Our Favorite Apple Pie Yogurt Parfait with Homemade Granola

We love parfaits for dessert, as a snack or even for breakfast. Our favorite parfait consists of layers of homemade granola, yogurt and apples that have been cooked with cinnamon and sugar much like for apple pie filling. I am sharing our favorite apple pie yogurt parfait with homemade granola with you today!

I often make “apple pie filling” which is simply apples cooked until tender, similar to a chunky apple sauce. It is a fabulous way to get rid of those apples that are turning soft, or in the fall time when you have an abundance of apples. I also use this as an actual filling for apple pie which reduces the pie’s cooking time because the filling has already been cooked and the crust is only needing baking. When my girls were little, they absolutely hated applesauce, so I began cooking apples and rather than pureeing them, I left it as is and told them it was apple pie filling, which they gobbled up! Apple pie filling does sound delicious and so much better, doesn’t it?

Not only is this a great way to use up apples, but it is an excellent way to use that homemade granola! We often make a variety of parfaits through the summer (the options are endless!) and we love the flavor and crunch the granola adds. Adding granola to fruit and yogurt also gives it a baked fruit crisp feel to it and it is utterly delicious!

Let’s get started!

First, we will need to prepare our apple pie filling! You can use any apples you like. Granny Smith apples do not tend to cook down as well as Ambrosia, McIntosh or even Spartan apples. I often use a variety of apples which adds such a wonderful flavor! Apples that tend to not cook down as much, I usually cut really small, or grate! Once you have your apples, peel, core and chop the apples. Place in a saucepan.

Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. The amount of sugar you use really is preference. It also depends how tart the apples are. The more tart they are, the more sugar I use, but the sweetness is completely up to you. Often I combine tart apples with sweet apples so less sugar is required. Today, I used about 6 to 8 cups of apples, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 cup sugar and a splash of water. I sometimes let the apples sit for 10 minutes which draws out the natural sugars of the apples.

After 30 minutes of cooking on medium heat, the apples are starting to soften. Stir often. I usually taste at this point and adjust cinnamon and sugar if needed. If the saucepan seems dry, I add more water.

After another 45 minutes, the apples are ready! If there is too much water in the apples, you can slightly thicken by adding a cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp water mixed with 1 tsp cornstarch) and stir as you drizzle in the cornstarch to prevent lumps. The cooked apples are delicious warm. Let cool completely to add to pie crust for apple pie or to use for parfaits. Store any leftover apples in the fridge.

For our parfaits, I usually cook the apples the evening before. Once cooled, I refrigerate the apple pie filling, so it will be cold when we assemble our parfaits. The bits of cinnamon speckled all over the apples reminds me of fall time! Looks and tastes scrumptious!

Adding homemade granola to the parfait adds some crunch and reminds me of the flavor of apple pie crossed with an apple crumble and goes wonderfully together!

Check out how to make homemade granola here: https://www.ourcityhomestead.com/homemade-granola/

Building the parfaits are fun, super simple, and kids of all ages will enjoy assembling their parfait! In a glass, jar, or bowl of your choice, alternate layers of apple pie filling (our deliciously cooked apples), yogurt and homemade granola. We do 2 of these layers, ending with granola.

Eat after assembling as leaving it sit too long will cause the granola to absorb the moisture and turn soft. I do not suggest to pre-make these, unless you leave the granola out, layer the apples and yogurt and then sprinkle the granola over top just before eating.

Apple Pie Yogurt Parfait with Homemade Granola

Apple Pie Filling
apples — about 4 to 6 cups
sugar — about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, depending upon the type of apples and the tartness of them
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup water

Combine apples, sugar and cinnamon together. Let sit 10 minutes which will draw out the moisture. If after 10 minutes, there is not much liquid, add water. Cook apples for 30 minutes, stirring often. Taste and adjust sugar and cinnamon as needed. Cook another 45 minutes, or until desired tenderness. If there is too much liquid, drizzle in 2 tbsp water and 1 tsp cornstarch that has been mixed together. Stir while adding cornstarch slurry to avoid lumps. Remove from heat and let cool. Store any leftovers in the fridge.

To assemble the parfaits, layer 3 to 4 tbsp apple pie filling, 3 to 4 tbsp yogurt, 1 to 2 tbsp granola, and then repeat. Eat immediately.

To pre-make the parfaits, layer 3 to 4 tbsp apple pie filling, 3 to 4 tbsp yogurt and repeat. Leave granola on the side until ready to eat.

enjoy from Our City Homestead to yours