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Easy Baked Apples (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

These easy baked apples are flavored with cinnamon and cooked till tender, making a delicious dessert. Enjoy them on its own, or with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream – either way, these apples are delicious! Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.

A bowl of easy baked apples topped with whipped cream.

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It’s Apple Season!

As fall ushers in an abundance of apples, I’m getting excited because there are just so many things to make this apple season!

From basics such as apple pie filling, apple butter, apple cider, caramelized apples and applesauce..

To more elaborate apple desserts such apple crumble, apple galette, apple crisp, or baked goods such as apple muffins, apple cake and apple bread!

Today, we’ll be making easy baked apples that are great as a sweet fall snack, or as a dessert if you top it with whipped cream or ice cream.

Top down view of a fork in a bowl of healthy baked apples.

Why This Recipe Works:

  • Simple Ingredients: The handful of ingredients required for making these easy baked apples are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
  • Easy to Make: Preparing these baked apples is just a matter of mixing the sliced apples with a few other ingredients and then baking until tender. Nothing difficult at all!
  • Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this easy baked apple recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. This means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy this easy dessert without issues.
Picking up forkful of baked apple slices

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making these healthy baked apples.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredients for baked apples recipe laid out on marble board.

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

  • Apples: Feel free to use whichever type of fresh apples you prefer (fuji apples, gala apples, pink lady apples, honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples, etc.)
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds the best flavor. Alternatively, if you don’t have fresh lemon juice, bottled lemon juice will work just as well.
  • Butter: I used unsalted dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. If you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.
  • Brown Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you can also use dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 light brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
  • Spices: I like adding ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg for a delicious fall flavor. Alternatively, you can replace the cinnamon and nutmeg with 1 3/4 teaspoons of apple pie spice instead.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch acts as a thickener to thicken the juices which are formed as the apples cook. If you are allergic to cornstarch, you may use tapioca starch or potato starch instead.

How to Make Baked Apples (Step by Step):

1. Preheat and Grease

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Peel and Slice Apples

Peel the apples, remove the seeds using an apple corer or a melon baller and cut the apples into thin slices.

3. Add All Ingredients Except Cornstarch

Add the lemon juice, melted butter, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Mix everything thoroughly with a spatula.

4. Prepare Cornstarch Slurry and Add to Apples

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of warm water, and mix the mixture until the cornstarch has dissolved. Add the cornstarch slurry to the bowl with the apples and mix well.

5. Transfer Apples to Pan

Transfer the apple mixture in the previously greased baking dish. Cover it with aluminum foil and place it in the previously heated oven. Bake for about 25 minutes.

6. Remove Foil and Bake Again

Remove the foil and bake the apples for another 20 minutes.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Let the baked apple slices cool and then serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Holding up a forkful of baked apple slices and whipped cream

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

  • Types of Apples: Feel free to use whichever variety of apple you prefer (fuji apples, pink lady apples, honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples, etc.)
  • Storing: To store, place the baked apples in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the baked apples in the microwave or oven.

Other Gluten-Free Apple Recipes to Make:

Gluten-Free Desserts to Indulge In:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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A bowl of baked apples

Easy Baked Apples (Gluten-Free, Vegan)


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Felicia Lim
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These easy baked apples are flavored with cinnamon and cooked till tender, making a delicious dessert. Enjoy them on its own, or with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream – either way, these apples are delicious! Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too.


Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Grease: Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Peel and Slice Apples: Peel the apples, remove the seeds and cut the apples into thin slices.
  3. Add All ingredients Except Cornstarch: Add the lemon juice, melted butter, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Mix everything thoroughly with a spatula.
  4. Prepare Cornstarch Slurry and Add to Apples: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of warm water, and mix the mixture until the cornstarch has dissolved. Add the cornstarch slurry to the bowl with the apples and mix well.
  5. Transfer Apples to Pan: Transfer the apple mixture in the previously greased baking dish. Cover it with aluminum foil and place it in the previously heated oven. Bake for about 25 minutes.
  6. Remove Foil and Bake Again: Remove the foil and bake the apples for another 20 minutes.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Let the baked apples cool and then serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Notes

Apples: Feel free to use whichever type of apples you prefer (fuji apples, pink lady apples, honeycrisp apples, granny smith apples, etc.)

Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds the best flavor. Alternatively, if you don’t have fresh lemon juice, bottled lemon juice will work just as well.

Butter: I used unsalted dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. If you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.

Brown Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you can also use dark brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 light brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).

Spices: I like adding ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg for a delicious fall flavor. Alternatively, you can replace the cinnamon and nutmeg with 1 3/4 teaspoons of apple pie spice instead.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch acts as a thickener to thicken the juices which are formed as the apples cook. If you are allergic to cornstarch, you may use tapioca starch or potato starch instead.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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4 Comments

  1. I absolutely looove cooked apples! I cant wait to make this recipe. Will definitely update you on how it delicious it went.

  2. We made these as a light dessert to accompany other Christmas Dinner sweets. They were delicious and would definitely have them again. These would also be great served with some Vanilla Bean Ice cream and/or a pastry.

    1. Hi Tyler! So happy to hear you enjoyed these baked apples! Indeed….it would be great with vanilla bean ice cream!! 🙂 Happy 2025 and hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon!