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    Home » Dessert » Fruit Desserts » Apple

    Baked Apple Tornado

    Modified: Mar 10, 2025 · Published: Sep 27, 2016 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE ↓ JUMP TO VIDEO

    This Baked Apple Tornado recipe is a spiral apple drizzled with caramel. It’s a fun, delicious twist on the classic baked apple.

    baked apple tornado with whipped cream

    I’ve seen recipes for Potato Tornados and thought why should potatoes have all the fun. So, I decided to make an apple version, just in time for fall baking. Like my Bloomin’ Baked Apple, this Baked Apple Tornado is a fun way to enjoy baked apples.

    To make this baked apple tornado, I searched my local grocery store for the smallest apples I could find. The ones I ended up using are called SweetTango, but feel free to use whichever apples you prefer.

    How To Make A Baked Apple Tornado

    apple being cut in a spiral with core being removed

    Step One: Cutting The Apple

    Start by removing the core of an apple and cutting in a spiral shape. I used my apple peeler, slicer, and corer with the peeling device disabled.

    If you don’t have one of these handy kitchen tools, you try to slice the apple by hand or use another spiral slicer, but keep in the mind the cooking time will change depending on the thickness of the apple slices.

    Bonus Tip: Kids LOVE using the apple peeler, slicer, and corer, so let them give a whirl! When my kids were younger, they would pull it out when they wanted to eat apples. The same ‘ole apples seem totally different when sliced this way.

    pierced apple spiral

    Step Two: Skewer

    Hold the apple together and carefully push a kabob skewer through all of the slices of the apple. Gently separate the slices using your fingers to slide them slightly apart without breaking them.

    apple spiral on a kaabob stick sprinkled with cinnamon sugar

    Step Three: Cinnamon Sugar

    Sprinkle one side of the apple tornado with the cinnamon sugar. Turn over the skewer to make sure all sides are covered.

    baked apple torando on a skewer over a loaf pan

    Step Four: Bake

    Place the skewer on a loaf pan, balancing so the apples are hanging over the pan. For about 20 minutes, bake the tornados at 400°F.  If baking several apple tornados, you can line the skewers up across the long sides of the pan.

    baked apple dessert drizzled with caramel

    Step Five: Plate and Serve

    Now that the apples have softened, carefully remove the skewer. Using your fingers, arrange the apple tornado on a plate. Top it with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel sauce. This Baked Apple Tornado is so much fun for fall! It’s like a deconstructed apple pie…without the crust.

    Baked Apple Tornado FAQs

    1. What would be a lighter version of this recipe? You could try using a sugar substitute, sugar-free caramel and fat-free whipped cream. Another option is to bake the apples with only cinnamon sprinkled on top.

    2. Can I use a wooden skewer instead of a metal one? Yes, that will work as well just make sure its long enough to fit across the loaf pan for baking.

    3. What kind of apple should be used for this? I use crispy apples that won’t turn mushy while baking. I used Sweet Tango but you could also use Granny Smith, Empire or Honeycrisp apples.

    4. Can I make this ahead of time? I think it would be better to make this right before serving because the apple will be crispiest. If you cut them ahead of time they could get brown.

    Hungry For More? Try These Apple Recipes For Fall:

    Bloomin’ Baked Apples

    taste like apple pie with an ooey, gooey caramel center! This is an easy dessert recipe for fall and it’s made with Honeycrisp apples.

    This Caramel Apple Fruit Pizza is a delicious fall dessert with a sugar cookie crust, cream cheese frosting, toasted pecans and a drizzle of caramel.

    Caramel Apple Pretzel Salad is a delicious way to enjoy a taste of fall with crunchy apples, candied pretzels, and sweet caramel sauce.

    This easy Caramel Apple Nachos recipe with crispy cinnamon sugar tortilla chips, caramel, whipped cream, and fresh apples is the most delicious fall dessert!

    Baked apple tornado with whipped cream.

    Baked Apple Tornado Recipe

    Stir up a little fun the fall with this Baked Apple Tornado recipe! This spiral apple drizzled with caramel is a delicious twist on the classic baked apple.
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
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    Ingredients

    • 1 small apple
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ cup whipped cream
    • 1 tablespoon caramel sauce

    Instructions

    • Remove the core of the apple and slice it into a spiral shape, using a kitchen tool for the slicing, when possible.
    • Push a kabob skewer through all of the slices of the apple and gently separate the slices without breaking them.
    • Mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle it on the apple tornado, turning to get all sides and in between.
    • Place the skewer on a loaf pan and bake at 400° for about 20 minutes. (Baking times will vary depending on the type of apple, the size of the apple and the thickness of the slices.)
    • Gently remove the skewer, arrange the apple tornado on a plate, add whipped cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.

    Video

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    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

    More Apple Desserts

    • A slice of an apple bar with icing on top.
      Apple Bars
    • Puff pastry apple tart with caramel drizzle.
      Puff Pastry Apple Tart
    • Caramel apple truffles.
      Caramel Apple Truffles
    • A wooden spoon and apple cobbler in a glass baking dish.
      Apple Cobbler

    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

    « Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding
    Chicken Alfredo Pot Pie Recipe »

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Heloise says

      February 4, 2019 at 9:24 am

      I was looking for something easy, not so many ingredients and you met my needs. thank you so much, deffintaly gonna try this recipe out

      Reply
    2. Luna says

      September 18, 2017 at 10:36 pm

      The apples look amazing! Can I use honey instead of sugar? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        September 19, 2017 at 11:11 am

        Never tried it but that sounds like a great idea to me!

        Reply
    3. Şişli Klima Servisi says

      July 20, 2017 at 5:04 am

      It looks very delicious. I want to do it now.

      Reply
    4. 2pots2cook says

      October 10, 2016 at 6:38 am

      This is a great idea ! Great photos too ! Thank you !

      Reply
    5. Yar | OfRecipes says

      October 5, 2016 at 3:48 am

      This looks like loads of fun to make!! I can’t wait to make it!

      Reply
    6. susan mcknight says

      September 27, 2016 at 9:31 pm

      Hi
      I was just wondering if you have any desserts that don t have any sugar in the receipe,
      the reason I am asking as my husband has Type 2 diabetes, he would love to be able to have a
      little sweet dessert without the harmful effect the sugar would have on his blood sugar

      susan mcknight

      Reply
      • Emily says

        November 13, 2016 at 1:16 pm

        Well make sure he eats a protein with it so his sugar doesn’t come crashing down

        Reply
    7. Heidi says

      September 27, 2016 at 9:05 pm

      Go Tonia! I love the tornado idea it’s exceptional, especially for fall:)
      Love,
      Heidi

      Reply
    Tonia Larson from The Gunny Sack.

    Hi, I'm Tonia! Welcome to The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! Meet Tonia Larson →

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