Black Pepper Free Cinnamon-Walnut Baked Apples
Warm, tender baked apples filled with a golden walnut-oat mixture are the kind of dessert that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. The filling comes together with just a bowl and a spoon — rolled oats and roughly chopped walnuts get tossed with maple syrup, olive oil, and a trio of warming spices before being packed into cored apples and roasted until everything turns fragrant and caramelized. Cinnamon leads the flavor, with ginger and a whisper of turmeric adding gentle depth without any heat or sharpness. For anyone managing a sensitivity to black pepper, this recipe is a natural fit — every spice in the lineup is warm and aromatic rather than pungent, and there's nothing hidden in the ingredient list to second-guess. A splash of water in the bottom of the baking dish keeps the apples moist as they roast, so you get that perfectly soft, jammy texture all the way through. Finish with a drizzle of honey and you've got a dessert that feels indulgent but is built entirely from wholesome, straightforward ingredients.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!