Classic Baked Apples

Why You’ll Love Classic Baked Apples Recipe

It combines all the cozy flavors of an apple crumble but in a simpler, refined package.
Each person gets their own apple—individual servings make it special.
Easily adaptable: vegetarian as written, and can be made vegan or gluten‑free with basic swaps.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

6 medium crisp‑tart baking apples (such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Golden Delicious)
½ cup old‑fashioned rolled oats
2 tablespoons all‑purpose flour
¼ cup chopped pecans
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons butter, melted (or vegan butter for dairy‑free)
Maple syrup, for serving (optional)
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 °F (≈ 200 °C). Bring a kettle of water to boil.
Remove the core from each apple: use a paring knife to cut a funnel shape from the top down about two‑thirds of the way. Discard seeds and extra flesh.
In a medium bowl, stir together oats, flour, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, salt and melted butter until combined.
Spoon the filling into each prepared apple cavity.
Place the apples upright in a baking dish. Pour about ¼ inch of the boiling water into the bottom of the dish.
Bake for 25 minutes. Then loosely cover with foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until the apples are tender when pierced with a knife—but not mushy.
Remove from oven. Drizzle with maple syrup if desired, and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Servings and timing

Yield: about 6 servings
Prep time: ~15 minutes
Cook time: ~45 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour

Variations

Swap the pecans for walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
For a dairy‑free/vegan version: use vegan butter (or coconut oil) and skip the ice cream or serve with dairy‑free alternative.
Try drizzling with caramel sauce or adding a teaspoon of chopped dried cranberries or raisins into the filling for a twist.
Use different apple varieties: a firmer tart apple gives more structure, while a very sweet apple will be softer and sweeter.

Storage/Reheating

To store: Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Note: the filling will soften as it sits.
To reheat: Place apples in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and heat at 350 °F (≈175 °C) for 10–15 minutes until warm. Microwave in a pinch—but texture may soften more.

FAQs

What apples work best for baking?

Firm, crisp, sweet‑tart apples that hold their shape through baking—like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Jonagold or Ida Red. Avoid very soft apples such as Fuji or Red Delicious.

Why do we add boiling water to the pan?

The boiling water creates steam which helps cook the apples evenly and prevents drying while baking.

How can I tell when the apples are done?

Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of the apple—if it slides in easily with no resistance (but the apple still holds shape), they are done.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prep the apples and filling ahead of time, but best to bake just before serving so the texture is optimal. Leftovers are fine but the filling softens.

Is this recipe gluten‑free?

As written it uses all‑purpose flour—swap for almond flour or gluten‑free flour to make it gluten‑free. The other ingredients are naturally gluten‑free.

How can I make it vegan?

Use vegan butter (or coconut oil) instead of regular butter and serve with dairy‑free ice cream or whipped coconut cream. The recipe itself is vegetarian by default.

Can I freeze the baked apples?

Freezing is possible, but the texture may change. If freezing: wrap each apple tightly and store frozen. Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat as described.

What should I serve these with?

They’re lovely on their own, but especially good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, dollop of whipped cream, or drizzle of maple syrup or caramel sauce to enhance the warm spices and apple flavor.

Will the apples hold their shape during baking?

Yes, if you use firm baking apples. They soften to a tender texture without turning mushy if baked as instructed.

Can I add more spice or flavoring?

Absolutely—add a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even a splash of vanilla extract to the filling for extra depth.

Conclusion

This Classic Baked Apples recipe delivers cozy warmth, beautiful presentation, and comforting fall flavor in a straightforward dessert. With its spiced oat‑pecan filling and tender baked apples, it’s perfect for weeknight treats or special gatherings. Whether you’re indulging after dinner or serving guests, it’s a simple yet elevated dessert you’ll return to again and again.