Paleo Ginger-Cardamom Baked Apples with Walnuts
Warm spices, caramelized fruit, and crunchy walnuts make this baked apple dessert feel genuinely indulgent ā the kind of thing you'd expect to find at a fancy autumn dinner table, not just a weeknight kitchen. The filling leans hard into aromatic depth, combining fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and a touch of turmeric for a flavor profile that's complex without being fussy. Honey and coconut oil bind everything together naturally, so there's no refined sugar or butter needed to get that rich, sticky result. As the apples roast, the lemon-water bath keeps them moist while the skins wrinkle and caramelize at the edges ā a low-effort technique that delivers serious payoff. Walnuts stay just toasty enough inside the cavity to add texture against the yielding, jammy apple flesh. A scatter of pomegranate seeds at the end brings a little tartness and color that makes the whole dish look almost too pretty to eat. It's the kind of dessert that satisfies a serious sweet tooth while keeping every ingredient clean and whole-food friendly.
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 āIngredients
4 servings
- 4 large firm baking apples (such as honeycrisp or braeburn)
- Ā¾ cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- Ā½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Ā¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ā tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- Ā½ cup water
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375Ā°F (190Ā°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 2 inches deep, leaving a solid 1/2-inch base so the filling stays in.
- 2
In a small mixing bowl, stir together the walnuts, honey, grated ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and melted coconut oil until the mixture is evenly coated and holds together loosely.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!