Oatmeal Raisin Stuffed Baked Apples

When you are trying to eat with health in mind, one thing that people often say is to have fruit for dessert.

Um.  I’m sorry, but there are very few occasions where “fruit for dessert” will fly.

1. Fresh summer berries (preferably topped with whipped cream)

2. When it is baked into a pie or crisp.

3. These apples.

Now, you may argue, but I say that if I’m going to have dessert, I’m going to have dessert. These are apples are dessert.  Sure, there is a healthy fruit component, but I don’t want to fool you into thinking these are healthy.  I could have cut the butter, or the sugar to make them on the lighter side, but that just wouldn’t taste as good. And dessert is meant to taste good!

The juicy, tangy apples get soft and warm, and the sweet oatmeal stuffing studded with raisins gets crispy on top and chewy in the center.  It is almost like an inside out apple crisp.  And, it is just as easy to make 1 as it is to make 4 (or more).  Top them with a scoops of vanilla ice cream for a fantastic dessert!  I mean dessert.

Oatmeal Raisin Stuffed Baked Apples

Recipe for 1 apple (double, triple, quadruple for more!)

Print this recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 medium apple (a variety that is good for baking like granny smith or yellow delicious)
• 1/4 cup uncooked oatmeal
• 1 Tbsp raisins
• 1 Tbsp melted butter
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Vanilla ice cream for serving

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Core apple by inserting a knife through the top of the apple (just next to the stem area) and cutting in a circle through the apple.  Push the core out, and remove any seeds from the center of the apple.
3. Place apple in a shallow baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
4. Mix remaining ingredients together until well combined, and all oats have been moistened.
5. Transfer oatmeal mixture to the center of the apple, pressing down gently to pack the filling in.  Mound any remaining filling on top of the apple.
6. Bake apple for 30-35 minutes, or until it is soft.
7. Serve apples with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.