Baked Cinnamon Apple Slices Recipe

If you are wondering what to do with leftover apples, these baked cinnamon apple slices are the perfect sweet, gluten free any-time dessert or snack. Enjoy apple pie minus the pie crust! Great way to use up apples with just a few simple ingredients.

Original post: October 2020 | Updated: March 2023

Why This Recipe Works

• My whole house smells amazing while these warm cinnamon apples are baking.
• This easy baked apple recipe is one of the many foods that makes me think of my mom. One of her signature meals growing up was pan-fried pork chops with baked apple slices along with a crisp green salad.
• These simple baked apples are a delicious side dish, especially when served with pork loin, and they can also act a delicious dessert. Serve solo or with a scoop of ice cream!
• Easy baked cinnamon apple slices are a delicious treat, similar to Apple Crisp but without the oatmeal topping. It’s a bit of a healthier option and comes together much more quickly and easily. 
• Whether it is apple season or not, if you have a colorful bowl of apples sitting on your counter you have to make these!

Recipe Ingredients

Apples – Use medium or large baking apples such as honey crisp apples, gala apples, golden delicious, jonagold or granny smith.

Brown sugar – Use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. If you prefer, you can add more naturally sweet apples and reduce the amount of added sugar for a more healthy dessert. Other alternate sweeteners that taste great are maple syrup, coconut sugar or stevia.

Butter – Use salted butter or unsalted butter for this recipe. I personally prefer salted butter, as it complements the sugary sweetness perfectly.

Spice Mixture – Feel free to add cloves, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, extra ground cinnamon or other warm spices to your apples for a little more complex taste. Just a little bit goes a long way.

How To Make Easy Baked Apple Slices

Step 1

Fill a large bowl halfway with water and add the lemon juice. Add the sliced apples to the lemon water as they are sliced.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a square 9×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter. Mix well.

Step 2

Remove the apples from the water and pat dry. Place the apples in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Top with the cinnamon sugar mixture. 

Bake apple slices uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Serve immediately, either with a bowl of vanilla ice cream or as a solo dessert.

Recipe Notes

• Use a paring knife to core apples and peel them or I have found that I love using my apple corer for a quick turn around. 
• Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to your apples, it’s a great addition! If you want to know how to make your own, check out my homemade vanilla recipe.
• Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the apples for an additional flavor! 
• Use this as a quick and easy pie filling, too! If you are excited to make apple empanadas, or mini pies, this is a great filling instead of popping open a can.
• Pair with plain Greek yogurt or ice cream.
• Add a bit of apple cider or juice to the mixture for an extra sweet, concentrated flavor.
• You can make this recipe in a slow cooker, too! Combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Best Apples For Baking

I recommend using a variety of fresh apples and at the very least, use two kinds: one sweet and one tart. My favorite combo is Granny Smith apples and Honeycrisp apples.

Sweet/Softer Apple Varieties

• Fuji 
• Honeycrisp
• Pink Lady
• Red Delicious 
• Golden Delicious 
• Cortland 
• Gala 

Tart Apples

• Granny Smith 
• McIntosh 
• Ida Red 
• Braeburn 
• Empire 
• Jonathan 

What To Do With Lots of Apples

Below you will find a small sampling of my favorite apple recipes on the planet. Dig in and enjoy these apple desserts!

• Learn how to make applesauce from whole apples! This is a delicious kid-worthy snack that is fun to prepare. Use an assortment of green and red apples for best results.
• Apple Pie Jam tastes just like apple pie filling. Spread it over your next English muffin or pancakes!
• This classic apple crisp recipe is the BEST. It is tried, tested and never fails! Perfect way to use up apples in the fall. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Homemade Apple Cider made in your slow cooker will warm you from the inside out with amazing flavors. It is a must-have fall drink and tastes so much better when you make it yourself.
• This is the best Apple Coffee Cake recipe you’ll find. Enjoy as an indulgent breakfast treat or an any-time snack or dessert!
• The only thing better than salted caramel apples is Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake! This is the perfect fall treat and a great way to use up any type of apples.
• Enjoy whole baked apples in the oven! They will make your house smell AMAZING. Enjoy the smells and the treat!

What to Serve With Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Cinnamon baked apples are the perfect side to serve with scalloped potatoes and ham, but here are a handful of other ideas! You’ll find asparagus recipes, cornbread, chopped salad and more!

Can You Put Apples In The Fridge

You can definitely put apples in the fridge. Storing them in the refrigerator will extend their shelf life. 

Store whole apples inside a bag and tucked into a crisper drawer, or toward the back of the fridge for up to 6 weeks. 

Can You Freeze Cooked Apples

Cooked apples can be frozen and yield great results. Follow these simple steps:

1. Allow the cooked apples to cool to room temperature.
2. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. 
3. Freeze for up to 6 months for best results.

When you’re ready to thaw and enjoy them, let the container they’ve been frozen in sit in the fridge overnight. Enjoy the following day as desired.

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