The flavor of fall is well captured by baked apples, a delightful and straightforward dessert. The apple is filled with the ideal balance of warmth and sweetness from the toasty spices, oats, almonds, and raisins. Everyone in the family will appreciate this warm dessert.

The distinctive scent of cinnamon and apples that permeates the entire home makes this traditional dish ideal for reviving autumnal memories. However, baked apples are even better because they have the same flavor as apple pie without the work. You can make a dessert that's quick and delicious by simply scooping, filling, and baking.

Choose The Right Apples For Baking

Choosing the right kind of apple is essential when making baked apples. This is because different apple cultivars might bake differently in the oven due to differences in their amounts of sweetness, acidity, and firmness. In this recipe, you want apples that will become soft and tender on the inside while still holding their shape on the outside. Personally, I prefer using Honeycrisp apples for this recipe because they have the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, and they hold up well during baking.

However, other large baking apples such as Fuji, Gala, Cortland, Pink Lady, Jazz, or Braeburns will also work great in this recipe.

Baked Apples Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need a few key ingredients to make the filling for the baked apples. I love to use Honeycrisp apples because they are firm and hold their shape well when baked. However, any large baking apple like Fuji, Gala, Cortland, Pink Lady, Jazz, or Braeburn will do just fine.

To create the filling, you will need some old-fashioned rolled oats for a chunky texture, your favorite nuts, and some dried fruit. I use raisins in this recipe, but you can also use any dried fruit you prefer.
Additionally, coconut sugar is my go-to unrefined granulated sugar for this recipe. It gives the filling a delicious caramel-like flavor that's perfect for fall.
For spices, I like to use a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg to give the filling a warm and cozy flavor.
Lastly, you will need some butter or ghee to help bind the topping together and some apple cider or apple juice to baste the apples while they are cooking. And don't forget a squeeze of lemon juice over the apples to keep them fresh and bright.
Gathering all these ingredients and putting them together is easy and the results are well worth the effort.
Your home will be filled with the warm and inviting aroma of cinnamon and baked apples, and your taste buds will be delighted with the cozy flavors of fall.

How To Make Baked Apples

Here are the step-by-step instructions to make these delicious baked apples:

To start, prepare the cinnamon oat mixture. In a mixing bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, chopped pecans, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter. Mix until the ingredients are well combined, and set the bowl aside.
Next, prepare the apples for stuffing. Core each apple, and then drizzle a bit of fresh lemon juice over them. This will help to prevent the apples from browning and add a bit of tanginess.
Using a paring knife, carefully peel off the top ½ inch of skin from each apple. This will create a small opening for the filling and prevent the apples from bursting in the oven.
Fill each apple with the cinnamon oat mixture, making sure to pack it in tightly. Place the apples upright in a baking dish.
Pour the apple cider into the baking dish, around the base of the apples. This will help to keep the apples moist and flavorful as they bake.
Bake the stuffed apples in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the filling is golden brown. Baste the apples with the cider mixture every 15 minutes to keep them moist.
Remove the apples from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve them hot, drizzled with the syrupy liquid from the pan or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Tips For The Best Baked Apple Recipe

When making this baked apples recipe, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, be mindful of the baking time. Different types of apples have varying levels of moisture, so it's essential to watch the apples closely after they have been baking for 45 minutes.
Another important tip is to be careful when coring the apples. Make sure not to cut all the way through to the bottom, as the filling may spill out. Instead, use a melon baller or knife to scoop out a cavity that is approximately an inch wide.
In addition, if you find that your apples are wobbly and not standing upright, try slicing off a bit of the bottom of the apple to balance it out. This will help the apples to stand upright while they bake.

Storing And Reheating

To Store: Keep these in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep them fresh.
To reheat, only microwave one of your cooked apples for one minute.
Prepare 1-2 days in advance of serving. Although you should eat these right away, you can prepare them in advance and then reheat them for 10 minutes at 350°F.

EASY BAKED APPLES

The flavor of fall is well captured by baked apples, a delightful and straightforward dessert.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked apples, cinnamon baked apples

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 45

Total Time: 1

Servings:

Calories: 293kcal

Ingredients

4 large baking apples
⅓ cup old fashioned oats
¼ up chopped pecans
¼ cup raisins, dried cranberries or other dried fruit, roughly chopped
¼ cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter or ghee, melted
¾ cup apple cider or apple juice
½ lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375F. Add the oats, chopped pecans, dried fruit, coconut sugar, cinnamon nutmeg, and melted butter to a bowl. Then mix that together until it's well combined.
Using a melon baller or paring knife, core the tops of the apples. Then scoop out some of the apple, so that you have a cavity about an inch and a half wide. Just make sure you don't core through the bottom of the apple.
Remove about ½" of the skin around the top. This helps to prevent the apple skin from bursting when baking. Transfer your apples to a baking dish, standing them upright, and if they wobble you can slice a little bit off the bottom to make them more stable. Then squeeze the lemon over the top edge of the apple.
Then stuff the apples with the cinnamon oat mixture.
Pour the apple cider or apple juice into the bottom of the pan.
Bake the apples for 45-60 minutes, basting a couple of times throughout with the liquid from the pan. The apples are done when they're tender when pierced with a fork.
Spoon the syrupy liquid from the pan over the apples before serving. You can also top them with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or a dash of cinnamon.

LISA'S TIPS

To Store: These will stay fresh in a container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
To Reheat: Simply pop one of your baked apples in the microwave for one minute.
Make ahead 1-2 days before serving. Then re-bake them in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.
I'm using an 8"x 8" square baking dish for 4 apples. But you could always use a larger baking dish if you double the recipe.

Nutrition