Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Irresistible Vegan and Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Breakfast




I'm welcoming fall (it's almost here) with an easy to make and tasty apple crisp breakfast idea that is healthy enough to eat for breakfast but delicious enough to adapt for dessert.

It's so fast and easy, I made this delicious oatmeal dish for my breakfast all last week on vacation. It's become my absolutely favorite way to enjoy eating healthy oatmeal.

Oatmeal contains essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, quality protein, and soluble fiber. 
"At least 50 studies show that beta-glucans in oats are effective at reducing both total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, with beta-glucan being identified as the major active cholesterol-reducing component of oats." (source)
I'll start by sharing this simple basic breakfast recipe version and then give you some additional ideas to convert this recipe into a sweeter dessert. 


Apple Fruit photo and picture

In the basic breakfast version I used diced apple, shredded carrot, cinnamon, and vanilla for the filling. My crust is made with mashed banana, oatmeal, and cinnamon with an option for some chopped walnuts. 

A Bowl of Grated Carrots

Simple, easy, healthy, and nutritious!!

Diced apple in a pie plate dusted with corn starch
This photo is dusted with a little corn starch that I used making it into a dessert

The aroma of the cinnamon and vanilla baking even for minutes fills the room with a cozy fall feeling.

Shredded carrots, apple, and cinnamon mixed together 


small bowl of mashed banana


Mashed banana with a teaspoon of shredded carrot to be mixed with the oatmeal. 

oatmeal in a bowl.
1/2 cup oatmeal, cinnamon, mashed banana mixed and patted over the apple and carrot mixture

It's not a particularly pretty looking dish, but the taste makes up for the looks!! 

What Kind of Apples?
When it comes to choosing the best apples for baking, go for varieties that balance sweetness and tartness while holding their shape during baking. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Braeburn apples are all excellent choices. Honeycrisp apples bring a delightful sweetness and crunch, Granny Smith apples add a tart bite, and Braeburn apples offer a perfect blend of both.

Apples, Basket, Basket Of Apples

Since the apples in this breakfast idea don't bake for very long, I used fuji apples because it is what I had on hand. I think any apple variety would work in this dish.


Ingredients For Filling: 
1/2 cup of organic apple, cored and diced (leave skin on)
1/2 cup of shredded organic carrot
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
optional: 1 tablespoon of raisins and or 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts

Ingredients For Topping: 
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup of uncooked gluten-free oatmeal
1 teaspoon of shredded carrot
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 
optional: 1 tablespoons of chopped walnuts

Directions: 
Mix all of the ingredients for the filling in a large cereal bowl or small pie plate. Microwave for 1 minute to soften the fruit and set aside. Follow directions for the topping and pat on top of fruit. Microwave again for 1 and 1/2 minutes. Eat immediately.
(If you do not microwave- bake in oven or toaster oven)

Directions to make Topping: 
Mash banana in a small bowl with a fork. Add uncooked oatmeal, and a little shredded carrot, and optional chopped nuts. Mix together well with a fork. 


I have been using Quaker Oatmeal - I am stopping due to high pesticide exposure-
read #7 in my notes near the end of this post. 
pie plate with apple crisp
In this pic, I spread it out in a small flatter pie plate

This recipe is 3 points on Weight Watchers- 

Elevate this idea into a dessert

or my peach and berry compote recipe (link) as the filling. In addition, the filling can be made with a variety of fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, pear or peaches or a mixture of fruits.
For additional sweetness for a dessert, drizzle the fruit with maple syrup. Double the proportions to make a larger amount. Add chopped walnuts and or raisins to the filling.  Sprinkle the fruit with cornstarch to thicken.

Fruit compote with peaches and berries

My Notes: 
1. I really LOVE this oatmeal topping with the mashed banana- but it needs to be cooked for a least a minute in the microwave to soften 
2. Try adding additional spices such as cardamom or pumpkin pie spice.
3. If you don't want to microwave it, you can bake it in the oven.
4. If you are following WW- this filling nutrient rich breakfast is only 3 points !!
5. * Caution- I've just recently started reading that oats and products that contain oats are testing with significant amounts of dangerous pesticides  To reduce this load, it may be better to look for organic oat products- (I'm now looking for an organic source of GF oatmeal- I have been using Quaker GF oatmeal)
"A plant pesticide not approved for crops grown in the U.S. has been discovered in more than 90% of oat-based foods, according to a recent findings by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The study, which was published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, revealed that the food products come from popular brands like Cheerios and Quaker Oats." (SOURCE)

If you are concerned, I suggest clicking on  (SOURCE) to read the full article on how and why this is happening. You may want to start using organic oat products.


I also like this oatmeal simple oatmeal cookie recipe too... Oatmeal Apple Cookies ( recipe link)

oatmeal breakfast cookies

homemade apple pie filling

This pie filling is an absolute favorite !! 
I make homemade healthy apple pie filling too.. (recipe link)

 Apple Slices Won't Turn Brown A great idea! (not lemon juice)
I've kept apple slices in the fridge for 4-8 hours without them turning brown.

apple slices won't turn brown www.realfoodblogger.com

30 comments:

  1. Absolutely delicious! Just reading the ingredients makes my mouth water.

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    Replies
    1. I love apples, vanilla, and cinnamon.. It does taste good.

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  2. i make an apple crisp, using honey crisp or granny smith. one or the other or a combination of both. my recipe is not healthy or GF. your ingredients sound yummy and nice for a breakfast meal!!

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    1. Yes, mine is not really a dessert but a weight watchers breakfast.

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  3. This looks good, many thanks for the recipe and additional information.

    All the best Jan
    https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/

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  4. Very seasonal and must be very tasty if you love oats.

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  5. What a quick and nutritious breakfast!
    Tandy | Lavender and Lime https://tandysinclair.com

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  6. Apples are such a treat this time of year! I like the idea of the carrot and apple in this recipe!

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    Replies
    1. Marie, our local apples are coming in and we will be apple picking soon

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  7. Great mix of apples and veggies - looks so yummy!

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  8. That's very interesting! I like that you didn't peel the apples. I think the skins are probably good for you. I'm guessing that you taste the banana in the finished dessert?

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    1. Jeff, I peeled the apples in my recipe for 'apple Pie filling" but not in the apple crips breakfast since they stay a little crisp.

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  9. Yum. I made apple crisp twice this week. I need to find juicier apples though. I used to buy a local orchard's first crop of apples in the summer but I don't live near there anymore. They were juicy for applesauce and pies; smaller green apples that I like to think Johnny Appleseed planted...lol andrea

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  10. Love apples and oats and can't wait to make your apple crisp recipe. It's a great way ro include more carrots in food.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I trying to eat more carrots. My doc said I'm low in vitamin A

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  11. Looks a bit like oatmeal, with apples. Oh, it's apple season, and there are so many wonderful things to make with them. That's really nice that you can some pie fillings. It will be easy when the time comes to make a yummy pie.

    ~Sheri

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  12. I always smile when i see Granny Smith apples in a recipe. Good old Aussie apples! That is terrible about the oats!
    cheers
    sherry

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  13. This looks so yummy! I love that you use carrots in the filling...how clever!

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  14. Nothing like cinnamon and apples being to usher in fall! from Miz Helen's #37, 38

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  15. What a great idea! I have oats and chia seeds for breakfast everyday, and this sounds like a perfect way to add more nutrients to make it more filling. I'm definitely trying this. Thank you for sharing!

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  16. Love the Vegan and GF here. Perfect
    Found your post on Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! My entries this week are numbered #60+61
    Hope you will join/share M-Sat at https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/

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  17. We've always been an apple crisp, cobbler and bake house. It's the best. I also enjoy tossing in fresh cranberries. Hope Aldi has a good bunch of them this year. My dehydrated cranberries are nearly gone.

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    Replies
    1. Hi - I just want to let you know that the recent change you made to your blog not allowing anonymous- also doesn't allow me to comment. I don't know why?? It has happened on other blogs too. If you ever change back. Let me know so I can comment again.

      Delete

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