Easy Baked Apples

Easy Baked Apples are a fall favorite in my home. Made simply with fresh apples, butter, lemon juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon, this wholesome dessert is loved by all. Serve it with whipped cream or ice cream for the ultimate treat!

As one of the most beloved fruits of the fall season, apples are an obvious choice when I’m craving something sweet. From apple pie to Grilled Apples and my favorite Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins, the possibilities with this delicious fruit are endless.

One of my family’s favorite fall activities is going apple picking at our local orchard. There’s just something about foraging for the fruit yourself that makes it all the more satisfying to eat. When our crew gets home from a fun afternoon and I realize that we now have a bushel of apples in the kitchen, it’s time to get creative.

Therefore, I am always on the hunt for exciting and unique ways to use fresh apples in a wide variety of meals. Thus is the story behind these delicious Easy Baked Apples. Made with fresh apples, lemon juice, butter, brown sugar, and spices, these warm and tender apples are the perfect combination of rich and refreshing.

Baked apples are a classic for a reason. Their sweet and warming flavor has led them to become a total hit in my house, and their nutritional value makes this dish one you can feel good about serving. When paired with a bowl of vanilla ice cream, Easy Baked Apples taste just as indulgent as your favorite apple pie—but without all the work.

Key Ingredients

To make these drool-worthy baked apples, you will need the following key ingredients:

• Apples. This dish wouldn’t be what it is without juicy, fresh apples. I recommend Gala or Honeycrisp apples, as they are on the naturally sweeter side. However, feel free to use any kind you prefer.
• Butter. This helps to soften and caramelize the apples, while enhancing the flavor and adding a deep depth of mouth-watering richness.
• Cornstarch. Commonly used as a thickening agent, cornstarch helps to thicken the cinnamon batter, making for an added layer of deliciousness.
• Brown sugar. There’s a reason this is so often paired with cinnamon and apples. It works! This not only adds amazing flavor, but it also helps to caramelize the apples.
• Lemon juice. The acidity in fresh lemon juice brightens up the dish, enhances the flavors, and balances out the richer ingredients.
• Spices. I find cinnamon and nutmeg to be the perfect spice combination for this dish, but feel free to use apple pie spice if you’d like.

Baked Apples Topping Ideas

Although these baked apples taste amazing on their own, there are plenty of ways you can take this healthy dessert to the next level. Whether you add a scoop of ice cream to make your healthy apple pie dreams come true or some chocolate for a match made in heaven, apples work great with a ton of delicious additions.

Need some inspiration? Here are some of my favorite toppings for baked apples:

• Whipped cream. Let’s be real here. What baked apple dish doesn’t taste better with a dollop of whipped cream?
• Caramel. Caramel apples, anyone? For a healthier rendition of a childhood favorite, a drizzle of caramel sauce is the ultimate way to upgrade this dish.
• Ice cream. Vanilla ice cream is a quick and easy way of getting your friends and family to fall head over heels in love with this dessert. For a lighter option, try banana nice cream or frozen yogurt.
• Nut butter. Drizzle peanut or almond butter on top of these baked apples for an extra boost of protein and an irresistible flavor pairing.
• Chocolate. Fruit and chocolate is a classic combo, and for good reason. It’s delicious! Drizzle your apples with some melted chocolate sauce — or top them with a handful of chocolate chips — to truly take this dish over the top.
• Chopped nuts. Looking to add some nutty flavor and a nice crunch? Try topping your apples with some crushed almonds, pecans, or peanuts.

How to Store Easy Baked Apples

These baked apples are at their best when served fresh out of the oven. However, if you wind up with leftovers, you can easily hang onto them for later. To store this dish, you will first need to let it cool to room temperature.

Once cooled, you can transfer the apples to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 2-3 days. I don’t recommend freezing baked apples, as they have a high water content and will likely wind up getting mushy and unpleasant when thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this healthy dessert recipe:

Is this dish healthy?

As a dessert, baked apples are a great healthy option. This dish is relatively low in calories, carbs, fat, and sugar—especially compared to almost any other dessert. For a sugar-free dessert recipe, try using a natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey.

Can you make this dish using whole apples?

Absolutely! If you would like to make this dish using whole apples — as opposed to sliced — all you have to do is core your apples and stuff them with your filling. To core your apples, just slice off the top, then use a paring knife to remove the center. It doesn’t have to be perfectly cut, you just want to make sure you get the seeds out.

What apples are best for baking?

This recipe calls for Gala or Honeycrisp apples, but there are tons of different apples that are great for baking. I suggest using whichever kind you like best. Pink Lady, Jonagold, Braeburn, and Mutsu apples are all great options.

More Healthy Dessert Recipes

Liked these healthy baked apples? Try these next:

• Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
• Two Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Balls
• Chunky Monkey Banana Peanut Butter Yogurt Bowl
• Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Banana Bread