BEST Baked Apples Recipe (with a Cranberry & Walnut Filling!) (2024)

FAQs

How long do apples need to bake in the oven? ›

In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, the apples should be perfectly baked after 40-45 minutes (20 minutes covered with foil, 20-25 minutes uncovered).

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

Choose the Right Apples

Some varieties turn to mush so fast they explode out of their skins, while some stay weirdly firm. Either way they're edible, but not ideal—a baked apple should stay intact but be soft enough to eat with a spoon.

The best way to keep apples' nutrition intact is to eat them raw since cooking can result in the loss of certain nutrients. Having said that, cooked apples are still a very wholesome food that can contribute to maintaining good overall health.

To use this method to prevent apples from turning brown, create a water bath for your apple slices with a ratio of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of water. Soak the apple slices for 3 to 5 minutes, then drain and rinse them. This simple step should keep your apples from browning for several hours.

Should you cook the apples before baking apple pie? You don't have to pre-cook the filling before spooning it into the pie crust, but it's a quick step I recommend. Just 5 minutes on the stove begins the softening process, and also helps the flavors start to mingle.

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

Some apples like Granny Smith are on the cusp of being one or the other (although I prefer mine cooked). Baking apples tend to be either very firm and not as sweet (like a Granny Smith)…or a bit mushy, or don't keep well. (Like a Macintosh.) Baking apples tend to be firmer and less sweet than eating apples.

Handling frozen fruits invariably leads to fatal damage in the form of deep and lasting bruising. One must wait until the fruits have completely thawed before handing them. This likely means waiting several hours after the air temperature has risen above freezing.

Why did my apples turn to mush in my pie? ›

Perfect Pie Tip #6: Choose Tart Apples

When apples are cooked, this pectin breaks down, and the apples turn mushy. However, there are ways to control this pectin breakdown, helping you to ensure that your apple slices are tender, but still hold their shape in the pie.

Pick the apple up and squeeze gently. It should be hard. If it feels soft, it's spoiled.

Red Delicious apples contain more anthocyanidins that provide their color and powerful antioxidants. They also have more calcium than other apples. Not only do they taste sweet, but they also encourage healthy weight loss and balance out the bacteria in your colon.

Yes, any carbohydrate-containing food will raise blood sugar. “Since they are very low in fat and protein, nearly 100% of the calories in apples come from carbohydrates that can potentially raise blood sugar,” says Harris-Pincus.

May promote gut health

Apples contain pectin, a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic in your gut microbiome, and a healthy gut is often key to better health. Since dietary fiber cannot be digested, pectin reaches your colon intact, promoting the growth of good bacteria.

You'll need an oven set to 375°F. Sliced apples take about 25-30 minutes to get soft and tender in the oven. Stuffed whole apples require a little more time and you should plan on 45 minutes or better depending upon the size of your apples. You want the apple to be soft but retain its shape.

Most apple cultivars should be stored at 30 to 32°F for optimum storage. However, McIntosh apples should be kept around 36°F. If possible, the storage temperature should remain constant.

Generally, apples grown with low (40 to 60°F) night-time temperatures have better red color, firmer flesh, better storage characteristics, and better flavor than fruit grown in warmer regions.