APPLE CRISP BREAKFAST BOWL has all the best flavors of your favorite dessert — cinnamon-scented caramelized apples, maple syrup, crunchy granola or nuts. Getting out of bed is suddenly worthwhile.
Apple crisp is one of my all-time favorite desserts, and when there are leftovers from last night’s dinner, I don’t mind sneaking them for breakfast the next day. Did I just admit that out loud?
However, there’s a healthier option, and that is a hearty grains bowl topped with apply-crispy type topping. This isn’t your average bowl o’ cereal for breakfast, but a more wholesome, whole grain approach, with a sweet, caramelized apple topping to put the finishing touch on it.
Suddenly, that morning alarm isn’t quite so annoying when you are waking up to Apple Crisp Breakfast Bowl.
Let me show you how easy it is to make an Apple Crisp Breakfast Bowl
First you make a batch of your choice of grains. This could be oats, white or brown or even black rice, a multi-grain mixture, quinoa, etc. Think outside the box, and consider barley, millet, farro or amaranth! Use what you like. A batch is considered 1 cup of grains, cooked in the appropriate amount of water for that grain (it differs per grain; follow the package directions).
Then fire up your skillet with some butter in it (because everything is better with butter)! [One of my fave skillets is this Swiss Diamond 9.5-inch XD Nonstick fry pan. [1] It’s been called “the Rolls-Royce of nonstick fry pans” by the Wall Street Journal, and I agree. It cooks and cleans up like a dream, is oven-safe up to 500F degrees, and the XD nonstick coating is made with diamond crystals for durability, heat conduction and a long-lasting nonstick surface.]
Add the apples.
Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until browned.
Add maple syrup, cinnamon and a bit of water, and cook another minute until it gets sticky. Sticky is good.
Can you believe how delicious this looks? I might have eaten the whole batch of apples by myself without telling anyone.Save this recipe for the apples…you can use it for crepes, ice cream, or straight out of the pan. Mark my words.
Assemble your bowl — cooked grains first, topped by the apple mixture, and then a sprinkle of granola for crunch.
Are you ready for some deliciousness?
APPLE CRISP BREAKFAST BOWL: This has all the best flavors of your favorite dessert -- cinnamon-scented caramelized apples, maple syrup, crunchy granola or nuts. Getting out of bed is suddenly worthwhile.
Ingredients
- 1 batch cooked grains (oatmeal, rice, mixed grains, quinoa, etc.) *see note below about batch
- Milk (unsweetened nut, coconut, soy or regular milk), as needed
- Caramelized Apples
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter (or virgin coconut oil), plus more for grains
- 2-3 medium tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored and diced (I used Gala, and I have been using 3 apples lately)
- Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons water
- Topping
- Granola or coarsely chopped toasted walnuts, pecans or almonds
Directions
- Place cooked grains in a medium pot and add enough milk to loosen them. Bring to a simmer. Stir in a knob or two of butter. Keep warm over low heat.
- Make the apples: Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the apples and season with a small pinch of salt; toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are lightly browned and tender, 5-7 minutes. Add the cinnamon, maple syrup and water. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid has thickened, 30-60 seconds.
- Build the bowls: Spoon the warm grains into bowls. Top each with caramelized apples and sprinkle with granola. Serve with maple syrup and milk for drizzling.
- Serves 4.
Notes
Recipe source: Nicki Sizemore, "Build-A-Bowl: 77 Satisfying & Nutritious Combos," Story Publishing. Used with permission.
A batch of grains: A batch is considered 1 cup of grains, cooked in the appropriate amount of water for that grain (it differs per grain; follow the package directions). This could be oats, white or brown or even black rice, a multi-grain mixture, quinoa, etc. Think outside the box, and consider barley, millet, farro or amaranth! Use what you like.
Make ahead: You may make the apples ahead and refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Of course, make the grains ahead and refrigerate. That way you can build a grains bowl whenever you want!
Pin the image below for Apple Crisp Breakfast Bowl to your Pinterest board to save this recipe
Looking for more shockingly delicious apple recipes?
Quick Applesauce for One Person [4]
Apple and Arugula Pasta with Chicken [6]
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This post was originally published Sept. 28, 2018 and has been updated and republished today.