I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I really love apples and pears. For the past few months, I’ve had one or the other (or both) in my fruit bowl or fridge at all times. I just can’t get enough! As much as I love biting into a crisp apple or perfectly ripe pair, I’ve found myself cooking and baking with these seasonal fruits more and more since the start of fall. Every other week I’m either making my Pear and Apple Oat Bake (today’s featured recipe) or my Pear Apple Crumble. They’re both great make-ahead breakfast options that make busy mornings simple.
Better Your Brain with Breakfast
My husband and I are big breakfast people. We love breakfast foods, but even more than that we both struggle to function if we don’t fuel ourselves well in the morning. And there’s a reason for that… from the time you go to bed to the time you wake up, your body has been fasting and needs energy.
Fueling your body with a combination of lean protein, healthy fats, and energizing carbohydrates in the morning helps fuel your brain and body to function properly and power your start to the the work, school, etc. day.
My Pear and Apple Oat Bake is brain food to the max. With energizing carbohydrates from oats, fresh and dried fruit, and honey, protein from collagen powder and nut butter, and healthy fats and protein from nut butter, one delicious serving will keep you fueled and filled through the morning.
A Little Prep Goes a Long Way
Based on conversations I’ve had recently, I’ve noticed that many if not most breakfast easters usually choose low prep breakfast options like bars or cereal in the morning. And I totally get it! Morning’s are often busy, and if you’re short on time cereal might be the quickest option for you.
But what if early on in the week you prepped something that reheats well, like my Pear and Apple Oat Bake, to have for breakfast on busy mornings? Yes, doing this takes time on whatever day or evening you choose to prep, but for the rest to the week you would have a fueling, nutritious breakfast option to provide you with the energy you need to start the day offright. And you wouldn’t have to think about whether or not you finished off the milk or cereal yesterday.
Do you struggle to fuel yourself well most mornings? Try prepping my Pear and Apple Oat Bake on Sunday night for a nourishing breakfast during the week. For more meal prep recipes and tips, check out my blog post: Is Meal Prepping Right for You?
What’s in This Recipe?
Oats – contains energizing carbohydrates, rich in fiber
Cinnamon – has antioxidant properties, may help lower blood sugar
Collagen – contains amino acids (amino acids make up proteins)
Baking powder – leaving agent
Salt – brings out the sweetness
Dried cranberries or cherries – cranberries contain antioxidants and have antibacterial properties; both are natural sweeteners and contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals
Apple juice – natural sweetener
Peanut butter – contains healthy fats, protein, vitamin E, magnesium, fiber, and resveratrol
Almond butter – contains healthy fats, protein, vitamin E, magnesium, and fiber
Applesauce – contains energizing carbohydrates, natural sweetener
Honey – natural sweetener; contains antioxidants, prebiotics, and a variety of vitamins and minerals
Pear – contains energizing carbohydrates and fiber
Notes: To make this oat bake gluten free, use certified gluten free oats*. To make vegetarian, simple omit the collagen powder**. I have not tried using protein powder in place of collagen in this recipe, but I think it would work if you wanted to increase protein content while keeping it vegetarian.
Pear and Apple Oat Bake
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cups oats (quick cooking and old fashioned both work)*
2 tsp. cinnamon, plus extra for topping
2 scoops (4 tbsp.) collagen powder**
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2-3 tbsp. dried cranberries or dried tart cherries, chopped
Wet ingredients:
1/2 cup apple juice
1/4 cup peanut butter, unsweetened
1/4 cup almond butter, unsweetened
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tbsp. honey, plus extra for drizzling
1 cup diced pears, peeled
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300oF. Spray a 9×9 casserole dish with non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, combine together the oats*, cinnamon, collagen**, baking powder, and salt. Mix until the ingredients are well dispersed.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the apple juice, nut butters, applesauce, and honey until smooth. Next stir in the diced pears.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
Pour the oat mixture into the greased casserole dish. Spread evenly with a spoon, then top with dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon as desired.
Bake for 1 hour. Allow the oat bake to cool for 5 minutes to set, then serve. Store extras in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. When you make this Pear and Apple Oat Bake or any Hope For Balance recipe, tag me at @hope.for.balance and use the hashtag #hopeforbalance for a chance to be featured in my Facebook or IG stories. I LOVE seeing your creations!