Keto Fried Cinnamon “Apples”

If you’ve been missing fried cinnamon apples while on a low-carb diet, this simple recipe is for you.

My recipe for keto pan-fried apple slices uses chayote squash as a fantastic apple substitute.

It’s my secret ingredient and gives the best results when I’m craving Cracker Barrel fried apples. Consider this your copycat recipe for that classic dish!

Chayote squash is a great low-carb substitute for apples since it has a mild flavor and a similar texture once the squash is cooked.

One of the main advantages of using chayote squash in keto recipes is its low-carb content.

A single cup of chayote squash contains only 3 grams of net carbs, making it an excellent alternative to apples, which contain around 15 grams of net carbs per cup.

This makes it easier to stay within the recommended carb limits for a keto diet.

With only 2.3 g net carbs per serving, compared to 28 carbs for the Cracker Barrel dish, it’s sure to become a family favorite.

Since coming up with this recipe, I’ve also used chayote squash in a flat-out delicious, keto apple crisp, keto apple cranberry crisp, and a keto apple pie recipe.

So make sure you also check those recipes out.

Keto Cinnamon Apple Slices

This low-carb faux fried apple recipe will have you thinking you are eating actual granny smith apples, and that, my friend, is a win.

Just like so many of the recipes I create, this one came out of a real need. You see, I was looking for the perfect substitute for apples.

I wanted to enjoy the flavor of cooked cinnamon apples but stay true to my low carb diet.

As much as I dreaded not being able to have this seasonal treat, I wasn’t willing to risk ruining all my hard work and success for it, either.

With the holidays fast approaching, I was looking to figure out a mock apple option that would allow me to create recipes without the insulin spike of fructose.

I needed something that would imitate an apple perfectly, and I’m proud to announce this recipe cracked the code, allowing us to enjoy the flavor of apples without the concern of high blood sugar levels.

You’re welcome.

Simple Ingredients Needed To Make Stovetop Cinnamon Apples

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

The following are the ingredients needed: Note that the full printable recipe card as well as the nutritional data are at the bottom of the page.

“Apple” Chayote Filling

• Chayote Squash, cooked, peeled, and sliced
• Unsalted butter
• Lemon juice
• Cream of tartar, for added tart flavor
• Granulated sugar substitute
• Ground Cinnamon powder
• Ginger powder
• Nutmeg powder

How To Use Chayote Squash For Pan-Fried Keto Apples

To prepare the chayote squash, begin by boiling the whole squash in enough water to cover them. Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes, ensuring they are firm but cooked through.

Once cooked, allow the squash to cool for 10–15 minutes, then peel and slice them into 1/4-inch slices using gloves.

Place the chayote slices into a medium-sized bowl. Add cinnamon powder, ginger powder, nutmeg powder, spices, granulated sugar substitute, cream of tartar, and lemon juice to the chayote and mix well.

In a medium-sized non-stick pan, melt the butter over medium heat and add the prepared chayote.

Cook until it starts caramelizing. This dish can be served hot, warm, or cold and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 weeks.

Are Apples Keto?

Although apples are one of the most popular fruits because they’re affordable, easy to find, and most people enjoy their taste, they are not a keto-friendly fruit due to their high natural sugar content.

One apple can contain up to 25 grams of sugar, which is way too much for a keto diet.

All that fructose will be a problem for anyone who is insulin-resistant.

Apples are not keto because, if you take into account the high concentration of sugar in each apple, the carbs are too high to be allowed on a keto diet.

Does Chayote Squash Taste Like Apples?

Chayote squash has a crisp texture and slightly sweet, mild flavor that make it a perfect substitute for apples.

Once you add the spices, lemon juice, and cream of tartar, to the chayote squash, it has the potential to fool your tastebuds.

Another benefit of using chayote squash is its high fiber content.

Fiber is essential for maintaining gut health and regulating digestion. A single cup of chayote squash contains around 3 grams of fiber, which is nearly 12% of the recommended daily intake.

If you’re a regular on this site, you know how much of a proponent I am of adding fiber to our diets, and I have an entire collection of keto high-fiber recipes that showcase this beautifully.

What’s more, chayote squash is also rich in nutrients, including vitamins C, B1, B2, and B6.

Plus, it’s a great source of potassium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. These nutrients are essential for maintaining overall health and well-being.

Chayote “Apple” Slices

My first attempt was to sauté the cooked chayote with a little bit of sugar substitute, cinnamon, and butter.

The result was good, but it was missing the tartness of apples. So I added some lemon juice and cream of tartar, and bingo, it was a home run! I could use chayote squash to create many keto apple recipes!

Since then, I’ve learned that using chayote squash as an apple substitute isn’t a new thing in the low-carb community.  It’s funny how much this community’s ingenuity never ceases to amaze me.

The flavor of chayote reminds me of a very, very mild pear with the mouthfeel of an apple once cooked. A winner for my low-carb, keto fall recipes!

Honestly, I really didn’t know a lot about the origins of chayote or its nutritional benefits until I thought of using it as an apple substitute.

I will tell you that although the chayote worked perfectly in all my keto mock apple recipes, you can further enhance the apple flavor by adding a teaspoon of apple extract.

Do you know what goes really well with this recipe for mock apple slices? A scoop of our keto vanilla ice cream, so you might want to give that recipe a try, too.

Background Of Chayote Squash  

If you are not familiar with chayote, let me share with you some of its characteristics.  Chayote is a light green, firm vegetable that is part of the gourd family.

It’s a Cucurbitaceae, along with melons, cucumbers, and squash.

The chayote squash is native to central Mexico, where it’s seen as a Mexican version of zucchini. It grows rather abundantly, and it is therefore not uncommon to see it used in various Mexican dishes.

Chayote is quite versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed, baked, or boiled. When eaten raw, it tastes similar to jicama.

The fact that they are so mild makes them a great candidate for a recipe like this low-carb apple dessert.

Why not try using this as a substitute for real apples the next time your sweet tooth is begging for a treat?

Sugar Substitute Options

When it comes to choosing which sugar substitute to use for this sugar-free “apple” recipe, I have several for you.

My number one choice is Lakanto Monk Fruit because the texture and flavor are what I have found to be the closest to natural sugar and because the flavor fools your taste buds like nothing else I’ve found in the market. 

Having said that, I’m also partial to the brand Swerve, which is an erythritol blend. Like Lakanto, it uses sugar alcohols and has a 0 % impact on blood sugar.

Personally, I don’t like using stevia because I am sensitive to the aftertaste. But if that’s not the case for you, you could certainly use the stevia and erythritol-based brand Pyure for this recipe.

However, if you go this route, you will want to use only half the amount called for in the recipe since it’s doubly sweet.

Lastly, if you can’t easily find a more natural sugar substitute, you can also use Splenda with great success.

I don’t recommend Splenda Bake because it’s actually a half-sugar, half-sucralose product and will be too high in carbs to be considered keto-friendly.

For more information on the best sugar substitutes to use on the keto diet, be sure to check out our guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another low-carb apple alternative for a keto-friendly cinnamon apple recipe?

If you cannot easily source chayote squash, you can use peeled zucchini, which has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It has a mushier texture when cooked, but it works well in this recipe.

What are some tips for handling chayote squash to avoid skin irritation?

When handling chayote squash, it’s important to wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.

Chayote squash secretes a sap that can cause skin irritation in some people. To avoid this, wear gloves when handling the squash and wash your hands thoroughly after handling it.

Is it safe to freeze this keto cinnamon mock apple recipe?

Yes, it is safe to freeze the keto cinnamon apples made with chayote squash. To freeze, simply place the cooled apples in an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.

When ready to eat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Tag Us

If you’re a fan of apple desserts, I sure hope you will give this recipe a try because I am confident that it imitates actual apples but without their use.

Once you do, make sure you remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook. It’s what keeps this girl encouraged to keep sharing and perfecting her recipes.

Also, check out our Amazon Store for our recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.

Grab Our Books!

In case you don’t know, I have authored two books for you, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, both inspired by your requests over the years. It’s my prayer these keto cookbooks will help make keto a delicious breeze for you.

Join Our Jesus And Keto Movement 

Looking for an online support system to help you stay the course on keto? As a family, we came to the keto diet, looking at it from a Christian perspective. As believers, we live our lives supported by God’s grace.

So when the Holy Spirit led us to combine our Christian faith and the keto diet, we did so in hopes of finding lasting transformation. When we followed the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we got on the path to real transformation. 

Knowing firsthand the benefits of this decision, we have created a closed Christian group using the keto diet to transform their lives.  We invite you to join our Private Facebook Group and see if it’s not the key you have been missing.

Be sure to request our FREE Jesus and Keto E-Book (First 7 Days). We hope it blesses you.

Fittoservegroup Keto App

Looking for a fast way to access our keto recipes? We’ve got you covered. There’s an app for that. Yup, there’s a Fit To Serve Group App and it’s going to make your keto diet a delicious breeze!

Access hundreds of recipes that are all sugar-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly.

Enjoy early access to recipes before they go live on the website, plus bonus recipes that are exclusive to the app. Make your own personal cookbooks that you can use to organize your favorite recipes.

Search recipes by title, ingredients, keywords, and categories, and of course, every recipe shows complete nutritional facts.  Get the Fit to Serve Group App for easy-to-follow keto recipes made with easy-to-source ingredients. 

The app is loaded with hundreds of yummy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even desserts!

Learn more by visiting our Fit To Serve Group App Page.

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave