Baked Apples are a simple dessert that is perfect for any time of the year, but especially delightful during apple season. These apples are stuffed with an irresistible brown sugar crumble and baked until just tender for an easy spin on a classic apple crisp recipe.
Featuring the flavors of Apple Crisp, these Baked Apples are incredibly easy to prepare, yet the end result has WOW factor. Stuffed with a buttery oat crumble. these Baked Apples are the perfect fall dessert and can be served plain or a la mode.
There is nothing better than a soft, sweet apple paired with a buttery, crisp cinnamon topping. It is one of the best warming, homey desserts that exists.
Baked Apples while traditional apple crisp is delicious, baking apples with a buttery oat crumble, not only makes a fun individual dessert but is also much easier to prepare. That means Baked Apples are a dessert you can enjoy any night of the week.
How to Prepare Baked Apples
The first step is to prepare your apples for stuffing. Wash and dry the apples well. Cut off the top of the apple and then use a melon baller or spoon to scoop out the core and seeds of the apple, being sure to leave about ½ inch of perimeter of the apple intact.
Chop up any remaining flesh of the apple, to mix together the filling for the apples.
For the filling, use a fork, pastry cutter, or your hands to mix the oats with the butter, sugar, and spices until just crumbly. Mix in the chopped up apples into this crumble.
Add the filling to the cavity of each apple.
Place the apples into a greased 2-quart baking dish. If you would prefer your apples to be extremely tender, add in ½ cup water to the baking dish. If you would prefer firmer apples, do not add water.
Bake until the apples are tender, yet still intact and not mushy.
Remove apples and serve warm with whipped cream, ice cream, or yogurt.
Best Apples For Baked Apples
For an apple that will not get mushy or mealy, you want to select a firm apple for this recipe.
I suggest Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn, or Pink Lady, as they are firm, sweet varieties of apples. Granny Smith apples also hold up extremely well to baking, but they are much more tart, so keep that in mind when selecting your apples for this recipe. It really comes down to personal preference on whether you like a tart or sweet apple.
Allergy Modifications
While this recipe for Baked Apples is already soy-free, corn-free, and egg-free, it is easy to make this recipe also gluten-free, nut-free, and/or dairy-free with the same delicious results.
- Gluten-Free Baked Apples: Check to ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free Baked Apples: Use your favorite non-dairy butter, such as Earth Balance. Serve with non-dairy ice cream.
- Nut-Free Baked Apples: Instead of chopped walnuts use an additional 2 tablespoon of oats.
Baked Apples are the perfect fall dessert, especially when served with a mug of Mulled Cider, but they are also delicious when served for breakfast with a scoop of plain yogurt.
Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 6 firm apples washed
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons softened butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup oats
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts optional
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- dash of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 2-quart or 8 x 8 cake pan.
- Cut off the top of the apple and then use a melon baller or spoon to scoop out the core and seeds of the apple, being sure to leave about ½ inch of perimeter of the apple intact. Use a pastry brush to brush the inside of the apple with the lemon juice.
- Chop up the top of the apple and any remaining flesh of the apple.
- In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, oats, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and butter until combined and crumble like consistency is reached. Stir in the chunks of chopped apples.
- Pack the cavity of the apple with the crumble mixture.
- Place the apples in the prepared dish. For SOFT apples, add ½ water of water to the pan, being careful to pour the water around the apples, as to not get water into the filling of the apples.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the apples, are cooked through and tender, yet not mushy, and the top of the filling is golden brown.
- Serve apples warm plain, with yogurt, or with ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for MORE Apple Recipes?
- Instant Pot Applesauce
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Apples
- Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins
- Apple Crisp Bars
- Homemade Apple Butter
Barbara
You mention that the recipe is for the Instant Pot but you only give instructions for the oven. Would baked apples work in an Instant Pot? Love the recipe just want to know which way to cook.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Barbara, I am not sure where you see the mention of Instant Pot? That said, I have tried baked apples many times in the instant pot and they need to be cooked in a baking dish on top of a rack for 5 minutes with natural pressure release. The texture is not my favorite I will say. I hope that helps 🙂