Granola Cherry Parfait

Here is my favorite cherry parfait recipe, with sweet cherries tossed in orange juice and zest, layered with creamy Greek yogurt, and topped with crunchy granola for the perfect quick breakfast or snack.

This cherry parfait is what I make when I need something healthy but still feel like I’m treating myself. It takes about 5 minutes to put together, and my kids love assembling their own parfaits on busy school mornings.

What Kind of Cherries Should I Use?

Bing cherries are called for in this recipe because they’re sweet, juicy, and have that classic deep red color that makes your parfait look really appetizing. That said, if you can’t find Bing cherries, Rainier cherries or any other sweet cherry variety will work just fine. Fresh cherries are ideal when they’re in season (usually late spring through summer), but frozen cherries are a great backup option year-round – just thaw them first and drain any excess liquid so your parfait doesn’t get watery. When picking fresh cherries at the store, look for ones that are firm, shiny, and still have their stems attached, as these tend to be the freshest.

Options for Substitutions

This simple parfait is easy to customize based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Bing cherries: Any sweet cherry variety works great here – try Rainier or Lambert cherries when they’re in season. You can also use frozen cherries if fresh aren’t available, just thaw them first and drain any excess liquid.
• Orange juice and zest: Lemon juice and zest make a nice substitute if you’re out of oranges. You could also try lime for a different citrus twist.
• Yogurt: The recipe already mentions several options, but regular yogurt, Greek yogurt, or any plant-based variety you prefer will work. Greek yogurt gives you a thicker, creamier texture, while regular yogurt is a bit lighter.
• Granola: Feel free to swap granola with crushed graham crackers, chopped nuts, or even crumbled cookies for a different crunch. If you’re watching sugar, plain toasted oats work nicely too.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making cherry parfait is assembling it too far in advance, which causes the granola to get soggy and lose its crunch – wait until just before serving to layer everything together, or keep the granola separate until the last minute.

Another common error is not letting the cherry mixture cool completely before layering, as warm fruit will make your yogurt runny and watery instead of thick and creamy.

When simmering the cherries, keep the heat low and stir occasionally to prevent the fruit from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning, which can give your parfait a bitter taste.

For the best texture, use full-fat yogurt rather than non-fat versions, as it holds up better against the moisture from the cherries and creates more distinct layers in your parfait.

What to Serve With Cherry Parfait?

Cherry parfait makes a great breakfast or snack on its own, but I love pairing it with a warm cup of coffee or tea in the morning. If you’re serving it for brunch, consider adding some buttery croissants or banana bread on the side to make it more filling. For a lighter option, fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or blueberries work nicely alongside the parfait. You can also turn this into a dessert spread by serving it with shortbread cookies or biscotti for dipping into the creamy yogurt layers.

Storage Instructions

Store: If you want to prep the cherry mixture ahead, keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I’d recommend storing the granola separately though, so it doesn’t get soggy. The yogurt is best kept in its original container until you’re ready to assemble.

Assemble Fresh: Parfaits are really best enjoyed right after you put them together. If you need to make them a few hours ahead, layer everything except the granola, then add that crunchy topping just before serving. This keeps the texture nice and prevents everything from getting mushy.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 400-500
• Protein: 10-16 g
• Fat: 7-13 g
• Carbohydrates: 75-90 g

Ingredients

For the compote:

• 2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 3 tbsp orange juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

For the base and crunch:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (Fage 5%)
• 1/2 cup granola (Kind Healthy Grains)

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Cherry Compote

• 2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 3 tbsp orange juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Combine the pitted and halved cherries, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally and mashing the cherries with the back of a spoon as they soften.

This breaks down the fruit and releases its juices, creating a rich, jammy compote that will hold its structure in the parfait.

Step 2: Cool the Cherry Compote and Taste

• cherry compote from Step 1

Transfer the cherry mixture to a bowl or plate and let it cool to room temperature, about 10-15 minutes.

Once cooled, taste the compote and add a sweetener like honey or sugar if desired—I prefer tasting it first since the natural sweetness of the cherries and orange juice often provides enough flavor without additional sugar.

Set aside until ready to assemble.

Step 3: Assemble the Parfait

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• cherry compote from Step 2
• 1/2 cup granola

Divide the Greek yogurt between two glasses or bowls, using half the yogurt for the bottom layer of each.

Spoon half of the cooled cherry compote over the yogurt, then divide the granola between the two glasses, sprinkling half over the cherry layer.

Top each with the remaining yogurt, then finish with the remaining cherry compote and a final sprinkle of granola.

I like to do the yogurt-cherry-granola layering in that specific order because it creates visual appeal and ensures each spoonful has all three textures together.

Granola Cherry Parfait

Delicious Granola Cherry Parfait recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 2 parfaits

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the compote

• 2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 3 tbsp orange juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

For the base and crunch

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (Fage 5%)
• 1/2 cup granola (Kind Healthy Grains)

Instructions

 

• Combine the pitted and halved cherries, orange zest, orange juice, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally and mashing the cherries with the back of a spoon as they soften. This breaks down the fruit and releases its juices, creating a rich, jammy compote that will hold its structure in the parfait.
• Transfer the cherry mixture to a bowl or plate and let it cool to room temperature, about 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, taste the compote and add a sweetener like honey or sugar if desired—I prefer tasting it first since the natural sweetness of the cherries and orange juice often provides enough flavor without additional sugar. Set aside until ready to assemble.
• Divide the Greek yogurt between two glasses or bowls, using half the yogurt for the bottom layer of each. Spoon half of the cooled cherry compote over the yogurt, then divide the granola between the two glasses, sprinkling half over the cherry layer. Top each with the remaining yogurt, then finish with the remaining cherry compote and a final sprinkle of granola. I like to do the yogurt-cherry-granola layering in that specific order because it creates visual appeal and ensures each spoonful has all three textures together.