These healthy baked apples with maple pecans are a delicious way to enjoy seasonal fruit. This simple, gluten free autumnal dessert is perfect for entertaining. Great for Halloween, Thanksgiving or anytime you want a quick, easy and delicious treat. Ready in just over 30 minutes!
Today I am posting one of the simplest desserts I know - baked apples. This minimalist recipe is low in sugar, full of nutty flavour and crunch. It contains a handful of ingredients and comes together in just over 30 minutes.
Baked apples my way
Baked apples recipes tend to use whole apples, stuffed with raisins, sugar, oats and other ingredients. I decided to make this recipe super quick and easy by simply cutting the apples in half and covering each half with a generous amount of pecan nut mixture. This shortens baking time and there is no need to baste the apples either.
What's more, the maple pecan topping gets nicely browned and tastes fantastic with the softened (though not mushy) apples.
Healthy baked apples ingredients
I chose naturally sweet apples in order to avoid adding a lot of maple syrup into the recipe. I used Gala apples but Cox, Braeburn, Golden Delicious or other sweet apple varieties work well too. So use your favourite.
The topping mixture consists of pecan nuts, maple syrup, butter, cinnamon and salt. Just stir it all together, spoon over the apples and bake!
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1.Preheat the oven to 35 F/ 180 C/ gas mark 4. Chop the pecans roughly or pulse for a few seconds in a food processor, just to break them into small pieces.
2. Make the topping mixture by combining the pecans with the melted butter, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt. Stir thoroughly.
3. Core the apples and cut them in half.
3. Place a generous amount of the maple pecan mixture on top of each apple half and bake in the centre of the oven for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, leave to cool for 5 minutes and enjoy your healthy baked apples!
Serving suggestions
These healthy baked apples are delicious straight from the oven, on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.Â
Top tips
- Use sweet rather than sour tasting apples. Good options include Gala, Braeburn, Cox or Golden Delicious.
- Apples are prone to discoloration so core and cut them just before making the recipe.
- Chop the pecans roughly or briefly pulse in a food processor (be careful not to overprocess).
- I used a bit of salt but you can omit that if you use salted butter.
- Best served warm. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Not suitable for freezing.
Substitutions
- Butter: If you want to enjoy this healthy baked apple recipe vegan use coconut oil or plant-based spread instead.
- Pecans: These can be replaced by walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds.
- Cinnamon: Substitute pumpkin spice or add a little ground ginger or cardamom.
- Maple Syrup: Use honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar or brown sugar if preferred.
You might also like
- Traditional Polish Apple Cake (Szarlotka)
- Dairy Free Pumpkin Brownies
- Blackberry Coffee Crumble Cake
- Pumpkin Cake with Dark Chocolate Drizzle
- Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Lemon Cheese Frosting
Check out also this collection of 27 healthy cacao recipes for everyday.
Keep in touch!
How have these baked apples turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Healthy Baked Apples with Maple Pecans
Equipment
- Apple corer
- Medium size baking sheet
Ingredients
- 4 sweet apples such as Gala, Cox or Braeburn
- 130 g pecan nuts
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1½ tbsp butter melted
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- â…• tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C/ gas mark 4. Line a medium baking tray with non-stick baking paper and set aside.
- Chop the pecans roughly or pulse for a few seconds in a food processor, just to break them into small pieces. Combine with the maple syrup, butter, cinnamon and salt and stir thoroughly. Set aside.
- Core the apples and cut in half. Top each half with the pecan mixture and bake in the centre of the oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Use sweet rather than sour tasting apples.
- Be careful not to overblend the pecans. Â
- Swap pecans for walnuts or other nuts if you like.
- I used a bit of salt but you can omit that if you use salted butter.
- Best served warm.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Making these baked apples and taking them to a Friendgiving dinner as a lighter, alternative to all the typical Thanksgiving pies, cakes and rich desserts .I will let you know if they are a hit !
Thanks!
I haven't made baked apples in years (not sure why). I tried these and they were delicious. Such a great idea to cut the apples in half. I do like recipes that make everything easier. We all loved them. This idea is a keeper. We may start eating baked apples weekly, after not having had them for years!
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe! It is a really simple one so yes, why not make it weekly! Thank you for coming back to let me know, really appreciate the feedback. And thank you for making my recipe:)
Oh my - these look AMAZING!! Love your idea to chop them in half so they cook quicker - genius!! Eb x
Thanks Eb!
I haven't made baked apples in ages, these look lovely and definitely a dessert my boys would like.#cookblogshare
Thank you. It's my favourite autumn dessert!
Yum!! These baked apples look like a perfect dessert to enjoy with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.? Thank you for taking these along with you at Fiesta Friday party!
Thanks Jhuls, these are tasty even without the ice cream:)
This makes an amazing dessert with a scoop of ice cream..brilliant
Thank you Lathiya!
These look and sound wonderful Monika! Baked apples are super delicious and your nut and maple topping sounds simply delightful. Such a lovely autumnal dessert! 🙂
Thanks Jo! Baked apples are very easy to make and you can use so many toppings.
Beautiful! I can almost smell and eat with my eyes.
Thanks Balvinder!
I love baked apples! Yum ?
I love the topping on these apples. Maple syrup and pecans are delicious together and it's a great way of eating more fruit.
Thank you Corina, I can never get enough of apples in the autumn. And this dessert is so easy to make, too!
This honestly looks SO good! I really want to make this. It looks like such a cosy Autumnal dessert. Pinned!
Thank you! it's also super easy to make.