Aggie's Kitchen

Cherry Almond Granola (and Summertime Cherry Parfaits)

Cherry Almond Granola | AggiesKitchen.com #granola #healthy #breakfast #snack

Over the summer break, I had a little more time in the mornings to play around with breakfast. I introduced my kids to parfaits and they loved them. I know it’s not a novel idea, but I’m more of a spooning granola over a bowl of yogurt and fruit kind of girl versus layering it up all pretty in a parfait. But there’s nothing wrong with changing it up sometimes!

Cherry Almond Granola | AggiesKitchen.com #granola #healthy #breakfast #snack

I’ve always loved the flavors of cherry and almond together (hence, why I love this holiday candle so much!!) – it’s the perfect combination in my opinion. I picked up a bag of dried cherries recently thinking I was going to make a Michigan inspired chicken salad like this one, but they ended up in granola instead. I guess I need to get more, because I can’t stop thinking about Sheila’s salad on that croissant – kinda wishing I had it for lunch today.

Cherry Almond Granola | AggiesKitchen.com #granola #healthy #breakfast #snack

I’ve shared recipes for homemade granola on the blog before, and this one is not much different. The great part about granola is you can stick to a standard recipe, then just change up the flavors a bit each time. For this granola recipe, I used honey for the sweetener (as opposed to maple like I tend to use) and coconut oil instead of vegetable oil.

As for the parfait, it’s simple once you have your granola cooked up. The granola is layered up between sliced fresh cherries and plain or vanilla yogurt (we like to switch up between regular and Greek yogurt). That’s basically all it takes to make a pretty little parfait – and a healthy snack. My kids were over the moon excited when I presented them with one – made me feel like Mom of the Year for a second. ๐Ÿ™‚

Cherry Almond Granola | AggiesKitchen.com #granola #healthy #breakfast #snack

Print Recipe

Cherry Almond Granola

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups old fashioned oats
  • 2 cups sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup flax meal
  • 2 pinches of salt
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil (can be reduced to 1/4 cup for less calories and fat)
  • 1/3 cup honey (can be reduced to 1/4 cup if you don't have a huge sweet tooth and are watching calories)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 cup whole dried cherries, roughly chopped

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, almonds, flax meal and salt.
  3. In a small sauce pan over low heat combine coconut oil and honey until liquified. Add vanilla to coconut oil and honey and pour over granola mixture. Using a wooden spoon gently stir until oats are completely covered in oil and honey mixture.
  4. Spread granola mixture evenly onto 2 large baking sheets. Cook for 10 minutes, add cherries and gently stir. Cook for 10-15 minutes more, or until golden brown.

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More summertime cherry recipes:

Chocolate Cherry Berry Smoothie | The Lemon Bowl

Cherry Coconut Crostini | Reluctant Entertainer

Grilled Pork Chops with Cherry Salsa | Simply Recipes

Cherry Fruit Leather | Baked By Rachel

Sweet Cherry Freezer Jam with Lime | A Farmgirl’s Dabbles

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24 comments on “Cherry Almond Granola (and Summertime Cherry Parfaits)”

  1. I love parfaits too! This granola is such a fabulous recipe for the morning!

  2. What gorgeous photos and a lovely little recipe. Cherry and almond is one of my favourite combinations.

  3. I absolutely wish I could have some right now! So simple and refreshing.

  4. These are beautiful! I love cherries and this granola looks and sounds so good!

  5. You know I’m a parfait aholic. Whenever its on a menu, I MUST order it (there are no ifs ands or buts! The granola sounds great. Cherries rock

  6. First of all…. GREAT photography my Friend! Seriously love these shots. Second, I had never seen nor thought to melt the coconut oil with honey and use it this way. Cannot wait to make this…. I’m hosting a Back-To-School brunch next week for some girls in my neighborhood… Pinning this to make for that! Love you GirlFriend.

  7. Looks delicious! You know something I can never get past and it’s super weird. I love raisins but I can’t eat them if they are mixed in with granola and yogurt, the way the get harder from the cold yogurt. I don’t know maybe the cherry would solve my pet peeve.

  8. Looks delicious! You know something I can never get past and it’s super weird. I love raisins but I can’t eat them if they are mixed in with granola and yogurt, the way the get harder from the cold yogurt. I don’t know maybe the cherry would solve my pet peeve.

  9. What a great recipe: simple and straight-forward. I love the combo of cherries & almonds. And the flax meal? Sold! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Ooo nice idea to add cherry to the granola! I imagine its a great flavor!

  11. What a terrific idea to add cherries to granola. And I love the parfaits!

  12. Thanks for a recipe <3

  13. I love homemade granola. My friend just gave me a giant jar for my birthday! Isn’t that a fun idea? It’s so much better than store bought. Great recipe, Aggie!

  14. These parfaits would be perfect for school mornings! Cherries and almond…yep, an awesome match.

  15. I love playing with new granola recipes — love this one, Aggie!

  16. I was just thinking I needed to make some more homemade snacks before school starts. My whole family loves granola (and parfaits). This looks great Aggie!

  17. Looks delicious!! I love parfaits anytime.

  18. Great photos! Looks delicious! I love this mix.

  19. This looks so beautiful and easy to make, Aggie!

  20. So pretty! A perfect way to start the day.

  21. I love granola parfaits for breakfast and cherries and almonds are a perfect match. I love to store my granola in a glass jar in the pantry–it looks pretty and is always enticing.

  22. Pingback: Multigrain Cherry Granola | Lingonberry Lane

  23. Pingback: Breakfast with the Girls

  24. I wish we lived close enough so I could have you over for lunch! I just made this chicken salad last week ๐Ÿ˜‰ This granola looks amazing. I’m more of a pour the granola over my yogurt girl myself as well. thanks so much for sharing Aggie XOXO Sheila