Description
These Cinnamon Oatmeal Stuffed Apples offer a warm, wholesome treat perfect for a cozy breakfast or dessert. Soft baked apples are filled with a flavorful mixture of oats, applesauce, spices, nuts, and sweeteners, creating a healthy and comforting dish that’s naturally sweetened and rich in texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
Stuffing
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup water (or apple juice for extra sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon butter (or vegan butter for dairy-free version)
Topping
- Additional cinnamon and sugar for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wash and core each apple carefully, creating a hollow center while keeping the bottom intact to hold the filling.
- Make the Oatmeal Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, unsweetened applesauce, chopped nuts (if using), dried raisins or cranberries (if using), maple syrup or honey, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to form a thick, cohesive mixture.
- Stuff the Apples: Spoon the oatmeal mixture generously into each hollowed apple cavity, pressing down to fill completely. Place the stuffed apples into a baking dish.
- Add Liquid and Butter: Pour 1/2 cup of water or apple juice into the bottom of the baking dish to keep the apples moist while baking. Dot the top of each stuffed apple with a small piece of butter or vegan butter. Optionally, sprinkle additional cinnamon and sugar over the tops.
- Bake the Apples: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the apples are tender and the oatmeal filling is cooked through and slightly golden on top.
- Serve Warm: Let the stuffed apples cool slightly before serving. They are delicious on their own or topped with a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
- To make this recipe vegan, use maple syrup and vegan butter instead of honey and regular butter.
- Choose apples that are firm and hold their shape well, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- You can customize the filling by adding chopped dried apricots or using different nuts based on preference.
- For a crunchier texture, add the nuts on top halfway through baking instead of mixing them inside.
