Our family goes through crazy amounts of yogurt every week — potentially close to a full gallon of yogurt each week!
I make yogurt pouches for the kids as a filling and nutritious bedtime snack, we put yogurt in smoothies, I use plain yogurt in place of sour cream for almost everything, and Dave and I enjoy some type of yogurt at least once every day.
One of my most favorite yogurt snacks is making homemade yogurt parfaits with a delicious fruit compote (similar to jam but without all the sugar!)
I first became obsessed with yogurt parfaits after I ordered one at McDonalds many years ago (probably when I was in college). I was instantly amazed at how much tastier the yogurt was when paired with fruit compote versus with fresh berries. And of course, a little sprinkle of crunchy granola on top adds to the deliciousness!
My yogurt-eating habits have matured a long ways since my guilty college pleasure of McDonald $.99 yogurt parfaits… and since yogurt parfaits are a perfect spring-time snack, I thought it was high-time I shared my ridiculously simple recipe for my own homemade fruit compote that I use to make homemade yogurt parfaits.
These parfaits can be as normal or as fancy as you want them to be — mostly depending on what type of container you serve them in (we always eat our parfaits in the special little glasses I photographed them in for this post!)
The parfaits are great for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, dessert, baby showers, bridal showers, and so much more. Just make sure you wait to add the granola until right before you eat them, so it doesn’t get all soggy!
Oh, and I suppose I should mention, the fruit compote tastes fabulous poured over vanilla ice-cream, or even as a warm topping for waffles or pancakes!
Recipe for Homemade Yogurt Parfaits with Fruit Compote
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 c. fresh or frozen fruit of choice (I used blueberries and cherries for today’s recipe)
- 1/2 c. water
- 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 2 T. maple syrup or brown sugar
- pinch of salt
- 2 T. cornstarch or 3 T. chia seeds (to thicken the compote)
- Yogurt (here’s my recipe for super simple homemade yogurt in a slow cooker!)
- Granola (here’s my recipe for yummy granola — although I wouldn’t add in all the dried fruit if I were mixing it with the compote too)
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium size saucepan, bring fruit, water, cinnamon, syrup and salt to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer until the fruit is very soft and some of the liquid has evaporated (I usually try to smash down my fruit with the back of a fork during the cooking process).
Once the fruit is very soft, remove from heat and add in cornstarch or chia seeds.
Stir and let cool completely (chia seeds will need at least an hour to fully soften and absorb the liquid.)
Store fruit compote in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last 10-14 days.
To make the parfait, layer 2 T. of fruit mixture, 1/3 c. yogurt, and a sprinkle of granola.
Eat and enjoy!
Doesn’t it look fancy!
And let me assure you, these parfaits are much better than the McDonald’s parfaits!
The cinnamon is such a great combo with the fruit (it smells delicious when it’s cooking) and the maple syrup adds just the right touch of sweet without being too overwhelming.
Plus, I love that I can make my own custom flavors. Some of our favorites are:
- Blueberry Cherry
- Triple Berry (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- Strawberry Peach
- Double Cherry (red and black cherries)
I almost always have at least one container of different flavored fruit compote in the refrigerator at all times — and I can’t tell you how many times it has come in handy when people unexpectedly stop over. I can give them a “fancy” and nutritious snack with almost no effort!
If you’re looking for a tasty treat to add to your breakfast, snack, or dessert rotation, give these yogurt parfaits a try!
What fruit flavor combo would you want to try first?
And as always, visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family friendly recipes!
Gabriela says
I made the fruit compote yesterday….very good. I really like adding chia to it. Next…the parfait.
Andrea says
glad you liked it — the chia seeds are a good addition!
Debbie says
I’m not much of yogurt fan but my hubs is. He usually gets the one that flavored and low sugar and I would rather do the healthier version of plain Greek yogurt. It’s probably why I don’t eat it that much because it’s so flavorless. However, I would o this parfait for sure! Your granola mix recipe is one I would totally do but I’d probably just buy my yogurt. I can’t wait to try this!
Andrea says
definitely just buy the yogurt if you aren’t a big yogurt eater — my homemade recipe makes a half gallon of yogurt! hope you enjoy this recipe (if you decide to try it out!)
Deb says
http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2012/09/no-stir-clumpalicious-granola/
http://amysfinerthings.com/basic-easy-homemade-granola-with-lots-of-variations
2 easy granola recipes. I never buy it, it is just way too expensive considering it is basically oatmeal. 😉
Andrea says
thanks!! I used to make granola ALLLLLLLL the time, but got out of the habit!
Deb says
In case anyone wants to go really crazy, all the way homemade:
http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2009/10/how-to-make-homemade-yogurt-2/
Andrea says
thanks Deb! I actually have an even easier post on my own blog for homemade yogurt (probably should have linked to it in this post!)
Anyway, you make it in a slow cooker and it requires almost no effort and it’s almost foolproof! Here it is if you’re interested.
Deb says
That IS easier.
Gabriela says
thanks for the links….I was thinking to start making my own yogurt…so perfect timing. I didn’t remember, Andrea, you had it here. great…:)
Lauren S says
My husband is a granola snob. When he doesn’t make it himself, he has found that Walmart carries a very good granola, better than the national brands oddly enough, and it’s also cheaper. It can be hard to find because it’s often sold out. I guess others know about it. It’s Sweet Home Farm Honey Nut Granola. It’s not filled with puffed rice which he doesn’t like. The ingredient list is not full of a bunch of crazy ingredients.
Andrea says
good to know! i often make my own, but I put lots of dried fruit in mine, and I just like a more “plain” granola for the parfaits. I usually just buy whatever is cheaper 🙂
Nancy says
That compote looks delicious and it would be so convenient to be able to store it for a while. My mom used to make a rhubarb (or strawberry rhubarb) sauce, served with ice cream and/or angel food cake.
Andrea says
yes, it keeps for a while in the fridge!
DeeDee says
I have to try this. I am currently on Weight Watchers and nonfat Greek plain yogurt is 0 points and unlimited. However, I don’t like it like that and this is one recipe I will try for sure. Another fruit type of dessert we love is this Creamy Vanilla Cheesecake Fruit Salad that is also made with yogurt. Even better, it fits my program and my son loves it. I’ve taken this to parties too and everyone loves it. And I love that I can have quite a bit of it and stay on my program. Here it is: http://bit.ly/2vowIEp
Ann W says
We also make our own granola, a recipe we’ve had for years. We call it Grandma’s granola and it’s so good.
Michelle says
Oh yum! Would you be willing to share Grandma’s recipe, Ann?
Alissa says
This looks so yummy (and easy!). I LOVE dairy and we eat a lot of yogurt around here. Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to give this a try.
Andrea says
yes, I always joke that half my shopping cart is dairy whenever we’re grocery shopping! I certainly hope we never have to deal with a dairy allergy or intolerance!
Amy says
Yum! I have started to eat yogurt regularly with this pregnancy but have never made a compote! Going to try it this week!
Andrea says
it’s amazing. The compote is SO much better than fresh fruit (which I do still like on occasion)