Honey Roasted Cinnamon Apples

Of all the scents that can fill a home, few are as universally loved and instantly comforting as that of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. The first time I made these Honey Roasted Cinnamon Apples, it was on a whim. The air was turning crisp, the leaves were beginning to blush with autumn colors, and I had a bag of apples on the counter that were just begging to be transformed into something special. I wanted a dessert that felt both indulgent and wholesome, something simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for guests. This recipe was the answer. As the warm, sweet, and spicy aroma wafted from the kitchen, my family was drawn in like a magnet. My kids, who can be picky eaters, devoured their portions, their faces sticky with the honey glaze, asking for more before they had even finished. It has since become a staple in our household, a go-to recipe for everything from a cozy family dessert to a stunning topping for our weekend pancakes. It’s more than just a dish; it’s the taste of comfort, the scent of autumn, and a recipe that creates memories with every bite.

Ingredients

Here is the simple list of ingredients you’ll need to create this beautifully aromatic and delicious dessert. The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its components.

• 4 large baking apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Braeburn): The star of the show. Choose firm, crisp apples that hold their shape well when baked.
• ¼ cup (84g) honey: This provides a natural, floral sweetness and creates that irresistible sticky glaze.
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: The essential warm spice that perfectly complements the apples and honey.
• ¼ cup (60ml) water: Helps to create steam in the baking dish, preventing the honey from burning and ensuring the apples cook through to tender perfection.
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces: Adds a rich, savory depth and helps the tops of the apples brown beautifully.
• Pinch of salt: A tiny amount enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness of the honey.

Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions for perfectly tender, sweet, and spiced Honey Roasted Cinnamon Apples every time. The process is straightforward and yields spectacular results.

1. Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Select a baking dish that is just large enough to hold the apple halves snugly in a single layer. A 9×9 inch or a similar-sized oval dish works perfectly.
2. Prepare the Apples: Wash and dry your apples thoroughly. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each apple in half from the stem to the base. There is no need to peel them; the skin helps the apples hold their shape during baking and adds a lovely color and texture.
3. Core the Apples: Using a melon baller or a small spoon, scoop out the core and seeds from each apple half. Create a small, shallow well in the center of each half. This well will hold the delicious honey and butter mixture as it bakes.
4. Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the cored apple halves, cut-side up, into your prepared baking dish. Make sure they are arranged in a single, even layer.
5. Create the Honey Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, ground cinnamon, water, and the pinch of salt until the cinnamon is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
6. Pour the Glaze: Carefully pour this honey-cinnamon mixture evenly over the apple halves. Try to get some of the mixture into the wells you created, but it’s okay if it pools in the bottom of the dish—this will create the basting sauce.
7. Add the Butter: Place one or two small pieces of the cut-up butter into the well of each apple half. As the apples bake, the butter will melt and mingle with the honey and cinnamon, creating an incredibly rich and flavorful sauce.
8. Bake the Apples: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size and variety of your apples.
9. Baste for a Perfect Glaze: About halfway through the baking time (around the 20-minute mark), carefully remove the dish from the oven. Using a spoon or a pastry brush, baste the apples with the syrupy juices that have collected at the bottom of the dish. This step is crucial for creating that beautiful, shiny glaze and ensuring the apples are saturated with flavor. Return the dish to the oven.
10. Check for Doneness: The apples are ready when they are tender all the way through (a knife should easily pierce the flesh with little resistance) and the tops are slightly golden and caramelized. The sauce in the bottom of the dish should be bubbly and thickened.
11. Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let the apples rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly more and the apples to cool just enough to be handled. Serve warm, drizzling any extra sauce from the pan over the top.

Nutrition Facts

This recipe provides a wonderfully wholesome dessert option. The following nutritional information is an approximation per serving, assuming the recipe makes 4 servings (one large apple half per person).

• Servings: 4
• Calories per serving: Approximately 220 kcal
• Carbohydrates: This dish is a great source of natural carbohydrates from the apples and honey, providing a quick and delicious energy boost. The fiber in the apple skin also aids in digestion.
• Vitamin C: Apples are a good source of Vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that supports the immune system. While some is lost during cooking, a significant amount remains.
• Potassium: Both apples and honey contain potassium, which is important for maintaining fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions.
• Natural Sugars: The sweetness in this recipe comes primarily from fructose in the apples and the natural sugars in honey, making it a more wholesome choice than desserts laden with refined white sugar.
• Fiber: By leaving the skin on the apples, you retain a good amount of dietary fiber, which is crucial for gut health and promoting a feeling of fullness.

Preparation Time

This recipe is prized for its simplicity and the minimal hands-on time required, making it perfect for both busy weeknights and relaxed weekends.

• Total Preparation Time: 40-55 minutes
• Active Prep Time: 10 minutes (Washing, cutting, and coring the apples, mixing the sauce)
• Baking Time: 30-45 minutes (This is mostly hands-off time where the oven does all the work)

How to Serve

These Honey Roasted Cinnamon Apples are incredibly versatile. Their warm, sweet, and spicy profile allows them to be served in numerous ways, transitioning seamlessly from a comforting dessert to a luxurious breakfast topping. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:

• As a Classic Dessert:
  • With Ice Cream: The ultimate pairing. Serve a warm apple half alongside a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast between the warm, tender apple and the cold, creamy ice cream is simply divine.
  • With Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream (or even a high-quality canned version) adds a light, airy texture that complements the rich sauce.
  • With a Drizzle of Cream: For a touch of simple elegance, pour a small amount of heavy cream or crème fraîche over the warm apples.
• As a Wholesome Breakfast or Brunch Topping:
  • On Oatmeal or Porridge: Chop up a roasted apple half and stir it into your morning bowl of oatmeal for an instant upgrade. Don’t forget to drizzle the extra pan sauce over the top.
  • With Greek Yogurt: Create a beautiful and delicious yogurt parfait. Layer Greek yogurt, granola, and pieces of honey-roasted apple for a breakfast that feels like a treat.
  • On Pancakes or Waffles: Forget plain maple syrup. Top your stack of pancakes or Belgian waffles with a warm apple half and its glorious cinnamon-honey syrup.
• As a Sophisticated Side Dish:
  • With Roasted Meats: The sweetness of the apples provides a perfect counterpoint to savory meats. They are an exceptional side dish for a roasted pork loin, baked chicken, or even Thanksgiving turkey.
  • On a Cheese Board: Elevate your next cheese and charcuterie board. The warm, sweet apples pair beautifully with sharp cheddar, creamy brie, tangy goat cheese, and salty prosciutto.
• As a Simple, Standalone Treat:
  • Enjoy a warm apple half on its own in a bowl, making sure to scrape up every last drop of the delicious pan sauce. It’s a comforting, satisfying, and relatively healthy way to end a meal.

Additional Tips

To ensure your Honey Roasted Cinnamon Apples are perfect every time, here are eight additional tips to help you master the recipe and customize it to your liking.

1. Choose the Right Apples: This is the most important tip. Avoid apples that break down easily into mush, like McIntosh or Red Delicious. Opt for firm baking apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gala, Jonagold, or Granny Smith (if you prefer a more tart flavor to balance the honey).
2. Don’t Core All the Way Through: When scooping out the core, be careful not to puncture the bottom of the apple. You want to create a well or a “boat” to hold the butter and honey mixture. If you go all the way through, the delicious filling will leak out into the bottom of the pan.
3. Basting is Not Optional: Don’t skip the basting step! Spooning the hot, syrupy juices over the apples halfway through baking is what creates that beautiful, even glaze and ensures every part of the apple is infused with flavor. It prevents the tops from drying out and helps them caramelize perfectly.
4. Spice It Up Your Way: Cinnamon is classic, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Add a pinch of nutmeg, a dash of allspice, or a little ground cardamom to the honey mixture for a more complex, chai-like flavor profile. A tiny pinch of ground ginger can also add a lovely, zesty warmth.
5. Add Some Crunch: For extra texture, consider adding a sprinkle of chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds to the wells of the apples along with the butter. You can also sprinkle some rustic rolled oats on top for a crumble-like effect. Toast the nuts beforehand for an even deeper flavor.
6. Make-Ahead and Reheating: You can prepare the apples (halving and coring) a few hours in advance. To prevent browning, toss them with a little lemon juice and store them in the refrigerator. The baked apples also reheat beautifully. Simply place them in a microwave for 30-60 seconds or warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes.
7. Scaling the Recipe: This recipe is easily scaled up or down. If you’re cooking for a crowd, simply use more apples and a larger baking dish (like a 9×13 inch pan), increasing the sauce ingredients proportionally. Ensure the apples remain in a single layer for even cooking.
8. Don’t Waste the Pan Sauce: The liquid at the bottom of the pan is liquid gold! It’s a concentrated syrup of apple juice, honey, cinnamon, and butter. Always serve the apples with a generous drizzle of this sauce. If you have any leftover, save it! It’s incredible drizzled over ice cream, yogurt, or oatmeal the next day.

FAQ Section

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about making Honey Roasted Cinnamon Apples.

1. Can I use a different sweetener instead of honey?
Yes, absolutely. If you’re not a fan of honey or want a vegan option, pure maple syrup is an excellent substitute and creates a wonderfully rich, autumnal flavor. You could also use brown sugar; simply pack it into the apple wells with the butter. The texture of the sauce may be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

2. What are the absolute best apples for this recipe?
The best apples are firm, crisp, and hold their shape during baking. Our top recommendations are Honeycrisp (for its perfect sweet-tart balance and firm texture), Braeburn (holds up beautifully and has a complex flavor), and Gala (a sweeter, milder option that is widely available). Granny Smith apples work well if you want a distinctly tart dessert to contrast with the sweet glaze.

3. Do I really need to leave the skin on the apples?
We highly recommend leaving the skin on. The skin provides structure and helps the apple halves maintain their shape, preventing them from turning into applesauce in the oven. It also contains valuable fiber and nutrients and adds a beautiful rustic color to the final dish. If you have a strong personal preference for peeled apples, you can peel them, but be aware they will be much softer and more delicate.

4. How do I store leftover Honey Roasted Cinnamon Apples?
Leftovers are a wonderful problem to have! Allow the apples and sauce to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken considerably when cold. You can enjoy them cold or reheat them gently.

5. Can I make this recipe in an air fryer?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for an air fryer, which is great for smaller batches. Arrange the prepared apple halves in the air fryer basket (you may need to line it with foil or use a small, air-fryer-safe pan to catch the sauce). Air fry at around 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, basting halfway through, until the apples are tender.

6. My apples turned out mushy. What did I do wrong?
Mushy apples are usually the result of one of two things: using the wrong type of apple or overbaking. Apples like McIntosh or Red Delicious have a softer flesh that is designed to break down, making them better for applesauce than for roasting. If you used a firm baking apple, you may have just left them in the oven for too long. Start checking for doneness on the earlier side of the baking window next time.

7. Can I freeze these baked apples?
While you technically can freeze them, the texture of the apples may change upon thawing, becoming much softer and somewhat watery. We recommend enjoying them fresh for the best experience. If you do choose to freeze them, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

8. Is this recipe considered a healthy dessert?
“Healthy” is subjective, but compared to many other desserts, this one is a fantastic choice. It’s made with whole fruit and is naturally sweetened with honey rather than refined sugar. It provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals. While it does contain butter and sugar from the honey, it’s a wonderfully balanced and wholesome treat that you can feel good about enjoying in moderation.