Simple, Old-Fashioned Baked Apples Recipe with Oatmeal Crumble

This baked apples recipe is an easy, old-fashioned fall dessert. Sweetened with maple syrup and topped with an oat crumble, it’s cozy and delicious.

When apple season arrives, I can’t resist trying every cozy dessert I can think of. Apple crisp and apple cake are family favorites in our home, but sometimes I want something just a little bit simpler. That’s when this baked apples recipe comes in handy.

Jump to Recipe

With just a few pantry staples, you can turn fresh apples into a warm, comforting dessert. These baked apples are stuffed with a sweet oatmeal crumble topping, lightly sweetened with maple syrup instead of processed sugar. They’re the kind of old-fashioned dessert our great-grandmas would’ve made — simple, wholesome, and delicious.

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Why You’ll Love This Baked Apples Recipe

• Simple Ingredients – Apples, oats, butter, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
• Old-Fashioned Flavor – Warm, spiced, cozy — perfect for fall.
• Naturally Sweetened – No processed sugar, just maple syrup.
• Easy to Make – Ready for the oven in about 10 minutes.
• Perfect for Any Occasion – A weeknight dessert or a rustic addition to your Thanksgiving table.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

• Apples – Any firm baking variety works well: Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Jonathan, or Fuji.
• Rolled oats – For that hearty, crisp topping.
• Flour – Helps bind the crumble topping.
• Butter – Unsalted, softened or cubed.
• Maple syrup – Natural sweetness and that cozy fall flavor.
• Cinnamon & nutmeg – The perfect fall spices.
• Pinch of salt – To balance the sweetness.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Apples

Wash and halve your apples, then scoop out the core with a spoon or melon baller. Arrange them in a buttered baking dish.

(Insert photo here of apples being filled with crumble — the process shot you took is perfect.)

2. Make the Crumble Topping

In a bowl, combine oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and butter. Drizzle in maple syrup and mix until the texture resembles chunky crumbs.

(Insert overhead bowl photo here if you have one.)

3. Fill the Apples

Spoon the oat mixture into the hollowed centers of each apple. Pack it in generously — the crumble is the best part!

(Use your spoon-action photo here for reader engagement.)

4. Bake

Bake uncovered at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.

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Easy Baked Apples Recipe

Old-Fashioned Baked Apples with Oatmeal Crumble

Ingredients:

• 3 or 4 apples, halved and cored
• ½ cup rolled oats
• 2 Tbsp flour (all-purpose or whole wheat)
• 2 Tbsp butter, softened or cubed
• 3 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a small baking dish.
2. Halve apples and scoop out cores. Arrange cut side up in dish.
3. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and butter. Add maple syrup and stir until crumbly.
4. Fill apple centers with oat mixture.
5. Bake 25–30 minutes, until apples are tender and topping is golden.
6. Serve warm, plain or with a drizzle of cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream.

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Tips for the Best Baked Apples

• Choose the right apples – Firm, tart apples hold their shape best.
• Double the crumble – If you love the topping, make extra and scatter some around the apples in the pan.
• Serve with something creamy – Ice cream, whipped cream, or even a splash of heavy cream poured over warm apples takes this dessert to the next level.
• Make it ahead – Assemble earlier in the day, cover, and bake just before serving.

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More Cozy Apple Recipes

• Cast Iron Apple Crisp
• Apple Cake Recipe

For more fall coziness, you might also enjoy my Fall Simmer Pot or Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer.

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Conclusion

This baked apples recipe is the perfect example of how simple ingredients can create a cozy, old-fashioned dessert. With warm spices, maple sweetness, and a hearty oat crumble, these apples make any fall evening feel special.