If you are looking for a cozy, comforting dessert that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, then you have got to try this Baked Apples with Oatmeal and Spiced Nut Filling Recipe. It combines the natural sweetness and tender juiciness of baked apples with a crunchy, flavorful filling made from pecans, oats, and warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom. This recipe is both simple and sophisticated, delivering layers of textures and tastes that will make you want to bake it again and again. Whether it’s for a weeknight treat or a special gathering, these baked apples bring a delightful balance of wholesome ingredients and irresistible flavor to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward but essential ingredients, each contributing to the overall harmony of flavors and textures. From the soft, tender apples to the crunchy spiced nut filling, here’s everything you need to make a fantastic batch of these baked delights.
- Apples: Choose firm, crisp apples that hold their shape well during baking, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
- Pecans: Roughly chopped for crunchy texture and a slightly buttery flavor that complements the apples.
- Old fashioned rolled oats: For a chewy, wholesome bite and a nice contrast to the tender fruit.
- Brown sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness with caramel undertones to the filling.
- Butter: Melted to bind the filling ingredients and add richness.
- Cinnamon: A warm, classic spice that heightens the comforting flavors.
- Cardamom: Adds an exotic, aromatic note that makes the recipe special.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors by balancing sweetness.
- Water: Helps create a nice sauce during baking for moist apples and filling.
- Corn starch: Dissolved in water to thicken the sauce perfectly.
- Lemon juice: A touch of acidity brightens the overall flavor, balancing the sweetness.
How to Make Baked Apples with Oatmeal and Spiced Nut Filling Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Apples
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it warms up, halve and core your apples carefully. This step ensures the apples become tender while holding their shape, creating the perfect little cups to hold the delicious filling.
Step 2: Arrange the Apples for Baking
Place your apple halves neatly in a 9×13 baking dish. The apples will nestle closely, catching all the juices as they bake, which deepens the flavor and keeps them moist and tender.
Step 3: Make the Spiced Nut and Oatmeal Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped pecans, rolled oats, brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, cardamom, and kosher salt. Stir until every ingredient is perfectly blended. This filling balances sweetness, spice, and crunch, making every bite a delightful surprise.
Step 4: Stuff the Apples
Spoon the oatmeal and nut mixture generously into the hollowed-out centers of each apple half. Be generous—this filling is the star of the show, adding both texture and flavor contrast to the soft apples.
Step 5: Prepare the Thickening Sauce and Pour Over Apples
Mix the water, corn starch, and lemon juice thoroughly until the corn starch is completely dissolved. Pour this mixture evenly over the apples in the baking dish. This liquid helps create a luscious, thickened sauce that marries the sweet and spiced elements beautifully as it bakes.
Step 6: Bake Until Tender and Golden
Bake the apples for 20 to 25 minutes, or until you can tenderly pierce the apples with a fork and the sauce surrounding them has thickened to a glossy finish. This is when the magic happens: the apples soften perfectly while the filling crisps around the edges.
Step 7: Serve or Store
Enjoy your Baked Apples with Oatmeal and Spiced Nut Filling Recipe right away for the best texture, or store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days to savor later.
How to Serve Baked Apples with Oatmeal and Spiced Nut Filling Recipe
Garnishes
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream adds a luscious coolness that contrasts wonderfully with the warm apples. For a fresh pop of color and acidity, sprinkle some finely chopped fresh mint or a few pomegranate seeds on top.
Side Dishes
Baked apples make a lovely light dessert after a hearty meal. Pair them with a cup of spiced tea or coffee, or alongside richer main courses like roasted chicken or pork to bring a fruity, sweet finish to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming individual presentation, place each baked apple half in a shallow bowl with a drizzle of the thickened sauce. Add a cinnamon stick on the side for an elegant touch. Alternatively, serve them warm in rustic ramekins for a cozy, homey vibe that invites everyone to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay delicious for up to three days and can be enjoyed cold or gently warmed the next day.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well. After baking and cooling completely, place individual portions into freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to two months, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your baked apples gently in the microwave or in a preheated oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. This helps maintain their texture without drying them out. A quick reheat revives that cozy homemade magic every time.
FAQs
Can I use other types of nuts in this recipe?
Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even chopped hazelnuts would work wonderfully and offer different flavor profiles and textures. Just keep the same quantity to maintain balance.
Do I need to peel the apples?
No need to peel the apples. Keeping the skin on helps the apples hold their shape during baking and adds additional fiber and nutrients to the dish.
What can I use instead of cardamom if I don’t have any?
If you don’t have cardamom, you can substitute with a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg, which also add lovely warm spice notes that complement apples well.
Is it okay to use quick oats instead of old fashioned oats?
While quick oats will work in a pinch, old fashioned rolled oats provide better texture and chewiness that make the filling more delightful.
Can I make this dessert vegan?
Yes! Simply replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use a vegan brown sugar to keep the dish both delicious and vegan-friendly.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Baked Apples with Oatmeal and Spiced Nut Filling Recipe — it’s a wonderful way to celebrate simple ingredients elevated to something extraordinary. I encourage you to try making it soon, whether for a quiet night in or to impress family and friends with your baking chops. It’s a warm, tasty treat that brings comfort and joy with every bite.
Print
Baked Apples with Oatmeal and Spiced Nut Filling Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully warm and comforting baked apples stuffed with a crunchy pecan and oat filling, spiced with cinnamon and cardamom, then baked until tender and served with a thickened, flavorful sauce. Perfect for a cozy dessert or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Apples
- 4 apples, halved and cored
Filling
- 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Sauce
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the apples evenly.
- Prepare the apples: Place the halved and cored apples in a 9×13 inch baking dish, arranging them so they are ready to be filled.
- Make the filling: In a bowl, combine the rough chopped pecans, rolled oats, brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, cardamom, and kosher salt. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well combined.
- Stuff the apples: Evenly distribute the pecan and oat filling into the cavities of the halved apples.
- Prepare the sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the water, corn starch, and lemon juice together until the corn starch is completely dissolved, ensuring a smooth sauce.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the filled apples in the baking dish to keep them moist and help thicken as they bake.
- Bake the apples: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the sauce has thickened to a nice consistency.
- Serve or store: Serve the baked apples immediately for best texture and flavor, or let cool and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to hold their shape during baking.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil or a plant-based margarine.
- Adjust spices according to your taste; nutmeg pairs well with this filling.
- The sauce helps keep the apples moist and forms a nice glaze—do not skip it.
- If omitting nuts due to allergy, replace pecans with extra oats or dried fruit.
