Wait, This is Healthy?! Baked Apples with Streusel Recipe

Baked apples with streusel topping
Photo: Nathan Davison

Let’s face it: Some days, there is no time to bake pie. (Blasphemy, I know, especially when you have a classic recipe on hand like this one, or these oven-baked apple empanadas. Eegads!)

But, even on a harried Tuesday, when you’re frantically tossing your bag on the couch as your mind races through the work you have yet to do before you can crash (or enjoy the next episode of Scandal), you can whip up this warm streusel-flecked treat that’s just as satisfying as the real thing. And it has far fewer calories.

This take is inspired by Erin Motz’s apple crumble, featured in her 30-Day Real Food Challenge (which I highly recommend if you’re looking for fast, easy meals that will keep the Freshman 15 far from your midsection). I didn’t have some of the ingredients her dish called for, so I made my own variation.

You can enjoy this on its own as dessert, or eat half with a dollop of Greek yogurt as a filling breakfast that, well, tastes like dessert.

Baked Apples with Streusel
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2-4
 
Serve one half with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a filing breakfast that — gasp! — tastes like dessert.
Ingredients
  • 2 apples, cored and cut in half
  • ¼ cup rolled oats
  • 1½ tablespoons flour
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (1/4 stick)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If you're not a fan of apple skin, peel the apples before coring and halving.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the flour, sugars and butter with your fingers until small crumbles form (like pearls of streusel-y goodness). You can add a little more butter if the mixture seems too dry (it should be clumpy, not sandy, in texture).
  3. Place the apple halves cored-side up in a baking dish and top with streusel. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.