Sweet Cinnamon Apple Yogurt Parfaits

healthy cinnamon apple yogurt parfaits, great for breakfast, snack, or dessert

So it’s September.  

And though some of us are still sweating in summer-weather, September puts me in the mood for all kinds of fall flavors.

Beginning with apples.  Growing up in Washington state, our family had a few apples trees, and every year my mom and grandma would spend a couple of days making all things apple: apple pies, apple sauce, and just slicing and freezing apples for year-long snacking.  (So good!)

Since it still seems a wee too soon for sweet, hot, baked goods, I thought I would ease us into the season with some sweet cinnamon apples, nestled in a cool, yogurt parfait.  It’s really a win-win.  You get the tasty cinnamon apples (and the awesome smells to fill your home!) and you also get the refreshing, healthier yogurt, and a crunch of granola.

Pretty much irresistible.

{About the granola:  I don’t know why I haven’t published my own recipe for basic homemade granola yet, but this one from Cookie + Kate is very similar to what I do.  You’ll love it!  You can also check out my peanut butter coconut granola, but that may not go so well with apples and cinnamon. ;))

Also…because we typically have a few (hundred) bananas on our counter, I decided to caramelize some bananas to throw in the mix as well.  It was a winning combination.

The result was a delicious dessert.  Or breakfast.  Or afternoon-snack — as it ended up being, because no one in my family wanted to wait for the other two options

By the way:  If you’re going to make these, may I recommend cooking up a few extra apples and bananas for later?  Because a little bowl of these + a dollop of whipping cream or ice cream?  =  Heaven.

Try these soon and let me know what your family thinks!

Printable recipe below:

First a Note:  You really can adjust your cinnamon apples in many ways.  You can go light or heavy on butter and sugar.  I like to use equal parts brown sugar and coconut sugar (which is less sweet, but has a nice flavor.)  I know some people cook their apples with only cinnamon, which of course is much healthier, but probably not as tasty. 😉  As always, play with things and find what is best for your family!
ALSO:  If you decide to add bananas, use the same amounts of butter and sugar to caramelize them as you do the apples.  Go for it!!

5 from 3 votes

Print

(Healthier) Cinnamon Apple Yogurt Parfait

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 4 large or 6 small

Author monicaswanson.com

Ingredients

• 2-3 granny smith apples cored, peeled, and chopped into small pieces
• 1-2 Tablespoon butter by taste
• 2-4 Tablespoon brown sugar or combine with dark coconut sugar (start with less, and add more to taste!)
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 cups vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup granola your choice

Instructions

1. Core, peel, and dice apples
2. Heat a medium skillet on medium, and add butter, apples, brown sugar, and sea salt
3. Stir frequently and turn heat to medium low until apples are tender; about 8 minutes
4. Lay out apples on parchment paper to cool completely.
5. Once cool, layer in serving dishes: yogurt, apples, and granola to your desired serving size.
6. ENJOY!

Happy Fall to you all, and see you back here soon!