Name: Granola Stuffed Baked Apples
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 small to medium baking apples, tops cut off and reserved, apples cored and hollowed out to make room for the granola.; 5 T granola (use more if necessary based on size of apple); 2 T raisins plus dried fruit as desired (See above); 2 T nuts, chopped, optional; 1 t ground cinnamon; 4 t unsalted butter; Drizzle of honey, optional; Optional: Crème fraiche or ice cream for serving

Looking for a cozy fall dessert that’s both wholesome and indulgent? These Granola Stuffed Baked Apples transform ordinary apples into a warm, comforting treat that’s perfect for chilly evenings.

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Each tender baked apple is filled with a delightful mixture of crunchy granola, sweet dried fruits, and warming cinnamon, then topped with a pat of butter that melts into pure golden goodness. It’s like having your favorite apple crisp in an adorable individual serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple and adaptable – customize the filling with your favorite dried fruits and nuts
Perfect balance of healthy and indulgent with wholesome ingredients
Minimal prep time – just 10 minutes before popping in the oven
Makes an impressive dessert that’s actually quite easy to prepare

Ingredients

Baking Apples: Choose firm apples that hold their shape well when baked. Check out our guide to apples for the best varieties to use.
Granola: Provides a delicious crunchy base for the filling. Use your favorite store-bought or homemade variety.
Raisins: Add natural sweetness and a chewy texture to complement the crunchy granola.
Ground Cinnamon: This warming spice enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and creates that classic fall aroma.
Unsalted Butter: Melts into the filling and helps create a rich, sticky sauce as the apples bake.

Substitutions and Additions

Dried Fruit: Swap raisins for dried cranberries, chopped apricots, figs, or prunes – just ensure they’re chopped to similar sizes.
Nuts: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for extra crunch and nutrition.
Honey: Drizzle in some honey if your granola isn’t very sweet or you prefer a sweeter dessert.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Combine the granola, raisins, nuts, dried fruit and cinnamon. Mix to combine. If desired drizzle in a bit of honey to add sweetness.
Place cored apples in an oven-proof baking dish.
Fill apples with granola mixture.
Top each apple with 1 teaspoon of butter.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until soft and sticky.
Remove from oven and allow to cool briefly.
Serve as is or with a scoop of ice cream or crème fraiche.

Recipe Tips

Choose apples of similar size for even baking
Don’t hollow the apples too much – leave enough flesh for structure
If tops brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil
Test doneness by inserting a knife – it should slide in easily

Serving Suggestions

Serve these baked apples warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraiche. They pair beautifully with our homemade vanilla waffle ice cream sandwich for an extra special dessert. For a breakfast twist, try them with a drizzle of maple syrup and a spoonful of Greek yogurt.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and warm in 30-second intervals until heated through. You can also reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.

Recipe FAQ

Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the apples and filling up to a day ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator and bake just before serving.

What are the best apple varieties for baking? Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn work well as they hold their shape when baked.

Can I freeze these baked apples? While possible, freezing isn’t recommended as the texture of both the apple and granola can become mushy when thawed.

How do I know when the apples are done? They should be tender when pierced with a knife but still hold their shape. The filling should be golden brown and sticky.

Yield: 4 portions