Simple Baked Apples Recipe (2024)

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Sometimes, the simple recipes are the ones you turn to time and time again. This recipe for Simple Baked Apples spiked with cinnamon is perfect for fall when it’s apple season and is one my whole family adores.

Today’s recipe is one of those recipes I have made over and over again, yet never really gave it a thought to put it on the blog. It’s baked apples. Nothing special about simple baked apples, right?

Wrong!These healthy baked apples just happen to be one of my kids’ very favorite side dishes. So what if it’s really simple? It’s healthy, tasty, and a perfect way to round out any meal, especially in the fall months.

I’m always looking for fun ways to use in-season produce. I really think I need to try these Smoked Apples…how creative! It does use brown sugar, but you could probably substitute coconut sugar or pure maple syrup to keep it refined sugar free.

But today, we’re sticking with simple. Simple is good when you have kids, am I right? These baked apples are the ultimate simple recipe.

If you have kids who don’t like fruit (I guess they exist, but I wouldn’t know since my kids are fruit monsters), try these simple baked apples. Sometimes just serving something in a different way will do the trick. These warm, cinnamon-spiked apples taste like dessert, but have no added sugar!

I first started making these simple baked apples when Luke was just starting to eat table food. He refused purees pretty quickly, so I had to turn to foods that were soft and he could pick up. So I started making these baked apples in wedge shapes, because that’s a good shape for little hands. These are great for anyone doing baby-led weaning.

Now days I tend to cut the apples into smaller chunks because they are easier to pick up with forks. You can also make these into baked apple slices. Whether you do slices, chunks, or wedges, I know these are going to bit a huge hit with your whole family!

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

The best part about this recipe is it uses simple ingredients you probably keep on hand!

5-6 medium apples

Any kind of apples work here, but I like to use a variety of tart and sweet for the best balance of flavor. Ideas for the best apples would be a mix of granny smith, pink lady, gala, fuji, or honeycrisp.

2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil

I prefer the flavor with butter, and if you use grass-fed butter, it’s got a lot of essential nutrients. Coconut oil also works well if you need this to be vegan or dairy-free.

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Just 1 teaspoon of cinnamon is enough for my family, but you can always add more for a stronger flavor. Cinnamon adds anti-inflammatory properties and also helps keep your blood sugar balanced.

How to Make Simple and Healthy Baked Apples

You’re going to love this easy baked apples recipe. It really couldn’t be any more simple!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Put the apples in a small to medium baking dish. Mix the melted butter or coconut oil and cinnamon together and then dump it on the apples. Toss well to coat all the apples evenly with the cinnamon mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven until the apples are soft, about 20-30 minutes. Stir once during the baking time. Enjoy!

If you are looking for a healthy, easy, and family-friendly side dish, you found it! These cinnamon apples are such an easy recipe and a great way to use your apples when you go apple picking in the fall! Save this recipe for when that happens, but really, I make this all year long!

Simple Baked Apples

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4.7 from 44 reviews

Author: Happy Healthy Mama
Total Time: 32 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegan

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Description

This recipe for Simple Baked Apples makes a family-friendly side dish that is easy and everyone loves. No added sugar!

Ingredients

Scale

5–6 medium apples, peeled and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Put the apples in a small to medium baking dish. Mix the melted butter or coconut oil and cinnamon together and then dump it on the apples. Toss well to coat all the apples evenly with the cinnamon mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven until the apples are soft, about 20-30 minutes. Stir once during the baking time. Enjoy!

Notes

*All of the sugar listed in the nutrition facts is naturally occurring sugar from the apples. There is 0 added sugar in this recipe.

Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Recipes
Method: baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 170
Sugar: 23
Fat: 3.8
Carbohydrates: 31
Fiber: 5.5
Protein: .5

This post was originally published in 2014. A new video was added in 2019 and more post updates were added in 2022.

Aren’t fall recipes the best? If you aren’t sure which dinners to serve these Simple Baked Apples with, I have some ideas for you! Here are some great main course ideas that these warm, comforting apples will be the best side dish with!

Main Courses that Pair Well with Baked Apples

Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese

This one is perfect for an entirely kid-friendly meal!

Chicken Breasts made with the best chicken marinade (healthy)

These apples go with all kinds of chicken recipes, and this is an easy favorite!

Butternut Squash Kale Lasagna

The flavors of baked apples pair so well with this delicious vegetarian lasagna recipe.

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts

These stuffed chicken breasts seem fancy, but they’re deceptive. It’s one of the easiest chicken recipes and goes so well with the baked apples!

Air Fryer Tilapia Recipe

These healthy baked apple slices pair so well with fish, too! This pairing makes for a SUPER quick and easy dinner!

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

This air-fryer recipe is actually gluten-free, too. These cutlets became another family favorite and again, chicken and apples work so well together!

Baked Bone-In Chicken Breasts

If you want your whole dinner baked in the oven, then go for these Baked Bone-In Chicken Breasts to pair with the tasty apples.

Want more healthy apple recipes? Here are some we love!

Recipes With Apples

Whether you are looking for apple desserts, snacks or breakfast with apples, I have a way for you to use them next time!

Healthy Apple Crisp

Instant Pot Apple Sauce

The Ultimate Whole Wheat Apple Pancakes

Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups

FAQs

How long do apples need to bake in the oven? ›

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!

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What makes the best baking apples? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

Should apples be peeled before baking? ›

peel your apples. While the debate on whether or not to peel your apples seems never-ending, it really comes down to a matter of personal choice. Unpeeled apples will add a bit of color and texture to your pie, but they may prevent the apples from melding together when baked.

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What is the difference between cooking apples and baking apples? ›

Cooking apples are generally larger, and can be tarter than dessert varieties. Some varieties have a firm flesh that does not break down much when cooked. Culinary varieties with a high acid content produce froth when cooked, which is desirable for some recipes.

How do you keep apples from browning when baking? ›

Perhaps the most common method to keep apples from browning is to rub them with lemon juice, a source of ascorbic acid (or vitamin C). “Commercially, apple slices are treated with ascorbic acid [to prevent browning],” Watkins says.

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What 4 apples are best used for baking? ›

Best Tart Apples for Baking:

Granny Smith (in my opinion, this is the best overall apple for baking)
Braeburn (a sweet-tart variety)
Jonathan.
Pacific Rose.
Cortland (slightly tart)

Sep 6, 2023

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Can I use normal apples instead of cooking apples? ›

If you can't find cooking apples then a sharp green eating/regular apple is the best alternative and we usually suggest using Granny Smith apples. You should use the same amount of apple, regardless of the type.

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Is Honeycrisp a good baking apple? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

Get More Info ›

How long does it take for apples to dry in the oven? ›

Depending on the thickness of your slices, how juicy your apples are, and the amount of humidity in your home, dehydrating apples in your oven may take 2-3 hours. Make sure to keep the oven door cracked to allow moisture to escape—you want to dry the apples, not really bake them.

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How long to dry apples at 135? ›

After one hour, reduce temperature to 135 to 140°F to finish drying the slices. Note: If the fruit is dried at too high a temperature, the outer surface will harden preventing moisture from escaping from the center of the slice; this is called case hardening. Allow 6 to 12 hours for apple slices to dry.

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What temperature do apples need? ›

While it is possible to grow apples in warmer climates, apples grow best in regions where the temperature rarely increases above 90 degrees. You see, apple trees tend to prefer some chill hours in which the temperature is in the 40s.