Sweet caramelized apples, crunchy granola and creamy yogurt. Serve up this amazing yogurt parfait for breakfast, snack time or even dessert!
Who ever said Facebook wasn't good for a couple of laughs? A couple of days ago, in the middle of the morning, I was drinking a cup of green tea, doing my best to ward off the pre-lunch munchies. Breakfast seemed as though it had passed hours before and I was getting the urge to rifle through the pantry. Instead, I reached out for suggestions on my Cookin' Canuck Facebook fan page. The question I posed was simply, "What are your tricks for keeping snacking under control?" I was expecting answers ranging from eating a container of low-fat yogurt to snacking on fresh fruit. That's not quite how things went. One of the first responses was helpful: a handful of almonds (or in the case of this particular person - four almonds...no more, no less). It all went downhill from there.
The next responses to my snacking question were as follows: "Cheetos", "Control? Yeah, right now I'm eating an almond-flavoured brownie and washing it down with a cappuccino. Sorry, no help here.", "Two kids under the age of five - I don't have time to snack even if I want to!", "I polish my nails. You don't want to risk smudges by sticking your hand in a box or bag. I'll also brush AND FLOSS!"...and my personal favorite, "Yeah, how do I keep snacking under control? By snacking!" Dang it, not a budding dietician in the bunch!
Besides surrounding myself with healthy snacking options and keeping myself hydrated, I know that one of the best ways to banish the "must have fat and sugar" urges is to eat a breakfast heavy on protein and fiber. This yogurt parfait, while not a completely pristine example of low-fat and low-sugar eating (though I did keep the butter and sugar content to a bare minimum), boasts a good dose of both protein and fiber. Creamy nonfat Greek yogurt is layered with crunchy granola and spice-kissed caramelized apples to make a breakfast that is quick enough for a busy weekday morning (the apples can be made ahead) and pretty enough to serve at a weekend brunch. Cheetos cravings begone!
How to make caramelized apple yogurt parfait:
Core and thinly slice Golden Delicious apples.
Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt. Stir in apples and brown sugar and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
Add ground cloves and cook about 5 more minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are golden brown and soft. Watch closely so that the apples do not burn. Stir in apricot preserves and let melt into apples. Scrape apples into a bowl and cool slightly. The apples can be made a day in advance. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.
Using four 8-ounce glasses, layer Greek yogurt, apples, and granola in any way you desire, ending with apples on top. Garnish with a dollop of yogurt and granola.
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Caramelized Apple, Yogurt & Granola Parfait Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 large Golden Delicious apples cored and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
- 24 ounces nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 â…“ cup granola your favorite kind
Instructions
- Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt. Stir in apples and brown sugar and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
- Add ground cloves and cook about 5 more minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are golden brown and soft. Watch closely so that the apples do not burn. Stir in apricot preserves and let melt into apples. Scrape apples into a bowl and cool slightly. The apples can be made a day in advance. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.
- Using four 8-ounce glasses, layer Greek yogurt, apples, and granola in any way you desire, ending with apples on top. Garnish with a dollop of yogurt and granola.
Nutrition
Drick
this I could eat anytime.... just having made a pie with the same ingredients, I know this parfait is delightful and really tasty
Allison at Novice Life
Yum! That looks wonderful!! I will have to wait until fall though. We live on an apple orchard and it feels like a crime to me when I purchase apples at the store :0
warmvanillasugar
Aren't snacking cravings the worst?! Everyone has ways of dealing with them. Personally, I write everything down so I can literally see what I'm eating. Also, if I'm in frenzy, I just get up and go for a quick walk!
This parfait looks lovely. Thanks for the recipe!
Elin
CC
This is want I would love to have for my prelunch munchies. Healthy and with the caramelized apple....yoghurt..whoa yummy alright..now salivating and I wish I was living next door!
square kitchen
what a luxury way of snacking your recipe. i love those answers to your fb question... it is sooo funny.
Nancy
Looks like you came up the the perfect answer to your question!! This sounds like a wonderful way to start the day especially for someone who loves cooked apples!
Cookin' Canuck
Josie, I will say that it definitely gave me a few good chuckles.
Daydreamer Desserts
Yeah, you never know what types of responses you'll get when you post a question like that on Facebook. So funny! Looks like you were able to come up with a slightly healthier snacking alternative to cheetos. 😉
Cookin' Canuck
Thanks, Belle. Sugar detox...man, that sounds hard. But it also sounds exactly like what I need to do!
Barefoot Belle
Hmmm...cheetos! This parfait looks absolutely divine! I have a bag of homemade granola in the freezer...waiting until I'm done with my no sugar January detox, and then I'll be making one (or a few) of these babies! Thanks for sharing. I love the addition of apples!