You know what else everybody likes? Parfaits! Naughty looking but healthy parfait. Why not make these breakfast granola jars, with berries, kiwi fruit and dark chocolate, the night before, so they are ready to grab and go. It’s like having dessert for breakfast!

I’m not really a morning person, this Morning-Ogre doesn’t do layers of any kind unless it’s a warm duvet layered and snuggled in on top of me, but I’m trying to rectify that this year. I’m trying to be a morning person, but the thing is I’m just not that “go-getting 5pm gym straight after work” person.
So with the usual flurry of New Year resolutions to kick-start myself again, get fit and healthy and this year keep it up (yes, you’ve heard that all before, I know), I’ve made the conscious decision to drag my sorry-arse out of bed every morning and hit the pool, to beat the Morning-Ogre blues, and not have the “I need to go to the gym after work, when I really just want to veg on the couch” thoughts.
So far it’s working, I’ve kept going for a week; yes it’s only a week but I’m one-third of the way there to it becoming a habit.
Apparently, doing something 21 things will reinforce it and it should no longer feel like a chore, just part of the routine.
I’ll be honest, the swim itself is not the issue, in fact that is positively a lovely way to wake up – an empty pool, gentle lighting, warm and relaxed, blissful; it’s the 6.00am alarm, the pitch black drive and the freezing car, that as the pool is only around the corner doesn’t get chance to warm you up in the chilly morning air, that is the issue.
But, I’m not complaining, honestly, I’m not. Because by the time I’ve swum a good 1-1.5km, showered and got ready for work, I feel that I’m ready to face whatever the day has to throw at me, knowing full well I can head straight home after work and have the whole evening to myself.
So I’m trying to shift to more of Donkey’s perspective and not have onion layers, but cake layers, or even parfait layers…
You see, that with this morning routine I’m getting incredibly hungry, and just stuffing whatever in my mouth to feed me, just won’t work. I’ve been looking for something that wasn’t the usual and would keep me feeling full.
Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page
Greek Yogurt – A Taste Discovery
Anyway, before Christmas, I discovered that I actually liked Greek yoghurt. I know that sounds a bit weird, but for ages, we’d been using a particular brand of 0% Greek yoghurt in cooking; perfect with some garlic, herbs and black pepper through it.
It worked really well, but on its own it tasted rather yucky. I’d tried to use it in protein shakes but even mixing in some chocolate milkshake powder couldn’t get rid of the taste, and I quickly went off the idea.
Then I found a coconut and vanilla version in good old Waitrose and something changed, I was hooked. A hint of coconut whisking me away back to the paradise of Kuramathi. Taking the bull by the horns, I decided that I’d give a natural version another shot but not the funny tasting one…
Mixing it in with a little granola for breakfast was starting to look more appealing than another bowl of Rice Krispies, soggy at the bottom and not really doing anything for my morning enthusiasm.
Ramping it up a little, I decided it needed a little something sweeter mixed through and a languishing pack of kiwi fruit that was begging to be eaten, some strawberries, a sprinkle of dried cranberries, and naughty but nice chocolate chips, and we were done.
Putting these breakfast granola and yoghurt jars together the night before, and grabbing out of the fridge through half-awake eyes before my morning swim, is so easy.
And the best thing is that by the time I sit down to eat this little pot of goodness at work, I’m really looking forward to it.
It’s secret… it tastes like dessert! Win-Win!
It’s all about the jar
There’s a few handy hints at the end of the recipe, however if there’s one thing I can recommend it’s to get some lovely jars to make you breakfast granola jars in.
Not only do they hold plenty of layers and keep everything sealed fresh, but there look mighty pretty too and worth of an Instagram snap. I really these jars:
- Kilner Breakfast Jars with Sauce Pot – and if you’re not using them for breakfast, use them for a salad jar and pop your dressing in the pot that attaches to the lid
- Mason Jar for Overnight Oats – with its handle this jar is great for grabbing and going, then eating on the morning commute on the train or tube
Looking for more recipe inspiration?
Check out these other deliciously easy fruity ideas.
Breakfast Granola and Yoghurt Jars
Ingredients
- 200 g 0% Fat-free Greek yoghurt
- 120 g Granola try my [nut-free choc granola]
- 1500 g Strawberries hulled and quartered
- 150 g Kiwi fruit peeled and quartered
- 60 g Dried cranberries
- 40 g Dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a clean jar, layer the yoghurt then granola.
- Sprinkle over the dried cranberries.
- Layer the strawberries and kiwi fruit on top of the cranberries.
- Sprinkle over the dark chocolate chips.
- Mix together with a spoon and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
DISCLAIMER
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Tried and tested – great for breakfasts!