Healthy Flourless Oatmeal Apple Cake
This Healthy Flourless Oatmeal Apple Cake redefines nutritious breakfast with no refined flour and minimal added sweeteners. Packed with fiber-rich ingredients, it works equally well as a breakfast staple, after-school snack, or guilt-free dessert. The natural sweetness from apples reduces the need for added sugars, making this a smart choice for anyone looking to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Cooling Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Healthy
Servings 9 slices
Calories 185 kcal
For the cake base
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats not quick-cooking
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 medium apples peeled and grated (approximately 2 cups)
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk of choice dairy or plant-based
For the apple topping
- 1 large apple thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a food processor or high-powered blender, pulse 1½ cups of the rolled oats until they reach a flour-like consistency. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Add the remaining 1 cup of whole rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the bowl. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
In a separate bowl, combine the mashed bananas, grated apples, applesauce, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and milk. Pro tip: squeeze out excess moisture from the grated apples if they seem particularly juicy.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry oat mixture and stir until just combined. Don't overmix.
Toss the thinly sliced apple with lemon juice, cinnamon, and maple syrup.
Transfer the batter to your prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Arrange the apple slices in an overlapping pattern on top, then drizzle with any remaining syrup mixture from the bowl.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before using the parchment overhang to lift it out. Let cool on a wire rack for at least another 15 minutes before slicing.
This cake contains 65% less sugar and 70% more fiber than traditional apple cake recipes, making it significantly more beneficial for stable blood sugar levels.
Substitution suggestions:
- Maple syrup: Use honey, date syrup, or monk fruit sweetener for alternatives
- Coconut oil: Substitute with melted butter or another neutral oil
- Bananas: ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce can work in a pinch
- For lower-carb version: Replace ½ cup of oats with almond flour and use a monk fruit/erythritol blend instead of maple syrup
Storage Tips:
- Keeps well at room temperature for 2 days in an airtight container
- Store up to 5 days in the refrigerator – warm individual slices for 15-20 seconds before serving
- Freeze individual slices wrapped in parchment paper for up to 3 months
Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 210mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 5gSugar: 15gVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 8mg
Keyword Flourless Cake, Apple Cake, Oatmeal Cake, Healthy Breakfast, Sugar-Free Dessert