This past weekend, in the midst of browned butter muffins, goat cheese biscuits and that little eating fest called the Super Bowl, I decided I should bake something healthy for a change. I know. You just took a double take, didn’t you?
The thing is, I generally eat really healthy and exercise like a maniac to balance out everything that you see here. But sometimes, no matter how many salads I eat or how often I go to the gym, the cookies/cakes/cheesecakes/truffles…. they absorb me. They take over my brain and haunt me around my waistline. They call my name from the oven, the freezer, halfway to the trash. It is a crazy hold they have over me that I can’t quite explain. And on days or weeks like that, I try to trick myself. I put something in the oven that tastes good enough to be dessert but is wholesome enough for breakfast and for just a short moment, I am eating a treat that isn’t going to force me into a sugar high and crash spiral.
This dish falls into that category. I had in my mind that I was going to make apple cinnamon breakfast cookies and ended up with something completely different but delicious nonetheless. Heavy on fruit and whole grains but low on sugar, this crumble is a great way to start the day. Top a serving with a dollop of Greek yogurt for some extra protein. Feel like having some for dessert? Scoop some frozen yogurt right on top of a warm bowl.
Not to worry, I’ll be absorbed back into butter heaven momentarily.
Apple and Peanut Butter Oatmeal Crumble
Serves 8
Ingredients:
2 cups chopped Granny Smith apples (5 small apples or 2-3 large)
2 tablespoons Splenda or sweetener of choice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Spray a 9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside
In a medium bowl, combine apples, cinnamon and sweetener; set aside
In a large bowl, whisk together oatmeal, flour, baking soda and salt
Stir in peanut butter; it will be lumpy but that is okay
Stir in egg whites and vanilla
Stir in apples; there will be a high proportion of apples to batter
Spread mixture into prepared baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes or until top is firm and apples are tender
Serve warm for breakfast with Greek yogurt or dessert topped with frozen yogurt
Keep leftovers refrigerated for several days and re-heat before serving
How do you trick yourself out of eating a full batch of brownies?
I know the whole desserts-rule-my-life thing all too well. This sounds like the perfect compromise :)
I love an apple crumble and the peanut butter sounds completely amazing!
I love apple desserts…and one that’s on the healthier side is indeed welcome. I’m just like you…I try to eat healthy and exercise like heck, but sometimes I just have a few too many spoonfuls of cookie dough. It’s hard to have willpower 24/7.
Mmm apple peanut butter & oatmeal, I could totally get into this! I love apples & peanut butter, used to core out an apple and stuff it with creamy pb. This sounds amazing & something I should start doing myself, making healthy sweets! Great recipe!
Oh that sounds like such a good snack!
Oh that sounds like such a good snack! Thanks, Lacy.
This looks so yummy. I just recently made something healthy to balance out my butter consumption, too.
Oh wow, some of the best ingredients involved! What a tempting recipe, thanks for sharing!
I think last weekend was the weekend for crumbles! I love that you included peanut butter in this!
I love this combination and could eat it every day.
I usually have to freeze some of a batch of brownies otherwise I’ll keep wanting to go back for more…although they taste pretty awesome just out the freezer too! This oatmeal looks lovely and I smiled when I saw you’d managed to get some peanut butter in there. Without either peanut butter or chocolate I might worry about whether you’re feeling ok :-)
Hahaha!
I too tend to eat pretty healthy and work out almost every day a week (from spin to yoga, etc). But it is always hard to avoid all those delicious treats! Great job making a healthy but sweet breakfast.
Oh my. This looks all kinds of wonderful. Plus I love the apple/pb combo!
Yum! This looks fantastic. I always like to have a little dessert. It doesn’t have to be the most decadent dish on the planet, but knowing that I get a little something for dessert at the end of the night gets me through. It’s not easy though! Love having lots of yummy options on hand…like this!
A terrific recipe. It would be tough for me not to add a huge scoop of ice cream on a nice hot bowl of the crumble. Mmmm….the thought of it :)
I am a huge fan of apple crumble…actually, I could eat the crumb part alone, LOVE that stuff!
This would be great for breakfast! I love the peanut butter and apple combination! :)
what an awesome idea adding the peanut butter! so yummy!
This looks wonderful, and I love that it isn’t horrible for you! Desserts are the bane of my existence!
LOVE this healthy breakfast/dessert! With all the baking I do, I love these types of recipes :)
Haha. To be honest, although I am a big believer in indulging in treats and I never had very much willpower when it came to things like cookies and brownies, since I can’t eat dairy products, most of my baking these is on the healthier side. And I really don’t miss the buttery sweets anymore…but I do love looking at the things you make!
~Emily~
this is great idea, I love when people using their imagination to make some healthy dish for themselves and willing to share their fabulous healthy recipe (like yours!), are those granny smith apple?
They are! Thanks, Ty:-)
You put peanut butter in it, yippeee!! And I know all to well about straddling the “I’m going to eat healthy/the heck with it I’m going for the butter line”. Congrats on Top 9 girlie!
This looks absolutely delicious! I adore peanut butter and grannie smith apples together. Congrats on Top 9!
that looks like a way better breakfast than I had this morning! (instant oatmeal….?) Your crumble looks delicious! I love the apple and peanut butter, yum!
Looks fantastic! It’s always great to see new and creative ideas for breakfast (and dessert, or course!).
Wow I have never heard of peanut butter in a crumble but I am loving the idea!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
Apple and peanut butter really go together for me and then add in some oats and you’ve got a lovely healthy, nutritious treat and hey, no guilt. Congrats on Top 9.
Congrats for being top 9!!! I love oats and this is definitely my version of a healthy treat ~
This sounds like such a delicious recipe – fantastic combos perfect for breakfast :D
Another fabulous post!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Fudgy No Bake Fridge Biscuits
This looks totally yummy. I want a whole bowl full. Congrats on the Top 9!
this looks like it would be perfect for breakfast or dessert! I love it when that happens!
This is my kind of way to ease into the healthy side of things. I love dishes that can go both as a breakfast and a dessert. It is always a great way to start the day.
This is anything BUT a compromise! Peanut butter. Apple. Heaven.
I would definitely feel LESS guilty about eating that brownie pan after this. :P
Looks absolutely delicious!
I love a good crumble – They’re so simple, flavorful and wholesome. Yours looks wonderful, Lauren! Reminiscent of fall and I bet totally delicious!
Apples, oats, and peanut butter….ahh! The trifecta of YUM!
You totally had me at ‘and peanut butter’. My not normally fruit loving self is even all about this one!
What can I use in place of the peanut butter? I am highly allergic to all nuts and soy. I would really like to make this. Thanks!
Hi Shelly – You might be able to make the recipe with sunflower seed butter (if you aren’t allergic to that). I haven’t tried it but imagine that the swap would work. If you do, please let me know how it turns out!
Hello! Thanks for the recommendation. I will try that.
Shelly