Name: Naturally Sweetened Baked Cinnamon Apple Slices (Dairy Free)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4-5 crisp, medium sized apples (about 1 1/2 pounds worth), peeled and sliced into 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick slices; 3 tablespoons maple syrup; 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil; 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon; A big pinch of ground ginger (optional); A big pinch of ground nutmeg (optional); 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

These maple syrup sweetened baked cinnamon apples are a super simple seasonal treat that could not be easier to make! They are loaded with lots of warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, and entirely dairy-free thanks to coconut oil in place of butter. Delicious on their own, or served with a yogurt parfait, in your morning oatmeal, or warm on top of a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream with a little granola for good measure as a dessert. SO VERY GOOD! And ready in just under 45 minutes.

Sliced apples coated in cinnamon mixture arranged in a white baking dish, with a gold metal spoon resting among the apples. Small bowls of cinnamon and other ingredients are nearby. — These apples are so fall-coded and dreamily aromatic that they’ve become a chilly weather sweet-treat staple at our house. They taste like the easiest homemade apple pie filling!

Warm up your home and kitchen with the BEST fragrant baked apples

Okay y’all, I’m pretty sure I have discovered a surefire (and delicious!!) way to make your house smell like the coziest haven on a cold day.

Perfectly spiced maple syrup sweetened baked cinnamon apples. Obsessed is an understatement.

When I first made these apples, I don’t think I even KNEW how much we would love them.

But! I pulled them out of the oven and there was this magnificent cinnamon studded sauce all caramelized and bubbling away, draping each piece of tender apple in exactly the way you’d want it to and I almost lost it.

THEY ARE SO FREAKING GOOD.

Also, they are naturally sweetened AND made with coconut oil instead of butter – two simple swaps that make them plant-based and paleo friendly!

They’re just as good on a bowl of cinnamon-y oatmeal as they are with a big scoop of ice cream. We’ve even blended them into a perfect fall smoothie and topped it with granola for an extra-special treat of a breakfast!

Other baked apple recipes either bake whole or half apples, or dice the apples instead of leaving them in slices, but personally, I LOVE the way the apple slices are tender yet hold their shape so well once baked. The slices also provide just the right amount of surface area for the spiced sticky sauce to cling to, which is sometimes missed when the apples are left whole.

Close-up of sliced, baked apples coated in a glossy cinnamon and maple syrup mixture, giving them a warm, caramelized appearance. — Tender, perfectly spiced, and so totally luxurious, I wouldn’t be surprised if you make these apples all autumn long.

A white bowl filled with cinnamon-spiced cooked apple slices, with a gold spoon. Surrounding the bowl are a whole apple, a small bowl of cinnamon, a small pitcher of maple syrup, and a bowl of coconut oil. — Tender, perfectly spiced, and so totally luxurious, I wouldn’t be surprised if you make these apples all autumn long.

How to make baked cinnamon apple slices

These apples are made in the oven. All it takes is 30 minutes, and a few simple tools and ingredients!

Sliced apples coated in cinnamon are arranged in a white baking dish before baking. Nearby are a cut apple, a bowl of coconut oil, a bowl of ground cinnamon, and a small bowl of salt on a light surface. — Once you’ve peeled and prepped the apples all you have to do is toss them with the coconut oil, maple syrup, and spices in a baking dish.

Close-up of sliced apples coated with cinnamon and sugar, arranged closely together and ready for baking. — Once you’ve peeled and prepped the apples all you have to do is toss them with the coconut oil, maple syrup, and spices in a baking dish.

The best apples for the job

For this recipe I used Fuij apples, which are sturdy enough for baking, and fall decidedly into the sweet/tart category.

Some other good choices are:

Braeburn
Honeycrisp
Pink Lady
Jonagold
Crispin
Cameo
Gala
Granny Smith

A white bowl filled with cinnamon-spiced cooked apple slices, surrounded by whole apples, a small bowl of cinnamon, and a small bowl of sugar on a light surface. A gold spoon rests in the bowl.

Serving suggestions

These apples are genuinely DELICIOUS all on their own. If you want to enjoy them in different ways throughout the week, here’s some suggestions!

On a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert combination
With a warm bowl of cinnamon laced oatmeal
Over yogurt with some of your favorite granola
With a dollop of coconut whipped cream and some toasted nuts

A white bowl filled with cinnamon-spiced cooked apple slices, with steam rising from the bowl. Fresh apples and small bowls with ingredients are visible around the bowl on a white surface.

If you enjoyed these baked apples, we’d love it if you would take a moment to rate and review the recipe below! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It’s also a great place to get your questions answered, and helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe.

Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK. We’re so grateful you’re here!