Healthy Baked Apples Stuffed with Sweet Potatoes and Pecans
Whether you’re seeking a cozy side dish or a comforting treat to savor on a crisp evening, this dish one that is sure to please the entire family!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 large sweet potatoes or 3–4 small ones
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp vanilla (or more)
- 1/2 cup pecan pieces
- 4 apples, halved and cored (save the cores for the cran-apple crumble)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 395°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into small cubes.
- Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cook the potatoes for approximately 15-20 minutes or until tender. You’ll know they’re done when a fork easily pierces the flesh without resistance.
- Drain excess water using a colander and transfer the potatoes to a bowl.
- Mash the Sweet Potatoes:
- Mash the cooked sweet potatoes with a fork or masher until relatively smooth.
- Add the olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and pecan pieces to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix everything thoroughly and set the mixture aside.
- Prepare the Apples:
- Wash the apples thoroughly.
- Slice each apple in half and scoop out most of the middle flesh using a spoon. You want to scoop out just enough to make a bowl for the sweet potato filling without removing too much of the apple’s flesh.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the cored apple halves on the baking sheet.
- Fill each apple half with the sweet potato mixture, creating a well-rounded filling.
- Baking:
- Bake the stuffed apples in the oven for approximately 20 minutes or until they are tender and the filling is thoroughly warmed.
- Halfway through baking, top each filled apple with a few additional pecan pieces. Doing so helps prevent pecans from burning yet still achieve a nice toasted flavor.
Notes
These stuffed apples make for a perfect snack. Simply place them on a plate and cook in the microwave for 60 seconds. They can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.