Cinnamon Apple Quinoa Parfaits

These parfaits are delicious enough to be dessert, but healthy enough for breakfast. Make the components ahead of time for an easy weekday breakfast option.

Weekday breakfasts are always a challenge, as many of you have heard me complain about before. Everyday I say I am going to put forth more effort than just tipping the top of a cereal box over a bowl, but most of the time it fails and I end up cooing breakfast for dinner instead. But these parfaits may provide that extra motivation to turn the heat on in the morning. This is a relatively quick parfait to make as you can have the crumble baking, the apples simmering, and the quinoa cooking all at the same time. They are also great prepared a head of time (such as the night before), just assemble when ready to eat. An even better thing about this parfait, is that even non-quinoa lovers will enjoy it. The quinoa is flavored with cinnamon and then hidden between layers of syrupy apples, tangy vanilla Greek yogurt, and crunchy oat crumbles. It’s a protein sneak attack!

One year ago: Beef with Barley Soup

CINNAMON APPLE QUINOA PARFAITS

Serves 4

Ingredients:

OAT CRUMBLE

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted

2 tsp granulated sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 Tbsp finely chopped walnuts (optional)

CINNAMON APPLE COMPOTE

4 apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp sugar

1-2 Tbsp water + more, if needed

OTHER

1 cup uncooked quinoa

1-1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt (I used 0% vanilla Chobani)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine all ingredients for the crumble in a small bowl. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 7-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients for the apple compote, mixing well. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Partially cover and cook until apples are softened and liquid is syrupy, about 10 minutes. Add more water if needed in the cooking process. Take off heat and let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, cook quinoa according to package directions. Stir in cinnamon. Set aside to cool.
5. To assemble, spoon 1/4 cup yogurt in bottom of a bowl, 1/4 cup quinoa, 1/4 cup cinnamon apple compote into each of 4 bowls. Repeat the layering and top with oat crumble.

Source: Prevention RD

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