Smoky Baked Apples in a Flaming Coals Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Author: Sasha Halabi  Date Posted:30 September 2025 

Baked apples in a cast iron pan cooked in a wood fired pizza oven, golden brown with caramelised tops.

A Warm Dessert Straight from the Fire

There’s nothing better than ending a wood-fired meal with something hot, sweet, and straight from the coals. These smoky baked apples have become a go-to in our backyard once the roast is out and the fire’s still glowing. They’re easy to prepare, packed with warm spice and texture, and best of all they use the residual heat in your Flaming Coals wood fired oven.

Stuffed with walnuts, sultanas, honey, and cinnamon, this simple dessert turns a humble apple into something unforgettable. Prep takes less than 10 minutes and they’re ready in about 30. No fuss. No stress. Just fire, fruit, and flavour.

The Story Behind This Dish

We first threw these into the oven on a whim, leftover apples, some coals still going, and a cast-iron pan that had already been out. What came out was something we didn’t expect... it was soft, juicy apples, bubbling with spiced honey and just the slightest hint of wood smoke.

Since then, baked apples have been the unspoken rule around here. When the roast comes out, dessert goes in. It’s a great way to use the fire to its full potential, especially when entertaining. Guests always ask how we made them, and the best part is they’re almost impossible to mess up.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Uses simple, everyday ingredients
  • No extra fuel required, just use residual oven heat
  • Prep in under 10 minutes
  • Great make-ahead option
  • Can be served rustic or dressed up for dinner parties

Ingredients

  • 4 Pink Lady apples (or others of your choice)
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • ⅓ cup sultanas or raisins
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Extra cinnamon for topping

Equipment

Instructions

1. Fire Up Your Oven

  • If you’ve just cooked a roast or pizza, your oven should be around 200 to 220°C which is ideal.

Wood fired pizza oven with burning logs and glowing embers creating intense heat for cooking.

  • If starting fresh, light your wood fire using red gum ( To view the product, head over to BBQ Spit Rotisseries to read it here ).

  • Keep the oven door and flue fully open for the first 10 minutes. Once the fire is established, close the door most of the way and reduce the flue opening to maintain heat.
     

2. Prepare the Apples

  • Core the apples using an apple corer or small paring knife.

Person using a corer to remove the centre of fresh apples on a wooden chopping board.

  • In a bowl, combine walnuts, sultanas, honey, and cinnamon.
     
  • Fill each apple with the mixture and press it in firmly.

Close-up of an apple being filled with a mixture of honey, walnuts, raisins and cinnamon before baking.

  • Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top of each apple.
     

3. Bake the Apples

Fresh apples stuffed with a mixture of honey, walnuts, and raisins placed in a cast iron skillet, ready for baking.

  • Carefully place the tray into the oven, away from direct flame.
     
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the tray every 10 to 15 minutes for even cooking.
     
  • You’ll know they’re done when the skin begins to wrinkle and the filling is bubbling.
     

4. Serve

Baked apple stuffed with walnuts, raisins, and honey, sliced open to reveal the warm spiced filling on a wooden serving board.

  • Serve hot with vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of cream, or a splash of maple syrup.
     
  • For a camp style touch, serve straight from the pan with spoons for sharing.

Tips & Variations

Want it sweeter? Add a little brown sugar or a few dark chocolate chips into the filling.

No walnuts? Swap for pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds.

Feeding a crowd? Prep apples earlier in the day and store in the fridge. Place them in the oven as your roast finishes and serve warm when ready.

Leftovers? Slice into porridge or yoghurt the next morning.

FAQs

Can I use other fruit?
Yes. Pears also work beautifully in the wood fired oven using the same method.

Do I need to peel the apples?
No. The skin helps hold the shape while baking and develops a lovely texture when roasted.

Can I use the oven while it cools down?
Absolutely. These apples are perfect for making with residual heat after pizza or meat is done.

Next Steps

Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments or tag us on Instagram with your Flaming Coals dessert creations.

Ready to do more with your oven? Explore our range of wood fired ovens, cast iron pans, and BBQ rubs designed for real Aussie backyards.

Shop Flaming Coals Pizza Ovens

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