Welcome to the delightful world of guilt-free indulgence with this wholesome recipe for How to Make Healthy Baked Apples a scrumptious treat that perfectly embodies the essence of apple season.
These mouthwatering, gluten-free delights are free from added sugar and ideal for those following a specific carbohydrate diet.
Whether you’re craving a comforting dessert or a delectable side dish, these healthy baked apples will become your new autumn favorite.
Keep in mind that this easy baked apple recipe contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you.
- What Are The Best Apples to Bake With?
- Healthy Baked Apple Dessert
- Healthy Baked Cinnamon Apples Ingredients
- How to Make Healthy Baked Apples
- Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Guilt-Free Vanilla Ice Cream
- Storage Instructions for Healthy Baked Apples
- Variations on this Healthy Baked Apples Recipe
- More Apple Recipes
What Are The Best Apples to Bake With?
Before we dive into this simple recipe, let’s talk apples. Choosing the right variety is essential for the perfect dessert.
While there are many options available, Granny Smith apples, Fuji apples, Pink Lady apples, and Gala apples stand out as the best baking apples due to their firm texture and balanced tart flavor.
These apples hold their shape beautifully, even when baked, ensuring a satisfying end result. If you prefer a softer apple, McIntosh and Cortland apples are a good choice.
Keep in mind that you can make a great dessert with any type of apples you choose for this easy recipe.
Honey crisp apples and golden delicious are also good options to make healthy baked cinnamon apples.
I have made this light dessert with a variety of local apples from tart apples to sweet apples, the hardest part is choosing your favorite.
Healthy Baked Apple Dessert
This healthy baked apple recipe requires just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
No refined sugar here – we’ll be sweetening our apples naturally with a touch of honey and a hint of warm spices.
This fall-themed recipe is perfect for those following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.
It’s also great for a low calorie diet, or diabetics who track their daily values since it does not call for brown sugar or maple syrup like a lot of the foods you may consume this time of year.
For individuals managing diabetes, finding delectable desserts that align with their dietary needs can often be challenging.
Fortunately, this is one of the easiest recipes that not only caters to the health-conscious but also embraces fall’s low-maintenance version of sweetness.
Healthy Baked Cinnamon Apples Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy baked apples recipe.
- 4 apples
- 1/2 lemon
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 8 tablespoons of honey
- 4 ramekins or your choice of baking dish
No need to seek out large apples, just any size of normal apples will work.
For the lemon this recipe calls for, you will be using the juice, you can squeeze it out or use a grapefruit spoon to help, whatever works for you.
How to Make Healthy Baked Apples
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare the Apples:
- Remove the apple core then slice the apples thinly with a small paring knife and arrange them in a single layer between four individual ramekins.
- Drizzle the lemon juice from half a lemon evenly over the sliced apples (divide it among the four ramekins).
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to each ramekin for a delightful aroma and flavor.
- Sweeten the Raw Apple Halves:
- Sprinkle half a teaspoon of cinnamon over each ramekin to infuse the apples with warm spices.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of honey over the apples in each ramekin for a natural and healthy sweetness that will reach the bottom of the apple dish.
- Baking the Apples:
- Place the ramekins in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes.
- After 12 minutes, remove the ramekins from the oven and gently stir the apple mixture in each dish.
- Return the ramekins to the oven for another 12 minutes or until the apples are tender and fragrant.
- Cooling and Serving:
- Allow the baked apples to cool in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours to enhance their flavor and texture.
Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients
The perfect way to serve this simple baked apples recipe is to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the top of the apples while warm.
This healthy dessert rivals any apple crisp recipe I have ever had and it is the perfect recipe because it only contains natural sugars.
So be sure to save this one for topping all of your favorite apple desserts.
This is what you will need to make the healthy ice cream recipe to top your tender apples.
- 32 Ounces Coconut Milk
- 4 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Cup of Honey
- 3 Egg Yolks
- 2 Tablespoons of Butter
How to Make Guilt-Free Vanilla Ice Cream
- Preparing the Ice Cream Base:
- In a frying pan, combine 32 ounces of coconut milk, 4 tablespoons of vanilla extract, 1/2 cup of honey, 3 egg yolks, and 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Stir the mixture while heating it over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes. Ensure you continuously scrape the sides of the pan to prevent sticking.
- Thickening the Mixture:
- As you heat the mixture, it will thicken slightly. Continue cooking until it’s well heated and thickened to your desired consistency.
- Cooling the Ice Cream Base:
- Remove the pan from heat and allow the ice cream base to cool in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours. It should be completely cooled before moving to the next step.
- Churning the Ice Cream:
- Once the ice cream base has cooled, transfer it to an ice cream maker and churn for about 30 minutes or until it reaches a creamy consistency.
- Serving:
- Your homemade vanilla ice cream is ready to be enjoyed! Serve it alongside the healthy baked apples for a delightful and guilt-free dessert.
Storage Instructions for Healthy Baked Apples
Be sure to store any leftover healthy baked apple slices in an airtight container or another great way to store this recipe is in a small bowl with plastic wrap.
Allow the leftover apples to come down to room temperature before storing.
When you want to reheat these gluten-free baked apples, pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350.
They are at their best when warm and served with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Variations on this Healthy Baked Apples Recipe
If you prefer to sweeten your dish even more, use coconut sugar for a less refined and more natural sweetener.
To add more flavors from the holiday season, sprinkle in some fresh ginger before you bake apples, or add in an oat mixture mixed with coconut oil to resemble apple crisp.
To thicken the juice or the ice cream a bit more, using arrowroot powder is the best way to keep the flavors of the recipe since it has a neutral flavor.
If you prefer to keep it really simple, skip the ice cream and add Greek yogurt to the center of the apple dish or for those on SCD learn how to make your own yogurt to top this dish.
More Apple Recipes
The best part of this no sugar added homemade applesauce is that it’s made in a slow cooker. This is my favorite kitchen appliance to use this time of year.
It’s great for making apple cider, slow cooker apple butter, and these healthy baked apples because they fill the whole house with a delicious Fall aroma.
These Apple Chips are so easy to create in an air fryer. Once you try this recipe you will see why it has such a high star rating.
The next time the craving for apple pie hits, consider making this healthy version of apple cobbler.
If you feel like baking a Fall dessert, whip up this Grain Free Apple Cinnamon Cake or take a look at the recipe card for this Healthy Apple Bread.
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How to Make Healthy Baked Apples with Cream
Ingredients
- For the Vanilla Ice Cream
- 32 Ounces Coconut Milk
- 4 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Cup of Honey
- 3 Egg Yolks
- 2 Tablespoons of Butter
For the Healthy Baked Cinnamon Apples
- 4 Apples
- 1/2 Lemon
- 4 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
- 2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon
- 8 Tablespoons of Honey
Instructions
How to Make Healthy Baked Apples
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Remove the apple core then slice the apples thinly with a small paring knife and arrange them in a single layer between four individual ramekins.
Drizzle the lemon juice from half a lemon evenly over the sliced apples (divide it among the four ramekins).
Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to each ramekin for a delightful aroma and flavor.
Sprinkle half a teaspoon of cinnamon over each ramekin to infuse the apples with warm spices.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of honey over the apples in each ramekin for a natural and healthy sweetness that will reach the bottom of the apple dish.
Place the ramekins in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes.
After 12 minutes, remove the ramekins from the oven and gently stir the apple mixture in each dish.
Return the ramekins to the oven for another 12 minutes or until the apples are tender and fragrant.
Allow the baked apples to cool in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours to enhance their flavor and texture.
For the Vanilla Ice Cream
In a frying pan, combine 32 ounces of coconut milk, 4 tablespoons of vanilla extract, 1/2 cup of honey, 3 egg yolks, and 2 tablespoons of butter.
Stir the mixture while heating it over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes. Ensure you continuously scrape the sides of the pan to prevent sticking.
As you heat the mixture, it will thicken slightly. Continue cooking until it’s well heated and thickened to your desired consistency.
Remove the pan from heat and allow the ice cream base to cool in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours. It should be completely cooled before moving to the next step.
Once the ice cream base has cooled, transfer it to an ice cream maker and churn for about 30 minutes or until it reaches a creamy consistency.
About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.
Julie+Waldron
Tuesday 29th of September 2015
This looks so good and would be a great recipe for fall.
Kayla
Thursday 10th of September 2015
Match made in heaven! Thanks for sharing this scrumptious recipe! x
rochkirstin
Thursday 10th of September 2015
If these desserts are guilt-free and healthy, then I'm all for trying each one of them. Baked apples look so good and the together with the vanilla ice cream topping, I think I'm going to finish this treat in less than a minute. If we don't have ice cream maker, what can be a good alternative?
LaShawn
Wednesday 9th of September 2015
This is the perfect fall recipe! I can't wait to try this out after we go to the apple orchard soon! Fresh apples and homemade ice cream sounds perfect! I can't wait to try this out!
Castaway with Crystal
Wednesday 9th of September 2015
This is AWESOME! I can't make the Ice Cream myself but I will definitely be trying out those apples. So happy to find this :D
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