink Lady, for this recipe. They have a naturally sweet yet crisp flavor that complements the tartness of the fresh lemon juice, while the cinnamon adds the perfect touch of natural sweetness. Sweet, tart, crisp, and cinnamon-y, this simple combination makes plain sliced apples taste so much better!
If you love these sliced apples with cinnamon, check out my healthy apple recipes roundup for even more delicious ways to enjoy fresh apples. From smoothies and salads to healthy snacks, breakfasts, and homemade applesauce, there are so many easy ways to use up a bunch of fresh apples!
Sliced Apples With Cinnamon And Lemon
Equipment
- 1 cutting board
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 1 red apple (Gala or Pink Lady)
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Wash the apple and cut into slices or wedges.
- Toss the apple slices with fresh lemon juice until lightly coated.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and toss again.
- Enjoy immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to eat.
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