Name: Baked Apples with Oat and Cinnamon Filling Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-490552H27M46S
Total time: PT-490552H27M46S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 apples (approx. 2 to 2.25 pounds total, or 5 to 6 ounces for each apple); 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (70 grams); ⅔ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (60 grams); ⅓ cup packed light or dark brown sugar (65 grams); ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 ½ cups water (360 ml); 1 ½ tablespoons light or dark brown sugar (22 grams); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30 grams)

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 34 reviews

If you are craving a comforting, naturally sweet dessert that feels like a warm hug on a plate, look no further than this Baked Apples with Oat and Cinnamon Filling Recipe. It’s a simple yet delightful way to bring together tender baked apples filled with a spiced oat mixture that is both crunchy and soft. Every bite bursts with cozy cinnamon flavor, gentle sweetness, and a buttery richness that makes this dish perfect for any season. Whether as a family treat or a charming finish to a dinner party, these baked apples will quickly become one of your go-to desserts that feel homemade and utterly irresistible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a variety of cooking ingredients arranged on a white marbled surface. In the center, there is a white bowl filled with light beige rolled oats. Around the bowl, there are five whole apples with red and yellow skin. To the top left of the oats, a small white dish holds a mound of cinnamon powder, while to the top right, a metal measuring cup is filled with light brown sugar. On the bottom right, a white plate holds two small slices of pale yellow butter. The whole scene is clean and softly lit, giving a fresh and simple look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this recipe lies in using straightforward, wholesome ingredients that work together beautifully to create texture and flavor. Each component plays a crucial role: the apples provide juicy sweetness and a soft bite, oats add a satisfying chew, and cinnamon brings a warm spice that ties everything together.

6 apples (about 5 to 6 ounces each): Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best texture after baking.
5 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps bind the oat filling deliciously.
⅔ cup old-fashioned rolled oats: Gives the filling a lovely chewy contrast to the soft apples.
⅓ cup packed brown sugar: Sweetens the filling naturally and creates a caramel-like depth during baking.
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Infuses the dish with warm, fragrant spice that complements the apples perfectly.
1 ½ cups water: Forms the baking liquid to keep the apples moist as they roast.
1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar (for the sauce): Adds extra sweetness to the cooking liquid.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for the sauce): Boosts the cinnamon flavor throughout the entire dish.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the sauce): Provides a silky richness that blends beautifully into the sauce.

How to Make Baked Apples with Oat and Cinnamon Filling Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Core the Apples

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Using an apple corer, carefully remove each apple’s core, making sure to take out all seeds to avoid any bitterness. Arrange the cored apples in a baking dish, giving them enough room so the filling doesn’t spill over during baking.

Step 2: Mix the Oat and Cinnamon Filling

In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, rolled oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Use your hands, a spatula, or an electric mixer to blend until everything is fully mixed and holds together slightly. This filling is the heart of the Baked Apples with Oat and Cinnamon Filling Recipe, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

Step 3: Stuff the Apples

Fill each cored apple with about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of the oat mixture. Make sure to stuff them firmly so the filling stays inside during baking. It’s easiest to fill the apples right in the baking dish to avoid any mess from the filling leaking out.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, bring together water, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Let the mixture come to a boil, stirring gently to dissolve the sugar and melt the butter. Once boiling, remove from heat and spoon some of the hot sauce over each stuffed apple to give them a lovely glaze.

Step 5: Bake and Baste the Apples

Place the pan in the oven’s center rack and bake for 30 minutes. This initial bake lets the apples soften while the filling starts to cook perfectly. Remove the apples and baste them by spooning some of the sauce from the bottom of the pan over the tops to keep them moist and flavorful. Return the pan to bake for another 10 to 25 minutes depending on the apple size and your preferred softness. You’ll notice the apples may slightly burst open—this is a delicious sign indicating they are ready!

Step 6: Cool Before Serving

Let the baked apples cool for about 15 minutes after coming out of the oven. This resting time allows the flavors to settle and prevents burns from the hot filling. Once cooled, they are ready to enjoy!

How to Serve Baked Apples with Oat and Cinnamon Filling Recipe

The image shows two round baked apples with a golden brown skin, filled with a crumbly oat and nut mixture that is slightly darker brown and textured with small chunks, sitting on a white plate with light brown speckles and syrup pooling around them. The apples look soft and shiny with a few wrinkles, and one apple is focused in the front center, while the other is placed slightly behind and off to the side. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, and part of a cinnamon stick and a spoon are visible near the edge of the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To add an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle chopped toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans over the apples. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream also complements the warm spices perfectly, creating a luscious dessert experience that feels both homey and special.

Side Dishes

Baked apples pair beautifully with light breakfast sides like Greek yogurt or alongside a cozy cup of spiced tea or coffee. For a more robust meal, serve them with creamy oatmeal or granola to enhance the oat textures from the filling.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving each baked apple in a small, shallow bowl with a drizzle of the sauce spooned over the top. For festive occasions, dust them lightly with powdered sugar or cinnamon for a pretty, rustic look. You could also halve the apples after baking and arrange them on a platter for easy sharing with friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store any leftover Baked Apples with Oat and Cinnamon Filling Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, making for an easy grab-and-go dessert or snack.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked apples if you want to keep them longer. Wrap each apple tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. They will maintain quality for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat frozen or refrigerated baked apples gently in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 15 minutes, or microwave on medium power until warmed through. Be sure to baste them with a little extra sauce or butter to keep them moist and flavorful.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! While firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji work best for maintaining shape, you can experiment with Granny Smith for tartness or Gala for sweetness. Just note that softer apples may bake faster and could turn mushier.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?

Yes, simply substitute the unsalted butter with a plant-based alternative like coconut oil or vegan margarine. The overall taste will still be wonderfully rich and comforting.

How do I prevent the oat filling from leaking out?

Fill the apples right in the baking pan to catch any spills, stuffing each apple firmly but not so tight that the filling overflows during baking. This helps keep the filling inside while the oats cook to a perfect texture.

Can I add nuts or dried fruit to the filling?

Of course! Adding chopped nuts or dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries can add interesting textures and bursts of flavor. Just mix them into the oat mixture before stuffing the apples.

How soft will the apples be after baking?

The softness depends on baking time and apple variety. For a slightly firm apple, bake towards the shorter end of the recommended time. For a tender, melt-in-your-mouth apple, bake longer. The apples should hold their shape but be tender enough to easily cut with a fork.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Baked Apples with Oat and Cinnamon Filling Recipe enough if you want a fuss-free, delicious dessert that smells like fall and tastes like nostalgia. Its simple ingredients come together to create something warm, cozy, and naturally sweet. Give it a try—once you do, I promise it will become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection as it has in mine.