There’s something incredibly comforting about warm, tender apples sweetened just right with cinnamon and spices. This Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe is a cozy treat that’s as simple as it is soul-satisfying — perfect for a snug afternoon or a wholesome dessert that makes your kitchen smell like fall all year.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with soft apple slices cooked in a rich brown sauce that covers the bottom and sides. There are two dollops of white creamy topping on the apple filling, one near the top left and one near the bottom right. A silver serving spoon rests inside the dish on the right side, partially covered with the sauce and apple slices. Around the dish on a white marbled surface, there is a green apple on the top left, two small slices of ginger near the bottom left, an apple slice on the right, two cinnamon sticks positioned horizontally near the top right, and a white measuring cup filled with brown sugar. A soft mauve-colored cloth is underneath the dish on the left side. 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

Honestly, this Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. I love how it turns basic apples into something rich, flavorful, and just downright magical, without fuss or fancy ingredients.

Simple yet flavorful: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and coconut sugar brings apples to life.
Perfect texture: Thinly sliced apples bake until fork tender but still hold their shape beautifully.
Versatile for serving: Enjoy it straight up or jazzed with coconut whipped cream or vanilla bean coconut ice cream.
Easy to make ahead: Leftovers refrigerate and freeze well, making busy days easier.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses simple ingredients that come together to create a luscious, lightly spiced baked apple dish. I recommend picking a mix of tart and sweet apples — like granny smith and honeycrisp — to keep the flavor balanced and the texture interesting.

Flat lay of six whole crisp Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples with shiny skins, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh lemon juice, a small white bowl holding solid coconut oil, a small white bowl filled with light brown coconut sugar, a small white bowl of fine ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl containing freshly grated ginger, a small white bowl with a pinch of ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of white cornstarch, a small white bowl with clear fresh apple juice, and a small white bowl containing a pinch of sea salt, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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: Using both tart and sweet apples adds depth — tart apples keep things bright, while sweet ones bring natural sugary notes.
Lemon juice: Prevents apples from browning and gives a fresh zing that brightens the whole dish.
Coconut oil (optional): Adds richness and a subtle tropical hint, enhancing browning during baking.
Coconut sugar: For a wholesome sweetness with a bit of molasses flavor; you can swap with cane sugar or blend with stevia.
Cinnamon: The star spice here, providing warmth and classic flavor.
Fresh grated ginger: Adds a gentle zing—if you don’t have fresh, ground ginger works too.
Nutmeg: A pinch amps up the cozy spice notes for an authentic autumnal vibe.
Cornstarch or arrowroot starch: Thickens the apple juices into a gorgeous sauce that hugs every slice.
Fresh apple juice or water: Keeps the apples moist as they bake without watering down the flavor.
Sea salt: Enhances sweetness and spices, balancing the flavors perfectly.

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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

I’m a big fan of tweaks here and there — sometimes I like to add chopped pecans for crunch or swap in a little maple syrup instead of sugar for a deeper sweetness. You definitely want to make this Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe your own!

Variation: Once, I stirred in fresh cranberries mid-bake for a tart pop of color and flavor—it was a hit at our holiday table.
Dietary modifications: To keep it low sugar, I swap half the coconut sugar with stevia, and the recipe still tastes amazing.
Seasonal twists: Try adding a splash of brandy or vanilla extract for grown-up vibes during colder months.

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

A white bowl is filled with cooked apple slices that are a warm golden brown color with a shiny surface showing they are coated in sauce. On top of the apples is a scoop of white ice cream starting to melt a bit, blending into the edges of the fruit. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, positioned on the right side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a whole green apple slightly blurred in the background. The overall feeling is warm and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Apples Like a Pro

The magic starts by peeling and coring 6-7 medium to large apples. I like to quarter them and then use a sharp paring knife to thinly slice each quarter lengthwise — the thinner, the better for even baking and caramelization. Just keep your slices consistent to avoid some pieces turning mushy while others stay crunchy.

Step 2: Toss Apples with Spices and Sweetness

Lay those apple slices in a baking dish (around 9×13 inches works well). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and coconut oil if you’re using it, to keep apples moist and assist caramelization. Then sprinkle over the coconut sugar, cinnamon, fresh grated ginger, nutmeg, a pinch of sea salt, and cornstarch to thicken. Pour in the apple juice or water and gently toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated.

Step 3: Bake Covered, Then Uncover to Finish

Pop the apples into your 350°F (176°C) oven, cover loosely with foil, and bake for 45 minutes. At this point, your kitchen will start to smell divine! After that, carefully remove the foil and bake uncovered for 10-15 more minutes. This step lets the top slices caramelize to a gorgeous golden brown while the apples inside become perfectly fork tender.

Step 4: Serve Warm and Enjoy!

I love serving these baked cinnamon apples warm, straight from the oven, but they’re even better with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean coconut ice cream melting over the top. Pure comfort food bliss.

Top Tip

Through many batches of baked apples, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help nail this recipe every time, especially if you want that perfect balance of tender and caramelized.

Slice thickness matters: Thinner slices cook faster and absorb spices better, but don’t make them paper-thin or they’ll dissolve.
Cover while baking at first: Locks in moisture so apples don’t dry out; uncover at the end to get that golden caramel top.
Use fresh spices when possible: Fresh grated ginger really lifts the flavor compared to dried powder.
Don’t skip the cornstarch: It thickens the liquids into a luscious sauce that coats every apple slice perfectly.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe

baked cinnamon apples - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My favorite way to garnish these apples is a generous scoop of coconut whipped cream — it adds a light, creamy contrast to the warm spiced apples. If I want something extra indulgent, I reach for vanilla bean coconut ice cream. A sprinkle of chopped toasted walnuts or pecans adds a lovely crunch, too!

Side Dishes

I often serve these baked cinnamon apples alongside a generous scoop of Greek yogurt for breakfast or as a topping over pancakes. They’re also fantastic next to roasted pork chops or even warmed oatmeal for a naturally sweet twist.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to layer the baked apples in a pretty glass trifle bowl with layers of granola and whipped coconut cream — it looks stunning and tastes like a dream! You could also use the baked apples as a filling for hand pies or puff pastry tarts for a fancy touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover baked cinnamon apples in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When you take them out, you’ll see the sauce thickens quite a bit — that's perfectly normal.

Freezing

If you want to freeze leftovers, portion them into freezer-safe containers or bags. They keep well up to a month. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I usually reheat in a 350°F oven, covered loosely with foil to prevent drying, for 15-20 minutes. If the sauce thickened too much in the fridge, adding a splash of water before reheating helps loosen it back up. The microwave works in a pinch but I find the oven preserves texture better.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any type of apples for this recipe?

You can absolutely use a variety of apples, but I recommend mixing tart and sweet types for the best flavor and texture. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are a perfect combo, but feel free to experiment!

What if I don’t have fresh ginger?

No worries! You can substitute ½ teaspoon of ground ginger for ¾ teaspoon of fresh grated ginger. The fresh version has a bit more zing, but ground ginger works fine in a pinch.

Can this recipe be made vegan or paleo?

Yes! Using coconut sugar and coconut oil keeps it vegan, and you can swap cornstarch with arrowroot starch to keep it paleo-friendly. Also, choosing organic ingredients makes it even more wholesome.

How do I prevent the apples from becoming mushy?

The key is slicing your apples thin but consistently. Also, covering the dish while baking locks in moisture and helps them cook evenly without turning to mush. Removing the foil at the end helps develop a nice caramelized texture without overcooking.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe is more than just a dessert to me — it’s a moment of warmth, a simple pleasure that feels like home. I promise, once you try it, you’ll find yourself making it again and again, whether for a cozy weeknight treat or a holiday centerpiece. Give it a whirl, and enjoy every sweet, spiced bite!