Make tender baked apples filled with a sweet, spiced oat crumble. This easy recipe is perfect for a warm fall dessert or a cozy treat.
Author:zoe-thompson
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:40 min
Total Time:55 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
4 large firm apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup hot water
Optional: Vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt for serving
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a small baking dish.
Wash the apples. Use a small knife or melon baller to core the apples, removing the seeds and leaving about a half-inch thick wall around the center. Do not cut all the way through the bottom.
In a small bowl, combine the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Cut the cold butter into the dry mixture using your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Place the cored apples in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the crumble mixture evenly into the center cavity of each apple. Pack it down gently.
Pour the hot water into the bottom of the baking dish around the apples. This creates steam to help the apples soften.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Baking time depends on the size and type of apple.
Carefully remove the apples from the oven. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Serve warm, topping each baked apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or yogurt if desired.
Notes
For a healthier option, reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons and use maple syrup instead of butter in the crumble.
If you want a softer apple, cover the dish loosely with foil for the first 20 minutes of baking.
You can substitute the water with apple cider for extra flavor in the bottom of the pan.