DIY: Kid Friendly Parfaits with Homemade Granola

It’s berry season all across America! Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries never taste better than they do in summer. Whether you buy your berries from a farmer’s market, raise them in your own garden, or pick them at a local patch, fresh berries are a tasty addition to Kid Friendly Yogurt Parfaits. These parfaits make an excellent breakfast or snack that you and your kids will love!

To assemble the parfait, simply scoop plain or vanilla flavored Greek yogurt into a dish. I usually give my kids about ½ cup, but you can adjust depending on how much your children eat. Next, slice the berries into bite sized pieces and place them on top of the yogurt. Finally scoop a few tablespoons of granola onto the yogurt and berries. You can use your favorite store bought granola or make the simple homemade granola below.

Making granola sounds intimidating, but it is so easy and versatile. Start by putting 4 cups of oats in a mixing bowl. The oats will be your base, so you want to use at least 3 cups, but you can substitute some of the oats for crispy rice cereal for a different texture.

Add 1 cup of chopped nuts. I used sliced almonds, but you can really get creative with this addition. You can substitute all or part of the nuts for coconut flakes, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, basically any nut or seed you can think of will work. Just be sure to keep the mixture to 1 cup.

Mix together the dry ingredients, and add ¼ cup of brown sugar. Again you can make many substitutions based on your preferences or dietary needs. Agave, honey or coconut sugar can be used instead.

Mix the sweetener in well and add 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla or almond extract.

Finally add ¼ cup of melted butter. I think the combination of butter and brown sugar is divine, but you can certainly use melted coconut oil for a healthier option. Toss the mixture until it is well coated in butter, then spread on a greased sheet pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. After the granola is completely cool, store it in an airtight container.

Making homemade granola is so simple that kids can help, too. Younger children can help pour and mix ingredients, while older children can help with the math if you make substitutions. Practice fractions while measuring out different nuts and seeds to add up to 1 cup.