Baked Apples
Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 345kcal
Easy to make baked apples recipe with a flavorful and crunchy oat filling mixture.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (57 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¼ cup (46 g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon (1 g) kosher salt, or sea salt
- 2 tablespoons (18 g) chopped pecans, optional
- 2 tablespoon (21 g) dried cranberries , or raisins, chopped, optional
- 4 large apples, Honey crisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji, 7 to 8 ounces each
- ¾ cup apple juice, apple cider, or water
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven - Set the oven rack to the middle position. Heat oven to 375ºF (191ºC).
- Make the Filling - In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pecans, and cranberries.
- Core the Apples - Rinse and dry the apples. If the apples are not standing upright, thinly slice the bottom blossom end until it sits flat. Starting at the stem, use a large melon baller, a small measuring spoon, or a paring knife to remove the core and seeds to create a hollow center that fits 1/4 cup of filling. Do not cut through the bottom of the apple. Make the opening on the top about 1 to 1 ½-inch wide. Leave about a ½-inch perimeter on the top.
- Create a Vent - Use a paring knife or peeler to remove about ½-inch of the skin from the top of the apple around the edges of the opening to prevent bursting. Brush the top of the flesh with apple juice or water to reduce browning.
- Fill Each Apple - Add the filling mixture to each cored apple, about 3 to 4 tablespoons, lightly packing. It should fill to the top.
- Prepare Baking Dish - Add the filled apples to an 8-inch square baking dish, or cast iron skillet. Heat the apple juice in 10-second intervals in the microwave until warm, about 100ºF (38ºC). Pour the warm juice around the apples. If using a larger pan, add enough juice to cover ¼-inch of the bottom.
- Bake the Apples - Bake until the apples pierce easily with a paring knife, about 40 to 50 minutes. For a soft and sliceable texture, the internal temperature should reach between 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC). If desired, baste the apples with the juice on the bottom of the pan.
Notes
- Filling Yield: About 1 cup, or a 1/4 cup per apple.
- Apple Size: Large apples are about 3 to 3 3/4 inches and about 7 to 8 ounces in weight. Adjust baking time for small and medium apples.
- Omitting Nuts or Dried Fruit: Replace them with more oats.
- Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Place one apple at a time on a microwave-safe dish. Reheat in 15-second intervals until warm. Alternatively, reheat in the oven at 350ºF (177ºC) until warm, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Make sure to purchase gluten-free rolled oats.
- Make it Vegan: Use coconut oil or margarine instead of butter.
Nutrition
Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 453IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
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Recipe Video