In our elementary school years, my brother and I begged, pleaded, and cajoled our parents to treat us to Sunday brunch at Marie Callender’s on special occasions. We listed three logical reasons to support our cause: (a) they wouldn’t have to cook or wash the dishes, (b) we’d go after the early church service before the rest of the world woke up to have the restaurant to ourselves, and (c) they loved the make-your-own omelet station.
We strategically omitted the fourth reason of (d) us kids loved the waffle bar.
Yes, an all-you-can-eat waffle bar, designed specifically with sugar-craving children in mind. Their specialty iron shaped the waffles into long rectangular boats with a deep hollowed-out center perfect for piling high with toppings. We skipped over the first few options—plump strawberries, juicy honeydew, crunchy granola, slivered almonds—and headed straight for the chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, gummy bears, rainbow sprinkles, and whipped cream at the end of the buffet line. Plus a large ladleful of maple syrup.
Back at the table, we started cutting away at our sugar-high-on-a-plate breakfast creations. The chocolate candies melted from the warm waffles and oozed out all over everything else. We scraped it up with our forks after finishing (but not fingers; Mom drew the line there) and tried to bargain for a second trip just to load up on more gummy bears.
Although it didn’t do much besides digesting back then, my stomach now churns at the thought of dessert for breakfast. That might sound like a good idea, it warns me. But you’re not going to like the bellyaching I do later!
But my stomach ate its words when I mentioned my latest idea…
Maple Bacon Breakfast Cheesecakes.
Yes, cheesecake for breakfast—and it’s actually healthy!
They start with the crust. Instead of graham crackers and butter, I opted for instant oatmeal and unsweetened applesauce. Don’t have instant oats? Make your own by adding old-fashioned (or gluten-free) oats to a food processor and pulsing 5-6 times. Stir in the applesauce, press into the bottoms of a jumbo muffin pan, and bake for 8 minutes. The low-fat, heart-healthy crust really is that easy!
For the filling, I cooked turkey bacon to cut back on fat and calories. And when it comes to maple syrup, I don’t mess around. I always choose the good stuff, straight from the trees!
You’ll only use 2 ½ teaspoons of syrup per cheesecake. (That’s less than most people—children or adults—pour on their pancakes!) So to really bring out the maple flavor, you’ll need a tiny bit of maple extract. Although probably not a staple in your pantry, it’s worth every penny. It’s my secret weapon because it adds a big burst of maple to each bite of your creamy cheesecake. That addictive flavor will bring each forkful to your mouth faster than you can chew!
The cheesecakes only bake for 20-22 minutes. The centers should still jiggle a little when you pull them out; they’ll continue to bake a bit more in the warm pan as they cool to room temperature. Then lay a piece of plastic wrap on top, pop in the fridge, and your next morning’s breakfast is all done!
These Maple Bacon Breakfast Cheesecakes are a tasty time-saver for entertaining guests or lazy weekend mornings. Instead of slaving over the stove flipping pancakes or frying eggs, you can shuffle into the kitchen in your comfy slippers, brew a pot of coffee or mix up a latte, and start eating a protein-packed breakfast (over 16 grams!) in a matter of minutes.
Now who says you can’t have “dessert” for breakfast?
These creamy cheesecakes are studded with bacon bits and bursting with maple flavor. They’re so healthy that they’re meant to be eaten for breakfast! To serve a crowd (or have extra leftovers), you can double, triple, or even quadruple the ingredient amounts.
- Preheat the oven to 300°F, and coat 2 jumbo muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, combine the oat and applesauce. Divide the mixture between the two muffin cups, and press into the bottom and slightly up the sides. Bake at 300°F for 8 minutes. Cool in the pan.
- While the crust bakes, cook the turkey bacon in a pan on the stove according to the package directions, until crispy. Place onto a paper towel, and blot off the excess grease. Crumble into small pieces.
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and maple syrup until smooth. Mix in the egg white, milk, cornstarch, and maple extract until creamy. Fold in the bacon bits. Divide the cheesecake filling between the muffin cups with the cooled crusts, and bake at 300°F for 20-22 minutes, or until the centers jiggle just a little bit when shaken. Cool to room temperature before laying plastic wrap on top, ensuring it completely touches the top of each cheesecake. Chill for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before serving.
Notes: To make your own instant oats, pulse old-fashioned oats in a food processor 5-6 times.
Store any extras or leftovers in the fridge completely covered with plastic wrap. Do not reheat.
That waffle bar sounds like the best thing ever! I’m drooling right now!
And what about these adorable cheesecakes? What a genius idea! Cheesecake for breakfast sounds like heaven, specially if we’re talking about healthy cheesecake. And bacon, I love that too!
Have a great weekend 🙂
Thanks Consuelo! I figured if cream cheese on bagels was acceptable for breakfast, why not cream cheese (albeit a slightly thicker layer) on oatmeal? 😉 I do miss the waffle bar too… Although as an adult, I might load up on those strawberries instead of gummy bears. But I’d still need to keep a few chocolate chips!
I love that the crust is only made from oats and applesauce! I have to try that someday Amy!
Thanks Sally! I really liked that I could make it gluten-free, and it went perfectly with the breakfast theme. 🙂
First of all..you totally have me craving waffles now..BAD! Actually to be fair I have been craving a GOOD waffle for MONTHS! I need a waffle maker already..ANYWAY this breakfast looks unbelievably decadent. Since I’m a vegan, I obviously wouldn’t eat this dish, BUT I can sure admire it’s beauty and MY OH MY it’s gorgesous! WELL DONE!
Brittany, you are just the sweetest. I really appreciate how you’re a vegan yet still read my non-vegan blog and write fun, thoughtful comments on my recipes. 🙂 I really need to dust off my waffle maker and make some soon. I’ll make them vegan so you’re invited!!
This is fantastic! If I can eat cheesecake for breakfast, I’ll be a happy girl!
You totally should Dorothy!! I ate it for breakfast, and nothing bad happened. My mom wasn’t even upset! 😉
I love the idea for the crust, I haven’t come across something like that! Very delicious idea 😉
Thanks Melissa! I wanted a crust that both fit the healthy breakfast theme and could be made gluten-free. Oatmeal fit the bill perfectly!
Love love love this idea! Could you make these in a regular size muffin pan and just have more servings?
Thanks Maryann! I haven’t tried it, but they should work fine in a regular muffin pan. Just start checking them about 5-7 minutes earlier than in the recipe. They’ll bake faster with a smaller size, and nobody likes a rubbery overdone cheesecake! 😉
I’m a lover of desert for breakfast, especially if it healthy 🙂 awesome recipe
I actually thought of you and your fresh fruit & cheesecake parfaits when I posted this on Facebook earlier today! 🙂 Thanks Heather!
Hello! I’m super excited to make both versions of these delicious treats. I might change the crust to be almond flour, butter and coconut sugar. I know that isn’t as healthy add your option, but I’m not a lover of oats. I wonder if I can do almond flour and Apple sauce…thoughts? I’ve recently gone gluten free and my body is so happy!
I haven’t tried almond flour with applesauce before, and I’m not entirely convinced that would work. I’d suggest using at least a little bit of butter as well, as you first mentioned, to ensure the texture turns out a little closer to that of a traditional crust. I hope you enjoy the cheesecakes Becky!