Apple Breakfast Crisp

Breakfast at a Glance

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Planning Ahead: It takes about 1 hour start to finish (mainly hands off) so I like to make it all ahead of time to simply reheat in the morning
• Morning Effort: If you make it ahead, you simply need to reheat (less than 1 minute in the microwave) and top with yogurt
• Protein: 13g per serving (I like to serve it with Greek yogurt to up the protein)
• Fiber: 11g per serving

Nessy's Note

At my core, I'm a savory breakfast girl (I mean, it's hard to beat a breakfast burrito!) but from time to time, I find myself craving something that tastes like dessert for my morning meal.

And even though I do live chocolate (brownie baked oatmeal anyone?), I've always been more of a fruity dessert person. And fruit crisp is my all time favorite dessert so it only made sense that I had to turn it into breakfast.

At its core, a fruit crisp isn't all that different from a yogurt and granola parfait with apples. But serving it warm with soft baked apples and a crisp, nutty topping just makes it feel so much more worth getting out of bed for!

• Apples- Since we don't add any sweetener to the base, I recommend using a sweeter variety of apple (I used gala apples). If using a more tart apple, you may want to add 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup (like I use in apple pie overnight oats).
  • Substitution: You could play around with using pears or a combo of apples and pears.
• Chia Seeds- These absorb the added water along with the juices from the apples as they cook and help the filling to thicken up as well as add fiber to the breakfast.
  • Substitution: You can use ground flax but I like using chia here better. You can also leave them out.
• Rolled Oats- I use large flake rolled oats as I prefer the texture (and use them in peanut butter cup oatmeal too) but quick oats can be used.
• Ground Flaxseed- This helps to thicken the topping and adds additional fiber and plant points.
  • Substitution: Oat flour or almond flour could be used instead.
• Hemp Seeds- I add these for a little protein boost as well as additional variety.
  • Substitution: You can leave them out if preferred.
• Cinnamon- Adds such cozy flavor and I firmly believe it is an essential ingredient in a crisp recipe. We'll use it in both the base and the topping.
• Almond Butter- This is the main binder for the crumble topping.
  • Substitution: Any nut or seed butter will work.
• Maple Syrup- This sweetens the crumble topping and works along with the nut butter to help with binding.
  • Substitution: Honey or another liquid sweetener of choice would work.
• Egg White- I took a note from all of my homemade granola recipes where I use this to help it bind and make it crunchy.
  • Substitution: You can leave this out but the crumble topping may be a bit crumblier.
• Salt- Just a pinch to balance out the flavors.

My Notes for the Best Breakfast Apple Crisp

• Use sweet apples. Since we don't add any sweetener to the fruit base, it is best to choose apples that taste good all on their own (which is what I also recommend in an apple yogurt bowl).
• Include egg white in the topping. Adding egg white to the topping helps it to bind for a crispier crumble texture.
• Make it ahead. This can be baked ahead of time and stored in the fridge or even frozen. Simply reheat portions in the microwave when you are ready to eat.
• Add some protein. On its own, this recipe is on the lower end for protein but it is excellent served with some Greek yogurt.

More Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes...

• Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal
• Breakfast Berry Crisp