Apple season is officially here (!!) and I’ve been dreaming about this baked apple recipe for a while now. Dreams came true in my kitchen when I opened up the oven to see these tender, cinnamon-coated, perfectly caramelized apples! Let me show you how.
This recipe is simple, requiring 9 (basic) ingredients and 1 bowl.
A mix of tart and sweet apples are peeled, cored, thinly sliced, and added right to the baking dish before being topped with delicious spices like cinnamon, fresh ginger, and nutmeg. Total swoon.
To keep this dish naturally sweetened, I went with coconut sugar (you could also sub stevia or maple syrup)!
Coconut sugar provides a slightly caramelized flavor I adore. All that’s left is lemon juice and sea salt to balance out the sweetness and a touch of cornstarch or arrowroot to ensure the sauce thickens up nicely. Forty-five minutes in the oven covered then another 10 uncovered and you’re in cinnamon-apple paradise.
I hope you all LOVE these baked apples! They’re:
Tender
Cinnamony
Naturally sweetened
Caramelized
Super satisfying
Comforting
& Delicious!
What to Serve with Baked Apples
These apples are perfect on their own, but they are extra dreamy with a scoop of Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream or Coconut Whipped Cream.
More Apple Recipes
For more apple recipes, be sure to check out our 1-Bowl Carrot Apple Snack Cake, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart, Pumpkin-Spice Apple Pie, Apple Pie Crumble Bars, Apple Pecan Arugula Salad, The Best Vegan Apple Crisp, Vegan Pumpkin Apple Muffins, Apple Gingerbread Cake, Apple Pie Date Bars, and Vegan Apple Cinnamon Waffles!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples
Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples requiring simple ingredients and 1 bowl, plus naturally sweetened! The perfect grain- and gluten-free plant-based dessert for the holidays and beyond! Print SAVE SAVED
from votes Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 1 hour Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes Servings 6 (baked apples)Course DessertCuisine Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, VeganFreezer Friendly 1 monthDoes it keep? 3-4 Days
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Ingredients
US Customary – Metric
APPLES
6-7 medium to large apples (2 tart like granny smith, 4 sweet like honeycrisp // amount as original recipe is written // organic when possible)2 Tbsp lemon juice1 Tbsp coconut oil (optional)2/3 cup coconut sugar (or sub organic cane sugar // sub up to half with stevia to taste*)1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon3/4 tsp fresh grated ginger* 1 pinch nutmeg3 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch (for thickening the sauce)3 Tbsp fresh apple juice or water1 pinch sea salt
FOR SERVING optional
Coconut Whipped CreamVanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream*
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and set out a 9×13-inch (or similar size) baking dish.Peel and core apples, quarter, and use a paring knife to thinly slice lengthwise (see photo). The thinner the better! Just try to be consistent so they cook evenly.Add to baking dish and top with lemon juice, coconut oil (optional), coconut sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cornstarch (or arrowroot), apple juice (or water), and a healthy pinch of salt. Toss to combine. Then loosely cover with foil.Bake for 45 minutes (covered). Then carefully remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the apples are very fork tender (especially in the center of the dish) and slightly caramelized (see photo).Enjoy as is or with Coconut Whipped Cream or Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream! Best when fresh, though leftovers keep covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven (covered) until warmed through. Add a bit of water if the “caramel” sauce is too thick.
Video
Notes
*You can sub 1/2 tsp ground ginger per 3/4 tsp fresh ginger.
*Lazy folks (like me) can also opt for store-bought vegan ice cream (my favorite is So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream).
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount of apples, without sides or toppings, and without the coconut oil or apple juice.
Nutrition (1 of 6 servings)
Serving: 1 servings Calories: 195 Carbohydrates: 50.6 g Protein: 0.3 g Fat: 0.2 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 15 mg Potassium: 82 mg Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 39.7 g Vitamin A: 100 IU Vitamin C: 12.4 mg Calcium: 20 mg Iron: 0.4 mg