Classic Healthy Baked Apples are easy to make with only 4 ingredients! Perfect for fall with tender baked apples and warm cinnamon, it’s a low calorie and simple dessert recipe.
For more healthy apple recipes, be sure to check out my healthy apple bread or apple cinnamon muffins.
Table of contents
Warm, sweet, and fragrant healthy baked apples are an ideal treat for autumn!
Typically, this classic dessert is made with loads of butter and brown sugar. My guilt free version is lightened up, yet still tastes delicious!
It tastes similar to an apple pie or healthier apple crisp, but made with only a few simple ingredients.
And these cinnamon baked apples are the ultimate easy recipe with only 10 minutes prep time!
They are the perfect way to round out a meal with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or try a dollop of Greek yogurt for a sweet breakfast treat!
Ingredients Needed
In season fall produce takes center stage here and if you have fresh apples from a local orchard that’s even better! Short and sweet, here is what you need for healthy baked apples.
- Apples: I love Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady or Golden Delicious apples.
- Cinnamon: A warm fragrant spice that pairs perfectly with apples.
- Coconut or cane sugar: Less refined coconut or cane sugar, but brown sugar could be used in a pinch.
- Butter: Organic grass fed unsalted butter is my preference.
You will also need water for the bottom of your baking dish!
What Are the Best Apple Varieties for Baking?
There really is no wrong apple to use when it comes to making a baked apple recipe. Different varieties lend different tastes and textures when baked.
Here are a few popular varieties that I love to use!
- Honeycrisp: A great baking apple with its crisp honey taste.
- Pink Lady: Crisp and tangy sweet, a popular baking choice.
- Gala: Sweet and delicious, an all around favorite for baked goods, you may even be able to reduce sugar further.
- Golden Delicious: Lends itself to a sweet and softer apple when baked.
- Braeburn: Juicy yet remains firm when baked.
- Fuji: Holds its shape well while baking and is easily found year round.
- Mcintosh: This variety results in a softer baked apple.
- Granny Smith: An apple that is more tart in flavor but balances well with sweet sugar.
How to Make Healthy Baked Apples
You are going to love these baked cinnamon apples! They really couldn’t be more simple to put together.
Core apples: Rinse and dry the apples. Using a sharp paring knife or an apple corer, cut out the cores, leaving the bottom 1 inch of the apples intact.
If using a knife, first cut out the stem area and then scoop out the seeds with a metal spoon.
Fill apples: Put apples in a baking dish and sprinkle each opening with 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp coconut sugar and place 1 tsp of butter on top.
Bake: Pour water into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until the apples are cooked through and tender.
If you love them soft and falling apart, bake longer. It’s a matter of personal taste.
Do I Have to Keep My Apples Whole?
Baked apples can be made without keeping your apples whole.
Some popular methods include baked apples slices, cutting them in chunks or cubes, or cutting them in half. Note that any way you decide to bake them other than as directed, it will affect the baking time.
Substitutions and Variations
This easy apple recipe is delicious as is, but it is also versatile! Feel free to use these common substitutions.
- Dairy free: Use dairy free butter or even coconut oil to make them vegan.
- Cinnamon substitute: Homemade pumpkin pie spice substitute or store bought is especially nice at holidays like Thanksgiving.
- Other spices: Try adding ginger, nutmeg or even cayenne for a little heat.
- Oat topping: A crunchy oat topping is popular! Cut your cold butter with cinnamon and oats, then add to your apples. Use gluten free oats, if needed.
- Additions: Dried raisins, cherries, cranberries, or nuts like pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts could be added to the apples.
Expert Tips
- Replace water with apple cider for even more delicious apple taste.
- The larger the apples, the more space you have for the filling. You may need to adjust time for smaller or larger fruit.
- Use a baking dish that fits your apples snuggly, this helps aid the steaming process for a soft baked apple.
Serving and Storing Cooked Apples
- Serving: While these are delicious on their own, they taste amazing with vegan vanilla ice cream or your favorite. Another option is to serve them with a dollop of vanilla or plain Greek yogurt.
- Storing: Refrigerate leftovers covered up to 5 days.
- Can I freeze baked apples? I do not recommend freezing them. Warm up leftovers and use in oatmeal, cereal or just by themselves for a snack.
More FAQs
You could try using maple syrup. although with such a small amount of sugar, it really does taste the best and gives it that homemade dessert feel.
This recipe is for whole apples. They will take up to 45 minutes to be cooked through. You may need to add a few minutes more if you like softer apples, or decrease the time if your apples are smaller.
Sliced cinnamon apples will cook in about half the time, approximately 20 minutes.
This is entirely up to you if you want to peel the skin of your whole apple. I love the nutrition it provides, though! You can also peel top half of the apple and sprinkle with cinnamon.
More Healthy Apple Recipes
- Healthy apple muffins
- Healthy apple oatmeal bars
- Kale and quinoa salad with apples
- Instant Pot applesauce
Healthy Baked Apples
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Rinse and dry the apples. Using a sharp paring knife or an apple corer, cut out the cores, leaving the bottom 1 inch of the apples intact. If using a knife, first cut out the stem area and then scoop out the seeds with a metal spoon.
- Put apples in a baking dish and sprinkle each opening with 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp coconut sugar and place 1 tsp of butter on top.
- Pour water into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until the apples are cooked through and tender. If you love them soft and falling apart, bake longer. It’s a matter of personal taste.
- Remove from the oven. To serve, baste an apple with the juices from the pan and top with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
So simple, yet so good with fresh apples!
Agreed! So glad you enjoyed them!