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Healthy Snacking | Baked Apples Recipe

By 178 Comments

If you’re like me and have resolved to eat healthier this year, you’re probably focusing on choosing healthier snacks as part of an improved diet, and this baked apples recipe makes healthy snacking easy. It has the essence of apple pie without all of the calories. Delicious and guilt-free!

Baked Apples recipe with plum crumble topping

How are you doing with your New Year’s Resolutions? Sadly, many of us have given up on them already. They’re so easy to make, but so cotton-pickin’ hard to keep. The problem is that we tend to choose lofty goals that are impossible to reach quickly, so we lose our motivation just as quickly. Instead of thinking about losing weight, think about eating healthier – it’s not as intimidating!

One way to improve the quality of your diet is to add the Feel Good Fruit to your favorite snack recipes. It’s an easy fix to help you stick with your healthy eating resolutions this year.

I love Sunsweet® plums and prunes! They’re deliciously tasty and uniquely nutritious, making them the perfect addition to my baked apples recipe.

Sunsweet Plum Amaz!ns

I mixed up a plum crumble topping for the baked apples recipe with Sunsweet Plum Amaz!ns, oatmeal, brown sugar, butter and spices to make a small amount of filling which I spooned into the centers of two cored and halved apples.

how to make baked apples with plum crumble topping

I covered them and baked them in a bath of apple juice until they were tender, spooning juice over the tops a few times throughout.

Guys, this is good stuff!

Baked Apples Recipe - Plum Crumble Topping

So, about those plums and prunes… studies suggest the following positive effects from certain nutrients in them:

Bone Health: Prunes may promote healthy bones. Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi of Florida State University says, “Dried plums (prunes) are the most bone-friendly fruit that I have seen in decades. They are nature’s solution to maintaining good bone health.” Dr. Arjmandi hypothesizes that the many compounds and nutrients contained in prunes, such as vitamin K, potassium, copper and boron, likely work synergistically to have this positive effect. Additional research is currently being conducted to learn more about prunes and bone health.

Potassium: Potassium may help prevent hypertension and stroke and play a role in helping support cell energy by regulating fluid balance, nerve impulses and muscle contraction to increase energy.

Fiber: A diet containing foods with fiber can replace fats and sweets, and contributes to heart health.

Regularity: A fiber rich diet may contribute to maintaining a consistent digestive tract which helps lead to improved digestive health.

Print

Healthy Snacking Baked Apples

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Author Liz Mays

Ingredients

  • 2 apples cut around the middle and cored
  • Lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup apple juice + 1 tablespoon divided
  • 1 Tbsp butter melted
  • 1 Tbsp pure Vermont maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup Sunsweet Amaz!n Diced Plums
  • 2 Tbsp oatmeal
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ginger

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Put apple halves into square baking dish; sprinkle tops with lemon juice to prevent too much browning.
  3. In small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Spoon into centers of apple halves.
  4. Pour 1/2 cup apple juice into bottom of baking dish. Cover dish with foil. Bake for 40 minutes or until tender, spooning juice over apples occasionally.

If you haven’t tried #TheFeelGoodFruit yet, you should!

Sunsweet #TheFeelGoodFruit
PlumSmart® Light: This juice is made from a special variety of fresh, juicy plums and has only 60 calories and 15g of carbs, and helps you stay fit on the inside by providing a good source of fiber. PlumSmart Light is a great addition to a smoothie.

Amaz!n™ Prunes: These little gems are a good source of fiber for only 100 calories per serving. Amaz!n Prunes are nature’s perfect way to feel good with nutrition and delicious taste. Prunes also have a low glycemic index, which means they keep you feeling fuller longer. They add a powerful boost of nutrition and fiber to snack time or your favorite recipe.

Amaz!n™ Diced Prunes: Grab a handful of these delicious diced prunes for nutritious snacking. Toss them in cereal, oatmeal, salad or your favorite recipes for added flavor and fiber. One serving of Amaz!n Diced Prunes is a good source of fiber for only 100 calories. Add to your favorite snacking recipe for extra fiber and a fruit flavor boost.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

Comments

  7. Miz Helen says

    We really enjoy baked apples and this is a great recipe. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great week and come back to see us real soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  10. Tammy Litke says

    It took me a long time to appreciate the taste of prunes, but I had a handful of them a couple of years ago and I was surprised at how good they were. Perhaps it’s that “stigma” that only old people eat them? But anyone that has decently good sense would be eating them, LOL!

    Reply

  19. Alissa Apel says

    This looks great to me. I love apples, so do my kids. I’ve made them apple sandwiches with almond, or peanut butter between 2 slices and pumpkin seeds. I never thought about making this snack. Yummy-O

    Reply

  22. eliz frank says

    That’s a delicious yet healthy dessert. I love that the juices are spooned over each apple half, giving them a lovely glow. Yum!

    Reply

  36. Rebecca Swenor says

    This sounds and looks so good and I will have to make these. I love Sunsweet Prunes to snack on but this would be great for a dessert indeed. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  49. Lynndee says

    When I first looked at the photos, I thought those black thingies in the middle were olives. I don’t think I’ve tasted plums actually. Now I want to try your recipe so bad.

    Reply

  57. Lisa Bristol says

    This looks like such a delicious treat. My family would love them. I will have to try making these this weekend.

    Reply

  60. The Mid-Atlantic Foodie says

    I love baked apples, but I’ve never tried them this way, as I’m not a huge fan of plums. They look fantastic though, so I am definitely willing to give them another try in this recipe and also serve this to my family.

    Reply

  63. Bradley Finnearty says

    Eating healthier is not something that I have to resolve to do, it is something that must be done. My heart needs me to eat healthier after having a stint and open heart. This looks like it would be a really good sweet alternative. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

  64. Bonnie @ wemake7 says

    Mmmm those look really tasty and yummy. I haven’t used Sunsweet in awhile. I will have to look for their products again.

    Reply

  67. Daphne Turner says

    I want to try the recipe but I’m confused with the directions. When you say “combine remaining ingredients, it would seem like the 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp. of the apple juice (the very next ingredient) would be part of what is added. Then immediately after that, one needs to put 1/2 cup of apple juice in the bottom of the pan. Is that a second measure of 1/2 cup of apple juice? And where does the 1 Tbsp. of apple juice go? There is no mention of it. I am one of those people who can’t cook unless the recipe tells me exactly what to do and when! Thanks for any clarification you can give me.

    Reply

  79. Chelle @ Oh Just Stop Already says

    I haven’t had a baked apple since I was a little kid. I can’t believe that! Definitely going to change that in the next week as I’m incredibly sure my children would love them. Especially when you can add many different ‘fillings’ to create the perfect baked apple.

    Reply

  84. Nancy Lustri says

    Oh my! I’m always looking for apple recipes. We have an apple orchard!! I can honestly say that I’ve never tried anything with plums or prunes when cooking/baking with apples. Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply

  94. Theresa says

    I have never tried plums in baked apples, but these sure look delicious! I have a bag of apples just waiting for me to do something with them in the kitchen now. This looks like the perfect recipe to use them up!

    Reply

  98. Jenn says

    This looks awesome! I would have never thought to add on the top, I love baked apples alone this would kick it up a notch for me. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

  108. Pam says

    I love baked apples, and I love that you made them healthier. Prunes may have a bad reputation, but they’re actually really tasty! Sunsweet is my favorite brand.

    Reply

  116. Kathy says

    This looks amazing! I love healthy snack type recipes. I think my daughters would love to help me make this and they’d probably enjoy it too!

    Reply

  126. Eileen Richter says

    thank you for posting this. A good replacement for an unhealthy dessert. I will do this but may sub different things out for the center…like berries or peaches, etc. I do love me some plums and prunes though!

    Reply

  148. Holly says

    I love baked apples. But I never would have thought to try them with plums or prunes in them. Great way to add a different texture and flavor to the apples.

    Reply

  161. Amber C. says

    I have never tried baked apples but I’ve always heard they were so good! I need to have healthy snacks with baby #2 on his/her way so I def can’t wait to try this!

    Reply

  167. Michele says

    I love baked apples. I generally just put some raisins, cinnamon and sugar in those cavities–U definitely have ti try your recipe it sounds delicious!

    Reply

    • Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

      Me neither. I always forget about prunes for some reason and that’s silly because they are delicious.

      Reply

  173. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    Since I am injured at the moment and can’t workout, I have REALLY been watching my calories. This is an AWESOME snack idea!

    Reply

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