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

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 syrup1

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