There’s something magical about the warm aroma of baked fruit mingled with cinnamon — it’s like instant comfort in the oven. This Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe is one of those simple desserts that fills your kitchen with cozy vibes and serves up tender, warmly spiced apples that everyone will love.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with warm, sliced apple pieces cooked in a rich, cinnamon-spiced sauce. The apple slices are golden brown and soft, piled unevenly with some sauce pooling at the bottom. There are two small scoops of creamy white vanilla ice cream placed on top of the apples, one near the edge and one near the center. A silver spoon rests inside the dish, partially buried in the apples. Around the dish, on a white marbled surface, there are cinnamon sticks, a measuring cup with brown sugar, a few fresh green apples, and a reddish cloth napkin partially tucked under the dish. 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

This Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe is close to my heart because it combines minimal effort with maximum cozy flavor. Whenever I want a dessert that feels like a warm hug but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, this is my go-to. The apples get tender but still hold their shape, and the cinnamon-spiced sauce thickens perfectly without fuss.

Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of these pantry staples, so it’s easy to pull together last minute.
Perfectly Tender Apples: Slicing the apples thinly helps them bake evenly into soft, luscious pieces without turning to mush.
Deliciously Spiced: The combination of cinnamon, fresh ginger, and a hint of nutmeg gives just the right warm spice balance without overpowering.
Versatile & Customizable: Whether you keep it vegan, throw on some ice cream, or adjust sweeteners, it’s flexible to suit your style.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses a handful of straightforward ingredients that complement each other beautifully. The tart and sweet apples create depth, the cinnamon and spices add warmth, and the cornstarch thickens the natural juices into a syrupy sauce. Plus, a splash of lemon juice brightens everything up.

Flat lay of six medium fresh apples including two green Granny Smith and four red Honeycrisp, a small white ceramic bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl of golden coconut oil, a small white ceramic bowl filled with coarse coconut sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl holding freshly grated light yellow ginger, a small white ceramic bowl with a pinch of nutmeg powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing white cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl of clear fresh apple juice, and a small white ceramic bowl with coarse sea salt, all arranged symmetrically and naturally 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: Mixing tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp balances flavor and texture perfectly—organic when possible for the freshest taste.
Lemon juice: Adds brightness and prevents apples from browning before baking.
Coconut oil (optional): Adds a subtle richness and helps the sugar caramelize.
Coconut sugar or organic cane sugar: Provides natural sweetness along with a bit of molasses-like depth.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice here—warm, sweet, and comforting.
Fresh grated ginger: Adds a gentle spicy zing to balance sweetness (you can substitute ground ginger if needed).
Nutmeg: A tiny pinch adds cozy complexity.
Cornstarch or arrowroot starch: Thickens the juices into a luscious sauce.
Fresh apple juice or water: Helps dissolve the starch and create sauciness.
Sea salt: Enhances the sweetness and spices’ depth.

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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

One of the things I love most is how easy it is to tweak this Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe to your taste or occasion. Feel free to swap sweeteners, play with spices, or add a crunchy topping if you want some texture contrast.

Variation: Once, I added chopped pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup on top halfway through baking—what a deliciously nutty twist!
Lactose-free option: Skip the coconut oil and pair the finished apples with dairy-free whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cloves or cardamom for a more complex flavor during holiday seasons.

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

A white bowl filled with warm apple slices layered at the bottom, showing a shiny, cinnamon-brown glaze with soft texture. On top, there is a single scoop of vanilla ice cream that is slightly melting into the fruit. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, leaning on the side. In the background, a green apple is visible on a white marbled surface. The scene is bright and clean, focusing on the warm dessert. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Apples with Care

Start by peeling, coring, and quartering 6-7 apples (I like a combo of tart Granny Smiths and sweet Honeycrisp). Then, slice them thinly lengthwise—aim for even thickness so they bake uniformly. Thinner slices mean softer, more tender apples; just try to keep the slices consistent. I find a small sharp paring knife works best here.

Step 2: Mix Together the Flavor Bomb

Place your sliced apples in a 9x13-inch baking dish, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons lemon juice to keep them bright. Add 1 tablespoon coconut oil if you’re using it for richness, followed by ⅔ cup coconut sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon fresh grated ginger, a pinch of nutmeg, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 3 tablespoons fresh apple juice or water, and a pinch of sea salt. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to coat all those slices well.

Step 3: Bake & Watch for That Golden Finish

Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and pop it in a 350°F (176°C) oven. Bake for 45 minutes, which helps the apples soften slowly and lets the flavors marry. Then carefully remove the foil (watch out for steam!) and bake for another 10-15 minutes uncovered so the edges caramelize and the sauce thickens up beautifully. The apples should be tender enough to easily pierce with a fork but not falling apart.

Top Tip

My best advice for this Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe? Take the time to slice your apples evenly and thinly—this small step really makes a difference for perfect consistency and mouthfeel.

Uniform Slicing: Using a sharp paring knife and focusing on similarly thin slices ensures even cooking and avoids mushy spots.
Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: It keeps the apples vibrant and fresh-tasting, balancing sweetness beautifully.
Taste the Spice Mix: Ginger adds a lively zing—if you don’t have fresh ginger, powdered works fine but use less to prevent bitterness.
Caramelization Patience: Remove the foil for the last bake stage to get that irresistibly sticky, golden finish on top.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe

baked cinnamon apples - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often serve these baked apples warm, topped with a dollop of homemade coconut whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla bean coconut ice cream. The cold cream melting into the warm apples is pure joy. Sometimes I sprinkle chopped toasted pecans over the top for a necessary crunch.

Side Dishes

For a cozy brunch, I love pairing them with some thick oatmeal or pancakes. They also make a delightful side to roasted pork or chicken for an easy, elegant dinner that feels festive but requires very little effort.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I layered these baked apples into individual glass parfait cups with coconut yogurt and a sprinkle of granola—perfect for a spring brunch or potluck. You can also bake the apples right inside hollowed-out apple halves for charming single servings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover baked cinnamon apples store great in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I find the flavors even deepen overnight, making them an easy, delicious snack or breakfast topper.

Freezing

Freezing works well too—just cool completely before packing in freezer-safe containers. They’ll keep for up to a month. When you thaw, the texture softens a bit more but the flavor is still fantastic.

Reheating

I usually reheat leftovers in the microwave or a 350°F oven (covered with foil) until warmed through. Adding a splash of water helps loosen the sauce if it’s gotten too thick or sticky from refrigeration.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of apples in this recipe?

Absolutely! I recommend a mix of tart and sweet apples for balanced flavor and texture, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Just adjust baking time if your apples are particularly firm or soft.

How can I make this recipe sweeter or less sweet?

You can easily adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of coconut sugar or substituting half with a natural sweetener like stevia. Taste the mixture before baking to find the perfect balance for your palate.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the apples and all ingredients in the baking dish up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if the apples are chilled.

What can I serve alongside baked cinnamon apples?

They’re lovely on their own or with dairy-free whipped cream, vanilla coconut ice cream, or even as a topping for pancakes, oatmeal, or pork dishes.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Cinnamon Apples Recipe always reminds me of cozy afternoons spent with family around the table. Its simplicity and comforting flavors have made it a favorite I return to over and over—no complicated steps, just warm, tender apples kissed with cinnamon and a lovely sauce. I hope you enjoy making and eating this as much as I do, whether for a sweet treat after dinner or a special breakfast surprise. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s one of those recipes that quickly becomes a staple.