Baked Stuffed Apples Recipe with Cinnamon Honey Sauce

Delicious baked apples filled with a sweet oat crumble and finished with a warm cinnamon honey drizzle. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy, cozy fall dessert.

Fall has arrived and with it the urge to bake. Even if the weather where you are doesn’t feel like brisk autumn, these baked stuffed apples deliver all the comforting flavors of the season. Instead of the usual pumpkin spice obsession, this recipe highlights sweet, tender apples filled with a crunchy oat and nut crumble, baked until soft and served with a simple cinnamon-honey sauce. They’re straightforward to prepare, slightly lighter than some desserts, and pair perfectly with vanilla ice cream for a classic warm-and-cold contrast.

Ingredients for baked stuffed apples

• Apples: The stars of the dish; choose firm baking apples.
• Coconut sugar: Can be swapped for brown sugar. Coconut sugar keeps this recipe refined sugar–free.
• Rolled oats: Create the crisp, crumbly filling. Do not use instant oats.
• Pecans: Chopped—substitute almonds or walnuts if preferred.
• Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg provide warm, autumnal flavor.
• Butter: A few tablespoons melted to bind the crumble and add richness. Use dairy-free butter if you need a dairy-free version.
• Apple juice: Adds flavor to the baking pan and keeps apples moist. Water can be used, but apple juice gives better depth.
• Honey: Makes the cinnamon-honey drizzle—any honey variety works.
• Vanilla: A touch in the drizzle brightens and balances the sweetness.

What are the best apples for baking?

For this recipe, I recommend Fuji or Honeycrisp apples. Both are naturally sweet and hold up well in the oven while becoming tender and juicy. If you prefer a tart contrast, Granny Smith apples work nicely and offset the sweet filling.

How to make baked stuffed apples

1. Prep the apples: Preheat the oven to 350°F (or 400°F if you follow the alternate timing below for a slightly faster bake). Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. Use a knife to core each apple, leaving at least 1/2–3/4 inch of flesh around the sides so the apples hold their shape. Place the apples upright in the prepared dish.
2. Make the oat crumble: In a bowl, combine rolled oats, coconut sugar (or brown sugar), chopped pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbly.
3. Fill and bake: Divide the oat crumble evenly among the cored apples. Pour apple juice into the bottom of the baking dish around the apples to create a moist baking environment. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes to help crisp the topping.
4. Prepare the drizzle: While the apples bake, whisk together honey, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.
5. Serve: When the apples are tender, top each with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle the cinnamon-honey sauce over the apples and ice cream.

FAQ: Tips for the best baked stuffed apples

• Do I have to use apple juice? No, but apple juice adds flavor and helps create a fragrant, slightly saucy pan at the bottom. Water will work if you don’t have juice, though the result is less flavorful.
• How long do apples bake? Baking time depends on apple size and how thick you left the sides. Most apples finish in 45–50 minutes, but start checking around 30 minutes if your apples are smaller or you removed a lot of core.
• Will the apples be mushy? Properly cored and baked apples should be tender but not fully mushy—soft on the outside and yielding but intact in the center.
• How do I core an apple? Cut a circular opening around the top, angling the knife toward the center, then lift off the top and scoop out the core with a spoon. Keep the sides about 1/2–3/4 inch thick so the apple retains structure while baking.

Why you’ll love this baked apple recipe

• A healthier treat: Apples offer fiber and antioxidants, so this dessert feels nourishing while still indulgent.
• Simple to make: Core, fill, and bake—an easy, low-effort dessert that looks impressive.

Need it gluten-free? Oats can be cross-contaminated during processing, so choose oats labeled “gluten-free” if you need a certified gluten-free version.

Need it dairy-free? Substitute dairy-free or vegan butter for a dairy-free option without sacrificing texture or flavor.

Recipe: Baked Stuffed Apples with Cinnamon Honey Sauce

Ingredients

• 6 apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji)
• 2/3 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 4 Tbsp butter, melted (or dairy-free substitute)
• 1/2 cup apple juice

For the cinnamon honey drizzle

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Whisk the honey, cinnamon and vanilla together and set aside.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 400°F if you prefer the slightly faster timing) and spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Core each apple, leaving the sides 1/2–3/4 inch thick. Place the apples in the baking dish.
4. Stir together coconut sugar, rolled oats, chopped pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter. Divide the mixture evenly among the apples, packing it into each cavity.
5. Pour apple juice into the pan around the apples and cover the dish with foil. Bake for 40–45 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes to crisp the topping.
6. Top each warm apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle the cinnamon-honey sauce over the top before serving.

Notes

• Start checking doneness around 30 minutes if your apples are small or if you removed a lot of flesh when coring. Smaller apples will cook faster.
• Want to make only 4 apples? Halve the filling ingredients and keep the other steps the same.

More dessert recipes you might like:

• Baked Nectarines with Cinnamon Honey Sauce
• Fresh Cherry Crisp with Cinnamon Crunch Topping
• Banana Bread Brownies
• Double Chocolate Chip Butternut Squash Brownies

Made one of these recipes? Tag @kalefornia_kravings on social media and leave a comment with your review. I love seeing your creations!