This Paleo apple dessert is a perfect gluten-free treat for the holidays or any other time really. Easy to make and only a few ingredients! Dairy-free, Nut-free, and Vegan options indicated as well.
Perhaps you'll have company in town over the holidays?
You'll probably go out to eat a few times, but most likely will eat at home a few times as well. Due to tradition, you probably have the recipes for the big days, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, covered, but what about the other nights? You want to impress those in-laws with your mad cooking skills and delicious creations, right?
However, you don't want them to get automatically turned off because you are serving them something that is “Paleo” or “gluten-free” or GASP – “healthy”.
NATURALLY GLUTEN-FREE AND PALEO
One surefire way to impress is to end a dinner with a tantalizing dessert that is NATURALLY gluten-free and Paleo. No need to disclose that these are compliant with some diet that your guests might incorrectly judge is tasteless and full of cardboard-like meals.
These baked apples are one such dessert. The ooey gooey cinnamon and nutmeg topping oozes out of the apples and fills your house with the most delightful, warming scent. Plus on the scale of difficulty, these are pretty much one of the easiest things you can make.
EASY TO MAKE AHEAD!!
You can even prepare these a day or two ahead of time, store in the fridge, and then just bake while you are eating dinner. And your guests won't even know that they are Paleo. Imagine just sitting down to serve dinner and as you are wrapping up, the amazing smell of cinnamon and nutmeg wafting from your kitchen. Who is the hero now? Seriously though, these are a wonderful, simple dessert and even if you just have them in the middle of July for a normal dessert with just your dog they'd be great.
Oh, and use red apples with this. The granny smith (green apples) are a bit sour to use. Go with sweet and your tastebuds (and mother-in-law) will thank you.
EASY TO CUSTOMIZE FOR ALLERGIES AND OTHER DIETS
The recipe below gives some options for making this completely dairy-free, as well as a nut-free option. If you want to make it Vegan, just change out the butter for coconut oil and use maple syrup instead of the honey.
Here's a Facebook Live video I did showing how to make these (watch it on YouTube):
Also make sure to check out my Ginger Baked Pears recipe for another simple yet delicious naturally Paleo dessert.
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Baked Apple Dessert
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
Description
This Paleo apple dessert is a perfect gluten-free treat for the holidays or any other time really. Easy to make and only a few ingredients! Dairy-free, Nut-free, AIP, and Vegan options indicated as well.
Ingredients
- 4 Apples
- 3 tbs Raisins
- 1/2 cup Walnuts, chopped *
- 2 tbs Butter, Ghee, or Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup Honey or (Maple Syrup for Vegan)
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Core the apples, making a pocket in the center of the apple.
- Melt the butter and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract and stir to incorporate.
- Add in the walnuts and raisins and mix.
- Divide the filling evenly among the apples, filling the holes you created earlier by coring. I usually use the handle of a spoon to poke the filling into the pocket. Drizzle any remaining filling over the apples.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake until the apples are soft, approximately 40 minutes.
Notes
- For a nut-free option, you can use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- For a fully AIP-compliant option, use tigernuts (either sliced or whole) and Coconut Oil instead of Butter or Ghee and Mace instead of Nutmeg
- For a Vegan option use Coconut Oil instead of butter or ghee and maple syrup instead of honey
- For a dairy-free option use Coconut Oil instead of butter or ghee
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These look so good! I love simple, healthy desserts. I’m definitely going to make these. My family will love them.
Thanks Katja! I hope you enjoy them!
These are so beautiful! Baked apples are a favorite of mine. These are so perfect and festive for this time of year.
Thanks so much Emily!
I love this idea! And when you have a group of people visiting that have various multiple allergies or special diets, doing a simple baked fruit dessert like this is so much less fuss than trying to figure out a cookie! Ha!
Ha, ain’t that the truth! But you are so correct, you could skip the nuts in this if you have someone with a nut allergy (or just make theirs without nuts), and it fits within so many diets!
Easily one of my favourite desserts of all time, and I LOVE how simple they are!
Thanks Alex!
These baked apples look so good ! I was just thinking about making some apple desserts for the holiday. Thanks so much for sharing !
You are welcome! Hope you enjoy!
These are PERFECT for my December Whole30 (without the honey) so clean and creative!
Wow, you are so brave to do a December Whole30! Best of luck!
These look so bubbly delicious! And I love it when comforting desserts are also healthy, you just can’t beat that combo!
Thanks Kari!
These look so good and I bet they smell amazing when they cook! What a delicious dessert!
Thanks! Yes, they smell SO good!
These are so pretty! Love all the fall flavors.
Thanks Becky!
I love how simple and clean these are! Perfect for the holidays! Thank you!
Thanks Taesha!
I’ve actually never made apples like this but I’ve always wanted to try! They look seriously YUMMY!
Thanks Michele! You should make them!
Holy wow Michele, GORGEOUS! And I’m with you on the red apples – I’m not a huge fan of Granny Smith either!
Thanks Dana!
Wow, does this dessert ever check all my boxes as far healthy, fast, simple, beautiful, and tasty! Also, it reminds me of something I did with my Grandma when I was younger. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks Kelly! Food memories are the best!