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
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)
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!
Video
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
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
These look delicious! I would happily enjoy these for breakfast or dessert. So perfect for this time of the year.
Melissa Schollaert
These are SO cute and seasonal!
fitasamamabear
And so tasty 😀
Kelsey
I LOVE that you baked this INSIDE the apple! My kids will go nuts for this recipe! Thanks a million!
fitasamamabear
It makes it look cuter! My daughter loved it I hope your kids enjoy it too!
Carol Little R.H.
Who doesn't love baked apples? WOW. Love the chia seeds in there too.
Yummy goodness and easy to make!!
fitasamamabear
It's a super tasty one! Everything yummy 😀
Bertahan Luxing
Looks like a great recipe. And sugar free, right?
fitasamamabear
Yuppers! It has maple syrup but processed sugar free!
Christine
WOW...I've never seen anything like this before! They look so delicious and festive for this time of year! Love! I'll have to give it a try!
fitasamamabear
It's a really simple to make which is definitely a plus!
Suzanne Spiegoski
What a delicious healthy treat! xo, Suzanne~ http://www.suzannespiegoski.com
fitasamamabear
It's a tasty one!
Ophelia Tang
These baked apples looks so delicious. This treat is perfect for Halloween. Thanks for sharing.
fitasamamabear
Oh I didn't even think of them for Halloween.. I just love apples and oatmeal!
Ana
OMG, these look so tasty!!! Love the delicious looking pictures that make me want to take a bite right now. LOL! I love that you included the 5 Star Receipe (easy to print out) and convienient to have on hand. Will be trying this recipe this weekend. Thanks so much for sharing!
fitasamamabear
I hope you enjoy them! I made them twice because I ate the first batch so quickly haha They're a tasty (and fancy looking!) one. Perfect for a weekend breakfast 🙂
Ana
Forgot to rate it - definitely a 5 Star and great for Fall Gatherings. Thanks again!
jennifer
I have made a similar recipe in the past, and it was such a great hit at a fall brunch
fitasamamabear
Right?! And it looks like you put SO much work into it!
Annmarie
What a great idea - these look absolutely delicious!
fitasamamabear
Thanks! They're actually very simple- win!
Sandra D Laflamme
Oh yum! I need to make these since we just went apple picking yesterday!
fitasamamabear
Ahh jealous! So many apple related things you can make!!
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing cinnamon oatmeal baked apples recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
jennifer
ooh yeah! So excited to be heading into baked apple season! I love all the healthy additions you have stuffed in yours!
fitasamamabear
They're kinda like dessert and breakfast rolled into one lol
claud
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
MMM pecans make everything better lol
Jessica
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
I love it!!
Jane
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
Happy you enjoyed them!
Janice
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
They're fun to make every so often, glad you enjoyed them!