Warm, spiced, and naturally sweet—these baked apples are a comforting classic made with simple ingredients. Perfect for fall evenings, family dinners, or healthy holiday treats!
📌 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ✅ Beginner-friendly (no crust or mixer required!)
- ✅ Healthier than pie and just as comforting
- ✅ Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or holiday gatherings
- ✅ Customizable with nuts, dried fruits, oats, or caramel
- ✅ Naturally gluten-free and easy to make vegan
📝 Ingredients You’ll Need (Serves 4)
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 4 large baking apples | Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Granny Smith work best |
| ¼ cup rolled oats | Adds texture and fiber to the filling |
| 2 tbsp brown sugar | Sweetness and caramel flavor |
| 1 tbsp butter (softened) | Richness and moisture |
| ½ tsp ground cinnamon | Signature warm, fall spice |
| ¼ tsp vanilla extract | Enhances aroma and flavor complexity |
| 2 tbsp chopped nuts | (Optional) Crunch & nuttiness (walnuts/pecans) |
| 2 tbsp dried cranberries/raisins | (Optional) Sweet-tart contrast |
| ¼ cup apple juice or water | Moisture, helps create syrup while baking |
| Pinch of salt | Balances sweetness |
💡 Substitutions:
- Vegan? Use coconut oil or plant-based butter
- Nut-free? Skip nuts or sub sunflower seeds
- Lower sugar? Use a monk fruit-brown sugar blend
🍎 Best Apples for Baking
For structure and flavor, choose apples that hold their shape when baked. Here are your best bets:
- Honeycrisp – Juicy and crisp with balanced sweetness
- Granny Smith – Tart and firm; perfect for sweet fillings
- Braeburn – Slightly tangy with great texture
- Jonagold – Mildly tart and very aromatic
❌ Avoid Red Delicious or Gala—they turn mushy when baked.
🔧 Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
| Tool | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Apple corer or paring knife | For removing the core cleanly |
| Melon baller or spoon | To hollow out the center cavity |
| Baking dish (8×8 or 9×9″) | Keeps apples upright and catches juices |
| Measuring spoons | For precise seasoning |
| Foil | To prevent over-browning |
👩🍳 How to Make Baked Apples (Step-by-Step)
🔸 Step 1: Prep the Apples
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly.
- Core each apple using a corer or knife, leaving about ½ inch at the bottom intact.
- Use a spoon or melon baller to widen the cavity slightly at the top.
- Rub the insides with lemon juice to prevent browning.
🔸 Step 2: Make the Filling
In a bowl, combine:
- Rolled oats
- Brown sugar
- Softened butter
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Optional: nuts & dried fruit
- Pinch of salt
Mix until it forms a crumbly, moist mixture.
🔸 Step 3: Assemble
- Stand apples upright in a lightly greased baking dish.
- Spoon the filling into each cavity. Don’t over-pack—just enough to mound slightly.
- Pour ¼ cup apple juice or water into the bottom of the dish.
- Optional: Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top for visual appeal.
🔸 Step 4: Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until apples are tender but not collapsing.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or maple yogurt
- Drizzle with caramel sauce or pan juices
- Pair with warm tea, cider, or coffee
- Add granola and Greek yogurt for a fall breakfast bowl
🎃 Hosting tip: Serve baked apples in mini cast iron pans or ramekins for an elegant, rustic presentation!
🔁 Storage & Reheating Instructions
| Storage Method | How Long | How to Reheat |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (covered) | Up to 3 days | Microwave 30–60 sec or warm in oven at 325°F for 10 min |
| Freezer (airtight) | 1 month (texture softens) | Thaw overnight & reheat in oven |
🥄 Delicious Variations to Try
- Cinnamon Sugar Classic – Omit oats and nuts; double the brown sugar & cinnamon.
- Maple Walnut – Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar & top with toasted walnuts.
- Caramel Pecan – Add a spoonful of caramel to the cavity and a pecan half on top.
- Chocolate Surprise – Insert a few mini chocolate chips in the center before baking.
- Gingerbread Twist – Add a pinch of ground ginger, nutmeg & molasses to the filling.
🧠 Expert Baking Tips
- 💡 Score the skin lightly around the apple’s “equator” to prevent bursting
- 💡 Use parchment to make cleanup even easier
- 💡 For even baking, choose apples that are similar in size
- 💡 Add a pat of butter on top of each apple for an ultra-luxurious finish
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Per Apple)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Total Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
| Potassium | 210 mg |
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on your ingredients.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Core and fill the apples, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5–10 mins to bake time if cold.
Q: What if my apples collapsed?
A: It could be due to using soft apples. Stick to firm baking apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn. Also try scoring the skin.
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Yes! Add the filled apples and ½ cup cider. Cook on LOW for 2–3 hours. The texture will be softer, but delicious!
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Absolutely! Just use a larger baking dish and make sure apples aren’t too crowded.
❤️ Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about turning a humble apple into a warm, cozy dessert. These baked apples bring comfort and nostalgia in every bite—reminding us of crisp autumn days, family dinners, and the joy of homemade treats.
And the best part? You don’t need advanced baking skills, a mixer, or a full pantry. Just good apples, a warm oven, and the willingness to make something sweet and simple.
Try it once, and it may become your favorite fall dessert too. 🍂🍎
📌 Recipe Card
Easy Homemade Baked Apples Recipe (2025)
Course: Dessert | Cuisine: American | Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins | Total Time: 1 hr
Servings: 4 | Calories: 180 kcal
Ingredients
- 4 large apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 2 tbsp dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
- ¼ cup apple juice or water
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
- Core apples, leaving ½-inch base intact. Rub with lemon juice if desired.
- Mix oats, sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and optional ingredients.
- Fill each apple. Pour juice into the pan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 mins. Remove foil and bake 15–20 mins more.
- Cool slightly. Serve warm with toppings of choice.
