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Healthy Baked Apples Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 122 reviews

Delicious and healthy baked apples featuring a wholesome oat and nut crumb topping. Made with tart apples, almond flour, oats, pecans, and natural sweeteners, this gluten-free and dairy-free dessert is perfect for a nutritious treat that tastes like apple crisp. Easy to make and customizable for refined sugar-free and nut-free diets.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

  • 4 large tart apples (Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (for brushing)

Crumb Topping

  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup quick cooking oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or coconut sugar for refined sugar-free)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This moderate temperature helps the almond flour crumb topping brown perfectly without burning.
  2. Core the apples: Use a large spoon or sharp paring knife to remove the apple cores and seeds, creating enough space to fill the apples. Be careful not to pierce through the bottom of the apples.
  3. Prepare the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, quick oats, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir to mix evenly. Add maple syrup and coconut oil, then mix until the ingredients form a crumbly mixture.
  4. Stuff the apples: Place the cored apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the edges of each apple with coconut oil to prevent drying out during baking. Fill each apple cavity with an equal amount of the oat-nut crumb mixture.
  5. Bake the apples: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the apples become fork-tender and the topping is golden and crumbly. If desired softness isn’t reached, bake a few minutes longer.
  6. Serve: Enjoy warm, optionally topped with whipped cream, vanilla Greek yogurt, or ice cream for a delicious healthy dessert.

Notes

  • Use firm, tart apples like Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith to avoid mushy texture.
  • For a nut-free version, omit pecans or replace them with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
  • Swap brown sugar with coconut sugar to make the recipe refined-sugar-free.
  • Ensure oats are gluten-free if needed for celiac or gluten sensitivities.
  • Store baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; not suitable for freezing due to texture changes.
  • Longer baking times yield softer apples; check tenderness with a fork.
  • Add dried fruits like raisins or dried cranberries for additional sweetness and texture.

Keywords: baked apples, healthy dessert, gluten free dessert, dairy free dessert, vegan dessert, apple crisp, oat topping, almond flour, refined sugar free

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/healthy-baked-apples-recipe/