Breakfast On The Go Granola-Yogurt-Fruit Parfaits are easy to put together to enjoy for a meal, snack on the go or after a workout. There is no excuse for missing breakfast with this yogurt parfait recipe in your recipe box!
I loved yogurt as a kid. There was always something so mysterious about opening the lid to the individual container, seeing the creamy white yogurt peering up like a blank canvas with no clue as to the fruit layer buried below. It was a bit like digging for buried treasure for me to plunge the spoon to the bottom, stirring up the sweetness below.
When I went to college I grew to appreciate yogurt in a whole new way. I went to the University of California at Santa Cruz. It was an eclectic university offering pass or no record with a narrative evaluation at the time, and no grades. Coupled with the wooded, hilly terrain and isolated small college groupings by discipline, the university attracted a variety of students and a bit of a hippie vibe. The mascot is the banana slug; see what I mean? It wasn’t until John Travolta wore a UCSC banana slug t-shirt in the movie Pulp Fiction that it seemed cool.
It was here that I developed the more sophisticated familiarity with plain yogurt served on granola. The granola was of course homemade, in chunky, nutty clumps and always served over yogurt. It was like no one had ever heard of or wanted to hear of granola with milk as I’d always had it. I jumped on board along, starting to wear wrap around skirts, little make-up and appreciated communing with nature as I’d haul what seemed like miles between my classes on tree shrouded pathways. On a few occasions I even spotted a 7-inch banana slug making its barely discernable way across a moist trail in full blown lemon yellow glory.
Today I rarely wear wrap around skirts, love make-up and haven’t seen a banana slug since those collegiate years. However, I do still love granola and yogurt, and feel that same hippie-chic in eating it. My dilemma with breakfast is that I’m often on the go. Driving kids to school. Having early morning meetings. Going to the gym (ok, ok, it’s been a few months but I will start again soon). I love having something to eat on the go.
Recently I’ve renewed my love of mixing together yogurt, granola and fruit and packing them in Mason jars to take with us. They aren’t just for breakfast either. Great as a post work out snack, after school treat or a snack anytime really. For this recipe I used pint size Mason jars but you can always half-size to 8-ounce jars and one layer of each yogurt and granola instead of two if desired.
How to Make Breakfast Parfaits:
On The Go Granola-Yogurt-Fruit Breakfast Parfaits
Ingredients
- ½ cup Granola (regular or gluten-free) , divided
- 1 cup Vanilla-flavored yogurt , divided; your choice of fat content, type (Greek, etc) or plant-based
- ½ cup Assorted sliced Fresh Fruit (I used banana, kiwi, blueberries and clementine segments)
Instructions
- Add ¼ cup of granola to the bottom of a 1 pint jar.
- Layer ½ cup yogurt, remaining ¼ cup granola, remaining ½ cup yogurt and the fruit.
- Seal and store in the refrigerator until taking it on the go! Recommend eating it the same day.
Nutrition
Barbara Burns says
I’ve lost count in recent years how many times I’ve neglected to make breakfast for myself in the morning, typically because I’m working to get both kids out the door in time for school. But this is both a tasty and nutritious option that would ALSO keep me full! Thank you for sharing!
Toni Dash says
Me too! I’ll find myself driving them to school with a stomach ache and trying to figure out why! These are so easy to make and leave us no excuses for not eating ourselves!
Tara L says
I was just telling my husband if I made these would you eat this in the morning. LOL Where do you get the glass jars from? I always have a hard time finding them. Thanks
Toni Dash says
I feel like I see them everywhere Tara. The grocery store (generally there is a canning section), Target, Walmart, hardware stores. There is also a link to them on Amazon in the post. They are pint size Mason jars and you can use the lids that come with them or buy the white lids used after the jar has been opened (for canning). They come in a box with a handful of resealable lids for a few dollars.
Tara L says
Oh great, thanks. I must of missed that link. Thanks so much for replying back so fast! Happy Tuesday!
Toni Dash says
You bet! I love those jars and use them for everything. I’m not exactly sure why it’s so fun to eat out of a Mason jar, but it is!
Marcie W. says
Yogurt with different mix ins are one of my favorite snacks, especially in the evening to curb my sweet tooth. I will be on the lookout for this gluten free granola!
Liz Mays says
This sounds perfect for on-the-go eating. I’d love to make some for breakfast especially.
Pam says
I love yogurt parfaits for a breakfast or snack. This one looks really tasty.
Betsy Segars says
Fruit and Granola is my favorite! I only wish mine looked as pretty as yours does 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe!
Kristi says
Love these. I was going to ask if you could make them in advance and then saw your comment about eating same day. I wondered about making some for a day or two away, like when we stay at hotels for sporting events, I suppose the granola gets soft or the fruit mushy?
Toni Dash says
Hi Kristi. It probably depends on the granola and fruit you will use. I think what I might do is put the yogurt in the jar, bag the granola separately and pick more robust fruits that don’t oxidize (citrus, blueberries, etc). Keep the jar refrigerated and then add the granola on top and the fruit when you need it. Separating the ingredients would give a better end result I think. It the granola is really dry it might be ok for 2 days with the yogurt but I think it would soften quite a bit.
Catherine S says
This looks so yummy. It would make a great breakfast or snack to grab when I am running out the door.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That looks so good! I love anything with fruit and granola. It’s such a tasty combo, and it’s so good for you.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I have breakfast on the go most days and these are perfect for that Yum!