These Healthy Cinnamon Baked Apples are entirely free of refined sugar! Just 7 ingredients and 25 minutes of preparation.
How have you been spending your holidays? Have you been eating tons of cookies and gingerbread and slurp eggnog all day long? I’m sure that sweatpants are made for feasting instead of exercising, don’t you think?
No matter if we gain endlessly, holidays are just great. No work and much time for yourself and your family.
Anyway, I’m your helper in need. In case that you don’t need to shop clothes one size bigger after the holidays or just live with sweatpants the rest of your life, I made healthy Cinnamon Baked Apples for you today to get you cured of your sugar trip.
Healthy Cinnamon Baked Apples – all naturally sweetened
These healthy Cinnamon Baked Apples are sweet but come without any refined sugar. I sweetened the apples with just 1 tablespoon of maple syrup per apple. I also added one cut and peeled apple to the filling to get it even sweeter. But all natural.
1 full teaspoon of cinnamon and 2 vanilla beans add a bombastic flavor to the baked apples.
The cream cheese adds a bit of a salty touch to the filling.
The filling is beyond creamy. You can literally spoon the filling out of the apple. It’s like warm overnight oats in an apple instead of a jar.
I had mine with one tablespoon of whipped cream and more maple syrup on top. Don’t judge me. I know we were talking about healthy Cinnamon Baked Apples and now I admit that I have mine with whipped cream? To my defense, one tablespoon of whipped cream doesn’t have that many calories, and I didn’t add sugar.
This healthy Cinnamon Baked Apples recipe is
- warming
- easy and quick to make
- loaded with cinnamon and vanilla
- completely free of refined sugar
- so creamy
- delicious!!!
If you make this healthy Cinnamon Baked Apples recipe, leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #alsothecrumbsplease on Instagram! Would love to see your snap!
Click here to see all naturally sweetened recipes like Blueberry Cream Cheese Overnight Oats, Peach Cobbler Overnight Oats, Strawberry Rhubarb Overnight Oats, or Apple Pie Overnight Oats.
- 5 large apples
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (100g)
- 7 oz cream cheese, softened (200g)
- 1/2 cup milk (120ml)
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 vanilla beans* (or 2 tsp vanilla extract)
Preheat oven to 400°F / 205°C.
Peel and chop one apple and place in a small bowl. Add 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and stir to combine. Set aside.
In a large bowl stir together oats, cream cheese, milk, maple syrup, 3/4 tsp of cinnamon, and vanilla* to combine. Fold in apples.
Cut off the top of the remaining 4 apples and hollow out until the apples have about 0.5-inch thickness. Spoon filling inside the apples and place on a baking sheet or in a baking pan and bake for about 18-20 minutes until the apples are soft but not mushy. Top with whipped cream, maple syrup, or chopped nuts, and serve immediately.
Recipe Video
Can I Substitute Anything For Cream Cheese?
Substitutions
If you don't like cream cheese or are unable to eat it for some reason, you can replace it for this recipe. Here are a couple of ideas you can try:
- Mix together 1/2 cup (120g) heavy cream and 1/2 cup (125g) yogurt (Greek or plain). Whisk together well.
- Toss 1/2 cup (125g) ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup (125g) of plain or Greek yogurt together. Mix well.
What Can I Use In Place Of Maple Syrup?
Don't worry; if you aren't a fan of maple syrup, there are other options for you to try out. That is what I love about these whole baked apples; they are super versatile.
- Use 4 Tablespoons (84g) of Honey
- Replace with 4 Tablespoons (84g) of Agave Nectar
- Brown Sugar is an option if you aren't worried about refined sugar. Add 4 Tablespoons (50g).
Recommendations
- Use fresh apples that are still good when you make this recipe.
- Make sure to use old-fashioned oats because minute oats will become slimy.
- For best results, eat the whole baked apples when they are still warm.
*First, cut off the straight end of the vanilla bean. Then place the tip of your sharp knife below the curled end and cut the vanilla bean through the middle of the bean lengthwise. Although you don't need to cut it all the way through, it's ok when you do so. Then open the vanilla bean and scrape out the flavorful seeds with the back of your knife. Just use the seeds.
I have never seen anything like these stuffed apples before, this looks so good! what a creative recipe! I have to try this!
Thank you so much, Albert! Nothing beats a healthy though sweet dessert without any refined sugar.