Maple Steel Cut Oats Granola Pumpkin Yogurt Parfaits: Your Ultimate Healthy & Delicious Breakfast Guide
Kickstart your day with a truly exceptional breakfast or enjoy a satisfying afternoon treat with these incredible Maple Steel Cut Oats Granola Pumpkin Yogurt Parfaits! This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a vibrant, fiber-packed, and protein-rich experience designed to keep you feeling full, energized, and utterly delighted. Combining the wholesome goodness of traditional rolled oats and the distinctive crunch of steel cut oats with creamy 2% Greek yogurt, these parfaits offer a perfect balance of texture and flavor without compromising on health.
My journey with oats began long ago, a daily ritual that started during my college years. Back then, the university cafeteria’s scrambled eggs simply couldn’t compare to my mom’s home cooking – a true testament to being a bit #spoiled! Faced with the choice between questionable eggs and limp bacon, I quickly found my refuge at the oatmeal station. And once I found it, I never looked back. For four years, I was a regular, and the “Oatmeal Guy” there would even anticipate my arrival, dishing up a hearty bowl with generous scoops of raisins and brown sugar. It was a comforting, consistent start to every morning.
The Evolution of a Breakfast Favorite: From Simple Oats to Gourmet Parfaits
While my college days of the “Oatmeal Guy” are fondly remembered, life after college calls for a bit more culinary adventure. Sometimes, you just need to shake things up! That’s how my obsession with this homemade Maple Steel Cut Oats Granola began. It quickly became apparent that this granola isn’t just good; it’s genuinely better than any store-bought variety I’ve ever tasted. The secret lies in a unique blend of ingredients and a meticulous process that elevates it to a whole new level.
The foundation of this exceptional granola starts with a thoughtful combination of both traditional rolled oats and the more substantial, chewier steel cut oats. This duo ensures a multifaceted texture – a comforting chewiness from the rolled oats perfectly complemented by the robust, satisfying crunch of the steel cut variety. This untraditional inclusion of steel cut oats is truly the heart and soul of this granola, adding an incredible depth of character and an addictive crunch that you won’t find in most granolas.
Crafting the Ultimate Maple Steel Cut Oats Granola
Beyond the oats, the magic continues with a carefully selected array of mix-ins. I love to get a little “crazy” with my dried fruit, nut, and seed additions, ensuring every bite is an exciting discovery. And, of course, maple syrup. Because, hello?! Maple is simply a non-negotiable for that rich, warm, and natural sweetness that ties all the flavors together beautifully. Using pure maple syrup, especially a Grade B (or dark robust taste) variety, imparts a deeper, more complex flavor profile that truly shines.
The addition of nonfat dry milk powder and toasted wheat germ isn’t just for texture; it subtly enhances the nutritional value and adds a nutty undertone. Pumpkin seeds and chopped pecans bring healthy fats and an additional layer of crunch, while aromatic cinnamon and a hint of dried ginger infuse the granola with cozy, autumnal notes that are universally appealing. A touch of kosher salt balances the sweetness, making the flavors pop. When combined with walnut oil, which offers a delicate, buttery richness, these ingredients transform into a golden, irresistible cluster of deliciousness.
Once baked to perfection, the granola is studded with tart dried cherries and plump golden raisins, adding bursts of chewy sweetness and a vibrant contrast. The whole process of making this granola from scratch takes just about 30 minutes of active “work” – and by work, I mostly mean some enjoyable stirring. The reward? Enough incredible granola to last you the entire week, ensuring a grab-and-go option that’s far superior to anything pre-packaged.
The Perfect Partner: Spiced Pumpkin Greek Yogurt
But the journey doesn’t end with the granola. The next star of these parfaits is the exquisitely creamy and lightly spiced pumpkin Greek yogurt. What makes this yogurt truly special is that it’s intentionally unsweetened. This thoughtful choice allows the natural sweetness of the maple granola to shine through, creating a harmonious and balanced flavor profile in every spoonful. The contrast between the crunchy granola and the smooth, cool yogurt is simply delightful.
For the yogurt base, we use 2% Greek yogurt, known for its thick texture and high protein content, which contributes significantly to the parfait’s filling nature. Mixed with pure pumpkin puree (be sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, as the latter contains added sugars and spices that would alter the balance), it takes on a beautiful orange hue and a subtle earthy sweetness. A dash of cinnamon and ground ginger in the yogurt mirrors the spices in the granola, creating a cohesive flavor experience that is both comforting and invigorating.
Assembling Your Irresistible Parfaits
Once you have both your magnificent granola and your luscious pumpkin yogurt ready, assembling these parfaits is a joy. It’s an opportunity to create a visually stunning dish that’s as appealing to the eyes as it is to the palate. Simply layer spoonfuls of the crunchy Maple Steel Cut Oats Granola with generous dollops of the creamy pumpkin Greek yogurt in tall parfait glasses or any clear drinking glass. The layering allows for a perfect bite every time, ensuring you get both textures and flavors in delightful combination. With about one cup of yogurt per parfait, these are substantial enough to satisfy the heartiest of appetites.
Tips for Granola Success and Customization
- Don’t Skip the Toasting: Toasting the rolled and steel cut oats initially is crucial for developing a deep, nutty flavor and ensuring a crispier final product.
- Even Coating is Key: When pouring the wet maple syrup mixture over the dry ingredients, take your time to toss gently and ensure everything is evenly coated. This helps achieve uniform flavor and texture.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to touch or eat the granola before it has completely cooled on the wire rack. This is when it develops its signature crunch and clusters.
- Customize Your Mix-Ins: Feel free to experiment with your favorite nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds (chia, flax), or dried fruits (cranberries, blueberries). Just ensure they are added *after* baking to prevent burning.
- Spice It Up: Adjust the cinnamon and ginger in both the granola and yogurt to your preference. A pinch of nutmeg or allspice can also be a wonderful addition, especially for an even richer fall flavor.
Meal Prep & Storage
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its excellent suitability for meal prepping. The homemade granola can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, or even longer in the freezer. The pumpkin yogurt mixture can also be prepared ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This makes assembling your parfaits a breeze each morning – simply scoop, layer, and enjoy! These parfaits are fantastic for busy mornings, a quick office lunch, or a satisfying post-workout snack.
Nutritional Benefits of Your Parfait
These Maple Steel Cut Oats Granola Pumpkin Yogurt Parfaits are not just delicious; they’re packed with nutritional power. Oats are an excellent source of soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar levels. Greek yogurt provides a substantial amount of protein, essential for muscle repair and satiety. Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A, an important antioxidant for vision and immune health, while the nuts and seeds contribute healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. This makes each parfait a wholesome and balanced choice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
So, if I may be so bold as to say that “Maple Steel Cut Oats Granola Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait” is really just my verbose way of saying, “Your new favorite breakfast.” Prepare to be wowed by the deliciousness and the satisfying feeling these parfaits bring!
Maple Steel Cut Oats Granola Pumpkin Yogurt Parfaits
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Ingredients
For the Granola:
- 2 cups Rolled Oats
- 1 cup Steel Cut Oats
- ¼ cup nonfat dry milk powder you can usually find this by the canned milk
- ¼ cup toasted wheat germ
- 2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar or use light brown sugar, unpacked
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon dried ginger
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup walnut oil
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup Grade B
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup tart dried cherries packed
- ¼ cup golden raisins
For the Yogurt:
- 4 cups 2% Greek yogurt
- ½ cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie mix
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
Make the granola:
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Preheat your oven to 350° F.
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Evenly spread the Quaker Oats Old Fashioned Oats and Quaker Oats Steel Cut Oats on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown, stirring once. Pour into a large bowl.
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While your oats toast, bring walnut oil, maple syrup and vanilla just to a boil in a small saucepot.
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To your oats add dry milk powder, wheat germ, coconut palm sugar, pumpkin seeds and pecans; toss to mix thoroughly. Pour your heated maple syrup mixture over the oat mixture and toss gently to coat evenly. I used two wooden spoons.
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Pour the oat mixture back onto your rimmed baking sheet and spread out evenly. Bake 12-15 minutes or until the mixture is golden brown and no longer sticky. (It will still feel wet.) Remove the sheet from the oven and place on a wire rack.
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Sprinkle the cherries and raisins evenly over the surface of the granola; toss gently to distribute. Allow to cool completely before touching (or eating).
Assemble the Parfaits:
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In a medium bowl mix together yogurt, pumpkin, cinnamon and ginger.
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In tall parfait glasses or any other drinking glass, layer the granola with the yogurt, using about 1 cup of yogurt for each parfait.
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