Refined sugar-free stuffed baked apples are the perfect gluten-free fall dessert. They’re naturally sweetened and packed with an oatmeal filling that will remind you of the crumble topping in apple crisp. To make them extra special and delicious, top them with vegan vanilla ice cream or our coconut whipped topping. They’re also great with vegan vanilla yogurt for a healthy breakfast.
Published January 9, 2017 and updated October 21, 2021.
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Vegan Raspberry Lime Cheesecake
Grilled Pineapple & Cinnamon Coconut Cream
INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Apples – You’ll need 6 to 8 medium apples for this healthy baked apple recipe. You could also substitute with pears if you like, although they’re not as easy to stuff.
Rolled Oats – To make this recipe gluten-free, buy certified gluten-free oats, such as Bob’s Red Mill oats.
Walnuts – We think that apples and walnuts go so well together, although you could use any nut in this recipe.
Dried Cranberries – The tart cranberries and the sweet apple are so delicious together. You can substitute with raisins, dates, or any other dried fruit, but they’ll just add more sweetness to the apples.
Vegan Butter – The filling needs fat to make it tender and crispy. You could use coconut oil, although vegan butter adds a delicious buttery flavor that pairs so well with the other ingredients.
Cinnamon – We only used one spice in this recipe, because that’s all that’s needed. Feel free to add another warm spice, such as nutmeg or ginger.
Salt – A tiny bit of salt balances the sweet in this recipe and enhances the other flavors. If you don’t eat salt, feel free to leave it out.
Water – The water in the filling helps the ingredients to stick together and cooks the oats. The water in the pan helps to steam the apples so they turn out tender.
THE BEST APPLES FOR BAKING
You’ll want to use firm apples for this recipe. Soft will only collapse and become too soft.
Fuji and Honeycrisp are the only apples we’ll use for baked apples.
If you decide to use another type of apple, check them more frequently while they’re baking so they don’t get too soft and mushy.
PRO TIPS
Use rolled oats, not steel cut.
Choose Fuji or Honeycrisp apples.
Leave some apple at the bottom whey you core them. This will prevent the filling from falling through the apple when you lift them out of the pan.
Make sure that the oven is completely preheated before baking the apples.
HOW TO MAKE THEM
STEP ONE
Core the apples.
Two Ways to Core an Apple
- Use a paring knife. Carefully insert the knife into the side of the apple and slowly cut around the core in a circle around the apple. This allows you to make a larger space for the filling.
- Use an apple corer. This is a safer way to core the apple, but the hole in the apple will be smaller, so you may want to use a paring knife or spoon to carve out a bigger hole for the filling.
STEP TWO
Make the filling.
In a large bowl, add the filling ingredients and stir or use your hands to completely combine. The mixture should slightly stick together.
STEP THREE
Fill the apples with the filling. Don’t be afraid to fill beyond the top.
Pour the water in the baking dish and place the apples in the dish. Cover with foil and bake for approximately one hour, or until the apples are fork tender.
MAKE AHEAD AND STORAGE
You can prep the apples and filling one day ahead of when you want to bake them.
You can core the apples ahead of time, just brush the inside of the fruit with lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown.
Make the filling ahead of time and store covered in the refrigerator.
Store the baked apples in the refrigerator and eat them cold or reheat them in a 350°F (176°C) oven until warmed through.
MORE VEGAN FALL DESSERT RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Vegan Maple Glazed Doughnuts with Coconut Bacon
Vegan Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Easy Vegan Pumpkin Dip with Pie Crust Chips
SUGAR-FREE STUFFED BAKED APPLES
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 8 medium to large apples
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup dried unsweetened cranberries or raisins
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon finely ground sea salt
- 2 tablespoon chilled vegan butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup water, divided
TOPPING
- Vegan vanilla ice-cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) degrees
- Wash and carefully core the apples with a paring knife. Scrape the bottom of the core out with a spoon, making sure that you don’t put a hole in the bottom of the apple. See ways to core an apple in the content above.
FOR THE FILLING
- In a large mixing bowl combine the 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup walnuts, ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ⅛ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons vegan butter, and ⅓ cup of water. Use your hands to mix it together, pressing the butter into the oats until it becomes sticky.
- Put the apples in a deep baking dish and pour the remaining water in the pan. Liberally spoon the filling into the apples to the top and cover the pan with foil.
- Bake for approximately one hour, or until fork tender. Serve warm and top with vanilla ice-cream if desired.
The Vegan 8 says
These look so delicious! I LOVE baked apples and baked apple desserts. Apple crisps are one of my favorite things to eat and apples are my favorite fruit. I love the oats on top, kind of like a crisp, but so much less work, no chopping! Mmmm, my mouth is watering.
Linda Meyer says
Thank you! Yes, exactly, these are like an apple crisp, only so much easier. 🙂
Uma Srinivas says
These looks delicious. Wonder how oats tastes with baked apples:) I will try this soon Linda:)
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Uma! Oats and apples are wonderful together. Let me know what you think.
Anjali Lalani says
These stuffed baked apples look AMAZING!!! I would LOVE to be served one of these for breakfast. I'm going to have to try this sometime. Thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Anjali! You should make them, they're so easy. 🙂
alisamarie says
I love that these are sugar free! They look like a perfect nourishing breakfast. I'm always craving carbs in the a.m.
Linda Meyer says
You'd love this, Alisa. A naturally sweet breakfast with healthy carbs, and it's warm and so good. 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i didnt think i liked baked apples until i recently tried it at a cooking class. your version with extra scoop of ice cream would be just wonderful.
Linda Meyer says
Hi Dixya! Aren't they wonderful? They're so healthy, and they taste like they shouldn't be.
Howie Fox @ HurryTheFoodUp says
I really enjoy baked apples at this time of the year! Boskoop really works well due to its texture and taste . What an easy, tasty and healthy dessert!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Howie! I had to Google "boskoop," because I've never heard that name before. It looks like a great apple for this recipe. 🙂
Mel | avirtualvegan.com says
I haven't made baked apples in years. My Mum used to make them for us when we were kids, but she literally used to just remove the core with one of those metal apple corers, then stuff the little tiny tube that was left with filling. I like your way better...so much more of that yummy filling!
Linda Meyer says
My mom did the same thing. I like to get as much of the stuffing in the apple as possible. 🙂 Thanks so much!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
I love baked apples and these look absolutely divine! 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Ceara!
Jackie of Vegan Yack Attack says
Baked stuffed apples are one of my favorite fall treats! These look exceptional.
Linda Meyer says
Thanks so much, Jackie!
Jenn says
Oh man, those look so good!! I feel like I can smell it from my compute screen. My mouth is watering!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Jenn! My house smelled amazing while they were baking. 🙂
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Such a creative and fun treat, thanks! It's been a long time since I've baked apples too!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you! It's time to make some, they'd be perfect for the crazy weather you're getting right now.
Vegan Heaven says
These look absolutely delicious, Linda. 🙂 I haven't had baked apples for like ever!!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Sina!
Trish says
Thought I'd pop on over to let you know that these red gems were absolutely delicious. And the best part was that they weren't sweet, just a subtle sweetness that made you feel good about eating them. I topped them with some coco whip because, well, fresh coconut whipped cream just makes everything right 😉 This dessert will be visiting my dinner table on a weekly basis for sure. Thanks so much, Linda!
Linda Meyer says
Yay! That's so good to hear, thank you so much! It makes me happy that you agree about the sweetness of the apple, there's no need to add sugar when the apple lends just the right amount. 🙂
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
These look like the perfect dessert (or breakfast!) for winter. I love how much "stuffing" they have!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Dianne! Yes, they are so good for breakfast, like a fancy oatmeal stuffed into an apple.
Dianna Hebert says
Hi, what temperature do you bake this. The recipe looks good!
Linda Meyer says
Hi Dianna, bake the apples in a 350 degree oven. Let me know what you think! 🙂
Jessica says
Can i use rolled oats in place of the whole oats?
Linda Meyer says
Hi Jessica, yes, absolutely!
veggiesdontbite says
These look amazing! My mom makes a dessert really similar to these and they are SO good! I have always loved it, especially with some vanilla ice cream or cocowhip. Now I'm craving it! One more day until I can eat solid food again!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Sophia! I love these so much, I can't believe I haven't thought to share them on the blog before today. Good luck with the cleanse, you can do it!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
These baked apples look delicious! I haven't had one in years, but they remind me of childhood and my mom making them.
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Amy! I love it when food evokes good memories. 🙂
Becky says
Oh my goodness, these look so amazing!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Becky!
Trish says
Got the ingredients in the kitchen, making these tonight. Will report back on the deliciousness tomorrow 😉
Linda Meyer says
Thanks Trish! I can't wait to hear back from you. 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
Baked apples always make for a great easy sweet treat!
Linda Meyer says
Yes they do.