Baked Apple Cinnamon Bites
By the GreenSpoon Kids kitchen
Soft, warm baked apple pieces with a hint of cinnamon. A naturally sweet finger food dessert that encourages self-feeding.
Baked apple cinnamon bites are a warm, soft finger-food dessert that smells like apple pie and is nothing but fruit. Apple pieces are baked with a little cinnamon until meltingly soft and naturally sweet, then cut into bites a baby can pick up. For a 10 to 12 month old practicing self-feeding, they are an easy, no-added-sugar treat, and they fill the kitchen with a cozy smell while they bake.
Ingredients(4)
- 1 medium sweet apple (Gala or Fuji work well)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or butter
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions(9 steps)
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
- 2
Peel and core the apple, then cut into small wedges or cubes.
- 3
Toss apple pieces with melted coconut oil and cinnamon.
- 4
Spread in a single layer in a small baking dish.
- 5
Add water to the bottom of the dish.
- 6
Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- 7
Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes until very soft.
- 8
Let cool until safe to handle. Test softness - should squish easily.
- 9
Cut into appropriate finger-food sized pieces.
Nutritional Highlights
- -Apples provide fiber and vitamin C
- -Cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar
- -No added sugar - naturally sweet
- -Healthy fats from coconut oil
Age Appropriateness
Great finger food dessert for 10-12 month olds. Pieces should be soft enough to gum easily.
Introduction Tip
Baked apples are much softer than raw. Always test the softness yourself before offering to ensure baby can gum them safely.
Why this works
Raw apple is a choking risk for babies, but baking transforms it into something soft, sweet, and safe to gum, which is the key to this recipe. Slow-baking with a little water and cinnamon concentrates the apple's natural sweetness so there is no need for any sugar, and cutting the soft pieces into bites gives a 10 to 12 month old great pincer-grasp practice. It is a gentle, fruit-only dessert that feels like a treat, and a tray makes several servings to keep on hand.
Variations and swaps
- Swap the apple for pear, which bakes just as soft and sweet.
- Use butter instead of coconut oil, or leave the fat out entirely.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or a tiny splash of vanilla along with the cinnamon.
- Mash the baked apple for a younger baby instead of serving it in pieces.
- Serve the warm bites with a spoonful of plain yogurt for dipping.
Make ahead and storage
Keep cooled baked apple bites covered in the fridge for up to 3 days, and they freeze well for up to 1 month. Reheat gently until just warm, or serve at room temperature. Because the texture matters for safety, always check after reheating that the pieces are still soft enough to squish easily before offering them.
What to serve with it
Serve a few soft bites at a time as a dessert or snack, letting your baby pick them up themselves. They pair nicely with a little plain yogurt. Always test a piece yourself first to be sure it squishes easily, sit your baby upright, and stay within arm's reach while they eat.
Common questions
Is baked apple safer than raw for a baby?
Yes. Raw apple is firm and a known choking hazard for babies and young toddlers, while baking makes it soft enough to gum safely. Always bake the pieces until very soft, test that they squish easily between your fingers, and cut them to a safe finger-food size.
Is there any added sugar?
No. The sweetness comes entirely from the apple, intensified by baking, with just a little cinnamon for flavor. It is a naturally sweet, sugar-free dessert, which is ideal for babies who do not need added sugar.
Can I batch cook these?
Yes. Bake a full tray, then refrigerate or freeze the extras. They reheat gently or thaw easily, so you can keep a soft, healthy dessert or snack on hand. Just re-check the softness after reheating before serving.
My baby is a new self-feeder. Are these suitable?
They are a good choice, since the soft baked pieces are easy to gum and a nice size for practicing the pincer grasp. As always, serve them soft, in baby-sized pieces, sit your baby upright, and supervise closely throughout the meal.
Parent guide
Read our toddler feeding guides
