Description
Sweet and savory baked apples stuffed with tangy feta cheese, honey, cranberries, and walnuts. This elegant dish works as an appetizer, side dish, or light dessert. Ready in 35 minutes and naturally gluten-free!
Ingredients
4 large apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pinch of cinnamon
6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons honey (plus extra for drizzling)
1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Black pepper to taste
Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Wash and dry apples thoroughly. Using an apple corer or sharp paring knife, remove the core from each apple, leaving about 1/2 inch intact at the bottom to hold filling.
3. Brush the inside cavity and cut edges with lemon juice to prevent browning. Pat dry with paper towel.
4. Arrange apples upright in a baking dish. Brush outside of each apple with melted butter or olive oil and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
5. In a bowl, combine crumbled feta, 3 tablespoons honey, chopped cranberries, walnuts, thyme leaves, and black pepper. Mix well.
6. Fill each apple cavity generously with the feta-cranberry mixture, packing firmly and mounding slightly above the opening.
7. Drizzle honey over the top of each stuffed apple. Add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the baking dish.
8. Cover dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes covered.
9. Remove foil and continue baking for 15-20 minutes uncovered until apples are tender when pierced with a fork but still hold their shape.
10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with additional honey, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and crack of black pepper before serving.
Notes
Choose firm apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala that hold their shape during baking.
Don’t cut through the bottom of apples – leave 1/2 inch intact to hold the filling.
Check for doneness at 30 minutes to avoid overcooked, mushy apples.
If apples won’t stand upright, trim a tiny slice from the bottom, being careful not to create a hole.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat individual apples in microwave for 45-60 seconds or in 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
Prepare filling mixture up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to use.
Substitute goat cheese for milder tang or blue cheese for bolder flavor.
These work as an appetizer, side dish, or light dessert depending on presentation.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Side Dish, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed apple
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 28mg
Keywords: baked apples with feta, stuffed apples, feta cheese apples, honey baked apples, fall appetizer, gluten-free side dish