An easy 'cheat' for apple pie is this recipe for Mediterranean Diet Baked Apple Pies.
I love that this recipe can be made for individual portions as well.
Mediterranean Diet Baked Apple Pies
An easy to make apple recipe that tastes as good as an apple pie.
I like that each apple is a serving in itself!
Did you try my Easy Pineapple Salsa Recipe?
That is another easy fruit-based recipe that tastes really good.
This recipe however, makes me think more of the fall harvest of apples while that recipe is especially nice during the summer picnic months.
Do you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Diet?
Find out how to follow the Mediterranean Diet here.
This recipe is especially for anyone asking are baked apples healthy.
This recipe is basically a baked apple that has been dressed up like an apple pie.
There is not an abundance of sugar or other ingredients added to it.
Here is what makes an apple healthy.
As a naturally grown fruit that has no additives, apples are a good source of fiber (keep the skin on!). Apples also give us Vitamin C, Potassium, as well as polyphenols.
Here is how to choose a good baking apple.
To make this recipe, I suggest using a good baking apple. Baking apples are able to hold up to the heat making them perfect for a recipe such as this one.
Baking apples tend to be more firm which is essential when making baked apples.
Good choices for baking apples that would work in this recipe include Fuji, Gala, Honey Gold, Jonathan, and Granny Smith (can be cooked or baked). Cooking apples on the other hand, such as Ginger Gold, work best when you want to make apple sauce or apple butter because they are better at breaking down,
Tips for making baked apples.
I just mentioned that using a baking apple rather than a cooking apple, works best in this recipe because they are able to hold their shape better. Good apple choices for this recipe include Fuji, Gala, Honey Gold, Jonathan, and Granny Smith (can be cooked or baked).
Here are some more great tips for you.
- Removing the core of the apple is essential for this recipe. Some folks like to stuff oatmeal, cheese, peanut butter or even raisins in the space that the core once occupied.
- Topping these apples with a bit of pie crust (the dough kind) really makes these baked apples stand out. I like that it only takes a small amount of pie crust to give the illusion of apple pie. Simply make pie crust strips using a pre-made pie crust and place them on top of the apples before placing them into the oven.
- Apples are sometimes baked in water that has been added to the baking dish. The water helps keep the apples from browning and also helps to keeps them moist while baking. However, adding apple cider for part or all of the water is a nice way to give additional flavor to the baking apples. Even better, you can baste the apples or serve them with the baking liquid when it cools.
How to prepare apples for baking.
Choose apples that are firm and are free from bruises, stickers, and other marks.
Wash or scrub the outside of the apples as you would normally do.
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Remove the core to get rid of the seeds and other unwanted elements.
Use an apple corer or similar gadget to remove the core. For stuffing the empty core cavity, make sure that the core cavity is at least three fourths of an inch wide and with a base of at least a half inch left at the bottom to hold the contents that you will add.
How to know when the apples are done baking.
Use a skewer or large toothpick to check for tenderness of the apples as they will get soft. The skin will also appear soft and wrinkled when done.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- Asian Slaw in Peanut Butter Dressing.
- Whole Wheat Strawberry Muffins
- Delicious Chocolate Hummus.
- Avocado Banana Smoothie Made With Honey
- Creamy Cucumber and Yogurt Soup
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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Mediterranean Diet Baked Apple Pies
Mediterranean Diet Baked Apple Pies
I mentioned that it is best to choose baking apples that are firm and are free from bruises, stickers, and other marks. Wash or scrub the outside of the apples as you would normally do.
Also mentioned was that the core should be removed before baking the apples.
In place of the core you can place oatmeal or other fruit that can be baked if you would like to.
Also, leave part of the core base intact if you plan on stuffing the cavity.
The Ingredients Needed To Make Baked Apples.
- Apples- 4 baking apples. Baking apples that would work in this recipe include Fuji, Gala, Honey Gold, Jonathan, and Granny Smith
- Honey- 2 tablespoons. Feel free to use brown sugar (4 tablespoons) instead.
- Butter- 4 tablespoons. Vegan followers can use a vegan butter.
- Ground Cinnamon or Apple Pie Spice- 2 teaspoons plus additional for topping.
- Pie Dough- 1 crust. Slice the pie dough into strips.
- Optional- oatmeal or other filling for the removed core cavity. Chopped nuts work well too.
- Water- 1 cup warm. Can use apple cider for part or all.
How to make Mediterranean Diet Baked Apples.
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Prepare your apples as described above. Clean the apples and remove the core leaving the base intact. Place the apples in a (2-3 qt) baking dish or a small square baking dish, so that they stand up.
- In a small bowl mix together the honey, butter, and cinnamon or apple pie spice. Then use a spoon or evenly transfer this mixture to the core of each apple. If you are adding an additional option ingredient, add it here.
- Fill the baking dish with the water so that it covers the bottoms of the apples. Loosely cover the apples with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and place the strips of pie crust over the apples and continue to bake until the apples become tender, about 25-30 minutes (watch out for the heat!).
- Top with additional cinnamon as desired and allow to cool a bit before serving,
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
Mediterranean Diet Baked Apple Pies, the perfect healthy dessert made with fruit for followers of the Mediterranean diet, vegan, gluten free.
Mediterranean Diet Baked Apple Pies
Equipment
Ingredients
- Apples- 4 baking apples.
- Honey– 2 tablespoons.
- Butter- 4 tablespoons.
- Ground Cinnamon or Apple Pie Spice– 2 teaspoons plus additional for topping..
- Pie Dough- 1 crust. Slice the pie dough into strips.
- Optional- oatmeal or other filling for the removed core cavity. Chopped nuts work well too.
- Water- 1 cup warm. Can use apple cider for part or all.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Prepare your apples as described above. Clean the apples and remove the core leaving the base intact. Place the apples in a (2-3 qt) baking dish or a small square baking dish, so that they stand up.
- In a small bowl mix together the honey, butter, and cinnamon or apple pie spice. Then use a spoon or evenly transfer this mixture to the core of each apple. If you are adding an additional option ingredient, add it here.
- Fill the baking dish with the water so that it covers the bottoms of the apples. Loosely cover the apples with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and place the strips of pie crust over the apples and continue to bake until the apples become tender, about 25-30 minutes (watch out for the heat!).
- Top with additional cinnamon as desired and allow to cool a bit before serving,
Recipe Notes
Also, leave part of the core base intact if you plan on stuffing the cavity.
originally posted:
September 17, 2020*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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