Breakfast Apple Crisp

Not ready to give up on holiday food yet? What better way to keep the holidays going than with a simple and healthy Breakfast Apple Crisp. This wholesome version of classic apple crisp is healthy enough for breakfast, especially when paired with some protein-packed vanilla yogurt. 

The morning after the holidays in our house, we have a tradition. Everyone grabs a warm cup of coffee and we all grab our favorite dessert for breakfast. Some people reach for pie, others go for pastries, but I am always reaching for the apple crisp. 

That got me thinking, with so many nutritious ingredients, there had to be an easy way to transform this dish into something that you can feel good about eating for breakfast. Cut back on the butter and sugar, and you actually have a good-for-you dish that reminds me a lot of Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal.

The only thing this breakfast is missing is some protein. Make sure to serve it with some yogurt, a spoonful of melted peanut butter, or simply with a smoothie or glass of protein-rich dairy, nut, or soy milk on the side. 

Ingredients and Swaps

Here is everything you need to make this tasty breakfast apple crisp.

• Apples: Firm and crisp apples work best for crisp since they retain their texture and shape. Look for Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Pink Lady, or Fuji Apples. This recipe is also delicious with pears, although they will break down more. 
• Rolled oats: Oats are a crucial part of crisp and create that delicious, crunchy topping. Make sure to use old-fashioned, rolled oats. This recipe doesn't work with instant oats, quick-cooking oats, or steel-cut oats.
• Almonds: To add some crunch and healthy fats to the crisp, almonds work great. Swap in walnuts, pecans, or any other nuts or seeds you like. Leave them out if you prefer or double the amount if you like lots of crunch.
• Whole wheat flour: Any flour you like can be used in this apple crisp including all-purpose, white whole wheat, or a gluten-free baking blend.
• Butter: In my opinion, butter is an absolute must in apple crisp. It gives the crisp its golden brown texture and crunch. It also melts into the apples and makes them indulgent and luscious. Do not skip the butter. If you need a vegan swap, use coconut oil or vegan butter. 
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar is another classic ingredient in apple crisp that helps build flavor and texture. Maple syrup or honey will also work but the flavor will be slightly different since it doesn't have the molasses taste of brown sugar.  The best less-processed substitute would be coconut sugar. 
• Cinnamon: Apples and cinnamon are a classic match and the cinnamon warms up the flavor of the apples. Add nutmeg or ginger as well if you like.