With mouthwatering cinnamon flavor, these healthy, vegan baked apples are stuffed with a sweet oatmeal filling and baked until soft. Use them for an indulgent brunch or fall-inspired dessert. Plus, they can be made ahead of time so they're perfect for overnight guests!
Use up the apples from apple picking with this gluten-free stuffed apple recipe! Infused with cinnamon and maple flavor, these healthy baked apples are perfect for fall.
Though these baked apples seem high-end, they're actually very easy to put together and can be transformed into a healthy breakfast or tasty bunch.
Plus, you can actually make them ahead of time and just reheat them!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Healthy: Loaded with whole food ingredients, plant-based protein, and dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan these baked apples are pure healthy comfort food.
Fragrant: Not only are they delicious but they make the entire house smell amazing as well.
Make ahead: The apples can be prepped and stuffed ahead of time to save you time in the morning.
Ingredients and Substitutions
"I love these vegan baked apples! They're so healthy and yummy. The flaxseed and walnuts give them a great crunch, and the cinnamon just makes them taste even better." - Jane
Skip the brown sugar, these baked apples actually contain very few ingredients. And if you have a well-stocked gluten-free pantry, you're probably already set!
Apples: the kind of apples you choose will make a slight difference to the flavor of the baked apples. If you have extra use them up with these Instant Pot cinnamon apples or slow cooker apple cider recipes!
Gluten-free oats: make sure to use gluten-free oats if you need to. Opt for regular oats and not quick oats so that they maintain their texture when baked. Learn more about types of oats.
Flax meal: adding a dose of healthy fats to the baked apples. Know that hemp hearts could be used in place or flax can be omitted entirely.
Seasonings: you'll need all the fall classics to make your house smell amazing.
Maple syrup: used to sweeten the apples and give that fall comfort feeling. Make sure to use real maple syrup though for the most potent flavor.
Chia seeds: these help hold the oatmeal stuffing together and keep it creamy versus runny.
Non-dairy milk: any dairy-free milk will work. We use a lot of homemade hemp milk as that's what we have on hand.
Walnuts and coconut: these are used for crunch and flavor but can easily be interchanged.
How To Make Them
Step 1: Prep the apples by removing the core.
Step 2: Measure out the oatmeal filling ingredients.
Step 3: Make the cinnamon oatmeal on the stove.
Step 4: Spoon the oatmeal filling into the apples and bake in the oven.
Important Teaching Tips
Make sure not to over-boil the oatmeal. You want it to be creamy but not too thick.
If making the vegan baked apples ahead of time, let the oatmeal be a bit creamier as it will absorb in the fridge.
You can make this recipe paleo and whole30 approved by eliminating the oatmeal. If you want, simply prep the apples and stuff them with a mix of walnuts, coconut, cinnamon, chia seeds, and any other nuts you have on hand and bake them immediately.
As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, I prefer to add a bit of extra protein to this recipe personally. To do this, I use collagen powder mixed into the oatmeal. Know that this voids the "vegan" in the title but is great if you're reaping the benefits of a high protein diet.
Toppings and Flavor Variations
These vegan baked apples make a delicious breakfast or a healthy vegan dessert. If you're making them for dessert, top them with whole30 whipped cream, drizzled maple syrup, and toasted pecans.
If you're feeling really indulgent, top them with dairy-free caramel sauce and serve them with a side of vegan vanilla ice cream.
How To Meal Prep Them
To make the baked apples in advance, follow the directions up to stuffing the apples. Remember that you want to leave your oatmeal a bit creamier as it'll thicken in the fridge.
Place the apples in a baking dish and stuff them before letting them cool fully. Wrap the dish with plastic wrap and store in the fridge overnight.
The next morning, let the dish come to room temperature while the oven preheats. Top the oatmeal with chopped pecans and extra maple syrup if using and bake them as listed. If you notice that the oatmeal is especially thick, add about a teaspoon of dairy-free milk to each apple before baking.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover baked apples once cooled in a sealed container in the fridge. they'll stay fresh for about 3 days.
To reheat them, add a splash of milk to the apple and reheat them in the oven at 275F until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most recipes use brown sugar to sweeten baked apples. However, you don't have to! These vegan baked apples use maple syrup instead for a healthier option.
Each apple will have its own unique flavor. So, choose apples based on your own personal preference. The Yummy Life has a great breakdown of which apples to use for what! With this in mind, remember that the sweeter the apple, the sweeter the oatmeal. Granny smith apples will make this brunch a bit tangier. Meanwhile, MacIntosh apples will have a sweeter taste.
To reheat them, just pop them into the oven on very low the next morning (about 275 degrees Fahrenheit). This prevents them from drying out or burning and it gives the house a chance to smell amazing all over again!
Other Dairy & Gluten-Free Recipes You'll love
- Maple pecan oatmeal
- Paleo Pumpkin Waffles
- Pumpkin smoothie without banana
- Apple pie granola
- Maple pecan granola clusters
- Cookie dough overnight protein oats
- Easy vanilla protein bars
- Cookie dough balls
- Homemade crunchy granola
- High protein granola
- Fudgy protein brownies
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Easy protein pancakes
- Protein cookies
- Banana protein donuts
Vegan Baked Apples (Gluten-Free)
Video
Equipment
- Baking dish
Ingredients
- 6 Apples
- 1 cup Regular oats certified gluten-free as needed
- 1 tablespoon Chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon Flaxseed
- ½ tablespoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 ¼ cup Almond milk
- 3 tablespoons Maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Maple syrup yes, you want both
- ½ cup Chopped walnuts pecans work too
- 1 teaspoon Unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
- Chop the top off the apples and core the insides with a small paring knife. Line a baking dish with tinfoil and place the apples right side up.
- Bake for twenty five minutes or until tender.
- While the apples are baking, prep the oatmeal.
- In a small pot combine the oats, chia, flax, cinnamon, nutmeg and almond milk.
- Heat over medium heat until a rolling boil starts.
- Mix to combine. Cook for two minutes and cover with a lid until apples are done.
- Remove the lid to the oatmeal and mix in the three tablespoons of syrup and walnuts.
- Carefully portion the oatmeal into the apples. Top with coconut and a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Place in the oven on broil for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove, let cool slightly and enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
If you’re looking for what seems like a fancy put-together breakfast but is really quite simple then these stuffed apples are for you!
Furthermore, they're vegan and full of healthy, filling ingredients these easy-baked apples taste delicious and leave your house smelling even better
Janice says
I've never tried baked apples before, and this is the first time I've tried them. Your recipe was so easy to follow, and I love how it turned out! The baked apple and its filling are a match made in heaven. This is now my go-to dessert!
fitasamamabear says
They're fun to make every so often, glad you enjoyed them!
Jane says
I love these vegan baked apples! They're so healthy and yummy. The flaxseed and walnuts give them a great crunch, and the cinnamon just makes them taste even better.
fitasamamabear says
Happy you enjoyed them!
Jessica says
Hooray for comfort food that is actually good for you! My kids love this as a dessert and I couldn't be happier to make it for them.
fitasamamabear says
I love it!!
claud says
What a great fall treat, I loved how warm and comforting the flavours were. I think next time I'm going to throw in some pecans...thank you for the tip!
fitasamamabear says
MMM pecans make everything better lol