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Healthy Apple Pie Stuffed Apples - A Cozy, Lightened-Up Dessert

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 6 medium baking apples (Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Fuji, Braeburn, or Pink Lady)
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
  • 2–3 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional, a little goes a long way)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons water or apple cider (for the baking dish)
  • Optional toppings: Greek yogurt, a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of almond butter

Method
 

  1. Prep the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a small baking dish, just large enough to fit your apples snugly. Add the water or apple cider to the bottom of the dish.
  2. Core the apples: Slice a thin cap off the top of each apple. Use a spoon or melon baller to remove the core and seeds, leaving the bottom intact. Scoop out a bit of the flesh to create a small well, about 3/4 inch wide.
  3. Chop some apple flesh: Finely chop about 1/2 cup of the scooped apple and set it aside for the filling. This boosts the pie-like texture.
  4. Mix the filling: In a bowl, combine oats, chopped nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, raisins, chopped apple, maple syrup, vanilla, and melted coconut oil. Stir until everything is evenly coated and clumps slightly.
  5. Stuff the apples: Pack the filling into each apple cavity, mounding it slightly on top. Don’t press too hard; a light pack helps the oats stay tender.
  6. Bake: Arrange the apples in the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the apples are tender when pierced and the tops look toasty.
  7. Rest and serve: Let the apples cool for 5–10 minutes so the juices settle. Serve warm with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a small scoop of ice cream if you like.