· · · · ·

Paleo Granola + Paleo Parfaits (Vegan & Gluten Free)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy

Paleo Granola & Paleo Parfaits – Layers of grain-free granola, dairy-free yogurt, fruit puree, and fresh fruit make these paleo parfaits the perfect recipe for meal prep or brunch! (Gluten-free, vegan & absolutely awesome!) 

Jars of Paleo Granola Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits with fresh fruit scattered around the background.

If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know I’m ALL about breakfast foods. I LOVE a good breakfast, whether that’s a meal prep recipe I pull out to enjoy a few days in a row, or a nice, slow weekend breakfast.

My paleo granola and fruit parfaits are good for both! Gorgeous grain-free granola, fruit puree, fresh fruit, and some dairy-free yogurt all combine to make something beautiful and delicious you’ll come back to over and over again.

Grain-free granola is such an easy snack or breakfast. Made from a mix of nuts and seeds, it’s got plenty of satisfying crunch and tastes great on just about anything. I love that you really don’t need much to make a big impact. Since it’s so nutrient-dense, I use it more as a garnish than as the star of the show, and it’s just SO GOOD in these paleo parfaits. It’s also fantastic sprinkled over yogurt, acai bowls, chia pudding, or smoothies. (Or, you can enjoy it on its own as a trail mix snack!)

Here’s how I make my paleo granola, how I turn it into paleo parfaits, and a few tips for making these parfaits extra pretty…

White sheet pan with paleo granola cooling Jar or Paleo Granola with a wooden spoon and paleo granola clusters around the jar.

HERE’S WHAT I PUT IN MY PALEO GRANOLA RECIPE:

UNSWEETENED COCONUT FLAKES. Big flakes of unsweetened coconut are SO GOOD in paleo granola. They toast to a perfect golden in the oven and help catch + hold onto all the yummy flavors going on. I recommend big flakes (sometimes sold as coconut chips or shaved coconut) over the finely shredded coconut, which can burn.

SLICED ALMONDS + RAW CASHEWS + PUMPKIN SEEDS. Then, I add a trio of nuts and seeds for some staying power. Almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds lend a nice variety of textures and flavors that are perfect in paleo granola.

FLAX MEAL (GROUND FLAX). A little ground flax lends some healthy fats and helps keep everything together. It’s one of the secrets to getting clusters in this granola!

COCONUT OIL + SYRUP. A combination of coconut oil and maple syrup helps everything crisp up evenly in the oven and gently sweetens this paleo granola recipe. You don’t need much!

VANILLA + CINNAMON + SALT. Lastly, to round out the flavor, I love a mixture of vanilla, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of salt. It’s perfect!

Jars of Paleo Granola Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits with fresh fruit scattered around the background.Jars of Paleo Granola Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits with fresh fruit scattered around the background.

TURN MY PALEO GRANOLA INTO PALEO PARFAITS! HERE’S HOW:

I love this paleo granola on its own, but it’s really fun to use to build paleo parfaits! I love that with parfaits, there is SO much versatility and so many options. Here’s what I layer into my parfaits:

DAIRY-FREE YOGURT OR CHIA PUDDING. We’re dairy-free, so we opt for dairy-free yogurt. My favorite for parfaits is vanilla. We’ve tried several good ones. So Delicious, Culina, and CoYo are 3 of our favorite brands, but even brands like Chobani and Yoplait are coming out with dairy-free options these days! Or, you can switch out the yogurt for some chia pudding. This creamy coconut chia pudding is AMAZING in paleo parfaits!

FRUIT PURÉE. In my paleo parfaits, it’s ALL about the fruit puree. You start with your favorite fresh or frozen fruit, add a tiny bit of honey or syrup (if needed), a splash of juice, and some water to help it blend, then give it a mix. The best part is, you can use whatever fresh or frozen fruit you like. I’ve tried it with strawberries, blueberries, mangos, and a yummy cherry-berry blend. Every version is delicious! It’d also be fabulous with peaches, raspberries, or a combination of fruit!

FRESH FRUIT. Fresh fruit makes these paleo parfaits absolutely beautiful. Feel free to use the same fruit you used for the fruit purée (i.e. strawberry purée + fresh strawberries) or mix and match for more color. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas, mango, and kiwi all work nicely!

PALEO GRANOLA. Then, for a little crunch, my yummy paleo granola works like a charm. It’s gentle sweetness and crispy crunch are so nice next to the creamy yogurt and fruit! If I’m serving this to a crowd, I often put out both paleo granola and traditional gluten-free granola, so folks have options to choose from. (You’ll notice one parfait has oat-based granola)

Front View of Jars of Paleo Granola Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits with fresh fruit scattered around the background.

TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST PALEO GRANOLA + PARFAITS

HOW TO GET CLUSTERS IN PALEO GRANOLA. The big tip is to pack the granola together tightly right when it comes out of the oven. You’ll keep it spread out on the pan while it’s baking, then packing it together tightly helps it create clusters as it cools. Don’t skip this step if you love clusters!

STORAGE + MAKE-AHEAD TIPS. I usually make my paleo parfaits in lidded jars so that they work well for meal prep, but they’re also really pretty if you’re setting them out for a build-your-own parfait bar. The fruit puree will stay good for 3-4 days, so you can layer your yogurt and fruit puree in several jars at once, then just add some fresh fruit and granola to serve!

FRUIT TO TRY IN MY FRUIT PUREE. I’ve tried this fruit purée with strawberry, blueberry, mango, and a tasty cherry-berry blend (pictured in these photos). Mix and match fruits to make your own combinations…strawberry-mango, strawberry-blueberry, raspberry-peach…the options are endless!

A TRICK FOR MAKING YOUR PARFAITS LOOK PRETTY. These paleo parfaits look extra gorgeous when you press cut fresh fruit against the side of the glass. Kiwi and strawberries work really well for this and keep well if you’re making them ahead of time.

THE BEST DAIRY-FREE YOGURT. You can use any flavor of yogurt (dairy or non-dairy) that you like for these, based on your dietary needs. My favorite non-dairy yogurts are Coyo (which I find at Whole Foods or Natural Grocers), and So Delicious or Culina brands, which I pick up at Sprouts. You can also make your own pretty easily if you prefer.

IMPROVE DIGESTIBILITY. Some people feel heavy or bloated after eating nuts/seeds. If that’s the case, it could be that you’re having trouble with some of the enzyme inhibitors or phytic acid. (Which all sounds fancy and complicated, but really isn’t). Soaking and dehydrating nuts and seeds is a great way to improve their digestibility since soaking can help break down the enzyme inhibitors, introduce healthful enzymes, and reduce phytic acid. (You can read about the why and how here). It’s an extra step, but it might be worth it if you struggle with digesting nuts & seeds.

Paleo parfait in a jar with coconut milk yogurt, strawberry puree, and grain-free granola, with fresh fruit scattered in the background.

LOVE THESE PARFAITS? YOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE…

HELPFUL INGREDIENTS + TOOLS FOR MAKING PALEO GRANOLA + PALEO PARFAITS:

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Jars of Paleo Granola Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits with fresh fruit scattered around the background.

Paleo Granola & Fruit Parfaits


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: One Lovely Life
  • Total Time: About 35 minutes
  • Yield: About 2.5 cups granola 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Paleo Granola & Fruit Parfaits – Layers of grain-free granola, dairy-free yogurt, fruit puree, and fresh fruit make these paleo parfaits the perfect recipe for meal prep or brunch! (Gluten-free, vegan & absolutely awesome!) 

Note: nutrition facts are estimated for granola only. Yogurt + fruit purée are separate and will vary based on brands, amounts, and varieties used. 


Ingredients

Scale

FOR THE PALEO GRANOLA:

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (the large ones, not finely grated)
  • 3/4 cup raw sliced almonds
  • 3/4 cup raw cashews
  • 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup flax meal (ground flax)
  • 23 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch salt

FOR THE FRUIT PURÉE (IF MAKING PARFAITS):

  • 2 cups frozen berries or fruit (cherries, mango, etc.)
  • 1 Tbsp orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp honey or syrup (optional)
  • 3/4 cup water

TO SERVE:

  • Dairy-Free Yogurt or Chia Pudding
  • Fresh fruit (kiwi, berries, banana, mango, etc.)

Instructions

MAKE THE GRANOLA:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a nonstick silicone baking mat.
  2. In a large bowl, combine all granola ingredients, stirring well to combine.
  3. Spread out on the prepared pan.
  4. Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes for even browning.
  5. Remove from oven when golden and press mixture tightly together (this will create clusters as it cools).
  6. Allow granola to cool completely before breaking into clusters. (Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 1 week)

MAKE THE FRUIT PUREE:

  1. Place berries/fruit, juice, honey, and water in a blender or food processor and blend or puree until smooth. (If you’d like some texture, you can pulse it to break it up).
  2. If fruit isn’t blending well, allow it to soften and thaw for a few minutes before blending again. (Don’t add additional liquid or it’ll be too thin.)

ASSEMBLE PARFAITS:

  1. Layer dairy free yogurt, fruit puree, fresh fruit, and your paleo granola in any order you please.
  2. If storing for meal prep, add granola right before serving. (Fruit puree will keep in the refrigerator 3-4 days.)

Notes

Storage & Make Ahead Tips – I make these in lidded jars so that they work well for meal prep, but they’re also really pretty if you’re setting them out for a build-your-own parfait bar. The fruit puree will stay good for 3-4 days, so you can layer your yogurt and fruit puree in several jars at once, then just add some fresh fruit and granola to serve!

Frozen Fruit Puree – I’ve tried this with strawberry, blueberry, mango, and Cascadian Farms Cherry Berry Blend (pictured in these photos). Mix and match fruits to make your own combinations…strawberry-mango, strawberry-blueberry, raspberry-peach…the options are endless!

Make Them Pretty – These parfaits look extra gorgeous when you press cut fresh fruit against the side of the glass. Kiwi and strawberries work really well for this and keep well if you’re making them ahead of time.

Coconut Yogurt – You can use any flavor of yogurt (dairy or non-dairy) that you like for these, based on your dietary needs. My favorite non-dairy yogurt is So Delicious coconut milk yogurt, which I pick up at Sprouts. Sprouts has a TON of yogurt options (from grass-fed organic yogurts to coconut milk, almond milk, sheep’s milk, Greek yogurts, and everything in between).

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
Collage of images of jars of paleo granola parfats with berry puree, fresh fruit, yogurt, and kiwi with text overlay that reads "Gluten-Free + Vegan Paleo Granola + Paleo Parfaits--great for meal prep or brunch!"

Front view of jar of paleo granola parfait with fresh fruit, yogurt, and berry puree with text overlay that reads "Gluten-Free + Vegan Paleo Granola Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits--Perfect for meal prep or brunch!"

Front view of jars of paleo granola parfait with fresh fruit, yogurt, and berry puree with text overlay that reads "Gluten-Free + Vegan Paleo Granola Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits--Perfect for meal prep or brunch!"

Collage of images of jars of paleo granola parfats with berry puree, fresh fruit, yogurt, and kiwi with text overlay that reads "Gluten-Free + Vegan Paleo Granola + Paleo Parfaits--great for meal prep or brunch!"

Collage of images of jars of paleo granola parfats with berry puree, fresh fruit, yogurt, and kiwi with text overlay that reads "Gluten-Free + Vegan Paleo Granola + Paleo Parfaits--great for meal prep or brunch!"

Front view of jars of paleo granola parfait with fresh fruit, yogurt, and berry puree with text overlay that reads "One Lovely Life. Paleo Granola + Parfaits--great for meal prep + brunch! Gluten-Free + Vegan."

Overhead view of jars of paleo granola parfait with fresh fruit, yogurt, and berry puree with text overlay that reads "One Lovely Life. Paleo Granola + Parfaits--great for meal prep + brunch! Gluten-Free + Vegan."

Similar Posts

6 Comments

  1. I’ve been looking for a good grain free granola recipe! Thank you… just in time for the weekly meal plan and grocery shop 🙂

    1. Susan – I didn’t include nutrition facts on these, because it would completely depend on what yogurt you used and how much fruit puree, and granola you put in your parfaits. You can plug the granola recipe into a free online calculator (like MyFitnessPal) and then calculate the serving size based on what you use per parfait. 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star