These Protein Apple Pie Cups layer tender cinnamon apples with creamy vanilla Greek yogurt and a protein-oat crumble. They bring classic apple-pie flavors to an easy, portioned meal-prep snack or dessert.
Recipe Overview
Yield: 6 cups. Prep: 15 minutes. Cook: 10–12 minutes. Chill: optional 20 minutes. This is an apple-pie-inspired refrigerated snack or dessert, not a baked pie.
Ingredients
Cinnamon apples
- 3 medium apples, diced
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Protein-oat crumble
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1–2 tbsp water, as needed
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Yogurt layer
- 2 cups plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tsp maple syrup, optional
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Wash, core and dice the apples into small pieces.
- Add apples, cinnamon, water, lemon juice and optional maple syrup to a saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat for 8–12 minutes, stirring until softened but not mushy. Cool completely before layering.
- Combine oats, vanilla protein powder and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in almond butter and maple syrup, adding water a teaspoon at a time until the mixture forms small crumbles. For a toasted crumble, bake the oat mixture at 350°F (175°C) for about 8–10 minutes, stirring once; cool completely. If consuming without baking, use ready-to-eat rolled oats and a protein powder suitable for uncooked recipes.
- Mix Greek yogurt with vanilla and optional sweetener.
- Divide apples among six clean serving cups. Add yogurt, then sprinkle the protein-oat crumble on top. Repeat layers if cup size allows.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. For maximum crunch, store crumble separately and add just before eating.
Estimated Nutrition
Nutrition varies by apple size, protein powder, yogurt, optional sweetener and crumble portions. A rough per-cup estimate for this six-serving recipe is 210 calories, 18 g protein, 26 g carbohydrate and 5 g fat. Calculate using your actual ingredient labels for precise values.
Meal-Prep Storage
Refrigerate in covered containers at 40°F / 4°C or below and enjoy within 3–4 days. Cool cooked apples promptly before assembling. Keep the crumble separate to maintain its texture. Do not leave dairy-based cups at room temperature for extended periods.
Recipe Tips
Use firm apples such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. Adjust cinnamon and sweetness to taste. For a thicker yogurt layer, use strained Greek yogurt. Avoid adding hot apples directly to yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead?
Yes. Assemble and refrigerate, keeping the crumble separate until serving.
Can I use another protein powder?
Yes, but absorbency and sweetness vary, so adjust the liquid gradually.
Is the nutrition exact?
No. It is an estimate based on typical ingredients and portions.
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