Name: Baked Apple Slices
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 8 cups sliced apples ((about 4 extra large apples or 6 medium apples)); ¼ cup (½ stick) salted butter, melted; ¼ cup light brown sugar; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves; ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger; ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg; Pinch of salt

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These easy Baked Apple Slices are a simple side dish for chicken, pork, and turkey, or a quick fall dessert with just 10 minutes of prep. Thanks to plenty of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg, the warm dish tastes just like apple pie filling! A country style sliced baked apples recipe is the perfect way to take advantage of an abundance of fresh autumn fruit.

Overhead shot of baked apple slices in a skillet on a wooden farmhouse table

Baked Cinnamon Apple Slices

Apple season is big business in Virginia, so there's never a shortage of the sweet, juicy, fruit to enjoy throughout the fall. When we've made our apple butter, enjoyed an apple pie, and whipped up a batch of homemade applesauce, these easy baked apple slices are sure to make an appearance on our weeknight dinner table.

Whisking together brown sugar butter and cinnamon

They're quick, flavorful, cozy, and versatile. You don't even have to peel the fruit before slicing and baking! A great alternative to fried apples, the old-fashioned baked apple slices pair nicely with white meat entrees like pork, chicken and turkey, and work equally well as a simple dessert.

Pouring brown sugar and butter mixture over apples

The Best Apples for Baked Apples

The best apples for baked apple slices are those varieties with a firm flesh that won't break down too easily. After all, you want apple slices...not applesauce! Good options include Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Braeburn, Gala, Fuji, Winesap, Pink Lady, Jonagold or a combination of these.

Ingredients

This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you'll need for a pan of easy baked apple slices. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.

Sliced apples: I typically use Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, or a combination of the two. There's no need to peel the apples before slicing and baking, unless it's your personal perference.
Butter: mixes with the sugar, spices, and apple juices to create a thick, rich sauce that coats each slice.
Light brown sugar and granulated sugar: sweeten the fruit and create a thick, syrupy sauce.
Lemon juice: a common ingredient in apple pie filling and apple crisp recipes, the lemon juice provides a bright, acidic component that balances the sweetness of the fruit and enhances the apples' natural flavors. It does not make the dish taste like lemon.
Cornstarch: thickens the sauce.
Cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg: warm spices that pair beautifully with fresh apples.
Salt: just a pinch to balance the sweetness and add complexity to the dish.

Adding apple slices to a cast iron skillet

How to Bake Apple Slices

These easy baked apple slices come together with just 10 minutes of prep -- then the oven does the work!

Place the apple slices in a large bowl.
Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and salt.
Pour the butter mixture over the apple slices; toss to coat.
Transfer the apples to a 10-inch cast iron skillet or other similar oven-safe pan.
Bake, uncovered, in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes, or until the apples are tender but not mushy.
Stir to coat in the sauce and serve warm.

Stirring a pan of baked cinnamon apple slices

How to Serve Old Fashioned Baked Apple Slices

This recipe does double-duty as both a side dish and as a dessert. I like to think of the apples in the same way that I would use applesauce. For instance, offer a warm bowl of baked apples with this 4-Ingredient Pork Loin Roast, with these Stuffed Pork Chops, with a Crispy Roast Chicken, or alongside this Maple-Glazed Roasted Turkey Breast. Hey, you can even take the simple route and purchase a store-bought rotisserie chicken to have with your apples!

At the breakfast table, serve baked cinnamon apple slices with oatmeal, or pair them with a sausage casserole, quiche, or tater tot casserole for brunch.

Finally, these baked apple slices also make a delicious dessert. They taste just like the filling from your favorite apple pie -- minus the crust! Just top the warm apples with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and you'll have a truly decadent treat with fewer calories! A drizzle of caramel sauce just takes it to the next level...

Shot of baked apple slices topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Are baked apples good for you?

Since we're adding butter and sugar, baked apple slices are not quite as light and low-calorie as the plain, raw fruit. That said, they still include heart-healthy fiber and many essential vitamins. A bowl of warmly-spiced baked apples is definitely a more nutritious option that a big slice of pie!

Close up side shot of easy baked apple slices in a cast iron skillet

Storage

The quick baked apple slices can stay at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After that time period, you will need to freeze or refrigerate them.

Baked apple slices will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in a skillet on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently, or microwave individual portions for about 30 seconds.

Square shot of a plate of baked apples with vanilla ice cream on a table

Can you freeze baked apples slices?

Yes! You can definitely freeze these apples, but they will have a slightly mushy texture when thawed. To freeze, allow apples to cool to room temperature. Seal in an airtight container or Ziploc bag, and the apples will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Overhead image of baked cinnamon apple slices in a pan on a wooden table

Recipe Variations

Use your favorite warm spices, and adjust the amounts according to your taste preferences. For instance, just use cinnamon and skip the others. Or try cinnamon and nutmeg alone. Allspice is another great option to add to the mix!
Don't have cornstarch? You can omit this ingredient, but the sauce will not be as thick. It will be more like apple "juice" at the bottom of the dish (not bad, just different).
Cut the ingredients in half to prepare a smaller apple slices recipe. Bake the fruit in a 1 ½-quart dish. The total baking time will be the same.
Don't have a cast iron skillet? Use a deep 9-inch square pan, an 11 x 7-inch baking dish, or even a deep-dish pie plate.

Pan of quick baked apple slices on a wooden table with fresh fruit nearby

Tips for the Best Baked Apple Slices Recipe

Use firm-flesh apples that will not break down during the cooking process. Good options include Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Jonagold, Winesap, Pink Lady, or a combination of these.
We like the baked apple slices with skin; however, you can peel the fruit before slicing if you prefer.
Slice the apples roughly the same size so that they cook evenly.
The total baking time will vary depending on the type of apples that you use, and on the type of pan that you use. The apples are done when they're fork-tender, but not too mushy. They should still have a bit of firm bite to them.
Garnish the oven baked apple slices with toasted walnuts, pecans or almonds for a nice crunch.
For dessert, top the warm apples with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce!

Close up side shot of a serving spoon in a skillet of country style sliced baked apples recipe

More Apple Recipes to Enjoy this Season

Square overhead shot of a skillet of baked apple slices

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