Baked apples are a delightful and versatile treat, perfect for any season. Whether you're looking for a simple dessert, a healthy snack, or a topping for your morning oats, this keto-friendly baked apple recipe will satisfy your cravings without the guilt. This recipe is easy to make and can be adapted to suit your dietary needs and preferences.
Why Baked Apples?
Baking apples brings out their natural sweetness and creates a soft, tender texture that is simply irresistible. The aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is an added bonus, evoking feelings of warmth and comfort. Baked apples are also a great way to use up seasonal apples, especially during peak apple season from late July to early November.
Keto-Friendly Adaptations
Traditional baked apple recipes often contain a lot of sugar, which is not ideal for those following a ketogenic diet. This recipe uses keto-friendly sweeteners and ingredients to create a delicious and satisfying dessert without the added carbs.
Ingredients
- Apples: Use a dense, crisp variety like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Evercrisp, or Cosmic Crisp. Avoid soft apple varieties such as Macintosh, as they tend to become mushy when baked.
- Butter or Coconut Oil: Melted butter adds a rich flavor, while coconut oil is a great vegan and paleo-friendly alternative.
- Cinnamon: Make sure your cinnamon is fresh for the best flavor.
- Chopped Walnuts or Pecans: These add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the topping.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Keto-Friendly Sweetener (Optional): If you prefer a sweeter dessert, you can add a keto-friendly sweetener such as Stevia or brown sugar.
Equipment
- Baking dish (square 9-inch or similar capacity) or individual baking dishes
- Medium bowl
- Fork
- Rubber spatula
- Apple corer (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the apples: Rinse the apples. You should definitely peel the apples. Core and slice the apples. If you don't own an apple corer, simply peel the apple, cut it in half, then cut each half into two quarters, cutting around the core. Cut each part in two. In total, you will get twelve apple slices. Arrange the apple slices in one or two layers in a square 9-inch baking dish (or a baking dish of a similar capacity). You can also use four individual baking dishes.
- Make the topping: In a medium bowl, using a fork, mix the chopped walnuts, melted butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and (if using) sweetener.
- Assemble and bake: Using a rubber spatula, pour the mixture over the apples, spreading it evenly. Bake the coated apples until the walnut topping is golden and the apples are tender, for about 25-30 minutes. You'll know it's ready by the amazing aroma!
- Serve: Divide the apple crisp among four plates. Drizzle with the pan juices and serve. These baked apples can be served with whipped cream, full-fat crème fraiche, mascarpone, or a slice of cheddar.
Tips and Variations
- Apple selection: When picking out the best apples for baking, find a good ration between sweetness and how well it will hold up to heat. The apples should keep their shape even after a lengthy stay inside a hot oven!
- Spice it up: Experiment with different spices such as nutmeg, cardamom, or apple pie spice.
- Add zest: A little lemon zest can add a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Nut-free option: If you have a nut allergy, you can omit the walnuts or pecans and substitute them with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Air fryer version: For a faster cooking time, these baked apples can be made in an air fryer. Simply follow the same steps, but cook the apples at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
- Paleo-friendly: These paleo baked cinnamon baked apples are a super simple seasonal treat that could not be easier to make! These baked apples are naturally sweetened with maple syrup AND made with coconut oil instead of butter. These simple swaps makes them vegan and paleo friendly! The perfect fall treat that is as versatile as it is delicious.
Serving Suggestions
These keto baked apples are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of toppings:
- A dollop of whipped cream
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Greek yogurt
- Full-fat crème fraiche
- Mascarpone
- A slice of cheddar cheese
- Toasted nuts
- Keto caramel sauce
Storage Instructions
You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Reheat them covered in the microwave at 50% power or enjoy them cold.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is approximate. Please verify it independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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