These deliciously fragrant baked apple slices are ready in 30 minutes and contain no added sugar. You can serve them warm or cold, and the leftovers are so good that I often double the recipe.
Sliced raw apples are delicious. But when you sprinkle them with cinnamon and bake them, the crunchy, tart fruit transforms into a fragrant, sweet, delightful dessert. They're also perfect as a snack, especially when topped with Greek yogurt. The sweet-tangy combination is delightful!
Ingredients
There's nothing sweeter than a short ingredient list! For this easy recipe, you'll only need three ingredients:
- A Fuji apple: Its crisp texture is perfect for baking, and unlike Granny Smith, it's not so tart that you have to add a sweetener.
- Butter: While I usually enjoy salty-sweet flavor combinations, it's best to use unsalted butter in this recipe.
- Ground cinnamon: It's always a good idea to make sure any spice you use is fresh. It's especially important here, where the cinnamon greatly enhances the flavor of the apples.
Variations
The best way to vary this recipe is to experiment with different apple varieties. In addition to Fuji, you can use other varieties of crisp and sweet apples, such as Honeycrisp, Evercrisp, and Cosmic Crisp.
Another variation is to use Granny Smith apples and drizzle the apple pieces with a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup before placing them in the oven.
Instructions
The detailed instructions for making this recipe are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of the steps:
You start by cutting the apple into slices. I cut it in half, cut each half into three parts around the core, and finally cut each part in two. In total, I get twelve apple slices. The short video clip below shows you how I do it.
Arrange the apple pieces in a rimmed, parchment-lined, square baking dish. Pour melted butter on top and use your hands to coat the apples with the butter. Sprinkle the apples with half the cinnamon. I don't add any sugar! It's unnecessary.
The final step is to bake the apples until tender, about 10 minutes on each side, in a 400°F oven. When you turn the slices midway through baking, sprinkle them with the remaining cinnamon.
These baked apples have just the right touch of sweetness for dessert. Easy to make. I topped them with a little caramel vanilla ice cream...yum! Next time, I'll substitute some nutmeg and cardamon for the cinnamon. Actually, whatever spices one enjoys in apple sauce would work well.
Maret
Read more comments
These baked apples have just the right touch of sweetness for dessert. Easy to make. I topped them with a little caramel vanilla ice cream...yum! Next time, I'll substitute some nutmeg and cardamon for the cinnamon. Actually, whatever spices one enjoys in apple sauce would work well.Recipe Tip
You can skip the butter if you wish. It enhances the apple's flavor, but I experimented with simply sprinkling the apple slices with cinnamon and baking them, and that was delicious, too. You can see the results of this experiment in the photo below - the apples turn out a bit drier, but they are still very good.
Recipe FAQs
I like to use Fuji apples. They are sweet, so they don't require an added sweetener, and they hold up well in baking. Honeycrisp is another good variety. While I enjoy them raw, I find that Granny Smith apples are a bit too tart for a cooked apple recipe that doesn't include added sugar.
Whole apples take 30-40 minutes, but sliced apples are ready fast - they only need 20 minutes in a 400°F oven.
If you avoid tart varieties such as Granny Smith, there's no need for added sugar. Fuji apples provide enough sweetness. Fruits are naturally sweet, so fruit-based desserts (like stewed prunes, grilled peaches, baked pears, or fried bananas) rarely need added sugar.
You can if you wish, but it's unnecessary. The skin softens nicely in the oven.
Yes. You can keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I serve them cold or reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power.
Serving Suggestions
Baked apple slices make a wonderful homemade dessert or snack. If you serve them for dessert, you can top them with homemade whipped cream. My kids love having them with plain Greek yogurt for their afternoon snack! They either dip the apples into the yogurt or mix them in.
These apples also make a great topping for almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes. Sometimes, I use them as a filling for crepes or pannenkoeken.
Recipe Card
Baked Apple Slices (No Added Sugar)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Fuji apple - large, unpeeled
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter - melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a square 8-inch rimmed baking dish with high-heat-resistant parchment paper.
- Cut the apple into twelve ¼-inch slices, discarding the core.
- Place the apple slices in the prepared pan. Drizzle them with the melted butter and use your hands to coat them. Arrange them in the pan in a single layer.
- Sprinkle the tops of the slices with half the cinnamon. Bake the apples for 10 minutes.
- Flip the apple pieces and sprinkle them with the remaining cinnamon.
- Keep baking them until golden brown and tender, for about 10 more minutes. Drizzle with the pan juices and serve.
Notes
- There's no need to peel the apple. The skin softens nicely in the oven. However, if you wish, you can peel it.
- You can skip the butter if you wish. The butter does enhance the apple's flavor, but the apple slices are delicious even without it. If you use butter, make sure it's unsalted.
- You can keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Serve them cold or reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power.
Nutrition per Serving
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Disclaimers
Most recipes are low-carb and gluten-free, but some are not. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate. Please verify it independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Please read these Terms of Use before using any of my recipes.
Edaline rewen says
Delicious! It tasted amazing! So easy to make too. Phenomenal.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Wonderful, Edaline! I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Babs says
I've never used butter in making these apple slices. I don't even measure the cinnamon, just sprinkle generously and add complimentary seasonings as desired, i.e. nutmeg, cardamom, etc. Yes, the peels soften nicely and taste great.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Glad you like this recipe, Babs! Thanks for sharing your tweaks.
Babs says
P.S. This is a great way to use up those apples that have gone beyond their prime and have started drying out. I can fit three very large apples on a jelly roll pan (half sheet).
Linda Maran says
Can I serve these cold with whipped cream? My dad always used to eat baked apples cold drizzled with heavy cream.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Yes, absolutely, Linda! Sounds delicious.
Maret says
These baked apples have just the right touch of sweetness for dessert. Easy to make. I topped them with a little caramel vanilla ice cream...yum! Next time, I'll substitute some nutmeg and cardamon for the cinnamon. Actually, whatever spices one enjoys in apple sauce would work well.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Nutmeg and cardamom sound marvelous!