By: Jill Mills Updated: Sep 24, 2025

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Granny Smith apple slices are tossed with sugar and spices then baked until tender in this Baked Apples recipe. Serve with a scoop of ice cream for dessert or over waffles for breakfast.

A bowl of baked apples with vanilla ice cream

Craving the flavors of apple pie filling without the work of making an apple pie? Try these delightful baked apples! They’re warmly spiced and the sugars turn into a caramel-like sauce when baking. They’re SO good spooned over ice cream or pancakes and super easy to make.

Why I Make This Baked Apples Recipe Every Year

Easy fall dessert. Baked apple slices are one of my favorite fall desserts because they’re so easy to make. The hands-on steps are simply slicing the apples and tossing the ingredients.
Short ingredients list. There are only a handful of ingredients needed to make this recipe – fresh apples and pantry staples like sugar, butter, and spices. It makes them easy to whip up anytime!
Versatile. Baked apples are a wonderful dessert when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. But I also love to use them as a topping on pancakes or waffles for breakfast!

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make baked apples

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of the ingredients used to make this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Apples – I like to use tart Granny Smith apples. Other apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Braeburn, or Pink Lady work well in this recipe.
Butter – I use unsalted because I like to add a bit of sea salt later in the recipe.
Sugar – Equal parts granulated sugar and brown sugar sweeten the apples.
Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg.
Vanilla extract
Sea salt – A bit of sea salt helps to enhance the sweet and savory flavors.
Cornstarch – Thickens all the juices that release when baking the apples.

How To Make Baked Apples

These baked apple slices are such a low-effort dessert. The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.

Prep. Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly grease the baking dish.
Prep the apples. Peel and core then slice the apples. The slices should be thin but still sturdy. Place in a mixing bowl.
Make the sugar mixture. Mix together the butter, sugars, spices, and vanilla. Pour over the apples and toss to coat. Add the cornstarch and toss again.
Bake. Spread the apples in an even layer in the pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, stirring once halfway through. The apples should be tender and the sauce caramel-like.
Enjoy. Let cool for 5-10 minutes then serve as desired.

Recipe Variations

Here are a few variations for customizing this baked apples recipe.

Add-in ideas. Consider tossing in a handful of raisins or dried cranberries before baking.
Make it sweeter. If you prefer a sweeter dish, increase the sugar slightly or drizzle with honey after baking.
Make it dairy-free. For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based alternative.
Use different apples. For a more complex flavor, use 2-3 different likes of apples, like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith.

Serving Suggestions

My favorite way to serve baked apples is warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of roasted pecans or walnuts for added crunch. It makes such an easy and satisfying dessert!

They can also be used as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

Fridge. Store leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much during storage.

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Baked Apples

Granny Smith apple slices are tossed with sugar and spices then baked until tender in this Baked Apples recipe. Serve with a scoop of ice cream for dessert or over waffles for breakfast.

Servings: 6 people

Prep: 15

Cook: 40

Total: 55

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Ingredients

▢ 5 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and sliced (thin but not too thin)
▢ 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
▢ 1/4 cup granulated sugar
▢ 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
▢ Pinch of ground nutmeg
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Peel, core, and slice the apples, keeping the slices thin but sturdy. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt until combined.
Pour the mixture over the apples and toss to coat them well.
Sprinkle the cornstarch over the apples and toss again to make sure it’s coated well.
Spread the apples in the prepared baking dish, making sure they’re in a single layer.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the apples are tender and the sauce is thick and caramel-like.
Let the apples cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

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