These healthy baked apples with maple pecans are a delicious way to enjoy seasonal fruit. This simple, healthy dessert is perfect for entertaining. Great for Halloween, Thanksgiving or anytime you want a quick and easy, delicious treat.
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 recipes tend to use whole apples, stuffed with raisins, sugar, oats and other ingredients. I decided to make this recipe even easier 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.
I love using pecan nuts and maple syrup in the same recipe. They are just so good together and can be used in a number of different recipes. Not necessarily desserts. For example I used this flavour combination in this Maple Pecan Overnight Oats with Sweet Potato Recipe. I also made 2 autumn salads with them. Maple Glazed Celery Root Salad with Apple and Pecans and Beetroot Zucchini Apple Ribbon Salad with Pecans and Maple Vinaigrette.
Equipment you'll need
- Kitchen scales and measuring spoon
- Blender, apple corer and cutting board
- Bowl and large spoon
- Large baking sheet and parchment paper
How to make healthy baked apples with pecans: step-by-step
1.The maple pecan combination in this easy baked apples recipe is not only delicious, it also adds a lovely crunch to it. Which is why it is important not to turn the pecans into powder. You'll only need to blitz them for a few seconds, long enough to break them into small pieces.
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2. Core the apples and cut them in half.
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3. Place a generous amount of the maple pecan mixture on top of each apple half and bake for 25 minutes (180 C). Remove from the oven, leave to cool for 5 minutes and enjoy!
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Top tips
- Use sweet rather than sour tasting apples.
- Be careful not to overblend the pecans.
- 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.
Other autumnal dessert recipes you might like:
Pumpkin Cake with Dark Chocolate Drizzle
Pumpkin Spice Skinny Cupcakes with Lemon Icing
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
Ingredients
- 4 sweet apples such as Gala
- 140 g pecan nuts
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/5 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.
- In a blender whizz up the pecans until crumbly, 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 middle of the oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Use sweet rather than sour tasting apples.
- Be careful not to overblend the pecans.
- 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.
Recipe Link Parties
I am bringing this easy baked apple recipe to #CookBlogShare. Also sharing with Fiesta Friday. This week's co-hosts are Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook and Jen @ Apply To Face Blog.
Hi, I am Monika, welcome to Everyday Healthy Recipes! This blog is all about creatively simple recipes with a healthy twist, old classics with a modern take, and an occasional Polish dish thrown into the mix - all easy to make, healthy and delicious, perfect for everyday cooking. 
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.