High-Protein Apple Oatmeal Bake (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

November 23, 2012



I’m currently going through a wintertime crisis. It happens every year. It has nothing to do with the cold temperatures or the darker days.
The issue is with my breakfast. When summer is over, my morning smoothies all of a sudden become much less appealing.
It’s freezing outside, and my body needs something warm in the morning. A cold ice smoothie just won’t make it.
I do like a bowl of oatmeal with apples and cinnamon. I get lazy though, and never feel like peeling and cutting apples. On top of that, I don’t like instant oatmeal, it tastes gross.
It seems like I’ve reached an impasse.
There’s an easy way out though. It’s called baked oatmeal.
You make a good amount of it one night, and it lasts for a whole week.
Winter breakfast issue solved!




At the bottom of the pan we’re using a good amount of apples, lots of spices, some raw honey, and protein powder.
We’re going to top that with some oats, other spices, raw honey, coconut oil, and - of course - protein powder.




Did I mentioned that this baked oatmeal is vegan? Provided, of course, that you’re using vegan protein powder.
Did I also mentioned that this baked oatmeal is gluten-free? Provided that the oats you’re using are 100% gluten-free (i.e., not contaminated).
My mornings are much better since I’ve perfected this recipe.
A minute in microwave, and I have some steaming hot baked oatmeal filled with protein, fibers and good carbs.




Protein
Baked Apple Oatmeal (Vegan and Gluten-Free)   Print this Recipe!
Adapted from Joy the Baker

Ingredients
Serves 8


Fruit part

5 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced (Pink Lady or Fuji work best)
1 tablespoon vegan protein powder (vanilla or unflavored)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
pinch ground ginger
pinch ground cloves (optional)
2 tablespoons agave syrup or maple syrup
1

Oatmeal part

2 cups / 7.2 oz / 200 gr oats
1 large scoop (approx ¼ cup) vegan protein powder (vanilla or unflavored)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons coconut oil2
3 tablespoons
agave syrup or maple syrup1
1 tablespoon water

1
If you're not vegan you can use organic raw honey instead.
2 Coconut oil can be sub with butter, you’ll lose the vegan label though.


Directions

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a medium bowl, put apple slices, protein powder, spices, and honey. Toss with a spoon until protein powder has disappeared into the mixture, and the apple slices are well coated.
Pour into an 8-inch round pan (or 8x8-inch square pan) lightly greased. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, protein powder, spices, and salt.
In a small bowl, whisk together coconut oil, honey, and water.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry, all at once.  
Toss together, ensuring that all of the dry ingredients are well moistened. Spoon oat mixture on top of the prepared fruit mixture. Press gently with spoon to spread it evenly.
Place in the oven to bake until the apples have softened, 40 to 45 minutes.
Serve warm with a scoop of Greek yogurt or dusted with powdered sugar.

Nutrition facts

One serving of this baked oatmeal has the following nutrition facts: 287 calories, 47 grams of carbs, 5.1 grams of fat and 12.5 grams of protein.

The Iron You

15 comments:

  1. Looks divine, great pictures too
    Loving what you're doing here!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Already had breakfast, but I'm definitely gonna make this for tomorrow.
    Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow delicious! Can you make it without the protein powders? Looks do good x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Tam,
      You most certainly can make it without the protein powder. Just sub it with some cornstarch in the apples, and with whole wheat flour in the oats!

      Delete
  4. I hate the whole gluten free thing, but this looks good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. It's very good indeed, especially if served hot with a good dollop of yogurt!

      Delete
  5. This looks very good. I am Type 1 diabetic and celiac and this would fit the bill! Not too high carb and gluten free. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jocelyn. I guess you can ease up a bit on the honey if that suits better your eating standard. An option would be to replace part of it with some sweetener (I'm thinking stevia extract).

      Delete
  6. I noticed that you mentioned that butter could be substituted for the coconut oil, although it would the recipe would no longer be vegan. The recipe as written is already not vegan, however, due to the inclusion of honey.

    This recipe does look delicious and convenient! I think I may try it without the protein powder, and with agave nectar rather than the suggested honey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Greyout for bringing up the "honey issue" up. Prior to publishing the recipe I've researched extensively the topic, asked many vegan friends, and concluded - as the honey-not-vegan-issue is not cut and dried as it seems within the vegan community - that I could get away with honey. My bad. I will add a note specifying this.
      As to the protein powder, I personally use a raw and vegan brand that is just awesome. If you're not eager to use it, sub it with cornstarch in the apples, and with whole wheat flour in the oats!

      Delete
  7. This recipe sounds delicious - and your photograph is just stunning: like the still life of an old Dutch Master

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. BTW, there is no debate as to whether honey is vegan - it decidedly isn't. And I can assure you that this is in fact the case because the person who coined the term "vegan" specifically defined it as not including honey. So, if you'd like you can coin a new term that includes honey, but you're misusing the term vegan if you're including honey in that diet.

    Reference: http://www.vegetus.org/honey/honey.htm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Got it. I've already amended the ingredients' list to reflect the change.

      Delete