Artificial Food Coloring Free Cinnamon-Walnut Baked Apples
Baked apples are one of those desserts that feel indulgent but are built entirely from real, wholesome ingredients — and this version leans into that beautifully. The filling combines crunchy walnuts, hearty rolled oats, warm cinnamon, ginger, and a whisper of turmeric, all brought together with maple syrup and olive oil for a naturally sweet, spiced bite. For anyone navigating artificial dyes and synthetic additives, this recipe is a breath of fresh air — every single ingredient is exactly what it says it is, straight from the pantry shelf with no label-reading anxiety required. The apples turn buttery-soft in the oven while the filling goes golden and fragrant, filling your kitchen with the kind of smell that makes everyone wander in asking what's for dessert. A drizzle of honey at the end is optional but genuinely worth it. Serve them warm and they feel like a proper treat, even though you can feel completely good about what went into them.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 medium firm baking apples (such as honeycrisp or braeburn)
- ½ cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ cup water
For serving
- 1 tbsp honey, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a melon baller or small spoon, core each apple from the top, removing the seeds and creating a cavity about 1 inch wide and 1½ inches deep, leaving the bottom of the apple fully intact so the filling stays in place.
- 2
In a small mixing bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, rolled oats, maple syrup, olive oil, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and salt. Stir until the oats and walnuts are evenly coated and the mixture holds together loosely.
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