Name: Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6-7 medium to large apples (2 tart like granny smith, 4 sweet like honeycrisp); 2 Tbsp lemon juice; 1 Tbsp coconut oil (optional); 2/3 cup coconut sugar (or sub organic cane sugar; sub up to half with stevia to taste); 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon; 3/4 tsp fresh grated ginger (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger as substitute); 1 pinch nutmeg; 3 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch (for thickening); 3 Tbsp fresh apple juice or water; 1 pinch sea salt; Coconut Whipped Cream; Vanilla Bean Coconut Ice Cream

There’s something wonderfully cozy about the smell of warm apples and cinnamon filling your kitchen, isn’t there? This Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe is a simple yet magical way to transform crisp apples into a soft, fragrant dessert that feels like a gentle hug on a chilly day. I can’t wait to share how easy it is to make!

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with warm, sliced apple pieces cooked in a rich, cinnamon-spiced sauce. The apple slices are golden brown and soft, piled unevenly with some sauce pooling at the bottom. There are two small scoops of creamy white vanilla ice cream placed on top of the apples, one near the edge and one near the center. A silver spoon rests inside the dish, partially buried in the apples. Around the dish, on a white marbled surface, there are cinnamon sticks, a measuring cup with brown sugar, a few fresh green apples, and a reddish cloth napkin partially tucked under the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This baked cinnamon apples recipe isn’t just a dessert—it’s comfort food at its best. I love how the apples soften perfectly while soaking up the warm spices, creating a natural caramel-like sauce. Plus, it's super versatile and requires just a handful of ingredients you likely have on hand.

Simplicity: The recipe uses wholesome ingredients and is easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy days or last-minute guests.
Natural sweetness: Coconut sugar and apples provide a subtle, not-too-sweet flavor that’s delightful and balanced.
Warm spices: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg combine to create that irresistible autumnal aroma and taste that I always look forward to.
Customizable: Whether you want to add a scoop of vegan ice cream or keep it simple, this recipe easily adapts to your preferences.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this baked cinnamon apples recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. Choosing the right apples and spices really makes all the difference, plus a little cornstarch helps create a luscious sauce to tie it all together.

Flat lay of six medium fresh apples including two green Granny Smith and four red Honeycrisp, a small white ceramic bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl of golden coconut oil, a small white ceramic bowl filled with coarse coconut sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl holding freshly grated light yellow ginger, a small white ceramic bowl with a pinch of nutmeg powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing white cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl of clear fresh apple juice, and a small white ceramic bowl with coarse sea salt, all arranged symmetrically and naturally on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Apples: A mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp gives you a nice balance of flavors and textures that soften but don't turn mushy.
Lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps prevent the apples from browning during prep.
Coconut oil (optional): Adds a subtle richness and helps meld the flavors, plus it gives the baked apples a slight glossy finish.
Coconut sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon without overpowering.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth and that classic cozy flavor you crave.
Fresh grated ginger: Adds an unexpected zing that livens up the sweetness.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch enhances the spiciness without taking over.
Cornstarch or arrowroot starch: Thickens the juices into a syrupy consistency that clings to the apples.
Fresh apple juice or water: Creates moisture for cooking and helps the cornstarch activate.
Sea salt: Balances all the flavors and elevates the sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this baked cinnamon apples recipe is how easy it is to adjust to what you love or what you've got on hand. I've played around with different spices and sweeteners, and you can too—I promise it's hard to go wrong.

Variation: I sometimes swap the coconut sugar for half stevia to cut calories but keep the caramelized flavor; it works well, just taste before baking to adjust sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe

A white bowl filled with warm apple slices layered at the bottom, showing a shiny, cinnamon-brown glaze with soft texture. On top, there is a single scoop of vanilla ice cream that is slightly melting into the fruit. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, leaning on the side. In the background, a green apple is visible on a white marbled surface. The scene is bright and clean, focusing on the warm dessert. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Slice the Apples

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) and grab a 9x13-inch baking dish. I peel and core the apples because that gives the best texture, but you could skip peeling if you like a more rustic feel. Then, quarter each apple and slice those quarters thinly—thin slices cook more evenly and become gorgeously tender. Try to keep your slices roughly the same thickness to prevent some pieces from overcooking while others stay firm.

Step 2: Toss Apples with Spices and Sweetener

Place your sliced apples in the baking dish, then sprinkle the lemon juice and coconut oil over them. Next, add the coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, freshly grated ginger, nutmeg, cornstarch, and a pinch of sea salt. Using clean hands or a large spoon, gently toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. This step is where the magic starts—the spices and sugar cling to each slice, promising all that delicious flavor once baked.

Step 3: Bake Low and Slow

Cover the dish loosely with foil—this keeps the apples moist while they cook. Place it in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. After that, carefully remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes. You'll want to watch for a beautiful caramelization around the edges and make sure the apples are tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, especially in the center. If it's not quite soft enough, give it another 5-10 minutes but keep checking so it doesn’t dry out.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once baked, these cinnamon apples are delightful on their own, but I often serve mine warm topped with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean coconut ice cream. It’s such a fantastic contrast—warm, spiced apples with a cold, creamy topping. Plus, it feels like treating yourself without all the fuss.

Top Tip

Over time, I've learned a few small tricks to make this baked cinnamon apples recipe foolproof and extra tasty, which I’m excited to share with you.

Consistent Slices: I can’t emphasize enough the importance of slicing your apples evenly—this makes sure everything cooks uniformly and prevents some apples from turning mushy while others stay firm.
Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: It might seem minor, but a splash keeps your apples from browning and adds a subtle brightness that cuts through the sweetness.
Use Freshly Grated Ginger: Fresh ginger adds a lively warmth that canned or ground just can’t match. It’s worth the extra effort for that zing.
Cover While Baking: Leaving the dish covered initially traps steam and ensures tender apples without drying out the topping.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe

baked cinnamon apples - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a scoop of vanilla bean coconut ice cream—that creamy coldness melts deliciously into the warm apples. Sometimes you’ll find me dolloping coconut whipped cream on top for a lighter touch. Either way, these toppings bring a lovely balance of texture and temperature that really elevates this humble dish.

Side Dishes

When I serve this as a dessert, pairing it with a cup of chai tea or coffee is my go-to—it complements those warm spices beautifully. For a brunch treat, I sometimes serve it alongside oatmeal or pancakes for added fruitiness and warmth.

Creative Ways to Present

One fun way I like to present this for special occasions is to serve the baked cinnamon apples in individual ramekins topped with a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts. It feels extra cozy and makes guests feel special, plus the nuts add a nice crunch contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftovers covered tightly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for about 3-4 days and still taste great reheated. Just be sure to add a splash of water when warming up if the sauce thickened too much overnight.

Freezing

Freezing baked cinnamon apples works surprisingly well. I freeze portions in freezer-safe containers and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Keep in mind the texture may soften a bit more, but the flavor stays spot-on.

Reheating

To reheat, I like popping leftovers in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Alternatively, the oven works great—just cover with foil and bake at 350°F (176°C) until warmed through. Adding a splash of water can loosen thickened sauce so it’s perfectly saucy again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! While I recommend a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for balance, you can use whichever apples you prefer. Just keep in mind that softer apples like McIntosh cook faster and may become more mushy.

What’s the best way to sweeten this if I don’t want to use sugar?

You can substitute half the coconut sugar with stevia or another natural sweetener to reduce sugar content. I do this often myself! Just adjust the amount to your taste since stevia is more concentrated. Maple syrup or honey would work too if you’re not avoiding refined sugars.

Can I make this recipe vegan and dairy-free?

Yes, this baked cinnamon apples recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free. Using coconut oil and serving with coconut whipped cream or coconut-based ice cream makes it perfect for those avoiding dairy.

How can I tell when the apples are fully cooked?

You’ll know the apples are done when the slices are very tender and can easily be pierced with a fork, especially in the center of the baking dish. Also, look for a slight caramelization on the edges, which shows the sugars have cooked down nicely.

Final Thoughts

This baked cinnamon apples recipe is one that continually brings me joy whenever I make it—whether as a simple weeknight dessert or a cozy treat to share with friends. It’s approachable, flavorful, and so satisfying to make from scratch. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do. Honestly, it’s like a warm, spiced hug served on a plate. Give it a try, and you’ll have a new favorite to turn to when you want something special without the fuss.