Healthy Apple Pie Baked Apples

These healthy baked apples are stuffed with a cinnamon apple filling and topped with a vegan (optionally gluten-free) lattice pie crust for easy apple pie baked apples worthy of any dinner table or special event! Sweet, tender, light, warming, cozy, and diet-friendly, too!

Healthy Baked Apples with Cinnamon Apple Filling and Lattice Topping

It doesn’t have to be fall time for us to appreciate the warm and comforting flavors of apple and cinnamon. During summer, I love to nibble on apple cinnamon chips, and I’ve even recently shared a recipe for quick and easy Air Fryer apples (slices or whole). Now, it’s the turn of these healthy baked apples, which bake (or air fry/microwave) apple pie right into the apple itself.

There are several reasons you’ll love these baked cinnamon apples:

• These apple pie baked apples are excellent for 1-2 person households that don’t want to bake up a whole pie.
• The minimal lattice pie topping provides classic apple pie elements in a lighter, healthier way.
• These vegan baked apples are adorable - perfect for impressing guests at dinner parties, events, and the holidays (like Thanksgiving or Christmas).
• All they require is 8 ingredients, likely already in your kitchen/pantry.
• The process is low-fuss and requires minimal effort.
• They’re quicker to make than regular apple pie, with around 10 minutes of prep, AND don’t require a long cooling period.
• These easy baked apples are free from most common allergens.
• If you don’t want to bake them, I’ve included versions for microwave or air fryer baked apples.

They’re not only already dairy-free, egg-free, and healthier than traditional apple pie, but you can also make these healthy baked apples gluten-free, refined sugar-free, or even no sugar baked apples (aka paleo and keto friendly!). You could also swap the pie crust topping for a simple vegan cinnamon streusel topping like in this peach crisp. It’s up to you!

Once baked, enjoy these stuffed baked apples alone, with a big scoop of vanilla nice cream, vegan custard, whipped coconut cream, maple syrup, or (always) a healthy drizzle of vegan caramel sauce. In no time at all, there will be empty plates all around!

The Ingredients

Just 8 simple, inexpensive, and pantry-friendly ingredients make up these delicious healthy baked whole apples.

• Apples: I recommend using Honeycrisp (sweeter) or Granny smith apples (more tart).

• Cinnamon: Adjust the amount to taste and add a pinch of nutmeg if preferred.
• Brown sugar: For a refined sugar-free option, use coconut sugar. Use a sugar-free brown sugar alternative for no sugar baked apples.
• Vanilla extract: Use natural vanilla for the best flavor.
• Cornstarch: To help the apple pie filling reach the desired consistency, so it’s not too runny in the apple pie baked apples.
• Lemon juice: Will help to keep the apples from browning and add brightness.
• Vegan butter: Alternatively, coconut oil would work.
• Pie crust: To save time and effort, I love to use vegan store-bought roll-out pie crust. Use gluten-free if necessary.

What Could I Add to The Vegan Baked Apples?

• Other spices: Instead of cinnamon, use a pre-made apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or chai spice for different flavor variations.
• Orange zest: For brightness and extra flavor in the apple pie stuffed apples.
• Dried fruit: A handful of raisins, sultanas, or dried cranberries will add little bites of sweetness to the baked cinnamon apples.
• Berries: Add a handful of blueberries, blackberries, etc., to the filling.
• Nuts: Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds) can be sprinkled over or into the baked apple pie filling for added texture and crunch.
• Alternative Topping: Instead of the pie crust, this easy-baked apple recipe will also taste delicious with a simple cinnamon crumble topping combined with nuts and raisins. You can even mix it into the apple filling.

How to Make Baked Apples with Lattice Pie Crust?

Follow just 6 simple, low-fuss steps to prepare these easy stuffed apples.

• 1) First, preheat the oven to 375F/190C and bring the pie crust dough to room temperature.
• 2) Then, prepare the apple filling. Peel, core, and dice two apples and transfer them to a small bowl with sugar, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon juice. Mix well to combine.

• 3) Then, preheat a small pan over medium heat with the vegan butter. Once melted, pour in the diced apple mixture and sauté for 5 minutes, or until the apples soften.

• 4) Slice the top off the remaining apples and use a melon baller or paring knife to scoop out the core and some apple flesh to make a ‘bowl’ for the filling. Then, divide the apple pie mixture between the 4 apples.

For even smaller portions, instead of the above, slice every apple in half, remove the core, and scoop out some surrounding flesh, laying lattice over each apple half.

• 5) Roll out the pie crust and cut it into strips about ¼-inch wide and long enough to fit the width of the apples (going halfway down the side of the apples). Then use them to create a lattice topping over each apple. Optionally top with a dash more cinnamon.

You can create a traditional lattice by weaving the pieces over and under the others. However, I made it even simpler by placing two vertical pieces, first at either side of the filling, three horizontal over the top of that (evenly spaced), and then one more vertical for a mock lattice look (refer to images).

• 6) Transfer the prepared apples to a baking dish and bake them for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling, and the crust is golden brown. Allow them to cool for a few minutes, then enjoy the apple pie baked apples!

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• If any apples don’t stand upright: Slice a very thin layer off the bottom of the apple or use some scrunched-up foil to steady them.
• Don’t over-core the apples: They still need sturdy walls surrounding the ‘bowl,’ so the baked whole apples don’t collapse while baking.
• Adjust the sweetness: Based on the type of apple you use and your sweet tooth.
• Adjust the cooking time: Based on the size of the apples and your desired texture (tender-crisp or more tender). If you want them very tender, it can take up to 45 minutes.
• For more tender apples: Add some water to the pan when placing it in the oven and optionally loosely cover with foil to help steam the apples. Remove the foil after 20 minutes to give the crust time to brown.
• To make the recipe oil-free: Just add a splash of water or apple juice when sautéing the stuffed apples filling.

Storage Instructions

Make ahead: You can assemble the vegan baked apples up to 12 hours before baking them, making sure to rub the interior of each apple with lemon juice and wrap them well. When ready to bake, remove them from the fridge for 15 minutes, add the topping, and bake.

Store: Allow the healthy baked apples to cool, then store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Freeze: Freeze until solid, then wrap, pop into Ziplock/Stasher bags, and freeze for 3-4 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for several hours.

Reheat: You can either pop the whole baked cinnamon apples back in the oven until warm, in an air fryer for 3-4 minutes, or even pop them in the microwave in 15-second increments until ready.

More Easy Vegan Fruity Desserts

• Easy peach crisp
• Zucchini mock apple pie
• Easy yogurt mango popsicles
• Pineapple strawberry nice cream
• Blueberry zucchini muffins
• Blackberry orange cupcakes
• Easy vegan lemon cake
• Healthy watermelon popsicles

If you try this recipe for easy healthy baked apples with apple pie filling and lattice topping, I’d love to know what you think in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla