Easy Baked Apples Recipe With Cinnamon for Fall

There are certain recipes that just feel like fall, and this easy baked apples recipe is one of them. Warm apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, oats, and pecans come together to make a simple dessert that tastes cozy without requiring a lot of work.

I love recipes like this because they use basic ingredients I usually already have at home. The apples get soft and sweet as they bake, while the oat and pecan topping adds just enough crunch. And, of course, your entire kitchen smells amazing while they're in the oven.

These baked cinnamon apples are also a great option when you're craving apple pie but don't necessarily want to make an entire pie from scratch. You get many of those same warm fall flavors in a much easier recipe.

How Do You Bake Apples in the Oven With Cinnamon?

Baking apples in the oven is surprisingly simple. Start by choosing apples that will hold their shape while baking. I used Pink Lady apples because I love their balance of sweetness and tartness.

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Cut the apples in half and remove the core and seeds, creating a small space in the center for the filling. Arrange the apple halves cut-side up in a baking dish.

For the topping, combine oats, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Spoon the mixture into the center of each apple and over the top.

Bake the apples for about 40 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork but haven't completely lost their shape.

One of the best things about making apples in the oven is that baking naturally brings out their sweetness. The cinnamon and maple syrup make them taste even more like fall without needing a complicated ingredient list.

What Are the Best Apples for Baking?

Not every apple behaves the same way in the oven. Some varieties become very soft when baked, while others are firm enough to maintain their shape.

For this baked apples recipe, I used Pink Lady apples. They're one of my favorites for baking because they have a slightly tart flavor that balances the maple syrup and cinnamon.

Some other good apples for baking include:

• Honeycrisp
• Granny Smith
• Braeburn
• Fuji
• Jonagold

Granny Smith apples are a great option if you prefer a more tart dessert, while Honeycrisp and Fuji apples will give you a naturally sweeter result.

You can also combine apple varieties if you're making a larger batch. Using both sweet and tart apples can create a more interesting flavor.

Why Baked Cinnamon Apples Are the Easiest Fall Dessert

As much as I love elaborate fall desserts, sometimes I want something I can put together without spending an entire afternoon in the kitchen.

That's why baked cinnamon apples are such a good fall dessert.

There is very little prep involved, the ingredients are simple, and the oven does most of the work. You also don't need to make pastry dough or pull out a mixer.

They're easy enough for a weeknight but still feel special enough to serve when you have people over.

I also like that you can easily adjust this recipe depending on what you have at home. Swap walnuts for pecans, add raisins or dried cranberries, or sprinkle a little nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice into the oat mixture.

What to Serve With Baked Apples

These baked apples are delicious straight from the oven, but there are so many ways to dress them up.

For dessert, serve a warm baked apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melting into the warm cinnamon apple is probably my favorite way to eat them.

You could also add:

• Whipped cream
• Greek yogurt
• Vanilla yogurt
• Caramel sauce
• Chopped pecans
• Granola
• An extra drizzle of maple syrup

If you're serving them for breakfast rather than dessert, try adding Greek yogurt and a little granola.

Can You Make Baked Apples Ahead of Time?

Yes. Baked apples are easy to make ahead, which also makes them a good meal-prep option.

Store leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about three to four days.

When you're ready to eat them, reheat individual apples in the microwave or warm them in the oven until heated through.

The texture will soften slightly after refrigeration, but they'll still taste delicious.

Easy Baked Apples Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 Pink Lady apples
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil, optional
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Wash the apples and slice each apple in half.
3. Carefully remove the core and seeds from the center of each apple half, leaving enough of the apple intact so it holds its shape while baking.
4. Arrange the apple halves cut-side up in a baking dish.
5. In a small bowl, combine the oats, chopped pecans, cinnamon, maple syrup, coconut oil, if using, and a small pinch of salt.
6. Spoon the oat mixture into the center of each apple and spread a little over the top.
7. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
8. Let the apples cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serve them warm on their own or add vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or Greek yogurt.

Tips for Making the Best Baked Apples

Make sure you don't remove too much of the apple when coring it. You want to create enough room for the oat filling while still leaving the apple sturdy enough to hold together as it bakes.

I also recommend checking the apples around the 35-minute mark. Baking time can vary depending on the size and variety of apple you're using.

If you like softer baked apples, leave them in for a few additional minutes. If you prefer them to retain more texture, take them out as soon as they're easily pierced with a fork.

And don't skip the pecans if you like a little crunch. The contrast between the tender baked apple and crunchy oat topping makes this simple recipe so much better.

A Simple Fall Recipe You'll Want to Make Again

Apple desserts don't have to be complicated to be good. This easy baked apples recipe has everything I want in a fall dessert: cinnamon, warm apples, maple syrup, crunchy pecans, and very little prep.

It's cozy enough for a chilly fall evening but simple enough that you can make it anytime you have a few extra apples sitting on the counter.

If you're looking for more easy seasonal recipes, travel inspiration, fashion finds, and everyday ideas, you can find more at Posh in Progress.

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