3 Ingredient Baked Apples Recipe: Healthy & Vegan

In need of a sweet snack? Read on for my 3 ingredient baked apples recipe.

Finding healthy snacks and dessert recipes that taste really good can be challenging.

So many sweet recipes contain sugar, but I don’t think sugar is always necessary. Now, I’m not saying all sugar is bad. And I’m not saying we shouldn’t ever eat sugar, either. But moderation is key here. Limiting your sugar intake is linked to so many health benefits. That’s why I prefer to make sweet snacks and desserts using fruit. Fruit contains natural sugars that help to curb your sugar cravings while satisfying your sweet tooth. It’s a win, win!

This baked apple recipe contains only 3 ingredients and it’s super easy to make. If you have children, they will love this recipe! You can even get them involved with making it. All you need is an apple, coconut oil and cinnamon. It’s one of the simplest and healthiest dessert options you can make.

Let’s get into the recipe!

3 Ingredient Baked Apples Recipe

• 1 apple (any type of apple is fine, I used pink lady)
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C
2. Cut up a whole apple into chunks
3. Spread the apple out on a baking tray
4. Melt 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in the microwave and pour over the apples
5. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of cinnamon on top of the apples
6. With a spoon, mix all of the ingredients together
7. Bake in the oven for 17 – 20 minutes
8. Take out of the oven and let cool for several minutes before serving

What Should You Serve The Apples With?

These 3 ingredient baked apples are delicious on their own as a snack or a dessert. However, you can turn them into a more satiating meal by adding some yoghurt. My favourite yoghurt at the moment is the The Coconut Collab in the vanilla flavour. The vanilla isn’t too overpowering, so it pairs really well with the apple. For those who are vegan, lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, it makes a great alternative. If coconut isn’t your thing, you can choose a soya-based yoghurt instead. And for a really indulgent treat, skip the yoghurt altogether and have some ice cream!

Can I Use Any Apple?

You can absolutely use any apple, but keep in mind that no two apples are the same. Generally, red apples are sweeter than green apples. So, if you prefer a sweeter taste, go for a red apple. Some examples are gala, fuji, honeycrisp and pink lady. On the other hand, if you prefer a more sour taste, go for a green apple like granny smith. You could even do half and half and see which one you like best.

I mostly use pink lady apples for this recipe because I find them to be just the right amount of sweetness. However, this recipe would work with any kind of apple.

Do I Need To Use Coconut Oil?

You don’t have to use coconut oil, but I find that it makes them taste a bit better and prevents them from sticking (if you’re using foil). If you’re wondering if you can use a different oil, I personally wouldn’t recommend it. Most vegetable oils are considered to be unhealthy and bad for the environment. Unrefined coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil are healthier choices due to the way they are extracted more naturally. Of the 3 choices, coconut oil is best for this recipe, since it adds a slight sweet taste to the apple and isn’t overpowering. All that aside, I like to limit my use of all oils. That’s why I only use 1 teaspoon in this recipe. If you prefer to not use any oil, that’s absolutely fine!

Should I Add Sugar?

This recipe is sweet enough as it is, but if you want it to be even sweeter, you can add sugar to it. You can mix in 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to the apple before baking. Or you can drizzle a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey (if you’re not vegan) once the apples are baked. It’s entirely up to you.

What Else Can I Add To This Recipe?

I paired my apple with coconut yoghurt and a teaspoon of chia seeds. As chia seeds are nutritious and high in calcium and magnesium, I try to add them into my diet whenever I can. You can add anything you like, though.

Here are some ideas:

• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, pecans etc.)
• Raisins
• Dark chocolate chips

If you like this recipe why not try these healthy vegan banana oat cookies? They contain just 4 ingredients and they taste really great, too.