This Hazelnut Honey Roasted Apple recipe is lovely for fall and perfect for a Thanksgiving dessert, in case you want to skip the pie this year. The hazelnut flavor and use of Green Dragon apples makes them stand out form all other honey roasted apples. 
More apples!
Though you could use other apples for this recipe, I used a very special variety. And I almost ate all of them before I cold get them in the pan, with a little help from my boys, who especially love their name — Green Dragon apples.
I need two things in an apple — crispness and sweetness. If either one isn’t there, I’m out. There are few varieties that I think have the perfect blend of both, and Green Dragon apples are one of them.
What are Green Dragon Apples?
Green Dragon apples hold a whole lot of goodness . . .
They have a delicious pineapple flavor. Really, you’ll see.
They’re rich in Vitamin C and full of Anti-Oxidants.
And of course, let’s not forget crisp, sweet and delicious.
Makes sense that they’re named after the Chinese symbol for royalty!
While Green Dragon apples are fantastic to eat raw, when roasted in this Hazelnut Honey Roasted Apple recipe, the notes of pineapple are not lost, and are divine combined with the other flavors they’ll soak up.
The apples also hold their shape and will have a super smooth texture.
You can find Green Dragon Apples at Bristol Farms and Gelson’s, and they’ll be in more markets soon. You can also order them from Melissa’s Produce here. And yes, as I mentioned, you can also use other apple varieties. Granny Smith would also be delicious.
Do you want to serve this Honey Roasted Apple recipe with a dollop of vanilla bean ice cream? I do! So let’s do it.
Enjoy every bite of your honey roasted apples with hazelnuts!
This is not a sponsored post. Melissa’s Produce sent me Green Dragon Apples for recipe testing, and all opinions are my own. 🙂
This is lovely for fall and perfect for a Thanksgiving dessert, in case you want to skip the pie this year. The hazelnut flavor and use of Green Dragon apples makes them stand out form all other honey roasted apples.
- 1/3 cup hazelnuts
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 3 apples (I used Green Dragon)
- salt
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Preheat the oven to 375 F, and place the hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. When the oven is preheated, roast them until they are very aromatic and the skins are cracking, about 6 minutes. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes, and then they can be rubbed together in your hands, or in a dish towel, and the skins should flake away. (Some tiny bits of skin will remain, and that's okay.) Roughly chop the nuts and set them aside. Do not turn off the oven!
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In a small mixing bowl, combine the honey with the melted butter, Frangelico, and vanilla.
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Pour about 1/4 of the honey mixture into a baking dish -- one that's just big enough to comfortably hold 6 apple halves, without touching. The honey mixture should coat the bottom nicely.
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Peel the apples. Then slice them in half, lengthwise, and core them.
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Place the apple halves in the baking dish, onto the coated bottom, round side up.
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Pour the remaining honey mixture evenly over the 6 apple halves. If they are not completely coated, gently flip them over a couple of times, being sure they are round side up when they go in the oven.
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Roast the apples in the preheated 375 degree F oven for 45 minutes. Use a soup spoon to baste them every 10 to 15 minutes. Then add the peeled, chopped hazelnuts, using the spoon to be sure they become well coated with the honey mixture. (They shouldn't be right on top of the apples, along the sides and between them is best.) Roast the apples for about another 15 minutes.
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When they're done, they should be well caramelized with a pretty golden color. They also will have shrunk by about 1/3.
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Let them cool in the baking dish for about 10 minutes and then serve, spooning hazelnuts and any excess sauce on top. Sprinkle each serving with a bit of salt.
I like to serve the finished apples round side down. They just look so pretty! And adding vanilla bean ice cream is an excellent idea. 🙂
Deb says
I’ve yet to see Green Dragon’s locally but will keep an eye out for these little lovelies! Roasting with hazelnuts and honey is so delectable!
valentina says
Thanks, Deb — they should be popping up in stores soon. 🙂
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Some of the things are the most craved for, and this is one of em’. It looks so so good. The hazelnuts, oh so yum.
valentina says
Thank you, Asha. 🙂
Coco in the Kitchen says
Yummmm.
I love baked apples. Never tried them w hazelnuts.
Great tip, V! xo
valentina says
Thank you, Colette. Hope you try them. xo
David says
Oh, wow – baked apples of any kind are one of my favorites. And I think I need to live with Melissa… or at least visit her for a month. Such an amazing variety of produce!
valentina says
Love your comment about Melissa! You’re funny. 🙂 These Green Dragon’s are so cool, and really do taste like pineapple.
Julia says
Mmm, I love this recipe. I has all my favorite ingredients in it! Haven’t seen Green Dragon apples around here but they sound delish!
valentina says
Thanks so much, Julia. Hope you try it!
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish says
How brilliant is this!
valentina says
Why thank you! 🙂
Jenni LeBaron says
Yum! I love roasted apples. The addition of hazelnuts is wonderful. I can’t wait for Oregon Hazelnuts this year!
valentina says
Me too! 😀
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
I looooved caramel apples growing up! Never had them like this though.
valentina says
I hope you try them, Matt. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Denise says
This is mouth watering! Need to try for sure!
valentina says
Hope you do. Thank Denise!