APPLE PIE BAKED PROTEIN OATMEAL (VEGAN)
This Apple Pie Baked Protein Oatmeal tastes so good, I kept returning to the fridge for another bite! If you’ve never had baked oatmeal before, it’s basically a moist, hearty oat cake. This healthy version tastes like straight-up apple pie (hence the name)! It’s also vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, low sugar, high in protein, and can be easily made gluten-free using certified gluten-free rolled oats. I just love it topped with sugar-free caramel sauce!
Did you know? The skin of an apple contains half its fiber and many of the healthy polyphenols. (source)
Protein substitutions
For some added protein, I used LIV Body Lean Vegan Protein in Snickerdoodle flavor. This brand is definitely one of the best-tasting vegan protein powders out there, and is free of artificial ingredients, which I love. Use my discount code “NOEXCUSES” for 20% off all LIV Body products (including their skin care and performance supplements)!
If you don’t have this particular brand, any type of plant-based protein should work in this recipe so long as you like the flavor. In this recipe, you can substitute casein, whey concentrate, or a whey blend (although this doesn’t work for most recipes). If using casein or whey, decrease the water to one and a half cups and check for doneness at 35 minutes.
Sweetener substitutions
To add delicious brown sugar flavor without the sugar, I used Truvia Sweet Complete Brown, but you could also use Swerve Brown, Sukrin Gold, Lakanto Golden, or half as much (1/4 cup) Splenda Brown Sugar Blend (not calorie-free).
You can also use half a cup of baking stevia, granulated erythritol, granulated monk fruit or coconut sugar (not sugar-free).
If subbing honey or maple syrup, just reduce the amount of water.
Other substitutions
This recipe works with either old-fashioned oats or quick oats. As mentioned before, you can use gluten-free oats to keep this gluten-free! To bind the oats together, you can use ground flaxseed, or two whole eggs or four egg whites if not vegan.
For the apples, I recommend Granny Smith apples due to their tart flavor and crisp texture, but you can use any type of apple really!
The cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom can be substituted for one tablespoon of apple pie spice, plus more to taste.
I loved this with pecans, but feel free to use almonds or walnuts, or skip the nuts altogether!
Optional additions
I topped this Apple Pie Baked Protein Oatmeal with chopped apple and pecans tossed with a little brown sugar alternative and vegan buttery spread (or unsalted butter). This resulted in a caramelized layer of tart apples and crunchy pecans… so delicious!
You can also drizzle the baked oatmeal with some sugar-free caramel syrup for the ultimate apple pie experience 😉
Here’s the printable recipes for this Apple Pie Baked Protein Oatmeal! I’d love for you to rate and/or comment below if you try it.
This post contains affiliate links and is sponsored by LIV Body.
Apple Pie Baked Protein Oatmeal (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 2 cups organic rolled oats* old-fashioned, quick, or gluten-free
- 1 1/2 cup Granny Smith apple* chopped
- 1 cup (120g) vegan protein powder* I used LIV Body Lean Vegan Protein in Snickerdoodle, code "NOEXCUSES" for 20% off
- 1/2 cup calorie-free brown sugar alternative* like Truvia Sweet Complete Brown
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. cinnamon*
- 1 tsp. nutmeg* optional
- 1/2 tsp. cardamom* optional
- 1/2 tsp. salt optional
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp. ground flaxseed* or 2 whole eggs (reduce water by 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract optional
Additional toppings (optional):
- 2/3 cup Granny Smith apple* chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans* or almonds, walnuts
- 1 tbsp. calorie-free brown sugar alternative* like Truvia Sweet Complete Brown
- 1 tbsp. vegan buttery spread* or unsalted butter
- 6 tbsp. sugar-free caramel sauce
*See blog post above for substitutions.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly coat a 9" round or 11"x7" baking dish with cooking spray or grease with buttery spread.
- Whisk together dry ingredients (through salt) in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add wet ingredients (through vanilla) and mix to combine. Consistency should be thick like pudding if using vegan protein, and thinner like pancake batter if using whey or casein.
- Spread oatmeal mixture over the bottom of your baking dish.
- If desired, toss 2/3 cup chopped apple and 1/3 cup pecans with melted buttery spread and brown sugar alternative, then spread over top oatmeal mixture.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes until edges are browned and a toothpick or knife inserted comes out clean.
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container up to one week.
Notes
Also in Blog
CHOCOLATE PEANUT PROTEIN CANDY BARS (VEGAN)
PUMPKIN CHIP PROTEIN BREAD (GLUTEN FREE, DAIRY FREE)
This Pumpkin Chip Protein Bread has a rich, tender texture full of pumpkin spice and chocolate chips (no dry protein bread here). The kids and I can't get enough! Best of all, it's gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and easily made egg-free and vegan.
