Melt-in-your-mouth baked apples with an oat crumble — a warm, comforting breakfast or a cozy fall dessert. Serve with a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, or enjoy on their own. This family-friendly recipe is easy, wholesome, and full of nostalgic flavor.
These baked apples remind me of childhood holidays and the simple treats my mother made. I adapted her basic fruit-and-sugar version by adding an oatmeal-based crumble so the filling has more texture, flavor and nutrition. Quince was another fruit she often baked, and I still love roasted quince, but apples are versatile, widely available, and perfect for stuffing.
I developed this version to introduce healthier desserts to my children while sharing the flavors I grew up with. They enjoy trying different things, and the oats, seeds and nuts give the dish substance while keeping it naturally sweet and satisfying.
🍎 Baked apples
This is a simple, comforting recipe that’s quick to prepare and bakes into a caramelized, tender fruit with a crunchy, cinnamon-scented oat topping. It works for breakfast, brunch, a warm dessert or an anytime snack. The apples soften and develop a velvety texture that pairs beautifully with cream, Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream.
🥘 Ingredients
- Apples – Any variety works. Firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn hold their shape well and offer a balanced sweetness.
- Oatmeal – Rolled oats (or a mix of oats and rye/barley flakes) form the base of the crumble and add a pleasant chew and crispness.
- Almond flour – Adds richness and a tender crumb texture.
- Honey or maple syrup – For drizzling when serving (or to sweeten the filling if you prefer).
- Butter – Cold butter cut into the oat mix creates a crumbly texture; substitute coconut oil for a vegan option.
- Cinnamon – Essential warm spice for apples.
- Salt – A pinch to balance the sweetness.
- Sunflower seeds – Toasted for nuttiness and crunch.
- Walnuts – Toasted and chopped for extra flavor (optional).
- Desiccated coconut – Optional, for extra texture and flavor.
🔪 How to make this recipe
The recipe is straightforward and fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma.
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F) and prepare a shallow ovenproof dish.
- Wash and core the apples, taking care not to remove the bottom so the filling stays contained (leave about 1.5 cm/½ inch intact).
- Sprinkle each cored apple cavity with a little sugar and cinnamon.
- In a bowl combine the oats, barley flakes (if using), almond flour, desiccated coconut (optional), toasted sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Add cold butter and rub or crumble it into the dry ingredients until the mixture is evenly combined and crumbly.
- Stuff each apple with the oat mixture, pressing it gently into the cavity. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of honey or syrup over each filled apple if desired.
- Bake for 30–50 minutes depending on apple size and variety, until apples are soft and the topping is golden. Serve hot or warm with a dollop of cream, yogurt or ice cream, or enjoy cold.
🤹♂️ Substitutions and variations
- Coconut sugar can replace brown sugar for a caramel note and slightly lower processed-sugar profile.
- Coconut oil or a nut butter can be used instead of butter for a vegan version (use a solid fat for crumb texture).
- Nutmeg or a pinch of allspice can be added to the filling for extra warmth.
- Quince can replace apples or be combined with them for a more aromatic result.
- Add-ins like raisins, dried cranberries, orange zest or a splash of rum extract can personalize the filling.
💭 FAQs
Insert a sharp knife tip beside the stem and cut in a circular motion about 1 cm (½ inch) from the stem to remove a neat top section. Use a teaspoon to scoop out the remaining core and seeds, leaving a 1–1.5 cm (¼–½ inch) base so the filling won’t fall through. Be careful not to pierce the bottom.
If coring is difficult, halve the apples and remove the core from each half. The halves can be filled and baked; just know the texture near the core may remain firmer than the surrounding flesh.
🥞 Other breakfast recipes to enjoy
-
Perfect quince jam
-
Feta and Ricotta Cheese with Spinach and Dill Filo Wraps
-
Quail Eggs, Mushrooms and Bacon Breakfast
-
Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
More apple recipes to enjoy:
- Apple and Orange Marmalade Tart with Rosemary and Chia Seeds
- Apple and Walnut Pizza
- Extra Fluffy Apple Muffins or Cake
- Apple, Carrot and Zucchini Cake with Ginger and Turmeric
- Creamy Roasted Apple and Pumpkin Soup
- Gem Lettuce, Chicken and Apple Little Boats
Let’s get baking — you’re going to love these baked apples!
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📖 Baked Apples with Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 4 large apples *
- 6 tablespoons oatmeal
- 6 tablespoons barley flakes
- 4 tablespoons almond flour
- 4 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 30 g butter cold *
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
- 4 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- 4 tablespoons honey to drizzle when serving
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons walnuts toasted and chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190°C / 375°F and place an ovenproof dish nearby.
- Wash and core the apples, leaving a small base so the filling stays inside.
- Place apples in the dish, add about 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (or brown sugar) into each cavity and set aside.
- Mix the oatmeal, barley flakes, salt, almond flour, desiccated coconut, seeds, cinnamon and nuts. Add cold butter and crumble into the mixture until evenly combined.
- Stuff the apples with the oat mixture, drizzle with honey or syrup, then bake.
- Bake 30–50 minutes, depending on apple size, until tender and golden. Serve warm or cold with cream, yogurt or ice cream.
Notes
* Use any nuts or seeds you like. You can add raisins, dried cranberries, orange zest or a splash of rum essence for variation. For a more traditional crumble use flour, sugar and butter.
* For a vegan option replace honey with maple or agave syrup and butter with coconut oil or a firm nut butter.
* Adjust butter and sugar in the crumble to taste. Serve with ice cream, creme fraiche, coconut whipped cream or plain Greek yogurt for extra indulgence.
Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 94 g
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Protein: 11 g
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Fat: 21 g
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