This past weekend I made a classic all-the-sugar, all-the-butter apple crisp for a friend’s BBQ, but I also made myself this macro-friendly version with added protein. I wouldn’t lie to you, this healthy version is just as delicious as the naughty version – only it’s less than 250 calories for the whole thing! You know what that means… no self control needed! The first bite was bliss: warm sweet-tart apples, rich flavors of brown sugar and butter, crunchy oatmeal streusel with melted vanilla ice cream… wait, are we talking about the healthy version here??? Yep, you bet we are! This is one of those recipes I’ll be making again and again.

To up the protein content, I swapped the flour in the original recipe for The Protein Chef Baking Protein by Labrada Nutrition. This whey concentrate is easy to use in recipes because it’s unflavored and unsweetened; however, you can also try cinnamon, vanilla or unflavored protein powder (either whey or plant-based). If using a flavored protein powder, you may need to reduce the amount of sweetener by one tablespoon. The sweeteners I used are always stocked in my pantry: Pyure Organic Stevia Blend and Truvia Brown Sugar Blend. Feel free to substitute double the amount of baking stevia or granulated sugar for the organic stevia blend, and/or twice the amount regular brown sugar or coconut sugar for the brown sugar blend. I also used Smart Balance Light Omega 3 Buttery Spread for that “crisp” factor, but you can totally use regular unsalted butter or ghee instead.

This recipe is so easy! Just peel and core half a medium apple, slice thin, toss with lemon juice and stevia blend (or granulated sugar), and layer in the bottom of a 7″x5″ baking dish.

Next, combine protein powder, oats, brown sugar blend, stevia blend, and cinnamon in a small mixing bowl.

Cut cold buttery spread (or butter/ghee) into dry mixture using a fork, then spread over sliced apples.

Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F until golden brown and crisp on top.

Serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (I used So Delicious Cashew Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in Very Vanilla)! Yumm.

Here’s the printable version of the recipe. Hope you enjoy! I’d love your comment below if you try this 😉

Print Pin Protein Apple Crisp (For One) Makes 1 serving Ingredients 1/2 medium Granny Smith apple sliced thin

1 tsp. Pyure organic stevia blend or 2 tbsp. baking stevia or granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. lemon juice optional

Dash cinnamon

15 g The Protein Chef Baking Protein or unflavored/vanilla whey/vegan protein powder

2 tbsp. rolled oats

1 tbsp. Pyure organic stevia blend or 2 tbsp. baking stevia or granulated sugar

1 tbsp. Truvia brown sugar blend or 2 tbsp. coconut sugar or regular brown sugar

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. Smart Balance light buttery spread or unsalted butter, ghee Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Peel and core half a medium apple, cutting into thin slices.

Toss apple slices with lemon juice, stevia blend (or baking stevia/granulated sugar), and cinnamon.

Layer sliced in the bottom of a 7"x5" baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray.

Combine protein powder, oats, brown sugar blend (or coconut sugar/brown sugar), stevia blend (or baking stevia/granulated sugar), and cinnamon in a small mixing bowl.

Cut cold buttery spread (or butter/ghee) into dry mixture using a fork, then spread over sliced apples.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crisp on top.

Serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (optional, but recommended). Enjoy! Notes Calories (entire dish, not including ice cream): 235kcal, Fat: 7.1g, Sat fat: 2.9g, Carbs: 38g, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 15g, Protein: 12g, Sodium: 145mg

© 2016 No Excuses Nutrition. If you wish to publish this exact recipe digitally (website, blog, ebook) or in tangible format (cookbook, pamphlet, magazine), you must first request permission by emailing noexcusesnutritionllc@gmail.com. If publishing an adapted version with one or more ingredients changed, it is sufficient to mention "inspired by No Excuses Nutrition." Social media sharing is encouraged, so long as recipe credit is clearly given to No Excuses Nutrition.