Baked Apples with Oats Recipe

Baked apples are the ultimate comfort food, bringing together tender fruit, warming spices, and a golden oat crumble that’s both wholesome and indulgent. These stuffed apple halves are a delicious mash-up between a healthy snack and a nostalgic dessert.

If you’re after an easy bake that delivers serious flavour and leaves your kitchen smelling like a cosy café, you’ll want to keep reading. This baked apples recipe is a staple in my kitchen —and it should absolutely become one in yours.

Why You’ll Love These Baked Apples

Here’s the thing about baked apples—they’re incredibly versatile. They’re equally brilliant for breakfast, tucked into a lunchbox, or served warm for dessert with a dollop of Greek yoghurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The crumble topping is where the magic happens: sweet, nutty, and just the right amount of crunchy.

These apples taste like mini apple crisps but with less fuss and a healthier spin. You can make them ahead, they reheat beautifully, and they’re a great way to sneak more oats into your day. Not to mention—kids love them, too. Not fan of apples? That's ok, try pears!

Ingredients

• Apples – The star of the show. Go for a variety that holds its shape—like Granny Smith for tartness or Golden Delicious for sweetness. Try Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonagold.
• Rolled oats – These give the crumble its chewy texture and nutty flavour. Avoid quick oats, which can go mushy.
• Pecans – Toasted, buttery, and slightly sweet, they add crunch and depth. Swap for walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds if needed.
• Cinnamon – Adds that classic warming spice. Want more depth? Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves.
• Unsalted butter – The fat that binds the crumble. Chop it cold for a perfect crumb texture. For a dairy-free version, use coconut oil.
• Brown sugar – Caramel-like sweetness with a subtle molasses note. You can sub in maple syrup or honey.
• Maple syrup (optional) – Ideal for extra drizzle, especially if your apples are more on the tart side.

Want to jazz things up? Toss in a few raisins or dried cranberries. Or for a dessert twist, a sprinkle of chocolate chips works wonders.

Instructions

This is one of those recipes that looks impressive but is fuss-free to make—even if you’re a kitchen newbie.

1. Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Chop the pecans finely and cut the butter into small cubes. In a mixing bowl, combine the oats, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon, add the butter.

2. Step 2: Use your fingers to rub it in until the mixture resembles a crumbly dough.

3. Step 3: Wash the apples and slice them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to core them, removing the seeds and creating a small hollow in each half. Place them cut-side up in a snug baking dish. Add few tablespoon of water to the bottom of baking dish.

4. Step 4: Fill each apple half with a generous scoop of the oat crumble, pressing it down lightly. If using tart apples, drizzle with a bit of maple syrup. Bake for 20 minutes. Check with a fork—if tender, they’re done. If still firm, bake for another 5–10 minutes.

Pro Tip: Add a few tablespoons of water or apple juice to the bottom of the baking dish before baking. This creates steam and helps soften the apples while keeping them moist.

Different kind of apples will require different cooking times. That is why - bake for some time, then check! If ready, take them out, if not - allow more minutes for cooking.

How to Serve and Store

Serve these warm, fresh from the oven, for a dreamy dessert or indulgent breakfast. Top with Greek yoghurt, ice cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup.

Storing is easy—keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave, or eat cold straight from the fridge. Trust me—they’re fab cold, too.

Recipe Tips & Notes

1. Best apples for baking: Try Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonagold. And of course Granny Smith, this is true classic for me! Just add some maple syrup on top!
2. Toppings to try: Maple syrup, honey, whipped cream, crème fraîche, or Greek yoghurt.
3. Serving idea: These make lovely single-serve desserts for dinner parties or brunches.
4. Filling twist: Mix in dried fruit, dark chocolate chips, walnuts or almonds.
5. Storage hack: Make a double batch—they’re delicious cold as a grab-and-go snack.

FAQ

Related

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Baked Apples:

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Yield: 4

Baked Apples with Oats Recipe

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These baked apples are filled with a delicious oat and pecan crumble, spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with brown sugar. A perfect healthy dessert or breakfast.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 large apples
• 100g rolled oats
• 50g pecans, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 100g unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• Maple syrup (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Finely chop the pecans and cut the butter into small cubes.
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cubed butter. Using your hands, rub the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Wash the apples and cut them in half from top to bottom. Remove the core and seeds with a spoon, creating a small hollow in each half. Place them in a baking dish, cut side up.
4. Fill the centre of each apple with the oat crumble, pressing it down slightly. Drizzle with maple syrup if the apples are tart. Add a few tablespoons of water to the baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, then check for tenderness with a fork. If still firm, bake an additional 5–10 minutes.
5. Serve warm with your favourite toppings.

Notes

Add a splash of water or juice to steam the apples while baking.

Great to prep ahead and enjoy cold from the fridge.

Try topping with Greek yoghurt, vanilla ice cream, or crème fraîche.

Swap pecans for walnuts, or use sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.

For extra spice, add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the crumble.