I’m a multi-tasking addict. It’s sad to say that I can’t perform many tasks without doing other things at the same time. For instance, when I was making this recipe yesterday, I was also cooking 2 other recipes, shooting photography, and doing computer work at the same time. That’s just how I function most days. I blame the technology age for my lack of attention span and why I have no less than 20 tabs open on my computer at all times. There is no hope for me!
I guess it comes as no surprise that I like my food to multi-task too. Breakfasts that can be dressed up for dessert or whipped out of the fridge for a healthy afternoon snack really impress me. You know what else I love? Desserts that are wholesome enough for breakfast. A 3-in-1 recipe. Am I really asking for too much here? I don’t think so.
After a few days away from my kitchen, it felt so good to have my appetite for baking (and eating!) back. I’m happy to say that this recipe today fits all 3 goals for breakfast, snacking, and dessert. Hey, if you want to eat it for dinner too, I’d say we’re kindred spirits.
Now, a little note about baked apples.
Do you struggle as much as I do with the decision of which type of apple to bake? It gets me every time. In my mind, there’s nothing worse than a mushy baked apple. I had a rather traumatic apple baking experience a couple years ago and it just about turned me off baked apples for life. Thankfully, I gave it another shot, this time using Honeycrisp apples. They held up so well in the oven, they were still firm after 40 minutes of baking. Soft on the outside and firm in the middle – that’s my perfect baked apple. If you prefer the baked apples soft all the way through with that “melt in your mouth” quality, just bake until you can easily slide a fork through the middle. Your call. The baking time will vary greatly depending on the variety of apple as well as the size. My apples were huge – just under 400 grams for the pair.
I mixed up a lovely cinnamon date pecan oatmeal and then stuffed it into the middle of two apples. All of the leftover oatmeal gets scooped into the dish and it’s baked for around 40 minutes or so (it probably could’ve used another 5 mins since the apples were so large). It’s so incredibly simple – and the outcome was even better than I hoped! I could see this dish making a lovely holiday breakfast.
Baked Apples Stuffed With Cinnamon Date Pecan Oatmeal
Email, print, or text this recipe.
Recipe inspired by Yummy Mummy Kitchen.
Yield: 2 large servings or 4 smaller servings
Ingredients:
- 2 large firm baking apples (I used Honeycrisp), cored
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 4 Medjool dates (or raisins), pitted and chopped
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (or try ground flax)
- 1/4 cup pecans (or walnuts), chopped
- 1.5 cups almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1.5 tbsp pure maple syrup, plus more for garnish
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Wash and core apples. You want to make the hole about an inch in diametre, so there is enough room for stuffing. Place cored apples in a lightly oiled rimmed baking dish (I used a 4 cup dish).
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the rest of the ingredients.
3. Fill apples with the oatmeal mixture (pack it down slightly) and then spoon the leftover oatmeal + all liquid into the dish, surrounding the apples.
4. Bake, uncovered, for approximately 35-50 minutes (this time will vary depending on your apples, so keep an eye on it). To test for doneness, pierce apple with a knife. If it slides through fairly easy it’s done. The almond milk should also be absorbed and the oatmeal fairly firm. Serve with drizzle of pure maple syrup, apple butter or pumpkin butter, whipped coconut cream, non-dairy ice cream, or yogurt.
Enjoy it hot or cold, for breakfast, snacking, or dessert a la mode! [I’m a poet and I know it.]
It’s also Sketchie approved. The hot oven made me flustered on a warm fall day and I had to rip off my sweater, providing him a cozy cat bed. :)
Note his cat tunnel in the background. The best 10 bucks we ever spent.
By the way, please remind me to purchase an apple corer! I am the worst at coring apples with a paring knife. It’s a miracle I have all 10 fingers intact today.
I’m curious – what are your favourite baking apples? Have you tried certain varieties with great results? Or others with poor results?
So simple and so pretty!
Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the best!
I am the same way with baked apples – I need that crunch. The mush is too much like baby food. Love this idea of baking it with oatmeal! I’d top that with a big scoop of PB and call it breakfast!
Good call with the peanut butter…I didn’t think of that, but now I will have to try it on my leftovers. :)
Ooh, sounds good! I actually just did a post on baked apples (here http://www.willcookforfriends.com/2012/09/baked-apples-la-mode-easy-as-pie-easier.html ) but totally missed the opportunity to turn them into such a meal multi-tasker. Mine were just… dessert. Ha!
I also like to use Honeycrisp, or Fuji (whatever looks better in the store – Gala, if not those two) for baking. However, if I’m doing a pie I like to buy a few different varieties (some red, some green) and mix them for a less one-tone flavor.
Will have to try stuffing my apples with oatmeal, next time – I would be eating them for breakfast, dessert, and midnight snacks! :)
I am so making these! Oh yes I am! You had me at Honeycrisp which is my favorite baking apple followed closely by granny smith for my baking benders.
These sound amazing! I love the bottom part for the reminder about getting an apple corer, that was the question I was going to ask you. Where do you get one? LOL :)
Sometimes grocery stores have them in their utensil section (if they have one that is). Or try kitchen good stores. :)
My room mate just came back from the orchard with a ton of apples and we were looking for a healthier alternative to apple pie and apple crisp- this looks perfect. And totally counts as breakfast!
Can’t wait to try this–only problem is that I can’t eat oats, as they don’t agree with me! But it looks SO good that I’m going to give it a shot with quinoa flakes instead. Or should I use a whole grain like millet instead? Thoughts?
Hmm, I’m not too sure. I haven’t baked with quinoa flakes before. Do they bake similar to oats? Im sure it would be fine, but you wouldnt have the texture that the oats provide. As for millet, it would be an experiment I guess! Let me know how it goes.
I love baked apples but I’m lazy. So here’s my short version: cut up apples into small chunks, put into a large ziploc bag with cinnamon & 1/2 TBS. stevia in the raw, shake really well, & then eat. I know, not quite the same as baked apples, but it works when I want that apple-cinnamon-y dessert & don’t have the time or don’t want to put forth the effort!
(your cat is beautiful.)
I used to make a similar dessert back in the day. It’s been AGES since I made it. I just diced the apple, and mix with cinnamon and sugar in a bowl.
Perfect for fall! Looks like a great multi-tasking recipe. I’ll be trying it out this weekend.
I have a question unrelated to this post: I’m trying to find your Breakfast Taco recipe to print out for a friend. I can’t find it in Recipage, or in your Breakfast Recipes. It’s crumbled tofu with nutritional yeast and seasonings sautéed in a pan. This is one of my favorite recipes. It sure is a crowd pleaser–everyone I have served it to has loved it. Can you point me in the right direction?
Is this the one you are looking for? http://ohsheglows.com/2012/02/23/high-protein-vegan-breakfast-burrito/ Enjoy!
No! I’ve made that one as well, but I’m looking for the one that uses taco shells. I’ll look through your old posts.
hmm I’m not sure I know which recipe you mean. I’ll try to do some digging too!
Hi Angela,
Well this is certainly embarrassing. Please accept my apologies. I went through my “Oh She Glows” binder, which is 90% from your website with a few others mixed in. I found the one I mentioned and discovered it is from the Whole Foods website. Sorry for bothering you about it. If you want to check out the recipe it’s called Tofu Breakfast Tacos, it’s really pretty amazing in that the tofu really looks and tastes like scrambled eggs.
Loving your site, recipes, and insight,
Michele
No worries at all! I will have to check out that recipe…sounds amazing. Take care!
I would love to make this as an apple crisp. Any ideas on how I could do this? Sounds amazing.
Good idea :) Well, if you chopped up the apples and mixed it with the oatmeal you’d have baked apple oatmeal, which would also be lovely. But if you wanted more of a crisp here’s what I would probably try: omit almond milk and add in more maple syrup and/or non-dairy butter or coconut oil. Chop up the apples and mix with a touch of sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Spoon chopped apples into dish and then sprinkle new topping over it & then proceed with baking. I’m sure you could make it work!
Oh I am a multi-tasker also, I only have 7 tabs open now haha! It just feels like more is getting done that way. I really enjoy your blog and get great recipes from it all the time. I also really like your cat I have been wanting a Bengal for a long time! My husband says we can get one soon!
I’m like you on the apples being baked….so not sure if I will try this recipe or not, but it looks yummy!!
Oh boy, does those apples look tasty! I literally feel like making them this moment – maybe also because I am starving! :) Anyways I HAVE to make them ASAP!
heh yes you do! Let me know how it goes.
Hehe — Sketchie is so cute!!!!! <3
Yum! These look delicious, Angela!
I love baked apples! And these look so delicious – I find that I like the more tart apples better. A softer variety doesn’t hold up under the heat! I actually have one of those funky crank-turned apple corer/peeler things in my pantry and I never use it!
Oh my goodness Angela these look amazing! I’ve never, ever baked apples because I just LOVE the cold, crispy side of those guys! But this recipe looks might simple (beside the fact that I, like you, are without an apple corer…so I will be going at them with a steak knife) so I think I’m going to give it a try!
Thanks again for sharing this sweet fella! Glad you’re feeling healthier :)
I’m terrible at coring apples, too, but I find that apple corers aren’t that much of a help to me, as I think they don’t get all the seeds. :(
Ah that’s a bummer. I don’t think I have ever owned one before, but I assumed they worked! I wonder if anyone has a good brand to suggest? :)
These look absolutely delicious!
This looks so good! I’m in desperate need of some breakfast inspiration :)
When it comes to baking with apples, I think anything goes – as long as you mix them up. Whenever I made a crisp, I love doing 2-3 different varieties.
I agree about mixing the apples up with crisps and pies…I did that last week with a crisp and it turned out so flavourful!
YES! YUM! NOW! PLEASE! I love this kind of Fall Treat. I have a similiar recipe but I love your twist on it Ang!
One thing is certain, no matter how you make it, Vanilla Bean ICE CREAM (or a non-dairy pick) FOR SURE!
I need to make these the next time I have company coming to the house. I bet they make the whole place smell wonderful!
These are beautiful, sketchie is adorable, and now I’m kinda hungry. I love seeing your creativity, it is inspiring. I’m starting to teach cooking classes and I look to you often for inspiration.
At first I saw baked apples and I thought yuck, then I saw your tip about the honey crisp – I think the mushyness is what I never liked…I think I might try these.
Have a beautiful day.
Thanks for your lovely note! I’m so happy you are inspired by the recipes.
I also never was a fan of too soft apples. I find underbaking them slightly helps too. Enjoy!
That looks delicious – I am not an apple baking expert, but my two favorite apples are Macouns and Honeycrisps. I would think if the Honeycrisps hold up to baking, the Macouns would as well? Glad to hear you’ve defeated your cold!
Looks scrumptious! I think I could scoop up all that extra granola at the bottom with a spoon and not tell anyone! :)
I love love love honeycrisps but have never baked with them before. Can’t wait to try!
Those look fantastic!
I’ve been using Honeycrisp for most of my baking this year too. I recently picked up some Cortlands as well because I saw an apple chart that said they were good for baking and held up well. I haven’t tried too much with them yet, but I can say I find that they have a milder flavour than the Honeycrisp.
I love oats/oatmeal crumble-like toppings, streusel toppings, it’s all chewy & hearty and great. Paired with apples, even better – and I bet your house smelled amazing!
I’m convinced that honeycrisp apples are just the best for everything–eating, baking, applesauce, whatever! They are definitely my favorite. :) I always have trouble getting baked apples just right, so I’m going to have to give your recipe a try!
These look fabulous! Thanks for the shout out :) Pinning now!
Thank you for the inspiration!
wow I wish I had some leftover apples from apple picking to make this! but I might have to just pick some more up! (:
Wow, looks just like the best fall dessert! Love all your apple recipies this time of the year! <3 thank you!
Yum! These look delicious! I’ll have to try them out on my boyfriend
The stuffed apples are so cute!
I’ve been obsessed with making the same dessert over and over again- I put chopped up apples, any kind of winter squash, frozen cranberries, walnuts, cinnamon, molasses, maple syrup and some earth balance spread in a crock pot and let it cook for a few hours. I top it with cashew cream and granola, and it is UNREAL.
I love this idea, Angela! It’s like baked oatmeal with whole apples. Brilliant.
I’m really into baking spartan apples right now. They’re huge here in the East (still feels weird saying that with living out West all my life!) especially right now. They’re at all the markets!
Hi Angela! I posted a photo of my recreation of this recipe on your facebook page earlier but I thought I should post here too it was that good :) . I made this recipe for breakfast (I used a royal gala apple that held up very well!) and it was absolutely fantastic! I put some pumpkin butter (your recipe) on top and some greek yogurt and it was great! You’ve done it again, yet another keeper recipe ;)
Hey Katie, You are fast! haha. That’s great. I’m so happy you enjoyed them. By the way, I just checked my FB page and didn’t see your photo. I wonder what happened to it? Did it post for you?
Thank you for posting a simple, delicious dessert that not only is easy but looks elegant. I have been looking for ways to use up all the apples from my back yard. This is another solution for me. So far I’ve made apple chips, apple cider, apple butter, apple sauce and apple pie filling. It’s been a great fall :) Happy cooking!
Ohhh lucky girl having an apple tree! Glad to hear you are finding all kinds of ways to use them up. Enjoy the recipe!
I grew up with Macintosh and Cortland for baking. Those are still my favorite, but you may have sold me on the Honeycrisp.
I agree with Leanne, spartan is a good choice, you just have to be careful not to over bake or it will start to turn into a compote! I did a similar recipe with spartan apples this week http://thescienceoffood.info/post/34073817923/roastedapplestreusel
The spartan apples once baked will be soft however (which I like), you have to rely on the topping for the crunch. I like Laura`s PB but I`d probably garnish this with an almond butter/maple syrup mixture.
I approve of this as a breakfast, but you must have a bigger appetite than me! I eat just half a cup of oats and I’m good to go!
A trick I learned recently is to use a metal melon baller to core the apples. Works great!
Ah great tip! Now I need a melon baller :)
These look delicious! This is probably a silly question, but what’s the best way to core an apple? Yours turned out so well!
Thanks Steph! I just used a paring knife…it wasn’t easy but I just went slow! Those honeycrisp are HUGE!
Ok thanks!
This looks absolutely amazing!! Which doesnt surprise me because everything on your blog is delicious, both visually and tastewise!!! This is on my to-do list in the next few days :D Cant wait! Oh, and I bought one of those cat tunnels for my little princess when I took her in. She LOVES IT! My boyfriend told me that I wasted my money because she was never going to use it… sure enough its her favorite thing in the world!
Keep up the amazing work that you do!
hah I know exactly what you mean…Sketchie adores it! It’s his little shelter when he doesn’t want to be bothered or it’s where he goes when he wants to play and be hyper. Unfortunately his nails have pretty much ripped it to shreds (he gets a bit wild in there!).
Will be trying this, looks delicious
First of all, I just adore the first pictures. Love the half apple view of the inside. Second, I love baked apples! We did it a couple of times when I was a kid and just stuffed them with cinnamon, sugar, and marshmallows (I know, sugar AND marshmallows?). So yay for a healthier, more filling, less mood-swing inducing treat-meal. Great seasonal recipe too! Thanks as always!
Oh to be a kid again! hah
I made these the other day (minus the oatmeal at the bottom) and was going to post a recipe, but I could not get them to photograph well enough…yours look a lot better. I think it also had to do with the type of apple I used, they sort of fell apart.
I’ve definitely been there before! hah I hope you enjoyed them regardless :)
Ooh I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven looking at these pics! Sounds delicious. Honeycrisps and Pink Lady apples are my favourites in general, and I love that they make great baking apples too. I’m also a huge fan of Crispin (or Mutsu depending on who’s labeling them!) because they’re kind of like a Golden Delicious, but a little more tart. I’m craving one now!
Fabulous recipe…perfect for a chilly rainy day like today!
I’ve had good luck baking Idareds, Jonagolds, Melrose, Braeburns, Empires…I like mixing varieties too, just for the screaming fun of it. :)
I am so obsessed with Jona Gold apples this season, they are so perfect for juicing and baking!! That pic looks amazing with what I believe is vanilla island Coconut Bliss on top ;)
Yum!
I know what you mean about multi tasking. I’m often making several things at once – supper plus lunch for the next day or baking muffins, cookies at the same time. I’m sure that’s why my kitchen always looks like a war zone when I’m done and it takes me 3 times as long to clean as I spent cooking. Oh well, at least I’m always having fun!
Recipe looks good – will try it out on the weekend.
This looks scrumptious! I’ve never actually baked an apple, i’m so behind! hahah must try this recipe soon :)
I love this recipe!!! I mean love it! It’s so creative!!! I have to try it out this weekend!!