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.
Printable Recipe
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.
Tracy
Gorgeous parfait! You can't go wrong with caramelized apples!
Belinda @zomppa
Cheetohs are evil, though these apples are deceiving! They look too good to be healthy.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
i used to make parfaits all the time...no idea why i stopped! this sounds absolutely delightful 🙂
thecountrycook
Well, I don't think I can totally get away from sugar but this I can do. This is my kinda parfait!!
elaines630
LOVE parfaits! I've been making a very similar one using cut up bananas sprinkled with cinnamon, vanilla yogurt and broken up granola bars on top! They don't look as pretty as yours, but they are tasty!
Elizabeth
Oh yeah, that sounds like a fabulous breakfast or snack to me! Even just straight caramelized apples would do it for me. I don't know what it is about cooked apples (similarities to pie maybe) but they make me think I am being very bad...even if it's not really all that over the top.
Awesome recipe Dara!
megan @ whatmegansmaking
Love those facebook responses! seriously, I should try some of those!
Chris
I am dying! Just got back from the gym after being snowed in and I don't have anything yummy to snack on...except some salted caramel I made the other day.
This parfait sounds ah-ma-zing! Love the apples!
briarrose
Oh those apples look dreamy! Beautiful parfait.
Pretend Chef
The painting of the nails was my favorite response. I just eat if I'm hungry but I try to stick to healthier options such as veggies and hummus or crackers and cheese but now I'm happy to have a new snack idea. It looks so delicious!