Easy Baked Apple Slices Recipe

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These easy baked apple slices turn three fresh apples into a warm fall dessert with very little work. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and coconut sugar create a lightly caramelized sauce while chopped pecans add crunch.

I especially like this recipe when a few apples have been sitting in the fruit bowl and my kids keep passing them over. Once you bake those same apples with cinnamon and serve them warm, they suddenly look much more appealing.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Baked Apple Slices

You’ll need apples, butter, sweeteners and a few warm spices for this recipe. Pecans give the finished dish a little crunch, but you can leave them out if needed. I used the leftover pecans from my pumpkin pecan cheesecake recipe.

Apples

Use three medium apples and cut them into slices about ¼ inch thick.

A mixture of sweet and tart apples gives you a more balanced flavour. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn and Cortland apples all work well because they hold their shape when baked.

Avoid very soft or badly bruised apples. Slightly older apples are fine as long as they’re still firm enough to slice.

Butter and sweeteners

Melted butter adds richness and helps create the sauce that coats the apples.

Coconut sugar provides a deeper flavour than white sugar. Honey, maple syrup or agave adds moisture and additional sweetness.

If you use maple syrup or agave to make the recipe vegan, replace the regular butter with plant-based butter too.

Cinnamon and warm spices

Cinnamon provides most of the flavour, while smaller amounts of ginger and nutmeg add warmth without overpowering the apples.

A pinch of salt balances the sweetness.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch thickens the juices released by the apples. It helps turn those juices into a light sauce rather than leaving a thin liquid in the bottom of the baking dish.

Pecans

Roughly chopped pecans add texture and a slightly buttery flavour.

For a nut-free version, leave them out or replace them with rolled oats or sunflower seeds.

Want a printable version of this recipe? Scroll down to the bottom! ⬇️

How to Make Baked Apple Slices

These apples take only a few minutes to assemble before going into the oven. Use a baking dish that gives you enough room to spread them out without packing them too tightly.

1. Preheat the oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F or 190°C.

Lightly grease a 6 x 10-inch baking dish or another small baking dish with a similar capacity.

2. Slice the apples

Core the apples and cut them into slices approximately ¼ inch thick.

You can peel the apples first if you prefer a softer texture. I like leaving the peel on because it saves time, reduces food waste and helps the slices hold their shape.

3. Season the apples

Place the apple slices in a large mixing bowl.

Add the melted butter, coconut sugar, honey or syrup, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt and cornstarch. Toss until the apple slices are evenly coated.

4. Fill the baking dish

Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Spread the apples into an even layer and sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top.

5. Bake the apples

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the apple slices are tender and lightly browned.

The exact cooking time will depend on the apple variety and the thickness of the slices.

6. Coat with the sauce

Gently stir or toss the warm apples to coat them in the thickened sauce at the bottom of the dish.

Let them cool for five minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken a little more as it cools.

How to Use Leftover Baked Apple Slices

This is one of those recipes where I’m happy to have leftovers. I can serve the apples as dessert one evening, then spoon what remains over oatmeal, pancakes or yogurt the next morning.

Store the cooled apples in a covered container in the refrigerator. Even a small portion can help make an ordinary breakfast feel more like a fall treat.

Here are a few more ideas. Try them:

• Spooned over oatmeal or overnight oats
• Served with pancakes, waffles or French toast
• Layered with yogurt and granola
• Added to a bowl of cold cereal
• Served over vanilla ice cream
• Mixed into a smoothie
• Tucked into a grilled cheese sandwich
• Served alongside pork chops or roast pork
• Used as a quick filling for turnovers or hand pies
• Chopped and added to muffin batter

If you only have a spoonful of sauce left, stir it into oatmeal or drizzle it over toast. For more ideas, see my guide to using up leftover apples.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe leaves plenty of room to work with what you already have. Make small substitutions based on the ingredients in your pantry.

Make it nut-free

Leave out the pecans or replace them with rolled oats, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.

Make it vegan

Use plant-based butter and choose maple syrup or agave instead of honey.

Add more sauce

Add two or three tablespoons of apple juice or apple cider to the seasoned apples before baking.

Change the nuts

Replace the pecans with walnuts, sliced almonds or another nut you need to use.

Add dried fruit

Add a small handful of raisins or dried cranberries before baking. They’ll absorb some of the apple juices and become softer in the oven.

Make the apples less sweet

Reduce the coconut sugar slightly and use maple syrup instead of honey. Serve the apples with plain yogurt rather than ice cream.

What to Serve with Baked Apple Slices

Serve these cinnamon baked apples on their own for a simple dessert. For something richer, add vanilla ice cream or whipped cream while the apples are still warm.

They also work well with:

• Plain or vanilla yogurt
• Custard
• Rice pudding
• Pound cake
• Oatmeal
• Pancakes
• Waffles
• French toast
• Granola
• Chopped walnuts or pecans

If you’re planning several apple recipes, try my apple cinnamon baked oatmeal for breakfast or these apple crisp bars for another fall dessert.

Baked Apple Slices FAQs

These are straightforward to make, but the apple variety and slice thickness can change the final texture. Here are a few things to know before you start.

Do I need to peel apples before baking them?

No. You can leave the peels on to save time and reduce waste.

If you prefer very soft apples or don’t enjoy the texture of baked apple peel, peel them before slicing.

What are the best apples for baked apple slices?

Firm apples that hold their shape in the oven work best. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn and Cortland are all good options.

You can also combine two varieties to balance sweet and tart flavours.

Can I prepare the apples ahead of time?

Yes. Toss the apple slices with the remaining ingredients, cover the bowl and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours.

Transfer the mixture to the baking dish when you’re ready to bake it.

Can I make baked apple slices without pecans?

Yes. Simply leave them out or replace them with oats or sunflower seeds.

How do I know when the apples are done?

Insert the tip of a small knife into one of the thicker slices. It should slide in easily, but the apple shouldn’t completely fall apart.

Can I reheat baked apples?

Yes. Reheat individual portions briefly in the microwave or warm the baking dish in a low oven.

Can I freeze baked apple slices?

You can, although I find the apples become softer after thawing. Freeze cooled portions in an airtight container and use them later as an oatmeal, pancake or dessert topping.

An Easy Way to Use Extra Apples

This baked apple slices recipe makes a manageable amount, so you don’t need a full bag of apples or an afternoon of baking. Three apples, a handful of pecans and a few pantry ingredients create four warm servings.

It’s especially useful when the apples in the fruit bowl are still good but starting to lose their appeal. Instead of letting them sit for another week, slice them up and turn them into dessert, or try my new apple cinnamon baked oatmeal recipe for breakfast.

For more inspiration, browse these 25 cozy apple recipes.

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