Healthy Baked Cinnamon Apples

Make these Healthy Baked Cinnamon Apples when you need an easy fall dessert. Apple slices are tossed in a cinnamon and coconut sugar coating, then baked until sweet and tender. It’s a one-dish dessert to enjoy throughout the holidays!

Fall is apple season, which means it’s time to make baked apple donuts, apple cobbler, apple cider, and these Healthy Baked Cinnamon Apples! 

This healthy fall dessert features sliced apples coated in a sweet and warmly spiced coconut sugar coating. The handful of ingredients is tossed together in a baking dish, baked until warm and tender, then served with vanilla ice cream on top.

It’s quick, easy, and packed with all of the comfort and warmth you desire during the fall and holiday seasons. The best part is, as it bakes, the dessert will fill your home with warm cinnamon goodness!

Are apples with cinnamon good for you?

Yes, these cinnamon baked apples are healthier than more traditional recipes. Apples are a wonderful source of fiber, antioxidants, and flavonoids, which can lower your risk of stroke. 

Before baking, the apple slices are coated in a mix of natural sweeteners, including coconut sugar and maple syrup. Both aren’t as processed as white sugar and have a lower glycemic index, which means they still contain some nutritional benefits and can reduce your risk of diabetes. 

Ingredients and substitutions

You’ll find a handful of ingredients in this recipe that result in a sweet, tart, and warmly spiced dessert, including:

• Apples – The best apples when making healthy baked apples are McIntosh, Granny Smith, and Honey Crisp. Use only one variety or a mix of the three! Make sure to peel them before you start baking.
• Lemon juice – A splash of fresh, acidic lemon juice will cut through the tartness of the apples and sweetness from the sugar.
• Coconut sugar – Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener that’s slightly healthier than regular white or brown sugar. This is because it contains minerals, fiber, and has, according to a study found in the National Library of Medicine, “a lower glycemic index than regular table sugar.” If you don’t have coconut sugar, replace it with brown sugar or more maple syrup.
• Warm spices – Ground cinnamon, fresh ginger, and cloves give this healthy fall dessert its warm and comforting flavors. If you don’t have fresh ginger, use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger instead.
• Maple syrup – For added sweetness and warmth.

How to make healthy baked cinnamon apples

Healthy baked apples make for a quick and easy dessert you can bake while enjoying your holiday dinner. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Peel, core, and slice the apples. Place them in a baking dish.

Step 2: Stir the lemon juice, coconut sugar, cinnamon, ginger slices, cloves, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in with the sliced apples.

Step 3: Top the apple mixture with the cubed butter and a pinch of salt. Place it in the oven and bake until the apples are golden brown and bubbly.

Step 4: Once they’re done baking, let the baked apples cool for 5 minutes. Afterward, scoop into bowls and serve with a scoop of dairy free vanilla ice cream and fresh thyme on top. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Scoop the warm, soft apples into individual bowls and top with vanilla ice cream (dairy free or regular), salted caramel ice cream, or coconut whipped cream. 

I like to top each serving with fresh thyme for an herbaceous, earthy finish, but you don’t have to do the same. Instead, add a drizzle of maple syrup, caramel sauce, salted caramel pumpkin seeds, or crushed nuts.

Variations

You can customize this healthy dessert in a few different ways, including:

• If it isn’t thick enough – Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or arrowroot in with the apples before baking.
• Mix up the spices – Use the fall spices of your choice or add more to the dessert, like a pinch of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or allspice.
• Dairy free baked apples – To make this recipe vegan, replace the regular butter with unsalted vegan butter and serve the apples with dairy free vanilla ice cream.
• Use the leftovers – As a topping on waffles or pancakes for breakfast the next day!

How long do baked cinnamon apples last?

While the apples are best enjoyed as soon as they come out of the oven, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To reheat, transfer them back into a baking dish and heat in a 350ºF oven until warmed through.

Looking for more healthy desserts?

• Chocolate Bliss Balls
• Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes
• Almond Butter Stuffed Dates
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
• Maple Caramelized Figs