20 Minute Cinnamon Almond Apple Streusel

WHAT? Two posts in a week?! I know, right?

So this recipe is GLUTEN free, SUGAR free, DAIRY free, and OVEN free. Yeah, and it only takes 20 minutes!!! It is sooooo yummy and simple!

First you start off with the granola topping:

which is gluten free oatmeal (I buy mine from Trader Joes), a little bit of cinnamon, chopped almonds (those are from Costco and they are already roasted and salted) and a teensy bit of olive oil. You should definitely add honey or maple syrup to this as it makes the finished granola sweeter and crispier. I am on a 30 day detox so I left it out. Since my almonds are salted, I left out the salt, but if yours are not, add a little pinch of salt too!

cook this over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Keep a close eye and NOSE out because the cinnamon will burn easily.

spread the mixture out onto a small cookies sheet lined with parchment and park this in the freezer until you need it.

I chopped up an apple into relatively uniform pieces, dropped in a dollop of almond butter, a splash of vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon (there are actual measurements below) and microwaved it on high for 5 minutes, stopping every minute to give it a stir. 3-4 minutes if you like a crisper apple, and 6 minutes if you like them softer.

The apples release yummy juices and mix with the almond butter, creating a really decadent sauce.

You can sprinkle the granola over the top right into your microwave safe bowl, or you can serve it up in a ramekin to make it feel like a naughty dessert that took hours to prepare.

Oh, and if you aren't on some crazy 30 day detox, this is delicious with a little non-fat Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey. Or ice cream. Everything is better with ice cream...

Thanks for reading!

20 minute Almond and Apple Streusel 

Yield: 1 serving 

Prep time: 5 min 

Total time: 20 min 

Ingredients 

granola: 

¼ c. gluten free rolled oats 

small handful of dry roasted, salted almonds, chopped 

½ tsp. cinnamon 

1 tsp.  olive oil 

1 tsp. honey or pure maple syrup (optional) 

apple filling: 

1 medium granny smith apple, chopped into uniform pieces  

¼ tsp. cinnamon 

¼ tsp. vanilla 

¼ tsp. sea salt 

1 tbsp. almond butter (no sugar added) 

1 tsp. honey or pure maple syrup (optional) 

Directions 

For the granola: 

In a small pan, stir together the oats, almonds, cinnamon, olive oil, and honey (if using) over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes, or until the oats are golden brown and fragrant. Take the granola off of the head and distribute evenly onto a pan lined with parchment paper or foil. In order for the granola to be crunchy, everything needs to cool. To speed up this process, you can place the whole pan into the freezer, uncovered, until needed. 

For the apple filling: 

In a small microwave safe dish stir together the apples, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, almond butter, and honey (if using).  Microwave on high uncovered for 4-6 minutes depending on how crisp you want your apples to be. Stop the microwave and stir the apple mixture every minute. Let stand for about 1 minute after heating. 

Sprinkle the cooled granola over the top, and serve. 

Variations 

You can change the nuts and nut butter used here. For my current detox, there are no peanuts allowed, but this would be great with peanuts and peanut butter or pecans and cashew butter. Can't have nuts? Try sunflower seed butter and pumpkin seeds. 

This can also be served over ice cream or for a healthier option, with non fat Greek yogurt.