Chia Protein Yogurt with Warm Apple Topping

45+ grams of protein? 10+ grams of Fiber? Brown sugar, apple and walnuts? Yes, please!

Spring has sprung and it looks beautiful outside—the sun is shining, the trees are blooming, and the sky is that perfect shade of blue. It’s all very inviting… until you actually go outside.

Then you step outside—and it’s still cold! Colder than it looks. It’s so disappointing.

Yesterday, I found myself hungry and craving something cozy. I wanted food that would warm me up, satisfy my hunger, and have a decent amount of protein. While cleaning out my pantry, I discovered a bag of chia seeds I had forgotten about, and I figured they would be perfect in yogurt for a little added fiber and texture. Then I spotted the overflowing fruit bowl full of apples, and it hit me—a warm apple pie-inspired yogurt bowl!

I started by mixing a serving of chia seeds and a scoop of unflavored whey into a bowl of yogurt. I added a splash of vanilla and a dash of cinnamon for flavor, then let it sit so the chia seeds could soften and start to turn the yogurt into a pudding-like texture.

While it was resting (about 20 minutes—long enough to empty the dishwasher), I prepared the warm apple topping by dicing a small apple. I then tossed it into my smallest pot with:

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• A tiny splash of lemon juice

• A tiny splash of vanilla extract

• A pinch of salt

• A dash of cinnamon

• A touch of nutmeg and allspice

I cooked it all over medium heat, stirring to coat the apples as they softened and the liquid thickened.

Once it looked good and jammy, I stirred in a small handful of chopped walnuts.

Then I transferred the yogurt-chia mix to a clean bowl and topped it with the warm, spiced apples and walnuts.

The result? Cozy, satisfying, packed with protein and fiber, and precisely what I needed on a chilly day. The yogurt had come up to room temperature while sitting out, and the apple topping was still warm—it was like a hug in a bowl.

I highly recommend this one when you're looking for something comforting but not too heavy, especially on those days when it “looks like spring, but feels like winter.” :)