Baked Apples with Dates and Walnuts

Servings: 4 Total Time: 30 mins Difficulty: Beginner
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Warm, Naturally Sweet & Perfectly Spiced – Ready in 30 Minutes!

Baked Apples with Dates and Walnuts

Looking for a cozy, healthy dessert that’s both delicious and easy to make? These Baked Apples with Dates and Walnuts are the answer! Tender apples are stuffed with a sweet and nutty filling of dates, walnuts, and warm spices, then baked until caramelized and fragrant.

This naturally sweetened dessert is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and packed with fiber and healthy fats. Perfect for autumn evenings, holiday gatherings, or a guilt-free treat any day of the week. The dates add a rich caramel-like sweetness, while the walnuts provide a satisfying crunch.

Why you’ll love it:
✔ No refined sugar – sweetened naturally with dates and a touch of honey/maple syrup.
✔ Quick to prepare – just core, stuff, and bake!
✔ Versatile – serve with yogurt, ice cream, or enjoy as-is.

Recommended Occasions: Autumn or winter desserts, Holiday dinners, Healthy weeknight treats, Brunch or breakfast side, Meal prep (stores well for 2–3 days).

Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins Difficulty: Beginner Cooking Temp: 375  F Servings: 4 Calories: 180 kcal Best Season: Fall, Winter

Ingredients

For the Apples:

Optional Ingredients

For extra flavors:

For garnish:

Instructions

  1. Prep the Apples:
    • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

    • Core the apples, leaving the bottom intact to hold the filling. Brush the insides with lemon juice to prevent browning.

  1. Make the Filling:
    • In a bowl, mix chopped dates, walnuts, honey/maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

  1. Stuff & Bake:
    • Fill each apple with the date-walnut mixture, pressing gently.

    • Place apples in a baking dish, add 2 tbsp water to the base, and cover loosely with foil.

    • Bake for 15 mins, then uncover and bake 5–10 mins more until tender.

  1. Serve:
    • Drizzle with extra honey/maple syrup and garnish as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4


Amount Per Serving
Calories 180kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
Sodium 5mg1%
Potassium 250mg8%
Total Carbohydrate 35g12%
Dietary Fiber 6g24%
Sugars 25g
Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 50 mcg
Vitamin C 8 mg
Calcium 20 mg
Iron 0.5 mg
Vitamin K 2 mcg
Folate 10 mcg
Phosphorus 40 mg
Iodine 1 mcg
Magnesium 20 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

  • No dates? Use raisins or dried figs instead.
  • For crunch: Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds.
  • 25g of sugar in recipe - naturally occurring
Keywords: Baked apples, stuffed apples, dates and walnuts dessert, healthy baked apples, vegan dessert, gluten-free dessert

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
What apples soften up the most when baked?

For baking, apples that break down more easily, such as Granny Smith, Fuji, or Braeburn, are often preferred because they create a softer, more cohesive filling.

What can I use to take out the center of an apple if I don't have a corer?

Using a paring knife – If you feel confident with your knife skills, use the paring knife to hollow out a whole apple. Or cut the apple in half or into quarters, and use the knife to scoop out the centers.