‘Tis the season… no, not the C word, I’m talking about apples. Because now’s the time for those of us lucky enough to have apple trees to start collecting a delicious harvest. But even if you don’t have an apple tree, you’re spoilt for choice with the abundance of goodness in the shops as well. And if an apple a day keeps the doctor away, what better way to start your day than with one of these 7 healthy apple recipes for breakfast? Fun fact: apples are rich in dietary fibre and pectin, so if you do have digestive issues, then eating apples first thing in the morning is actually a really good idea.
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7 healthy apple recipes for breakfast
As those of you who follow my monthly gardening blogs (thank you!) will know, our main apple tree is a very early ripening Discovery. Her fruits are sweet and ever so slightly fizzy, you can eat them from the tree, no need to cook them. But we can cook them too and I’ve made countless muffins, crumbles, and, of course, heaps of apple sauce in the past. So here we are, one yummy and healthy apple breakfast recipe for each day of the week. As you’ll see, a lot of the recipes call for added cinnamon, which is not only delicious but also one of Nature’s top antioxidants and immunity boosting spices, win win 🙂
Apple sauce
Quite honestly, nothing could be easier. Simple peel and dice around ten eating apples, add a few splashes of water, three tablespoons of lemon juice (to stop things going brown), and some ground cinnamon and a few cloves to your taste. Then cook over a low heat until the apples have softened. And that’s it. (I mean, you can whizz it up in a blender if you wish but we prefer ours slightly chunky). Spoon into sterilised jars and use as topping for your breakfast yoghurt. You can use cooking apples instead if you prefer, in which case you’ll need to add around half a cup of sugar at the cooking stage.
Apple juice
OK, I’m guessing not everyone will have an apple scratter and apple press like we do (oh yes, Alan’s a lucky, lucky man). So if you don’t, then a standard Juice Extractor like this one from Amazon* will do the job perfectly well. And the bonus is that you can use it for all kinds of other fresh and healthy fruit and vegetable juicing too. But this post is about apples, and there is nothing like the delicious taste of freshly squeezed apple juice.
Overnight apple cinnamon oats
Another super easy and super speedy healthy treat, with the bonus that it’s an apple breakfast recipe you can make ahead. If you use almond milk and gluten-free oats, this becomes a gluten free and vegan recipe too, even better. Simply take 1-1/2 cups rolled oats, 2 cups milk, a diced apple, and 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. You can add some chopped nuts or chia seeds for extra protein if you wish. Then pop all the ingredients into a lidded jar (like this one which even comes with its own spoon!)* shake, and refrigerate overnight. Voilà, ready to devour in the morning, with a drizzle of maple syrup if you so desire.
Apple muffins
Muffins are one of the easiest sweet treats to make and this recipe for healthy apple muffins from Cookie and Kate is just gorgeous. Remember the delicious apple sauce recipe at the beginning of this post? These muffins use apple sauce and fresh apples, as well as the health-boosting spices of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. Top tip: get yourself a non-stick silicon muffin tray*, I promise you, you’ll never look back!
Apple oatmeal pancakes
And here’s another use for your versatile apple sauce, with some yummy apple oatmeal pancakes. These are so simple to make, you just whizz everything up in a blender and then fry little dollops of the batter for mini-pancakes. Check out this recipe from Ambitious Kitchen, it’s such an easy one to follow. And not only are these mini apple oatmeal pancakes great for kids as well as adults, it’s another apple breakfast recipe you can make ahead, and even freeze too.
Apple cinnamon oatmeal
Basically apple porridge by another name. And this five ingredient, one pot recipe from The Worktop does it for me with all the bells on. But I’ve been stirring it wrongly all this time, apparently I need to be using a Scottish porridge spurtle* – who knew!
Apple crisp
I’ve saved my favourite apple recipe for last – it’s apple crisp, also known in the UK as apple crumble. Although purists argue that a crumble topping only uses flour, sugar and butter, and rarely includes oats or nuts. Personally, I disagree but not enough to care that much, it’s still delicious and best served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. And yes, I have eaten apple crisp /apple crumble for breakfast. However, as it takes around an hour to prep and cook, I save it for lazy Sunday mornings and brunch. If you’re a fan of apple crumble but intrigued by apple crisp then this healthy breakfast recipe from Jenny Can Cook is pretty foolproof and also extremely yummy!
So, there we are, seven ways to eat apples for breakfast. Are you a fan of apples? Have you ever tried any of these dishes for breakfast? Which of these healthy apple recipes would you like to try first?
* This post features affiliate links but all opinions are my own (see my disclaimer).
Yum!! I love apples but tend to prefer it as an ingredient to a dish rather than eating it on its own. I love apple juice!! They’re also great for smoothies too. Putting them in overnight oats is a big winner as well. I had an apple crisp one time – it was SO GOOD!! Such a treat!
Nancy ✨
We do too, we have so many from our tree it’s a challenge to come up with ways to eat them – although that’s a very lucky challenge, I know!
Hi Lisa.
OK, I’ll confess, until I read this post I had no idea what an apple scratter was (thank you, Google, for enlightening me!). Now that I do know, I can confirm that we don’t have one! 🙂
Those recipes sound delicious. We often have an ‘Overnight Oats’ breakfast so will certainly give that one a try. And who doesn’t love a nice Apple Crumble? Mmm. I see that you take yours with ice-cream. Have you tried cream or custard? Regardless of toppign choice, not sure I can face it for breakfast though …
Ah, maybe I should update the post to explain what a scratter is – thank you, Richie! And yes, overnight oats is a firm favourite in our household. I have tried cream and custard but personally prefer ice cream – and for brunch, not breakfast, that would be too early 🙂
Apples are one of my favourite fruits, so this post is perfect for me! And the ideas are so good! I really want to try overnight oats, that sounds like such a cosy breakfast and I imagine it smells amazing. I usually make banana muffins but never thought of apple – I’m trying that out too! Lovely post.
Anika
Apple muffins are delicious – not as sweet as banana muffins (although we love them too) but just as moist and fluffy – I hope you’ll enjoy them!
Sounds delicious especially love the idea of apple crisp in the morning.
It’s more of a brunch thing for me 🙂
I love apples and apple & cinamon is one of my favourite combinations. Thank you for sharing, will try a few!
That’s great, I hope you love them 🙂
Mmm these sound really nice, I’m always looking for new and interesting breakfast ideas
Excellent, I hope these live up to your expectations!
Oh wow I have so many I need to try now!
My favourite are probably the apple and Cinnamon oats, pancakes and crunch! They look incredibly tasty!
They are indeed, but TBH I think anything with apple and cinnamon is delicious 🙂
These are some delicious ideas. Those pancakes look amazing. I’ve never thought of having apple sauce for breakfast before.
Honestly, once you make a batch you’ll end up having it on everything, haha!
This post made me way to hungry! I love the look of the pancakes, overnight oats and muffins xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
Ha, I hope you enjoy any of these recipes if you try them 🙂
Apple and cinnamon in porrige is my go to autumnal breakfast, so I’ll be trying out some of these other ones to vary it a little! Thanks so much for sharing them
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy them as much as your porridge!
Overnight apple and cinnamon oats so incredible! I’m not a big breakfast person but I’d happy enjoy those! Apple sauce sounds so good too x
Overnight oats are a firm favourite in our house and yes, apple sauce is delicious, we have it with all kinds of things! x
The overnight apple oats sound lovely. I LOVE apple sauce though. Oh my gosh it’s one of my faves but I haven’t had it in years! I could eat bowl after bowl of the stuff. Great post and all fab suggestions! <3 xxx
They really are yummy – and when you come to stay, I will give you some jars of apple sauce to take away, that’s a promise! xxx
I’ve always got apples in my house so it’s great to read so many breakfast recipes that they can be used in! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
These are just my seven favourites, there are so many more! x
Overnight oats are one of my favourite healthy breakfasts and this apple recipe sounds delicious! The apple oatmeal pancakes look incredible too!!
Overnight oats are so easy too, really delicious, and you can take them with you if you need to 🙂
I love love applesauce, especially the cinnamon. I like to spoon some on my greek yogurt and top with granola. Apples is so versatile isn’t it???
Yes, they are, I had trouble narrowing down my favourite seven recipes!
Oh my this is cool!!! Tis the season for apples. Thanks for these suggestions 🤗
Thank you so much – glad you enjoyed this 🙂
I really enjoyed this post 😊 despite loving apples, all I ever do is eat them as they come. Will try some of these ideas!
Thank you – I hope you do enjoy whatever you try 🙂
These look so tasty! The apple sauce and muffins sound like fun!
Definitely try some apple sauce!
I need to try some of these, I just having boring fruit and yoghurt. i really like the sound of the overnight oats with apple and cinnamon.
Especially yummy at this time of year x x
Yes, they are – I hope you love any you try, it was hard to just choose my favourite seven! xx
Oh I’ve totally eaten apple crumble for breakfast!! We do a recipe with oats as well so figured it’s all breakfast ingredients, hehe. The overnight oats one sounds delicious – I need to get back into my oats and this sounds delicious, thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that, I thought I might be in a crumble minority! I hope you enjoy the overnight oats too – yay for oats 🙂
Apple cinnamon oatmeal is so wholesome and warming! I love it for breakfast in the fall, but sometimes go for pancakes instead. It is good to mix things up!
Muffins with streusel on top are also a favorite, along with apple pie bars. We like our apple juice hot with a cinnamon stick in it in the evening. 🙂
Thanks for sharing some tasty suggestions!
Ooooh, I hadn’t thought about muffins with a streusel topping, they sound yummy. And I LOVE the idea of hot apple juice and a cinnamon stick, that’s genius, thank you, Jaya!
These all look delicious! I’ve made applesauce, apple juice, apple muffins, and apple crisp. You have given so many apple recipes, I will have to try a few more! My favorite way to enjoy an apple is to slather almond butter on apple slices.
Glad you’re an apple fan as well – your suggestion of apple and almond sounds gorgeous, I’ll have to try that too 🙂
This looks so perfect! Especially loving the cake and pie, it turns the apples so nice and sweet!
Thank you, I’m so glad you like my choices 🙂
I should send this to my dad who is once again drowning in apples. He puts a big box by the gate with a sign free apples but people are so modest and take just one so he never gets rid of them 😅🍎
I share his pain, haha – he needs to find a friendly pig farmer, pigs love apples even if they’re going off a little!
Good idea! Those fellas will sort out the problem in no time 🐷💖
Oh they will, I’ve seen them do it! x
All of these things look amazing! Especially the apple muffins. I’ve never really tried to make anything like that but I definitely think I’ll give it a go because it sounds amazing x
Oh do it, do it, you won’t regret apple muffins, I promise! x
Hey you have shared some great recipes from apples. Will surely try apple muffins. m sure my kid is going to love it. Thanks for Sharing. 🙂
You’re very welcome, I hope your child loves them too 🙂
Apple muffins sound perfect for this time of year! I like my apples to be really sour so I’m going to try and tweak some of your recipes for myself!
Rosie
Absolutely – you could try cooking apples and dialling down on the sugar – these recipes use eating apples but there’s no reason why they can’t be adapted!
I plan on making lots of apple sauce this year and freezing it. Apple sauce is an egg substitute in recipes like cakes so I can make lots of yummy vegan food.
Helen
Oooh, I didn’t know that, that’s really useful to discover, thank you!
Thanks for sharing, we have lots of apples at my parents which are always cooked down to make crumble or something we tried recently home made strudel (which was so yummy!!). These breakfast ideas sound lovely to 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
Strudel sounds delicious, I’ll have to try that as an alternative to crumble!
Oh yummy!!!!!!! I love all these recipes. I love apple a lot 🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏 thank you for sharing, Lisa. You gave me good ideas.
You are so welcome, Fadima, happy cooking and eating, enjoy! 🙂
I love apple sauce and have it with a pork roast dinner, ever since I was a child I would love finishing off the jar of apple sauce. I love homemade apple sauce, it’s nice to have some chunks of apple too. I never really thought about putting it on breakfast as a topper though. I love the idea of apple muffins too. They look delicious. Thank you for sharing these, I always struggle with breakfast ideas.
Lauren
I love apple sauce with roast pork too – when I make it for savoury dishes I leave out the cinnamon but homemade is just delicious. Thank you, Lauren, I hope you try and enjoy some of these breakfast ideas! x
I’m drooling! Apple and cinnamon is my favourite combination ♥♥
Yay, that’s great to hear 🙂
There’s some delish recipes here – my go to is always apple and cinnamon muffins this time of year, they always make the house smell amazing! I really like the sound of the overnight oats too, think I’ll have to give it a go!
Apple and cinnamon is such an Autumn fragrance, isn’t it? So lovely to walk into the house and sniff it!
These all look very delicious! I love apple crisp and always include oatmeal in it! You’re very lucky to have such a wonderful tree! Thanks for sharing.
We are indeed, although my husband would beg to differ as he’s the one that has to pick them all up, haha!
Ooh these all sound delicious especially the apple oatmeal pancakes! I will need to give them a try.
They really are – I hope you enjoy your pancakes!
These look so good! I’m going to try making the pancakes and muffins! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome – hope you enjoy them!
I generally just have cut apple but these recipes make me excited to make more of the fruit! I love the idea of apple cinnamon oats. Thanks for sharing!
Once you try apple cinnamon oats there is no way back, haha!
Amazing post! I love these recipes especially the muffins and overnight oats! I love trying something new and healthy for breakfast!
Thank you so much – and yes, overnight oats and muffins are yummy!
I am IN LOVE with homemade apple sauce, but now I find myself craving apple muffins… I think I’m going to have to pick up some supplies and get to baking later this week! Who wouldn’t love fresh baked muffins for breakfast? Right?
Apple sauce has so many uses too, you can use it for so much – I found out today it can even be an egg substitute in some baking! And yes, please, breakfast at yours sound fab 🙂
I love apples so much so this post is really speaking to me! I definitely need to try the apple overnight oats, pancakes and muffins. And thank you for giving me permission to eat apple crumble for breakfast!
That’s so lovely to read, I hope you enjoy any and all the recipes – and yay for apple crumble at any time!
Thank goodness for a Fall apple post! I feel like there aren’t enough in the sea of pumpkins. Apple muffins sound amazing! I’m definitely gonna attempt those sometime this month!
Haha, I know, I’m not a fan of pumpkins but at least with these apple recipes we can use them all year round – hope you enjoy whatever recipes you try!
So many delicious looking options here. Those pancakes look amazing! I love cooking with appleauce, it has so many uses when it comes to replacing other ingredients too x
Sophie
TBH I had no idea how versatile apple sauce is – lucky for me I have so many chances to cook some! x
This is a very timely post for us! We’ve just got really in to cooking fruit and using it as porridge topping – the apple recipes here look like a perfect next step! Thanks for sharing
Oh that’s great news, I’m so pleased, I hope you find some recipes you enjoy!
I have been trying to eat better and these recipes are just what I needed! Looking forward to trying apple muffins💛
That’s great to hear, I hope you enjoy the muffins, they are yummy 🙂
I love apples. I am definitely going to try making that apple crisp. Nice post.
Yum, I hope you enjoy it – and thank you!
Great post! Even though your first recipe was apple sauce (ewwwwww) I found many that got my mouth watering. Apple oatmeal pancakes, the apple muffins, yum yum.
Oh no, how can you not like apple sauce, haha! Hope you enjoy some of the other recipes though 🙂
I like eat apples and these recipes sounds very delicious. i need to try them. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy them.
Yum these all sound amazing! This year I didn’t get to go apple picking but normally I have more apples than I know what to do with. I’ve never tried making applesauce but definitely inspired!
Definitely try some apple sauce, it’s so versatile, goes with everything!
I’m loving the idea of Apple Crisp for breakfast!
It’s a gorgeous treat for sure 🙂
Great ideas. I love homemade apple sauce 🙂
Thank you, me too 😋
I love apple and these recipes look very delicious. I need to try them. Thank you so much for sharing.
You are welcome, I hope you enjoy them 🙂
These apple recipes looks yummy. I need to try oat pancakes as they look so easy to make. Your pictures are superb Lisa. 🙂
The pancakes are gorgeous, you will love them – but I have to confess, these are mainly stock photos, my camera skills are nowhere near this good!
All the apple recipes sound tasty. Thank you for sharing the delicious recipes with us.
You’re welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Apple is my favorite fruit, so I keep on trying new apples recipes mostly. Getting a chance to bring health with your favorite fruit is something I will not miss on. Also, these recipes sound so delicious. I am surely going to try each one of these recipes.
Keep sharing such a healthy article.
Thank you, I’m so glad you found the post useful 🙂
The apple crisp looks scrumptious. Can’t wait to try it this weekend.
Yum, I hope you enjoy!