Description
Enjoy a hearty High-Protein Apple Crumble! My family’s favorite, this recipe adds a wholesome twist to a classic dessert, perfect for any time.
Ingredients
Scale
- Fruity Filling:
- 6 medium apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- Protein-Packed Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup rolled oats (not instant!)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup vanilla or unflavored whey protein powder
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Optional Extras & Serving:
- A handful of chopped walnuts or pecans (for crunch)
- A drizzle of maple syrup or honey (for serving)
- A scoop of Greek yogurt or a dollop of whipped cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Prep the Apples:: First things first, get those apples ready! Peel ’em, core ’em, and slice ’em up. I like my slices about 1/4-inch thick, so they soften nicely but still have a bit of bite. Throw them into a big bowl. This is where I usually try to multitask and almost forget the lemon juice – don’t be like me! Drizzle that fresh lemon juice over the slices, then sprinkle in your cinnamon, nutmeg, and the 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Give it all a good toss until the apples are glistening and evenly coated. The smell of cinnamon and fresh apples already starts to fill the air, a hint of the delicious High-Protein Apple Crumble to come.
- Mix the Filling:: Once your apples are coated, transfer them into an 8×8 inch baking dish. Try to spread them out evenly. Sometimes I get a little overzealous and pile them too high, but a single layer is better for even cooking. This step is pretty straightforward, but I’ve learned that making sure the apples are really well-distributed helps everything bake up beautifully. If they’re too crowded, they steam instead of caramelize, and we want that lovely, slightly sticky, sweet apple goodness for our High-Protein Apple Crumble base. Don’t stress too much about perfection; it’s a crumble, after all!
- Prepare the Protein Crumble Topping:: Now for the fun part: the High-Protein Apple Crumble topping! In a separate medium bowl, whisk together your rolled oats, flour, protein powder, the remaining 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and that tiny pinch of salt. See, it’s not so scary, right? Now, add your cold, cubed butter. This is where you get your hands dirty! Use your fingertips, a pastry blender, or even a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs, like wet sand with some pea-sized pieces. Don’t overmix; we want that crumbly texture! Finally, stir in the vanilla extract. The aroma of vanilla and brown sugar is just intoxicating!
- Assemble Your High-Protein Apple Crumble:: Carefully sprinkle that glorious protein-packed crumble topping evenly over the apples in your baking dish. I always try to get a nice, even layer, making sure no apple is left uncovered. Sometimes I get a little messy, and crumbs end up on the counter, but that’s just part of the kitchen chaos, right? Resist the urge to press the topping down too firmly; we want it light and airy for maximum crunch. This is the moment where I start visualizing that golden-brown crust, thinking about how good this High-Protein Apple Crumble is going to taste.
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Pop your beautiful creation into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Let it bake for about 35-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping is a gorgeous golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. Honestly, the smell that fills your kitchen during this stage is pure heaven. My kitchen always smells like a warm hug, and it’s the best part of making this High-Protein Apple Crumble. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil, but I rarely have to do that.
- Cool and Serve:: Once it’s out of the oven, let your High-Protein Apple Crumble cool for at least 10-15 minutes before digging in. The filling will be super hot and needs a little time to set. I know, I know, waiting is the hardest part! But trust me, it’s worth it. The apples will be tender, the topping perfectly crunchy, and the whole thing will be warm and inviting. Serve it up with a scoop of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, or even a tiny dollop of whipped cream. Pure bliss, every single time.