Talk about breakfast of champions! In a perfect world, we would all eat pie for breakfast… and it would be healthy for us. Well, this Apple Pie Oatmeal is about as close as we’re going to get. It starts with simple oatmeal that is kicked up to taste like pie crust, then topped with caramelized cinnamon apples.

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup rolled oats

1 cup non-dairy milk

1 cup water (approx.)

1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or macadamias)

1 tablespoon vanilla

Dash Stevia or other sweetener

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 Granny Smith apple

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Step One – The Oatmeal ‘Crust’

Combine all ingredients from the first list (oats through nutmeg) into a saucepan and begin cooking over medium heat. Adjust the amount of water until the oatmeal has the consistency you want. Stir occasionally. Adding ingredients like the nuts, vanilla, etc. gives the plain oatmeal a more complex taste that resembles a pie crust.

Step Two – The Apple ‘Filling’

Caramelize the apples. The secret here is to cut the apple into very thin slices. By thin, I don’t mean 8 slices per apple, I mean 20 or more. Take your time and make sure the apple is the only thing getting cut. 🙂

Once the apples are sliced, lay them in a single layer in a wide pan with the maple syrup, lemon juice, and a little water. Let cook over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes without flipping or disturbing them. Once they’re getting browned, sprinkle a little cinnamon and flip. Cook for another 5 minutes until both sides are beautifully browned and delicious.

TIP: Try not to eat all of the apples straight out of the pan or you won’t have any left for the oatmeal.

Split the oatmeal between two bowls and top each with the apple ‘filling’ and what do you have? Healthy pie for breakfast. Amazing.

For a little extra awesome…

Take a can of full-fat coconut milk and add 1-2 tablespoons to the oatmeal as it’s cooking. This will give it a richer, thicker taste. Then, whip some of the remaining coconut into a whipped cream and top your finished oatmeal pie with a dollop.