Baked Apples Keto is a fantastic dessert for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays which are just around the corner. This easy paleo dessert recipe works with many different kinds of Easy baked apple recipes, and it will help you to obtain your healthy habits goals. This healthy baked apple recipe is delicious, easy to make and it will satisfy your sweet craving in no time!
Making baked apples is a great way to enjoy a healthy and delicious dessert while also having your fruit intake well covered. There are many simple ways to prepare baked apples, but there also some tips you should be aware of beforehand. This article will go over the how to make baked apples and the health benefits of apples.
Healthy Baked Apple Recipe
I sometimes forget how easy a healthy recipe can be and this healthy baked apples recipe proves just that. I started taking the class at my local YMCA on healthy eating. I often find myself making the super unhealthy, delicious dishes that cause your waistline to expand. I consider myself quite handy in the kitchen and I’m not scared of that many recipes but sometimes the simplest of recipes can be the healthy and also taste delicious.
I’m not a big fan of eating apples. I’m more of a grapes type person. I love pineapple too. If I’m going to eat an apple, it’s gotta be dressed up in some way. In fact, you probably remember our Candy Apples or our Jolly Rancher Candied Apples recipes. We may have gone a bit overboard with our popular Twix Caramel Apple Salad recipe too. We have way too many delicious recipes that have tons of sugar in them. Those are okay from time to time but this recipe is much better for you with way less sugar.
Apple Cutting Tips: When I first tried this recipe I used a sharp knife and a melon scooper. It was doable but not easy. I have sense researched some handy, dandy inexpensive kitchen tools to find the Cuisipro Apple Corer. Which I know use every time I make this recipe. This is dessert in our house at least once a week. Money well spent for making my life ten times easier in the kitchen. This is the only tool that has a handle at the top so it’s easy to push down and core the apple.
Healthy desserts option
PREP TIME – 5 mins
COOK TIME – 1 hr
TOTAL TIME – 1 hr 5 mins
COURSE – Healthy Dessert: Baked Apples Dessert Recipe
SERVINGS – 4 to 8 servings
INGREDIENTS 1x2x3x
- 4 large apples any kind
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts I used Pecans
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbs lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees before you start so the oven will be ready when you are done preparing your apples.
- Remove the apple stickers and the core (use a knife or a apple corer)
- In a bowl, combine the raisins, nuts, brown sugar, lemon juice and spices.
- Place the cored apples in a casserole pan and equally fill each apple with the mixture you just prepared.
- Fill the casserole pan with about 1/2 inch to 1 inch of water.
- Bake the apples until they are soft. This will take about 45 to 60 minutes depending on the size of your apples.
- Cool slightly but serve warm.
- This will serve 4 to 8 people. 4 people for a whole apple or 8 in sliced in half.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy.
Easy Paleo Dessert Recipes
For those who are looking for a quick fix for their sweet tooth while still staying in the boundaries of Paleo, these recipes are perfect. Baked or fried apples are so quick and easy to cook and make for a delicious Paleo dessert. Usually these recipes call for extra sugar, but I think the sweetness of the apples is more than enough and the cooking process brings the flavors of the natural sugars to the forefront. The butter also brings some extra richness and makes it more filling.
Serve these with a big dollop of whipped cream or a splash of coconut milk. The hot butter mixing with the cold whipped cream or coconut milk creates a nice texture and balance. I think once you make them you won’t want to have apples any other way anymore.
The two recipes are very similar and call for the same ingredients, but it’s up to you to find your preferred way of having them.
Baked apples with cinnamon and butter
IngredientsToggle Units
- 4 apples (tart apples are very good for this)
- 4 tbsp grass-fed butter (or ghee)
- 4 tsp cinnamon
- Optionally, a bit of fresh nutmeg
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Core the apples making sure not to go all the way through and to leave the bottom on the apples.
- Stuff 1 tbsp of butter inside each apple.
- Sprinkle with the cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Bake for about 12 to 18 minutes, until the apples are soft.
- Serve and enjoy!
Pan fried apples with cinnamon and butter
Ingredients
- 4 apples (tart apples are good also)
- 2 tbsp grass-fed butter (or ghee)
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- Optionally, a bit of fresh nutmeg
Preparation
- Cut the apples in about 1/4″ slices.
- Put the butter in a hot pan and let it melt.
- Once hot, add the apple slices making sure they don’t overlap, make multiple batches if necessary.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, cover and let cook until soft.
- Serve and enjoy!
Baked Apples Keto
This Baked Apples Recipe is quite possibly the best way to enjoy apples! They’re deliciously sweet, tangy, and very easy to make. A few different variations will make this your go-to way to make baked apples in your air fryer or oven.
WHAT MAKES BAKED APPLES SO AMAZING
- Fast. Ready in less than 30 minutes with the help of your air fryer.
- Easy. Core and cut the apples, add a brushing of butter or coconut oil, and air fry.
- Vegetarian. A great meat-free snack for the whole family.
- Versatile. Top these baked apples with your favorite toppings to fit your preferred dietary considerations.
I think that apples are best enjoyed without a ton of unnecessary ingredients and extensive preparation. That’s exactly why these Baked Apples are just so good!
These Baked Apples are apple deliciousness in their purest form. It’s just apples, oil or butter, sugar, and apple pie spice, and it’s done in no time with very little effort needed. Simplicity and deliciousness all in one dish, which is arguably my favorite type of dish.
Not only is it generally easy to make, but with a little help from your air fryer it cooks quickly and comes out with a slight crisp.
The same crisp can be achieved in the oven, but not as quickly and conveniently as when you cook them in an air fryer. These Baked Apples are just another fantastic example of why I love my air fryer so much.
ARE BAKED APPLES HEALTHY?
It’s hard to argue against working more fruits and veggies into your diet. Why not make them delicious?
Depending on which toppings you decide to add to your easy Baked Apples, they can be a tasty and healthy snack.
HOW TO MAKE THIS BAKED APPLE RECIPE
Easy Baked Apple Recipe + Variations
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
- Apples- Obviously. Grab any of the apples below for a tasty snack.
- Butter- you can also use coconut oil for a Vegan option
- Sugar Or Other Sweetener Equivalent- use Truvia for a lower carb option
- Apple Pie Spice- Gives the perfect spiced flavor without grabbing a handful of spices out of your rack.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED APPLES
Making baked apples is a great way to enjoy a healthy and delicious dessert while also having your fruit intake well covered. There are many simple ways to prepare baked apples, but there also some tips you should be aware of beforehand. we will go over the basic preparation method
HOW TO MAKE BAKED APPLES IN THE AIR FRYER
1. Core the apples and cut them in half.
2. Place the cut apples into a bowl.
3. Add melted coconut oil or butter, sugar, and apple pie spice. Use your hands to mix the ingredients well, ensuring the apples are evenly coated.
4. Place the apples in the air fryer basket with the peel down.
5. Set your air fryer to 350F for 10 minutes.
6. Check the apples for doneness, garnish to your liking, and serve.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED APPLES IN THE OVEN
If you don’t have an air fryer you can bake them in the oven as well.
- Core and cut apples according to the air fryer instructions.
- Brush with butter or coconut oil.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 350F.
- Broil for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the tops.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve with whipped cream, or with ice cream and whipped cream
VARIATIONS ON THIS RECIPE
You can add any of the following before baking the apples:
- Replace the apple pie spice with cinnamon and ginger.
- Cover each apple half with a slice of cheddar cheese for the last two minutes of air frying.
- Add ¼ teaspoon cumin before baking.
- Sprinkle with chopped crystallized ginger after they are done baking.
CAN YOU FREEZE BAKED APPLES?
Yes, as a matter of fact, you can! Simply place the apples in freezer bags or airtight containers and place them in the freezer for whenever you get the urge for some more delicious baked apple goodness.
Health Benefits of Apples
1. Apples May Lower High Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Savor a juicy apple and you may help keep your ticker healthy in the process. “Studies have linked apple consumption with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, which may be related to the cholesterol-lowering benefits of the soluble fiber found in apples,” says Anzlovar.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material, according to Mayo Clinic.
According to the University of Illinois, soluble fiber helps prevent cholesterol buildup in the lining of blood vessel walls, therefore lowering the incidence of atherosclerosis (restricted blood flow in the arteries due to plaque buildup) and heart disease. It can also help lower blood pressure levels: One past review found that a higher intake of soluble fiber was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Past research shows that eating apples (or pears) regularly was associated with a 52 percent lower stroke risk. Furthermore, a study published in February 2020 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating two apples a day helped study participants lower both their LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
2. Eating Foods With Fiber, Including Apples, Can Aid Digestion
You’ve likely heard that fiber is good for digestion — and what you’ve heard is true! According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, both types of fiber (soluble and insoluble, which means it can’t be absorbed in water) are important for digestion. And you’re in luck — apples have both types, according to the University of Illinois.
Soluble fiber helps slow down digestion, allowing you to feel full, and also slows the digestion of glucose, which helps control your blood sugar. Meanwhile, insoluble fiber can help move food through your system and aid with constipation and regularity, per Harvard.
Be sure to eat the apple skin, which contains much of the apple’s insoluble fiber, according to the University of Illinois.
3. Apples Can Support a Healthy Immune System
Who doesn’t want a stronger immune system going into autumn? Apples can be an important tool in your immune-supporting tool kit.
According to past research in animals, a diet filled with soluble fiber helped convert immune cells that were pro-inflammatory into anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting ones. Another animal study, published in May 2018 in the journal Immunity, found that a diet high in dietary fiber helped protect mice against the flu. (It’s not clear whether these effects would occur in humans, though.)
Still, there’s reason to believe that apples may bolster immunity, in part because they contain immune-boosting vitamin C. One past large review found that regular consumption of vitamin C plays many roles in helping the immune system function. For example, it can help strengthen the epithelial (a type of tissue) barrier against pathogens and guard against environmental oxidative stress, such as pollution and radiation, according to past research.
4. Apples Are a Diabetes-Friendly Fruit
If you have type 2 diabetes, consider adding apples to your diet. Sure, they’re a fruit, but it’s a common misconception that people with diabetes can’t eat fruit.
In this case, apples’ soluble fiber can help slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream and may improve blood sugar levels, Mayo Clinic notes. Plus, per Mayo, a healthy diet that includes insoluble fiber can lower your odds of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place.
Furthermore, a study of people with type 2 diabetes, published in August 2016 in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, found that regularly consuming soluble fiber helped reduce insulin resistance and improved blood sugar and triglyceride levels.
5. The Antioxidants in Apples May Play a Role in Cancer Prevention
While there’s no one surefire way to prevent cancer, apples may help play a role in fighting off these diseases. “Apples may reduce the risk of certain cancers, which researchers speculate is related to the antioxidants found in apples,” says Anzlovar. Past research suggests that apples are high in antioxidants, and in laboratory studies, these antioxidants have been shown to limit cancer cell growth.
A review published in October 2016 in Public Health Nutrition found that eating apples regularly is associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers, including colorectal, oral cavity, esophageal, and breast cancers.
The fiber in apples may provide cancer-preventing perks. A study published in March 2016 in the journal Pediatrics found that women who ate more high-fiber foods during adolescence and young adulthood (especially lots of fruits and vegetables) had a lower breast cancer risk later in life.
And another study, published in January 2019 in the journal The Lancet, found that a diet high in dietary fiber could help protect against colorectal cancer and breast cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
6. Eating Apples Can Support Healthy Weight Loss
A diet rich in fruit (and vegetables) can help you maintain a healthy weight — or shed pounds — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Because apples are filled with dietary fiber, they are high on this list. “Fiber slows digestion and the rise of blood sugar, keeping you satiated and less likely to overeat,” says Levinson.
According to that study in The Lancet, people who ate the most fiber had a significantly lower body weight. Past research shows that overweight women who ate three apples a day lost 1.22 kilogram (2.7 pounds) after 12 weeks.
At only 95 calories for a medium-sized apple, this fruit is one you’ll want to keep on hand when sweet cravings strike.