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Photo: Photography / Dera Burreson, Styling / Lauren McAnelly / Holly Rabikis
Active Time:15 minsTotal Time:35 minsServings:12Jump to Nutrition Facts
Active Time:15 minsTotal Time:35 minsServings:12
Active Time:15 mins
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:35 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:12
Servings:
12
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Jump to recipeCrispy Smashed Apples with Cinnamon Sugaris a delightful twist on the “smashed” trend that blends the natural sweetness of the apples with warm, comforting cinnamon and crunchy pecans. Baked until just soft enough to smash, the apples are coated with a crave-worthy cinnamon sugar butter and baked again to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. This recipe is perfectly served with vanilla ice cream or as a topping for your morning oatmeal. Either way, getting more fruit in your day is a good thing. Read below for our expert tips on how to make this recipe turn out perfectly and smart substitutions to use what you already have at home.Tips from the EatingWell Test KitchenThese are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!There is no need to spritz the apples with lemon juice to prevent browning, as you would for an apple pie. This is because the apples will be browned during the baking and broiling.For this recipe, it’s best to use firm baking apples, as they hold their shape better. Tart apples or sweet-tart will add great flavor. Good options include Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Braeburn, Cortland, Pink Lady, Fuji and Granny Smith.If you need a substitute for the pecans, try almonds, walnuts or a mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. You can leave them out if you prefer to omit nuts or seeds entirely. While the smashed apple recipe may not have the same flavor or texture without them, it will still be delicious.To prevent brown sugar from hardening and tosoften itwhen it does, store it in an airtight container with something that will provide moisture. One effective method is using a moistened terra-cotta disk (you can buy them for this purpose) to keep brown sugar soft. Alternatively, you can store brown sugar with a slice of fresh sandwich bread or a few slices of apple.Nutrition NotesApplesare rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber. They are unique in that fiber is in the skin and in the flesh. When you peel the skins of the apples, like we do in this recipe, you can soften up the apple quicker, but you lose some of the nutrition. Since most Americans don’t get enough fiber, you can bake up those skins and eat them as a crispy snack or blend them into a smoothie. Fiber is great for maintaining a healthy gut and digestive system.
Jump to recipe
Crispy Smashed Apples with Cinnamon Sugaris a delightful twist on the “smashed” trend that blends the natural sweetness of the apples with warm, comforting cinnamon and crunchy pecans. Baked until just soft enough to smash, the apples are coated with a crave-worthy cinnamon sugar butter and baked again to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. This recipe is perfectly served with vanilla ice cream or as a topping for your morning oatmeal. Either way, getting more fruit in your day is a good thing. Read below for our expert tips on how to make this recipe turn out perfectly and smart substitutions to use what you already have at home.Tips from the EatingWell Test KitchenThese are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!There is no need to spritz the apples with lemon juice to prevent browning, as you would for an apple pie. This is because the apples will be browned during the baking and broiling.For this recipe, it’s best to use firm baking apples, as they hold their shape better. Tart apples or sweet-tart will add great flavor. Good options include Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Braeburn, Cortland, Pink Lady, Fuji and Granny Smith.If you need a substitute for the pecans, try almonds, walnuts or a mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. You can leave them out if you prefer to omit nuts or seeds entirely. While the smashed apple recipe may not have the same flavor or texture without them, it will still be delicious.To prevent brown sugar from hardening and tosoften itwhen it does, store it in an airtight container with something that will provide moisture. One effective method is using a moistened terra-cotta disk (you can buy them for this purpose) to keep brown sugar soft. Alternatively, you can store brown sugar with a slice of fresh sandwich bread or a few slices of apple.Nutrition NotesApplesare rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber. They are unique in that fiber is in the skin and in the flesh. When you peel the skins of the apples, like we do in this recipe, you can soften up the apple quicker, but you lose some of the nutrition. Since most Americans don’t get enough fiber, you can bake up those skins and eat them as a crispy snack or blend them into a smoothie. Fiber is great for maintaining a healthy gut and digestive system.
Crispy Smashed Apples with Cinnamon Sugaris a delightful twist on the “smashed” trend that blends the natural sweetness of the apples with warm, comforting cinnamon and crunchy pecans. Baked until just soft enough to smash, the apples are coated with a crave-worthy cinnamon sugar butter and baked again to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. This recipe is perfectly served with vanilla ice cream or as a topping for your morning oatmeal. Either way, getting more fruit in your day is a good thing. Read below for our expert tips on how to make this recipe turn out perfectly and smart substitutions to use what you already have at home.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
Nutrition Notes
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)Ingredients6firm small apples (1 1/4 pounds), peeled, cored and halved crosswise1tablespooncanola or other neutral-tasting oil¼cuplightly packed brown sugar2tablespoonssalted butter, melted¼cupchopped pecans¾teaspoonground cinnamon
Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)
Ingredients
6firm small apples (1 1/4 pounds), peeled, cored and halved crosswise
1tablespooncanola or other neutral-tasting oil
¼cuplightly packed brown sugar
2tablespoonssalted butter, melted
¼cupchopped pecans
¾teaspoonground cinnamon
DirectionsPosition rack in upper third of oven. Preheat to 350°F.Brush all sides of 6 apple halves with 1 tablespoon oil; place cut-side down on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until soft but not mushy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and turn broiler to high.Meanwhile, stir 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup pecans and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl.Using the bottom of a Mason jar or other sturdy glass, flatten each apple half. Divide the cinnamon-sugar mixture among the apples. Broil until the pecans are browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm.To make aheadPrepare the cinnamon-sugar mixture (Step 3) a day ahead.Frequently Asked QuestionsWe recommend using a neutral oil for this recipe, as you don’t want the oil to overshadow the natural sweetness of the apples. Our first choice is canola oil, but you can also substitute it with other neutral oils such as sunflower, grapeseed or safflower.This topping is perfect when warmed and can enhanceoatmeal,yogurt,pancakes,waffles,French toastand even ice cream. When pairing it with ice cream, choose a flavor that complements rather than overwhelms the topping.Vanillais a great choice for this, but walnut or salted caramel would also work well. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, so feel free to enjoy it with all your favorite flavors.This recipe can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pan slowly over medium-low heat, stirring gently from time to time until heated through.EatingWell.com, October 2021
Directions
Position rack in upper third of oven. Preheat to 350°F.Brush all sides of 6 apple halves with 1 tablespoon oil; place cut-side down on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until soft but not mushy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and turn broiler to high.Meanwhile, stir 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup pecans and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl.Using the bottom of a Mason jar or other sturdy glass, flatten each apple half. Divide the cinnamon-sugar mixture among the apples. Broil until the pecans are browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm.To make aheadPrepare the cinnamon-sugar mixture (Step 3) a day ahead.Frequently Asked QuestionsWe recommend using a neutral oil for this recipe, as you don’t want the oil to overshadow the natural sweetness of the apples. Our first choice is canola oil, but you can also substitute it with other neutral oils such as sunflower, grapeseed or safflower.This topping is perfect when warmed and can enhanceoatmeal,yogurt,pancakes,waffles,French toastand even ice cream. When pairing it with ice cream, choose a flavor that complements rather than overwhelms the topping.Vanillais a great choice for this, but walnut or salted caramel would also work well. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, so feel free to enjoy it with all your favorite flavors.This recipe can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pan slowly over medium-low heat, stirring gently from time to time until heated through.
Position rack in upper third of oven. Preheat to 350°F.
Brush all sides of 6 apple halves with 1 tablespoon oil; place cut-side down on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until soft but not mushy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and turn broiler to high.
Meanwhile, stir 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup pecans and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl.
Using the bottom of a Mason jar or other sturdy glass, flatten each apple half. Divide the cinnamon-sugar mixture among the apples. Broil until the pecans are browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm.
To make aheadPrepare the cinnamon-sugar mixture (Step 3) a day ahead.
To make ahead
Prepare the cinnamon-sugar mixture (Step 3) a day ahead.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWe recommend using a neutral oil for this recipe, as you don’t want the oil to overshadow the natural sweetness of the apples. Our first choice is canola oil, but you can also substitute it with other neutral oils such as sunflower, grapeseed or safflower.This topping is perfect when warmed and can enhanceoatmeal,yogurt,pancakes,waffles,French toastand even ice cream. When pairing it with ice cream, choose a flavor that complements rather than overwhelms the topping.Vanillais a great choice for this, but walnut or salted caramel would also work well. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, so feel free to enjoy it with all your favorite flavors.This recipe can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pan slowly over medium-low heat, stirring gently from time to time until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend using a neutral oil for this recipe, as you don’t want the oil to overshadow the natural sweetness of the apples. Our first choice is canola oil, but you can also substitute it with other neutral oils such as sunflower, grapeseed or safflower.
This topping is perfect when warmed and can enhanceoatmeal,yogurt,pancakes,waffles,French toastand even ice cream. When pairing it with ice cream, choose a flavor that complements rather than overwhelms the topping.Vanillais a great choice for this, but walnut or salted caramel would also work well. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, so feel free to enjoy it with all your favorite flavors.
This recipe can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pan slowly over medium-low heat, stirring gently from time to time until heated through.
EatingWell.com, October 2021
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Nutrition Facts(per serving)108Calories5gFat18gCarbs1gProtein
Nutrition Facts(per serving)
- Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.
Linda Frahm
