Baked Apples
There’s nothing like the cozy scent of Baked Apples baking in the oven, and they taste even better! They’re sweet, tender and packed with warm cinnamon flavor. They’re a comforting fall dessert that’s so easy to make and it may be assembled completely in advance!
Sometimes the best recipes happen on a whim. This recipe is the perfect example of that.
A close friend of mine has an apple tree that’s producing 3-4 different varieties by the truckload, so she asked me for ideas on how to use them.
I suggested spinach apple salad and crockpot steel cut oats, then of course my mind went to dessert.
I recommended our favorite French apple cake and apple crisp, and then I told her Baked Apples would be perfect.
She liked the baked apple recipe idea, so since she gave me around a dozen apples, I set out to make some myself.
The recipe came out perfectly the first time, which almost never happens. Some things are just meant to be. 🙂
This recipe is reminiscent of apple pie, with none of the fuss that goes along with it. There’s no dough to roll out, and you don’t even need to peel or chop the apples.
This is the ultimate recipe for apple season. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Baked apples are sweet and tender with a cozy filling of oats, pecans and cinnamon.
- This an easy fall dessert that may be prepped in advance, so they’re perfect for holidays or entertaining.
- The filling may be customized with your favorite nuts, spices and even dried fruit.
- This recipe is gluten-free, and may be made dairy-free with one simple substitution.
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Apples. Be sure to use baking apples as they hold their shape well. These include Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Jonagold, Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples.
- Oats. I prefer old fashioned rolled oats for more texture, but quick oats can also be used.
- Sugar. I like brown coconut sugar because it’s unrefined, but it may be substituted with your favorite sweetener.
- Pecans. Sub the pecans with your favorite nuts or omit if you have a nut allergy. You can replace the nuts with your favorite dried fruit such as raisins, figs or cranberries.
- Butter. Sub the butter with coconut oil to make dairy-free baked apples.
- Cinnamon. The cinnamon adds warm, cozy flavor. It can be substituted with cardamom or my chai spice mix.
How to make this baked apple recipe
Most apple desserts require peeling and chopping a multitude of apples, but this baked apple recipe barely involves any prep.
Simply core, stuff and bake!
- Pro tip: The best apples for baking are Jonagold, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. They have great flavor and they hold their shape well!
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Wash the apples and stand upright on a cutting board.
- Use a melon baller to remove the core, leaving the bottom intact.
- Place the oats, sugar, pecans and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Add the softened butter and mix until moistened.
- Fill the apples with the baked apple filling and place in an 8×8″ baking dish.
- Add one cup of water to the baking dish, and bake the apples uncovered for about 45 minutes or until the apple is tender but still holds its shape.
FAQs
There are many delicious varieties of baking apples with new ones popping up all the time. The following are my favorite:
Braeburn: Very crisp and juicy with a sweet flavor and hints of spice.
Golden Delicious: Firm and crisp, with a mellow tart-sweet aromatic flavor.
Granny Smith: Firm and juicy with a thick skin and a flavor that’s tart, acidic and mildly sweet.
Honeycrisp: Very crisp texture with a pleasant sweet-tart flavor.
Pink Lady: Also known as Cripps Pink. Crisp and juicy, with a tart-sweet flavor.
Jonagold: Hybrid of Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples that’s crisp and sweet like honey.
Part of the fun of making this baked apple recipe is trying different varieties of apples. This is the perfect dessert to make after going apple picking!
The secret to coring the apples is using a melon baller. It’s your secret weapon and it couldn’t be easier to do!
Simply stand the apple upright on a cutting board and scoop out the core, leaving the bottom of the apple intact.
The cavity should be about 1″ wide for your filling.
The baking time will vary depending on the size and variety of your apples, so I recommend checking for doneness after 40 minutes and add time as needed.
The skin on the top of the apple will be begin to wrinkle, and even crack when the apple is about done.
The true test is to insert the tip of a knife into an apple. When it’s done, it should be tender but not mushy.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: The best apples for baking are Jonagold, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. They have great flavor and they hold their shape well!
- Serve this baked apple recipe warm topped with ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
- The filling may be customized with your favorite nuts, spices and even dried fruit such as raisins, figs or cranberries.
- Apples may be assembled in advance, or bake and keep covered until you’re ready to serve them.
See all of my Dessert recipes.
More apple recipes you’ll love:
- Applesauce
- Apple cranberry pie
- Apple muffins
- Classic apple pie by Live Well Bake Often
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 4 large apples see notes for best varieties
- 1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans sub with your favorite nuts
- 1/4 cup brown coconut sugar or your favorite sweetener
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened; sub with coconut oil for a dairy-free option
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Stand each apple upright. Using a melon baller, remove the core of each apple, but be sure not to go through the bottom of the apple. The center cavity should be about 1" wide.4 large apples
- Combine the oats, pecans, sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then add the butter and mix well to combine.1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats, 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup brown coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Divide the filling between the apples and place in an 8×8" baking dish.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the baking dish, and bake the apples uncovered for about 45 minutes, or until the apple is tender but still holds its shape.
- Cool the apples slightly, then slice in half and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: The best apples for baking are Jonagold, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. They have great flavor and they hold their shape well!
- Serve this baked apple recipe warm topped with ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
- The filling may be customized with your favorite nuts, spices and even dried fruit such as raisins, figs or cranberries.
- Apples may be assembled in advance, or bake and keep covered until you’re ready to serve them.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This recipe was originally published in October 2019. The photos and recipe have been updated and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.
4 Comments on “Baked Apples”
It’s such an elegant dessert, and it looks so delicious! Apple pie flavours are absolutely the best! Another use for my melon baller!!
Thank you Katherine, and I agree! And I use my melon baller all the time, and I’ve never used it on melons. lol
These are such a great dessert idea Marcie! Love the filling! I really need to get myself a melon baller! 😉
Thanks Leanne! And the melon baller is a must!