These baked oranges are a juicy and satisfying healthy dessert option! Warmed oranges are topped with honey and pumpkin pie spice and baked in the oven for just a few minutes. They are sweet, delicious and healthy fruit dessert option!
If you haven’t had baked oranges before, imagine an orange that is warmed and topped with honey and a blend of spices. This can be eaten year around, however I especially love this in the fall and winter months. There is a something so satisfying about a warm dessert when it’s cold outside!
This baked oranges recipe requires only 3 ingredients! It can be made in under 10 minutes. It's a great way to use up leftover oranges or to encourage your family to eat fruit!
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Ingredients Needed
You only need three ingredients to make these delicious baked oranges:
Ingredients Notes
Oranges: I recommend using a navel orange that is a medium to large size. I have not tried this recipe with tangerines or Clementines, however this works best if the orange is larger.
Honey: this adds sweetness to the orange. You could substitute agave nectar.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: this adds the best blend of spices and flavor to the oranges. An alternative is to use cinnamon.
How to Pick a Good Orange
The key to this recipe is to choose a good orange! Here’s what to look for:
- The peel should be firm and smooth. It should be bright orange in color.
- Avoid oranges that have mold or large bruises. The skin should not be wrinkled.
- Give the orange a gentle squeeze: it should feel firm. Choose a different orange if it feels spongy.
- The orange should have a sweet, citrus smell. This means it is juicy!
- Check the season- navel oranges are best in the winter through early spring.
How To Make Baked Oranges
Here is a quick tutorial on how to make baked oranges. The full recipe instructions are listed at the bottom of the page in the recipe card!
Prepare: Preheat your oven to the broil setting. Prepare a pan by spraying non stick pan release to the bottom. You can also line it with parchment paper or foil for really easy clean up.
Any size pan will work- baking sheet, 8x8 inch cake, casserole dish, etc. Just make sure the oranges are sitting flat on the pan and not stacked on top of each other.
Cut the Oranges
Wash your oranges and cut them in half horizontally (cut through the middle of the orange so that the stem is on one half and the bottom is on the other half).
Use a knife to cut around the outer edge of the orange. You will not be removing any of the fruit from the skin; simply loosening it so it's easier to eat. Point the knife straight down and slice back and forth in the direction the blade is facing.
Next, cut the orange along the membranes. I’ve drawn lines on the picture to demonstrate where you will be cutting.
Top With Honey and Bake
Prepare the honey mixture. Warm your honey in the microwave for about 5 to 10 seconds- it should be runny, but not bubbly or boiling. Add the pumpkin pie spice and mix well.
Use a pastry brush to add the honey mixture on top of the oranges and in between the cut sections. Work quickly while the honey is still hot-this makes it spread easier.
Place the oranges on your prepared baking sheet (cut side facing up) and broil for 3-5 minutes. Check the oranges at 3 minutes- the orange should be soft, but should not be turning brown (note: when broiling food, it’s very easy for it to go from hot to browned in no time, so watch closely).
Remove from the oven and serve warm!
Leftovers
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best quality, do not freeze.
Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds prior to serving. These taste best when served warm.
Serving Suggestions
The baked oranges taste best when served warm. I love to serve them straight out of the oven. You could also reheat them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds.
Add a garnish:
- Cocoa powder
- Extra cinnamon
- Whipped cream
- Extra honey
Nutrition Information
As a dietitian, I love making recipes that are healthy yet still taste good. One of the things I love most about this recipe is that it’s a low calorie/low sugar snack or dessert. This is a great way to fix your sweet tooth without going too crazy. Next time you are craving pie or a fruity candy, try these baked oranges first!
Oranges are a naturally sweet fruit, so they don’t require much additional sweetener. The honey that is used is a very small amount. It adds a small amount of calories and carbohydrate, however these oranges are still a healthy and low calorie snack!
A serving is considered a half of an orange. This contains 76 calories and 20 grams of carb. This is a healthy dessert option because it is lower in calories, fat and carbs than most desserts!
More Healthy Dessert Recipes
The Best Oven Baked Oranges
Ingredients
- 2 large oranges
- 2 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to broil.
- Cut the oranges in half horizontally (cut so the stem top is on one half, and the bottom is on the other half).
- Use a sharp knife to cut in a circle around the outer edge of the orange. (Do not remove any part of the fruit- you are simply loosening the orange so it's easier to eat!)
- Next, cut along the flesh membrane of the orange to make segments (again, you will not be removing any pieces of the orange. See the above instructions for images of where to cut).
- In a small bowl, combine the honey and pumpkin pie spice. Microwave for about 10 seconds, until warm and thin (be careful not to overheat!)
- Mix the honey and pumpkin pie spice until combined.
- Use a pastry brush to spread the honey on top of the oranges and in the between all sections of the oranges.
- Place the oranges on a sheet pan with the cut side facing up.
- Cook in the oven on "broil" for 3-5 minutes (it took about 4 minutes in my oven, however check starting at 3 minutes to prevent burning.)
- Serve warm!
Maggie says
Awesome idea for oranges. Healthy desserts are the best.
Thank you!