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These pork chops with cinnamon apples are juicy with a caramelized outer crust and cooked in sweet apple cider sauce with onions, warm spices, and fresh thyme. Made in one-pan and ready in just 30 minutes, this apple and pork dinner is a cozy culinary masterpiece perfect for holidays, special occasions, or a mouth-watering midweek dinner!
Table of Contents
About this apple pork chop recipe
Get ready to mesmerize those tastebuds with this easy and flavor-packed cinnamon apple pork chops recipe! This meal comes together in just 30 minutes using a single pan and simple pantry-staple ingredients for a wholesome and memorable dish!
Pork chops are one of those meals that I can successfully cook no matter what type of day I’m experiencing! They’re especially great if you don’t have the time or energy to labor in the kitchen, but still want something incredibly delicious!
These pork chops are first browned in butter to form an irresistible caramelized outer crust, then cooked in apple sauce consisting of diced green apples, onion, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, butter, fragrant spices, and fresh thyme.
Serve these succulent pork chops with spoonfuls of chunky applesauce, a sprinkle of fresh thyme, and your favorite side dish.
Why you’ll love these cinnamon apple pork chops
This pork chop and apple recipe is a knock-out dish, packed with warm fall-inspired flavors, although it can also be enjoyed any time of the year too! Here’s why you’ll love it:
- One pan meal. Who doesn’t love the idea of fewer pots and pans to clean?! This one-pan meal reduces kitchen mess and after-meal cleaning while also providing simplicity throughout the cook!
- Versatile. Apple and pork chops are sophisticated enough to be served on special occasions while easy enough to enjoy as a midweek family dinner.
- Easy to pair with sides. The types of side dishes that can be paired with this baked apple pork chop recipe are extensive, providing you with the freedom and flexibility of more options at your disposal.
- Balance of sweet and savory. Pork and apples provide the ideal sweet and savory dish that’ll impress most.
Ingredients for baked apple pork chops
This apple and pork dish combines succulent and savory pork chops with a sweet and slightly tangy apple sauce! Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Pork chops – Bone-in. Boneless could also be used, but you may need to adjust the cooking time.
- Ground cinnamon
- Kosher salt and ground pepper
- Unsalted butter – 2 Tablespoons for browning the chops in the skillet and the remaining Tablespoon for making the apple sauce.
- Substitution: Olive oil can be used instead of butter.
- Apples – This recipe uses Golden Delicious green apples that are cored and diced. You’ll need about 2 apples to make up 2 heaping cups.
- Substitution: Another brand of green apples or even red apples if you prefer! Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji, are good options.
- Yellow onion – Peeled and diced.
- Substitution: Red onion, sliced or diced.
- Light brown sugar -Packed.
- Allspice
- Substitution: If you don’t have this spice, you can make a mix containing ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.
- Apple cider – Added to the apple sauce mixture for flavoring and cooking the chops in.
- Substitution: If you don’t enjoy apple cider or don’t have it on hand, use low-sodium chicken broth instead.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Substitution: White vinegar with citrus zest, some lemon juice, or high-quality apple juice could be used in place of apple cider vinegar.
- Fresh thyme leaves – For cooking with and to garnish the dish if you like.
- Substitution: Rosemary or Sage. You could also combine thyme, sage, and rosemary for this dish. Head on over here to learn more about how to cook with different herbs!
Recipe variations
- Apples. I’ve used Golden Delicious green apples for the apple sauce, but you can use another brand of green apples in this recipe. In fact, you could also use your favorite red apples too!
- Apple sauce. This apple sauce is more like a compote since it’s chunky with the diced apples still intact. Another alternative is to thinly slice the apples instead of dicing them into chunks.
- Herbs. Rosemary is another great option to use instead of thyme, but it is quite strong so don’t be heavy-handed! Sage could also be used, or a combination of all three.
How to make pork chops with apples
These pork chops baked with cinnamon apples is pretty straightforward to make. Here’s how:
- Season the pork chops with ¾ tsp cinnamon and generously with salt and pepper.
- Brown the pork chops: Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook, turning once, until golden brown, about 5 minutes total. Transfer the pork chops to a clean plate and set aside.
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Cook the cinnamon apples: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and cook until melted. Add in the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the apples, brown sugar, remaining teaspoon cinnamon and all spice. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the apples are crisp-tender, about 2 additional minutes. Stir in the apple cider, vinegar and thyme.
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Finish the pork: Return the pork chops and any juiced that have accumulated to the pan, nestling them into the pan and spooning the apples and glaze over top. Cook, turning once halfway through, until the pork is tender and cooked to an internal temperature of 140-145-degrees Fahrenheit, about 6-12 minutes.
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Serve: Transfer the pork chops to serving plates or a platter and top with apple glaze spooned on top. Garnish with fresh thyme. Serve and enjoy!
Expert tips for making pork chops with cinnamon apples
- Type of apples: I’ve specifically used Golden Delicious green apples in this recipe because of their crisp mellow sweetness which pairs wonderfully with pork. If you enjoy a different brand of green apples with a similar flavor profile, feel free to use those instead. Heck, you could even get adventurous and use red apples in this recipe!
- Peel or no peel: I enjoy the crispy skin of the apples in this dish as it provides additional texture to the meal. The apples can be peeled before being diced if you’d prefer.
- Readiness of the meat: The time listed in this recipe for cooking the chops in the apple sauce is based on the thickness of the pork chops that I usually use. This could vary if you buy thinner pork chops or thicker pork chops. It’s always a good idea to use an instant-read thermometer. 145 degrees will give you medium-rare pork chops while 160 degrees F will give you pork chops that are a little more on the well-done side.
- Deglaze the pan: Scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan while cooking the apple sauce. This will add even more flavor to the sauce.
FAQs: frequently asked questions
Why brown the pork chops first?
Browning both sides of the pork chops is no different from browning the sides of chicken or beef. Browning creates a delicious outer crust on the meat, locks in flavor, and helps to keep the meat juicy inside. It’s a quick and easy step that shouldn’t be skipped!
What size pork chops work best for this recipe?
I’ve cooked 4 pork chops comfortably in my skillet with an ideal thickness of about 1 inch. I don’t recommend thin pork chops for this recipe as they will cook through much faster and can turn tough and dry as a result. The actual size of the pork chops you choose to buy should also depend on the size of your cooking pan.
You can test the pork chops for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest section. 140 degrees Fahrenheit will give you medium-rare pork chops while 160 degrees F will give you well-done chops.
Which is better: boneless or bone-in pork chops?
This is usually left to personal preference. Bone-in pork chops take longer to cook than boneless pork chops, but the presence of the bone in the meat adds additional flavor and juiciness to the meat.
How do I prepare the apples?
I’ve cored and diced the apples which then get cooked in a mixture of ingredients, such as apple cider, apple cider vinegar, packed brown sugar, butter, spices, and fresh thyme. While I’ve used Golden Delicious apples, feel free to use a selection of different apples that I suggest as a good substitute in this Apple Pork Tenderloin recipe.
What other ingredients can I add to this recipe?
Chicken broth, Dijon mustard, red onions, and different types of fresh herbs (such as Rosemary and Sage) are great ingredients that can be added to this dish for a more complex flavor.
Serving baked apples pork chops
This pork chop apple recipe is perfect for a quick and wholesome meal with typical flavors and ingredients of the fall season, but you could just as easily serve it for special occasions and holidays when you feel like a change from roast chicken or turkey!
These spiced apple pork chops also pair beautifully with a wide range of side dish options!
How to serve pork chops with glazed apples?
Transfer your freshly baked apples and pork to serving plates and top each chop with spoonfuls of apple glaze and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
What to serve with apple and pork chops?
Serve your oven baked apple pork chops with mashed potatoes, roasted garlic potatoes, green beans, butternut squash salad, or sliced baguette for soaking up any excess sauce on your plate!
If you’re looking for more recipes to celebrate apple season, try these reader favorites next: Cheddar Apple Soup, Apple and Chicken Meatballs, Apple Bread with Cinnamon, Healthy Apple Granola, Baked Apple Donuts, Mini Pie Bites, and Spiked Cider Drink.
Storing leftovers
How to store leftovers and how long does it keep?
- Store leftover apple pork with apple sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Can you freeze apple cinnamon pork chops?
Yes, you can freeze both the apples and pork chops, preferably in separate airtight containers. I recommend wrapping leftover pork chops in plastic wrap to help prevent the meat from drying.
Reheating instructions
Reheat leftover cinnamon pork chops in the microwave on 50% power to prevent the meat from drying.
Reheat the apple sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
These cinnamon apple pork chops are succulent with savory flavor and sweet apple sauce provides a mouth-watering dish with simple ingredients, little time, and hardly any post-cooking clean-up. Now that sounds like a win to me!
Cheyanne
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More pork chop recipes!
- Garlic Herb Pork Chops with Gremolata
- Ginger Honey Pork Chops
- Hoisin Pork Chops
- Pork Chops with Blueberry Butter
How to make pork chops in the oven with cinnamon apples👇
Cinnamon Pork Chops with Apples & Onions
Ingredients
- 4 Bone-in Pork Chops
- 1 ¾ tsp Ground Cinnamon , divided
- Kosher Salt & Ground Pepper
- 3 TBS Unsalted Butter , divided
- 2 heaping Cups Green Apples – Cored and diced* (about 2 apples)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion – peeled and diced
- 2 TBS Light Brown Sugar , packed
- 1/8 tsp All Spice
- 1 Cup Apple Cider
- 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 TBS Fresh Thyme Leaves , plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Season the pork chops with ¾ tsp cinnamon and generously with salt and pepper.
- Brown the pork chops: Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook, turning once, until golden brown, about 5 minutes total. Transfer the pork chops to a clean plate and set aside.
- Make the apple sauce: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and cook until melted. Add in the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the apples, brown sugar, remaining teaspoon cinnamon and all spice. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the apples are crisp-tender, about 2 additional minutes. Stir in the apple cider, vinegar and thyme.
- Finish the pork: Return the pork chops and any juiced that have accumulated to the pan, nestling them into the pan and spooning the apples and glaze over top. Cook, turning once halfway through, until the pork is tender and cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, about 6-12 minutes*.
- Serve: Transfer the pork chops to serving plates or a platter and top with apple glaze spooned on top. Garnish with fresh thyme. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
*The amount of time the pork takes to finish cooking in the sauce will depend on the thickness of your pork chops. I recommend using an instant read thermometer. If you love your pork medium rare, you should cook it to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. If you like your pork a little more done, you can cook them to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
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Lavie
You show to us how way we can make more recipe from a fruit. Really if we made it very easy. Thank you for your good recipe.
Sabrina Zaragoza
How delicous it looks <3 <3 <3 Your dish is so beautiful and I bet it tastes pefect!!! Always like using apple when cooking because it bring sweet and faint aroma to our dish. Thank you so much for sharing a great recipe!!!!
Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com
I’ve been cooking pork chops for my boys like crazy lately. they can’t get enough. this recipe is going in the recipe file for sure. they will love it. delicious and quick is the best for our busy weeknights and i love all the fall apple-ness in here.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
Wow! That’s a hard week girl! You should’ve have say F- it and gone on vaca with me in the pimpin camper 😉 Hopefully this week is better in the kitchen for you. These chops look delish thou and def not a fail. Yum in my tum! Perfect fall dinner dish too 🙂
Allie | In This Kitchen
These are really beautiful. Pork and apples are just heavenly together. And I also had a really crappy few weeks in the kitchen a while back, and I was wondering if I’d lost my mojo altogether – but it got so much better!! You’ll pull through 🙂
Keri @ Fashionable Foods
Whenever I’m having a crappy week complete with kitchen disasters, I always make a go-to meal that is fail-proof! Not only does it comfort me, but it brings back my confidence, too. I sure hope you had a great weekend and this week turns out much better for you! These pork chops look absolutely delish and the perfect fall meal!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
I have DEFINITELY had those kinds of weeks…work has been pretty overwhelming these past few weeks. Grrr…I’m going to try and cheer myself up with some brownies later today, because CHOCOLATE. Although these pork chops look like they could cheer anyone up no matter what – they are fall deliciousness extraordinaire! Sending hugs from rainy NJ – xo
Mir
Chey, I had a crappy week too, so I can’t give you sunshine today. My new job is kicking my a$$. But I am an optimist for both of us that it will get better. This week I bet you have all kitchen success and no failure!
Besides, you made this, and it looks phenomenal!
Zainab
Urghh this was NOT my week either. My mother was admitted and after a few days of cancer scare, we escaped that demon. Now my baby is sick and I can’t seem to focus on recipe making. Oieee. Hope next week is better for all of us. These pork chops look amazing!
David @ Spiced
Oh no! Sorry your week isn’t going so hot, Cheyanne! Maybe just go out and do a little rain dance. Oh wait, that’ll just make it rain. Hmmm…back to the drawing board there! Hang in there, though! We all have kitchen fails. Good thing this pork chops recipe is 100% NOT a kitchen fail. In fact, this totally makes up for other kitchen mishaps because of how amazing it looks! Love the apples + onions combo in there! #client
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cotted
Pork chops and apples are one of my favorite combos! This recipe is divine and the perfect weeknight dinner for the fam. I’ve had kitchen fails, plenty of them. Sometimes they really get in my head and I can’t get out of the cycle. My solution? I set the blog aside and bake up something delicious to just hand out to neighbors, friends, etc. It seems to break the curse, lol and brings the fun back.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
Sorry you are having such a tough week. I know how it is. Not sure all the readers know how many times we have to test recipes! You definitely made a come back with this pork dish. Loving all those fall flavors.
Anu – My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
Oh, Chey. Your week sounds really challenging. Indeed recipe fails are the worst things. But I know that you always come up with some exotic and innovative ideas so failure is just a part of it. Remember success comes to those who try! SO I am hoping many many more successful recipes coming from you. And this Cinnamon spiced pork chops looks so bright and sounds super delicious. And the addition of apple cider sauce with apples, onions and thyme are just making me wow! Love that these are really quick and healthy too. Wish you a lovely weekend, girlfriend. 🙂 <3
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
Oh sweet Cheyanne, it couldn’t have been that bad of a week – cos look at these chops! I love Smithfield too – but, you cooked them up pretty darn marvelously – SO WIN for the week – yeah!!! And, ooh that apple cider broth has my stomach grumbling that I cannot get ma paws on this right now! As for vegetable noodles that disintegrate – girl, I had that exact same thing happen – and there was no reconstructing them so I just made it a hash and called it a day! Here’s hoping your weekend is filled with EPIC wins, my friend! xoxo
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
OMG. Recipe fails are the worst. I am with you on the scone situation. My dogs were happy. But you totally killed it with this pork chop apple cider business! And all in one pan really gets my attention!!! Pinned!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
This reminds me SO much of something my mom used to make for me as a kid. I need to try this out!
marcie
I’m sorry about your week — I’ve been having a crap week too! I’ve had recipes go wrong and a video shoot bust (details I’ll keep to myself). On the bright side however, everyone is healthy and happy and I need to not to complain. I LOVE everything about this meal, so my day is getting brighter. Pork chops and apples were meant to be together and I can’t wait to try this!
Demeter | Beaming Baker
Aw man… more poor zesty sweet pea had a tough week? Argh, tell me who to kick and I’ll do it! Was it the baking sheet? The mixing bowl… or that dodgy-looking hardwood floor? I knew that bugger was suspicious!! Some good news over here: the WEEKEND is coming!!!! Yay!! We’re nearly there to your top 3 most favoritest days of the week! What could be better, right? 🙂 Meanwhile, I’m so glad that you were able to rely on your old fave. Plus, hello: APPLES. No matter the kitchen craziness, I know that you’ll always whip up something amazing. The sound of apple cider in a savory dinner is more than I can even bear. So hungry right now!! I hope things go better ASAP. Big hugs and good vibes to ya, my cupcake! xoxo
Kevin | Keviniscooking
OK, my good news is we’re headed up to the Portland area to visit family for Thanksgiving, which means a real season of weather will be experienced and I can’t wait!
I feel your pain, but you’re not cursed, time to take a step back, deep breath and let that crap go! I had a week like that myself, it too shall pass my dear, hang in there! I love the apple/cinnamon/pork trifecta, it’s perfect pairing and would be great on my table tonight. Might I place 2 orders please? 🙂
Ben Maclain
Well, I don’t think you’ve been cursed, but I think some voodoo protection won’t hurt anyone, Chey. Did you know lavender has that desperately needed quality? And since I believe you don’t get any, I’m sending you 15 kg dried lavender right away (along with a so anticipated fig recipe book – you may need it next year(decade). Just put it in a small bags and place all around the kitchen. It works! This pork chops look seriously great! Last year I cooked pork in an apple sauce, and it was fabulous. Now I need to try with apple cider. And answering your question, yes I have a good news. Indeed, even two. We have a long weekend here (Thanksgiving). Also, I added 2 days off and now I’m having a super long long weekend (aka vacation). Besides, I’m not staying home, but having a plane this night (ups, that might be even 3 news, right?):)
Angie@Angie’s Recipes
I believe that pork chop and apple are the best friends! You did an excellent job creating this hearty and delicious meal, Cheyanne.
Lauren Gaskill
I’ve never had cinnamon on pork chops, but it sounds delightful! Great post and beautiful photos my dear. Hugs!!
Mick
So colorful and flavorful! This is right up my alley!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I can totally relate to those kinds of weeks. But, chin up – it will get better. Eat some peanut butter…that makes everything better.
Pork and apple is such a delicious flavour combo at this time of year and we love making dishes like this.
Ashley@CookNourishBliss
haha well as you know my week isn’t going much better … misery loves company right??? 🙂 I HATE when I drop things on the floor like that … or possibly even worse in the hot oven as I am pulling them out of the oven! I’ve done that a few times! Oompf.
But this pork dish makes me smile! Pork + apples = awesomeness!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table
Kitchen fails are the worst… especially when they come back to back like that. We’ve all been there, we’ll all be headed back soon enough. You are a rock star with all things food though, so chin up girl! Many more amazing kitchen successes are coming your way 😉
I’m not big on beef but I LOVE me some pork chops! Especially these gorgeous cinnamon flavored ones with apples and onions – my kind of easy weeknight meal! Winning for sure!
annie@ciaochowbambina
There’s just something about “pork chops and apple sauce”…sorry – I’m channeling my inner Peter Brady…. I mean cinnamon pork chops and apple cider apples…oh my! This is quintessential fall(!) and if this doesn’t help pull us out of our kitchen funks – I suspect nothing will! Super comforting and delicious!! And since I’m a pro at things going south in the kitchen – I’m storing this baby for certain use!! Happy weekend, my friend! xo
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Sorry about the kitchen fails Chey! I’ve been there many a time. Happens to the best of us! But these pork chops look like a TOTAL success! You know I’m loving these. Apples make a great addition! Can’t wait to try! Happy weekend!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Beautiful dish! I am loving using apples in savoury dishes and I never peel them either 🙂 Sorry about your kitchen fails. Been there 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice
Ugh aren’t food fails the worst?! That’s when I give up and go back to it later. After cursing and screaming, of course! 🙂 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the flavor of these pork chops, Cheyanne! As soon as I saw the recipe title, I thought of fall. Love how full of flavor this is! My husband always asks for pork chops, so I will have to try these! Pinned, of course! Hope you have a great rest of the week!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
We all have those kitchen fails, Chey! I know I definitely have my fair share. I made a cake a couple of weeks ago and it was perfect. I’ve made this cake, like, a bazillion times before and I was gonna blog it and, unfortunately, I didn’t let it cool long enough and left half of it in the pan. I was so upset. We ate the cake anyway, but definitely not blogworthy. Good news? Not much excitement on my end this week. Though, I did get a wicked marble board perfect for pickies and we picked up some nice blue cheese so I see that in my future 😉 Exciting, hey? Lol 😀
Love one pot dishes and totally loving this pork/apple combo you have goin’ on! Screams fall! Total comfort food, which is my fave! Pinned, of course. Looks like you redeemed yourself with this one, girlie 😉 And, listen, tomorrow is Friday so woot woot! Have an awesome weekend! xoxo
Miriam – londonkitchendiaries.com
Your week sounds challenging … I had a few of those this year where nothing seemed to work at all but thankfully it usually balances itself out with good weeks 🙂 Your Cinnamon Spiced Pork Chops with Apple Cider Apples & Onions certainly looks like a winner! Apples and pork are such a beautiful combination and meals that are that delicious and ready in 30 minutes are right up my alley! Have a great weekend!
Kushi
Your recipes are so unique. This sounds so flavorful and looks so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing. Pinned!