> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://kitchenbylola.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Healthy Baked Apples with Oats and Cinnamon - URL: https://kitchenbylola.com/healthy-baked-apples/ - Published: 2026-11-03T07:57:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-03T07:57:00.000Z - Description: Whole apples stuffed with a cinnamon oat and walnut filling and baked until tender. Like apple crisp in its own bowl. - Author: Lola - Tags: Desserts, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, #Import 2026-11-03 12:47 Baked apples are one of the simplest and coziest desserts. Each apple is cored and filled with an oat, walnut and cinnamon mixture, then baked until soft and fragrant. It tastes like apple crisp, but in individual portions. With just a tablespoon of butter and a little maple syrup for four apples, it is a light dessert that still feels comforting. Serve it warm with a spoonful of Greek yogurt. **Total:** 50 min**Serves:** 4**Calories:** 210 per serving[Jump to recipe ↓](#recipe) **At a glance:** this healthy baked apples with oats and cinnamon serves 4, needs about 15 min of hands-on prep and 35 min of cooking, and provides roughly 210 calories and 3 g of protein per serving. It is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free. ## Why you'll love this recipe - Cozy, warming fall dessert - Naturally sweetened mostly by fruit - Gluten-free with certified gluten-free oats - Only 15 minutes of prep ## About this baked apple recipe Baked apples are one of the oldest and simplest desserts, made in farmhouse kitchens in Europe and North America for centuries. Whole apples were cored, stuffed with nuts, dried fruit, butter and sugar, and baked in the embers or a wood oven until soft. This healthier version fills the apples with a mixture of oats, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, a little maple syrup and a small amount of butter. As they bake, the apples become tender and juicy while the filling turns crisp and golden, like an individual apple crisp. They make a cozy autumn and winter dessert that fills the kitchen with the scent of cinnamon, yet they are light enough to enjoy any day of the week. ## Ingredient notes and substitutions - **Apples.** Choose firm baking apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Braeburn or Jonagold. They hold their shape and have a good sweet-tart balance. - **Rolled oats.** Oats give the filling a crumbly, crisp-like texture. - **Walnuts or pecans.** Nuts add crunch and healthy fats. - **Maple syrup.** A little sweetness for the filling. Honey or brown sugar also work. - **Butter or coconut oil.** A small amount makes the filling golden and rich. - **Cinnamon and nutmeg.** Warm spices make the apples taste cozy and sweet. ## Equipment you'll need - A small baking dish - A paring knife or apple corer - A melon baller or small spoon - A small mixing bowl ## How to make it, step by step ### Core the apples carefully Remove the core and seeds, leaving the bottom of the apple intact so the filling stays inside. ### Score the skin Peel a thin strip of skin around the top of each apple. This prevents the skin from splitting as the apple expands. ### Fill generously Mix the oats, nuts, syrup, butter and spices and pack the filling into each apple, mounding it on top. ### Bake with water Add hot water to the dish around the apples. The steam helps them cook evenly and creates a syrupy sauce. ### Bake until tender Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until a knife slides easily into the apples. Spoon the juices over before serving. Recipe ## Healthy Baked Apples with Oats and Cinnamon American · Desserts · Vegetarian · Gluten-Free Prep15 min Cook35 min Total50 min Servings4 Print recipe ### Ingredients - 4 medium firm baking apples, such as Honeycrisp, Gala or Pink Lady - 1/3 cup (30 g) old-fashioned rolled oats - 1/4 cup (30 g) chopped walnuts or pecans - 2 tablespoons maple syrup - 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil, softened - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1 pinch of salt - 1/2 cup (120 ml) hot water - Greek yogurt, to serve ### Instructions 1. **Prepare.** Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. **Core the apples.** Using a paring knife or melon baller, remove the core from each apple, leaving the bottom intact so the filling stays inside. Make the opening about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. 3. **Make the filling.** Mix the oats, nuts, maple syrup, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until clumpy. 4. **Fill.** Stand the apples in a small baking dish and pack the filling into each one, mounding it on top. 5. **Bake.** Pour the hot water into the dish around the apples. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the apples are tender when pierced with a knife. 6. **Serve.** Let cool for 5 minutes, then spoon over the juices from the dish and serve with Greek yogurt. ### Nutrition (estimated, per serving) 210Calories 3 gProtein 34 gCarbs 8 gFat 6 gFiber Nutrition values are estimates calculated from typical ingredient data and will vary with the exact products and quantities you use. ## Tips for success - Choose apples that hold their shape when baked; very soft varieties can collapse. - Peel a thin strip of skin around the top of each apple to prevent splitting. - Cover loosely with foil if the filling browns too quickly. ## Troubleshooting - **The apples collapsed.** Use firmer apple varieties and bake for less time. - **The apples are still hard.** Bake longer and add a little more water to the dish. - **The filling burned.** Cover loosely with foil. - **The skin split.** Peel a strip around the top before baking. ## Variations - **Vegan.** Use coconut oil and serve with coconut yogurt. - **Dried fruit.** Add raisins or chopped dates to the filling. - **Pears.** Use firm pears and reduce the baking time slightly. ## What to serve with it Serve warm with a spoonful of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of the baking juices or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Leftover baked apples are delicious chopped over oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast. ## Make ahead and storage Bake the apples up to two days ahead and reheat them in the microwave or oven. You can also prepare the filling a few days in advance. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute, or enjoy cold chopped over yogurt and oats for breakfast. ## Is it healthy? Apples provide fiber and vitamin C, and the oat and nut filling adds whole grains and healthy fats. Each baked apple is about 210 calories. Using a small amount of maple syrup keeps the dessert naturally sweet without being heavy. *Nutrition information is an estimate for general guidance only and is not medical or dietary advice.* ## Filling ideas - Classic: oats, walnuts, cinnamon and maple syrup - Fruity: add raisins, dried cranberries or chopped dates - Nutty: use almonds or pecans and a pinch of cardamom - Ginger: add chopped crystallized ginger and a little orange zest - Protein: serve with Greek yogurt or a spoonful of nut butter ## Frequently asked questions ### What are the best apples for baking? Firm, sweet-tart apples such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Braeburn or Jonagold keep their shape and flavor. ### Can I bake apples in the microwave? Yes. Cover the filled apples and microwave for 4 to 6 minutes, until tender. The filling will not get as crisp. ### Can I make baked apples ahead? Yes. Bake them up to 2 days ahead and reheat before serving. ### Can I make baked apples in the microwave? Yes. Cover and microwave for 4 to 6 minutes. ### Can I make them in a slow cooker? Yes. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours with a little water. ### Can I make them vegan? Use coconut oil instead of butter. ### What are the best apples for baking? Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Braeburn and Jonagold. ### Are baked apples healthy? Yes. They are high in fiber and naturally sweet. ### Can I use pears? Yes. Firm pears work well but bake slightly faster. ### How many calories are in a baked apple? About 210 calories. ### Can kids help? Yes. Filling the apples is a fun job. ### Do I need to peel the apples? No. Just peel a strip around the top. ### How do I core an apple without a corer? Use a paring knife and a small spoon or melon baller. ### Can I make them gluten-free? Use certified gluten-free oats. ### Can I prepare baked apples ahead for a dinner party? Yes. Core and fill the apples up to four hours ahead, keep them covered in the fridge, and bake them while you eat dinner. ### What can I serve on the side? Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of warm maple syrup or a little custard all go beautifully with baked apples. ### How do I know when baked apples are done? A thin knife should slide easily into the thickest part of the apple, and the skin should look slightly wrinkled. ### Why is my avocado mousse bitter? Some cocoa powders are bitter, and underripe avocados can taste grassy. Use a good cocoa, ripe avocados and a pinch of salt. ### Can I make baked apples in an air fryer? Yes. Air fry filled apples at 350°F (175°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. ## Final thoughts This healthy baked apples with oats and cinnamon takes about 50 min from start to finish and serves 4\. It is vegetarian and gluten-free, and it is easy to adapt with the variations above. If you make it, adjust the seasoning to your taste and make a note of what you changed, so the next batch is exactly how you like it. Looking for more ideas? Browse all our [desserts recipes](https://kitchenbylola.com/tag/desserts/) or the full [recipe index](https://kitchenbylola.com/recipe-index/). ## More recipes you might like - [Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies](https://kitchenbylola.com/almond-flour-chocolate-chip-cookies/) - [Berry Frozen Yogurt Bark](https://kitchenbylola.com/frozen-yogurt-bark/) - [Healthy Banana Bread with Greek Yogurt](https://kitchenbylola.com/healthy-banana-bread/)