Get ready to fall in love with this Vegetarian baked apples with feta, honey, and cranberries recipe! Each bite is a wonderful symphony of warm, tender fruit, creamy tangy feta, sweet bursts of cranberries, and a glossy honeyed finish. It’s an irresistible balance of sweet and savory goodness that’s surprisingly easy to prepare—a dish that will have your friends and family oohing and ahhing, whether you’re serving it as a show-stopping dessert or an unforgettable brunch treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps it simple, letting every ingredient shine. The combination of apples, feta, and honey fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma and paints your plate with cheerful colors and irresistible texture contrasts. Here’s everything you need (and why you’ll love it!):
- 4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala): These varieties are perfect for baking because they hold their shape and turn beautifully tender without falling apart.
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese: The creamy, tangy feta melts just enough to create a rich contrast to the apples’ sweetness.
- ¼ cup dried cranberries: These little jewels add chewy texture and bursts of bright, tart flavor with every bite.
- 2 tablespoons honey: Honey brings natural sweetness, a gorgeous sheen, and helps everything caramelize slightly.
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided: A touch of butter ensures rich flavor and helps everything brown perfectly.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Cinnamon is the classic warm spice that ties the entire dish together.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances the sweetness and brings a cozy, aromatic note.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional, for garnish): Fresh mint adds a pop of color and an uplifting herbal note to finish things beautifully.
How to Make Vegetarian
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dish
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Give your favorite baking dish a light greasing with butter or nonstick spray—this simple step ensures your apples won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Core the Apples
Using an apple corer or a small paring knife, carefully remove the core from each apple. Be sure to leave about half an inch of apple intact at the bottom; this little cup will hold in all that dreamy Vegetarian filling later, so take your time.
Step 3: Mix the Sweet & Savory Filling
In a small bowl, combine your crumbled feta, dried cranberries, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir it up so everything’s nicely distributed—this is the heart of your Vegetarian experience, so make sure it’s well mixed for maximum flavor in every spoonful.
Step 4: Stuff the Apples
Arrange the cored apples upright in your prepared baking dish. Carefully spoon your feta and cranberry mixture into each apple, pressing it down gently so each one is brimming with flavorful filling. Don’t be shy—pack them generously!
Step 5: Drizzle & Dot with Honey and Butter
Drizzle a luscious stream of honey over the top of each stuffed apple, then dot each one with a pat of the divided butter. This step gives your Vegetarian apples their signature shine and flavor depth.
Step 6: Bake Covered, Then Uncovered
Cover your baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. This helps the apples soften without drying out. Once they’re mostly tender, remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes—just long enough to let the tops get golden and the flavors deepen beautifully.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Let your baked apples cool slightly once out of the oven. Sprinkle them with chopped fresh mint for an extra burst of color and flavor if you like, and serve warm for the ultimate Vegetarian treat!
How to Serve Vegetarian
Garnishes
Don’t skip the finishing touches! A sprinkle of fresh mint instantly brightens up the plate and provides a clean contrast to the sweet and savory filling. For a little extra crunch, add a handful of toasted chopped nuts or a light dusting of cinnamon over the top. These pretty garnishes elevate your Vegetarian apples from simple to stunning.
Side Dishes
These baked apples pair beautifully with a cool dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. If you’re popping them onto a brunch table, serve alongside a light mixed green salad or even a fluffy omelette. The blend of flavors complements both sweet and savory fare, and there’s always room for more Vegetarian goodness on your table!
Creative Ways to Present
For an extra-special presentation, try serving your Vegetarian baked apples on individual plates, nestled atop a swirl of whipped ricotta or mascarpone. Or set them in pretty ramekins—perfect for a dinner party or holiday feast. A drizzle of extra honey just before serving adds a beautiful glossy finish that’s sure to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let the apples cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll keep well in the fridge for up to three days, though the texture is at its peak when freshly baked.
Freezing
Want to make your Vegetarian apples even more convenient? Freeze them after baking! Wrap each cooled apple tightly in plastic or foil and store in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to a month—just remember to thaw gently in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your Vegetarian leftovers, simply place the apples in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until heated through. The feta will soften up again and the honeyed flavor will be just as delightful as day one.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of cheese?
Absolutely! While feta brings that signature tang, goat cheese or even creamy ricotta would work beautifully—just keep things Vegetarian and experiment with what you love.
What apples are best for baking?
Honeycrisp and Gala are ideal as they hold their shape and get deliciously soft without becoming mushy. Fuji or Braeburn are also tasty Vegetarian-friendly options for this recipe.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Great news—yes, it’s naturally gluten-free! As long as you’re using gluten-free versions of your chosen cheese, your Vegetarian baked apples are safe for gluten-sensitive friends.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
It’s easy to adapt: just swap out the feta for a plant-based substitute, use vegan butter, and opt for agave nectar or maple syrup instead of honey. The result is a crowd-pleasing vegan dish inspired by the same Vegetarian flavors!
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely—try tossing in some chopped walnuts, pecans, or even pistachios for extra crunch and contrast. A sprinkle of brown sugar can also add deeper caramel notes to your Vegetarian apples.
Final Thoughts
Give this delightful Vegetarian baked apples with feta, honey, and cranberries recipe a try—you’ll be amazed at how a few simple ingredients come together in such a unique and delicious way. Whether served for brunch, dessert, or an afternoon treat, it’s sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen lineup!
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Vegetarian Recipe
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Baked Apples with Feta, Honey, and Cranberries is a delightful dish that combines the sweetness of apples with the savory flavors of feta cheese and the tartness of cranberries. This recipe is a perfect balance of flavors, making it a great option for a cozy dessert or a unique side dish.
Ingredients
Apples:
- 4 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala)
Feta Mixture:
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Core the apples: Carefully core each apple, leaving about ½ inch intact at the bottom to hold the filling.
- Mix the filling: In a small bowl, combine the feta, cranberries, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Stuff the apples: Place the cored apples in the baking dish and stuff each with the feta mixture, pressing gently.
- Add honey and butter: Drizzle honey over each apple, then place a small pat of butter on top of each.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the apples are tender.
- Brown and finish: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the tops are golden.
- Garnish and serve: Let the apples cool slightly, then sprinkle with fresh mint if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Apple Variety: Honeycrisp or Gala apples hold their shape well and work best for baking, but feel free to experiment with others.
- Make it Vegan: Substitute dairy-free feta and plant-based butter for a vegan version!
- Additional Add-Ins: Chopped nuts or a sprinkle of brown sugar can be added to the filling for extra texture and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert/Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 baked apple
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
