Baked Apples with Oats, Dates and Pecans

When the apples are good, this is what I make. Halve them, scoop out the core, pile in a crumbly filling of oats, chopped dates and pecans, and bake until soft. The apples and dates do all the sweetening.

The recipe

Time: 35 min Makes: 4 servings

You need

• 4 apples (Honeycrisp, Gala or Fuji), halved and cored

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

• 4 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

• 1 to 2 tbsp water

• 1/4 cup water for the pan

Make it

1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Set the apple halves cut side up in a baking dish and pour 1/4 cup water into the bottom.

2. Mash the dates with a fork, then mix in the oats, nuts, cinnamon, salt and 1 to 2 tbsp water until it clumps together.

3. Press a spoonful of the oat mixture onto each apple half.

4. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, until the apples are soft and the topping is toasted.

5. Serve warm, with the juices from the pan spooned over.

Why it works. The apples and dates do all the sweetening, and the oats and nuts make it filling. It tastes like apple crisp with no butter and no added sugar.

My tip: Don't throw away the bits you scoop out. Chop them and scatter them over the top before baking.

Serve them warm with the juices from the pan spooned over and a dusting of cinnamon. They are just as good cold the next morning with a spoon of yogurt.

This recipe is one of six in the free Sweet & Simple dessert guide.

Priska is a nurse with 20+ years of experience in the US and Switzerland and holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition. Recipes here are for general education, not medical advice.