This simple baked apples recipe is gluten-free and refined sugar-free. Simple to prepare and delicious eaten as breakfast or dessert!
Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by BC Tree Fruits and I was compensated monetarily for my time. Thank you for supporting the brands that I love!
If there’s one thing I love about fall, it’s the fact that it’s apple season! While I do eat apples year round, the apples you can find in the grocery store in the fall are hard to beat.
Today I’m using BC Tree Fruits Ambrosia apples, which are sweet, crisp, and perfect for baking!
You know when you see the BC Tree Fruits sticker that you are getting the best quality product. BC Tree Fruits is a cooperative of over 430 families, and being that I’m in Alberta, I love that this means that my apples have only traveled one province over to get to me, rather than from across the world, and that I am supporting my neighbours!
Look for the BC Tree Fruits sticker on more than 12 different varieties of apples including Granny Smith, Red Delicious and Fuji, and check out their website for more information on how to enjoy their apples!
Reasons to love these baked apples
- they are so much easier to prep than apple crisp (you don’t even need to peel your apples!)
- you can use a variety of apples
- you can serve them as breakfast or dessert
Sometimes I discover a new recipe and really wonder why it has taken me so long to try it! This healthy baked apples recipe is my newest discovery and I’m obsessed.
They are similar to apple crisp, but so much easier to prepare. We enjoyed this healthy baked apples recipe as a meal prep breakfast, and also for dessert. You can even add them to your meal prep routine!
How to make healthy baked apples
Some baked apples recipes call for leaving the apple intact and removing the core, but this takes longer to bake and is finicky to do. For this baked apple recipe, I cut them in half, scooped out the core, and added the filling.
- filling– I used 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar. Swap for butter & brown sugar (or maple syrup) if you’d prefer!
- topping– I used a similar topping as for my Apple Crisp recipe. It’s really flexible! For the photos I used white whole wheat flour but you can swap for whole wheat or even almond flour. Again, you can swap the coconut oil for butter and the coconut sugar for brown sugar.
- bake- cover your pan (I used my fave reusable silicone cover) and bake the apples for 45 minutes- 1 hour. Bake time entirely depends on the size of your apples. The ones in the photo were larger and took 1 hour to soften. Test by poking with a paring knife. When it goes in easily, they are ready!
Can I double this recipe? Absolutely, just swap for a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
How long are these baked cinnamon apples good for? You can keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days. They don’t look as pretty but they still taste DELISH! Re-heat and top with yogurt for breakfast or ice cream for dessert!
Can baked cinnamon apples be frozen? I’m not sure about this. I know apple crisp can be frozen, and I suspect these baked apples could be too. However I have not tried.
What apples should I use for this baked apple recipe? Great question! I used BC Tree Fruits Ambrosia apples, but you could pick any apple that will hold up to baking, like Honeycrisp or even Granny Smith. I suggest avoiding Macintosh or softer apples that might turn mushy when baking. Red Delicious can end up grainy when baking, so I’d enjoy them raw instead.
For more information on which apples are good for baking, check out the BC Tree Fruits website!
Tips for the best baked apple recipe
- I used my favorite square baking dish, but any 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish will work
- avoid aluminum foil with this reusable silicone lid
- Looking for more apple recipes? Check out this Make Ahead Apple Crisp, this Autumn Apple Farro Salad, and these Apple Quinoa Breakfast Bars
Simple Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 3 apples (halved and cored)
- 3 teaspoons coconut oil (or butter)
- 3 teaspoons coconut sugar (brown sugar or maple syrup work)
- pinch cinnamon
Topping
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted; butter may be subbed)
- 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour (almond flour may be subbed)
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar (brown sugar may be subbed)
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F.
- Place apples in a square baking dish. Place 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar in each. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
- Prepare the crumble topping: melt coconut oil, then mix all ingredients together with a fork until completely mixed. Sprinkle over the apples.
- Cover and bake in the oven for 45 minutes (smaller apples) to 1 hour (medium-large apples). When a knife inserts easily, apples are ready.
- Serve with a dollop of ice cream for dessert or yogurt for breakfast.
Storage
- These baked apples can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Re-heat in the microwave and serve with yogurt or ice cream.
