Welcome to your new favorite fall dessert! These warm, tender Baked Apples with Cinnamon Granola are simple to make and incredibly satisfying. We stuff crisp apples with a delightful blend of oats, nuts, and warming spices, creating a comforting treat. It’s an easy, healthy dessert that also makes a fantastic breakfast or brunch option. Get ready to enjoy a taste of cozy indulgence.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Baked Apples
You’ll adore this recipe for many reasons, making it a perfect addition to your kitchen repertoire:
- Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: You only need a few pantry staples to create this delicious dish.
- Naturally Gluten-Free and Vegan: This recipe caters to common dietary needs without compromising flavor.
- Perfect for Fall Flavors: Embrace the comforting spices and seasonal apples that define autumn.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.
- Deliciously Satisfying Treat: Enjoy a sweet, crunchy, and tender dessert that feels indulgent yet is truly wholesome.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your cozy Baked Apples with Cinnamon Granola:
- Large apples: 6 large apples. Honeycrisp, Jonagold, or Fuji are excellent choices for their firmness and flavor.
- Coconut sugar: ½ cup. This natural sweetener adds a caramel-like note and is a great refined sugar alternative.
- Gluten-free rolled oats: ¾ cup. These form the base of our wholesome granola filling.
- Chopped pecans: ½ cup. They provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons. Essential for that classic warm, inviting apple pie spice.
- Ground nutmeg: ½ teaspoon. Adds aromatic depth and complements the cinnamon beautifully.
- Coconut oil, melted: 3 tablespoons. It binds the granola together and adds richness.
Notes & Substitutions
Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best baking results. For alternative sweeteners, try maple syrup or brown sugar. If you don’t need a gluten-free option, regular rolled oats work perfectly. Feel free to substitute other nuts like walnuts or almonds, or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version. You can also use a pumpkin pie spice blend in place of cinnamon and nutmeg. Instead of coconut oil, melted butter, ghee, or a vegan butter substitute are great alternatives.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen tools for these delicious baked apples:
- Apple corer: An essential tool to easily remove the apple core.
- Deep baking dish: A 9×13 inch dish works well.
- Medium mixing bowl: For combining your granola ingredients.
- Measuring cups and spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient amounts.
- Aluminum foil: To cover the apples during baking.
Instructions
Here are the step-by-step instructions for the recipe:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wash the apples thoroughly. Carefully slice the top off each apple, then use an apple corer to scoop out the core, creating a hollow space. Leave a small amount of apple at the bottom so the filling doesn’t fall through.
Next, in a medium size bowl, combine the coconut sugar, gluten-free rolled oats, pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add 2 tablespoons of the melted coconut oil to this mixture and stir everything together until well combined. This forms the delicious cinnamon-granola filling for your baked apples.
Fill each cored apple with the cinnamon-granola mixture, ensuring the mixture gets packed into the core space you just scooped out. Don’t be shy; really stuff them full. Place the stuffed apples in a deep baking dish. Top each apple with any of the remaining cinnamon-granola mixture you have left. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil on top of each apple, along with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor and aroma.
Pour about ½ inch of water into the baking pan, around the apples. This creates a steamy environment, helping the apples cook evenly and stay moist. Cover the apples tightly with a piece of foil. Bake for about 35 minutes, uncovering for the last 5 minutes. This final uncovered period allows the granola topping for your Baked Apples with Cinnamon Granola to get nice and golden brown and slightly crispy.
The apples should be fork-tender when done. Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Let them cool slightly before serving. Serve immediately with caramel sauce or scoops of vanilla ice cream on top!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Always select firm, unblemished apples to ensure they hold their shape while baking. To prevent your granola topping from burning, ensure the foil is sealed tightly over the baking dish for most of the cooking time. The apples are perfectly baked when they are easily pierced with a fork but not mushy. Adjust the coconut sugar amount to your preference; you can add a little more if your apples are very tart.
Research shows that apple skins are packed with beneficial fiber and nutrients.
A perfectly baked apple should have a tender texture and a slightly softened but intact skin.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serving Suggestions
Serve your warm baked apples with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped coconut cream. A drizzle of rich caramel sauce or maple syrup elevates the experience beautifully. For a hearty breakfast, pair them with a scoop of Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of extra granola.
Storage Instructions
Allow your delicious Baked Apples with Cinnamon Granola to cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warm, or use the microwave for a quicker reheat.
Variations
Get creative with your baked apples! Add dried cranberries, golden raisins, or chopped dates to the granola mixture for extra sweetness and chewiness. Incorporate citrus zest, like orange or lemon, for a brighter flavor profile. For a fun presentation, halve the apples lengthwise instead of coring, creating apple “boats” to fill. You can also swap out the coconut sugar for maple syrup in the granola mix.
Nutrition
These wholesome baked apples offer a balanced and energizing treat. Each serving provides healthy carbohydrates from the apples and oats, along with beneficial fiber. The pecans and coconut oil contribute healthy fats, while the oats and nuts also provide some protein. This recipe is naturally lower in refined sugar compared to many desserts.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 374 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 59 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5 g |
| Sodium | 30 mg |
| Potassium | 342 mg |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Vitamin A | 106 IU |
| Vitamin C | 9 mg |
| Calcium | 40 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
FAQ
What are the best apples for baking?
Firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Jonagold, or Fuji hold their shape well and offer great flavor. Avoid softer varieties that can become mushy.
Can I prepare these baked apples in advance?
You can assemble the apples with the granola filling a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated. Add the water to the baking dish just before baking.
How long do baked apples last in the fridge?
Store leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
What if I don’t own an apple corer?
No problem! You can use a small knife or a melon baller to carefully scoop out the core. Just be gentle to avoid cutting through the bottom.
Conclusion
These Baked Apples with Cinnamon Granola are the perfect blend of simplicity and deliciousness. This recipe provides a healthy, cozy indulgence that comes together effortlessly, whether you need a quick dessert or a comforting breakfast. We encourage you to try this seasonal treat soon and make your kitchen smell amazing. Share your creations and let us know how much you loved them!
Baked Apples with Cinnamon Granola: A Cozy, Healthy Treat
Equipment
- Oven
- Apple Corer
- Medium bowl
- Deep Baking Dish
- Foil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 large apples I love Honeycrisp, but any apples will do!
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ¾ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully slice off the top of each apple, then use an apple corer to remove the core, creating a cavity.
- In a medium bowl, combine the coconut sugar, gluten-free rolled oats, chopped pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil.
- Evenly fill each cored apple with the cinnamon-granola mixture, ensuring it gets into the apple’s center.
- Arrange the stuffed apples in a deep baking dish. Top each apple with any leftover granola mixture, drizzle with the remaining melted coconut oil, and sprinkle with extra cinnamon.
- Pour approximately 1/2 inch of water into the bottom of the baking pan, around the apples, and then cover the dish with foil.
Baking & Serving
- Bake the covered apples for 35 minutes, removing the foil for the last 5 minutes to brown the granola topping.
- Serve the baked apples warm, optionally topped with caramel sauce or scoops of vanilla ice cream.