There’s nothing I love more than baking with seasonal ingredients. The Fall is one of my favorite times of the year and when I tend to miss my hometown of Toronto the most. Leaves are changing, the temperatures are starting to drop, but it’s not yet too cold. It’s cozy, warm and inviting,…
…and then I remember that I live on an island in the Caribbean and then I snap out of it! 😉
But seriously, baking with the seasons is one of the ways that I can feel close to family that I cannot be with at the moment and bring some of that comforting autumn-feel into my Cayman home.
If you’re an apple fan like me, you’ll love these! This dessert will make your home smell absolutely delicious thanks to the warming spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. I was inspired by the more traditional Apple Crisp dessert, but this is much easier to do, healthier, and comes together in a snap!
The star ingredient in this recipe is, of course, the apples. Apples provide a healthy dose of nutrients that support digestion, detoxification, and a healthy immune system. This is thanks to the following:
Quercetin – a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Onions are also high in quercetin.
Malic acid – a substance found naturally in apples that help to remove carcinogens and other toxins from the blood.
Pectin – a soluble fiber that helps to regulate blood sugar and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. It’s also very soothing for your digestive system.
Baked Apples with Oat Crisp Topping
Ingredients
- 2 large apples, halved
- 4 tbsp rolled oats
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp oat flour (or any all-purpose gluten free flour mix)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (or coconut oil or ghee for dairy free)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar and spices. Pour melted butter overtop and stir to combine.
- Cut apples in half and remove core. Place each half in a small oven proof casserole dish.
- Spoon mixture on top of each apple half. Feel free to dust with a little extra cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.
- Place in preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until apples have cooked through and softened.
- Best served warm with a small serving of vanilla ice-cream, if desired.
