Introduction

Remember those chilly autumn mornings, the scent of baking apples and warm spices filling the air? This Cottage Cheese and Apple Breakfast Parfait brings all that comforting goodness right to your breakfast table, and guess what? It’s ridiculously easy and quick to whip up! Seriously, you can have a delicious, satisfying meal ready in minutes. It’s the perfect way to start your day with a little bit of cozy magic, even on the busiest mornings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready in under 10 minutes, perfect for busy mornings.
Easy: No cooking required, just layering! Anyone can make this.
Giftable: Assemble these in cute jars for a thoughtful breakfast gift.
Crowd-pleasing: A healthy, delicious option that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Let’s gather our cozy essentials! These are simple ingredients you might even have in your pantry right now:

1 cup cottage cheese: This is our creamy, protein-packed base. I love using full-fat for extra richness, but low-fat works too!
1 apple, diced: Any apple will do, but a crisp, slightly tart variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji is wonderful here.
1/2 cup granola: Your favorite kind for that satisfying crunch!
2 tablespoons honey: For a touch of natural sweetness. Maple syrup is a great alternative if you prefer.
1 teaspoon cinnamon: The quintessential warm spice that makes everything taste like fall.
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg: Just a whisper of this spice adds incredible depth.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get layering! This is where the fun really begins. Grab your favorite glass or bowl – clear ones look especially pretty to show off all those lovely layers.

Start by spooning about half of your creamy cottage cheese into the bottom of your serving glass or bowl.
Next, gently add half of your beautifully diced apple pieces on top of the cottage cheese.
Now for that delightful crunch! Sprinkle about half of your granola over the apples.
Time for a drizzle of sweetness! Drizzle half of your honey over the granola.
And the finishing touch for our first layer: sprinkle half of the cinnamon and nutmeg over the honey. Oh, that aroma is already heavenly!
Repeat all those wonderful layers one more time! Add the remaining cottage cheese, then the rest of the diced apple, followed by the rest of the granola.
Finish it off with a final drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.
And there you have it! Serve your gorgeous parfait immediately and enjoy every single bite.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is super flexible, which is one of the things I adore about it! Feel free to make it your own:

For the Apple: If you’re not an apple fan, try diced pear or even some fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries.
For the Granola: If you don’t have granola, crushed nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or even some toasted oats would add a lovely texture.
Sweetener Swap: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or even a little bit of brown sugar can be used instead of honey.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger for an extra layer of warm spice.
Boost the Protein: Stir a tablespoon of protein powder into the cottage cheese before layering.
Add Some Goodness: A spoonful of almond butter or peanut butter swirled into the cottage cheese is a delicious addition.

Tips for Success

I’ve made this parfait more times than I can count, and a few little tricks always help:

Dicing the Apple: Make sure your apple pieces are small enough to fit easily into each spoonful.
Granola Crunch: If you want to keep your granola super crunchy, I recommend adding it right before serving. If you don’t mind it softening a little, you can layer it in advance.
Prep Ahead: You can dice your apples and portion out your dry ingredients (granola, spices) the night before to make assembly even faster in the morning. Just store them separately in airtight containers.
Cottage Cheese Texture: If you find cottage cheese a bit too lumpy for your liking, a quick whirl in a mini food processor or blender can make it wonderfully smooth.

How to Store It

This parfait is best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to make it ahead, here’s what I do:

Assembled Parfait: You can assemble the entire parfait and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Keep in mind that the granola will soften over time.
Individual Components: For best results and maximum crunch, I recommend storing the diced apples, cottage cheese, and granola in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Then, just layer everything in the morning.

FAQs

Got a question? I’m here to help!

Can I make this vegan? Yes! Use a plant-based yogurt or cottage cheese alternative, and a vegan granola. Maple syrup works well as a vegan sweetener.
Is this healthy? Absolutely! It’s packed with protein from the cottage cheese, fiber from the apple and granola, and natural sweetness from the honey. It’s a balanced and satisfying breakfast option.
What kind of apple is best? A firm, crisp apple like Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady will hold its shape and offer a nice contrast to the creamy cottage cheese.

Apple Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Parfait

A quick, easy, and comforting cottage cheese and apple breakfast parfait perfect for cozy mornings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Servings 1

Equipment

Serving glass or bowl Clear ones are recommended to showcase layers.
Mini food processor or blender Optional, to make cottage cheese smoother.

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 cup cottage cheese Full-fat recommended for richness, but low-fat works.
1 apple Diced. Crisp, slightly tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji are wonderful.
0.5 cup granola Your favorite kind.
2 tablespoons honey Maple syrup is a great alternative.
1 teaspoon cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

Spoon about half of your cottage cheese into the bottom of your serving glass or bowl.
Add half of your diced apple pieces on top of the cottage cheese.
Sprinkle about half of your granola over the apples.
Drizzle half of your honey over the granola.
Sprinkle half of the cinnamon and nutmeg over the honey.
Repeat all the layers: add the remaining cottage cheese, then the rest of the diced apple, followed by the rest of the granola.
Finish with a final drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results and maximum crunch, store components separately if making ahead. Granola will soften over time if layered in advance.