Ever since I had my first quinoa parfait on Labor Day, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. The texture, the taste… it was perfect. Plus, I really love yogurt but I don’t love it plain. I am always looking for new things to add in.
Naturally, I was adamant that my next parfait was going to contain pumpkin.
This time I also included graham cracker crumbs. They are so underrated. I love them so much that sometimes I consider simply eating a bowl containing a smidge of melted butter + graham cracker crumbs. Like a pie crust but without the filling.
Bonus points if you make your own grahams. I didn’t have time for such shenanigans. But I’m hoping to make them soon. As long as I don’t gobble them up straight from the oven, I will share the details.
One of the reasons I adore this parfait is that I love making healthy snacks that are fun and pretty. It is also stacked with protein-packed yogurt and quinoa, and fiber-rich pumpkin. Topped off with a sprinkle of pecans – you get a delicious balanced treat.
Pumpkin Pie Quinoa Parfaits
serves 2
2 cups greek yogurt
2/3 cups pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup dry quinoa
pecans for garnish
Prepare quinoa according to directions. While cooking, mix yogurt, pumpkin and pumpkin spice together. Fill the bottom of 2 glasses with 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs each. Spoon 1/2 cup of yogurt pumpkin mixture into glass.
Once quinoa is finished, season with cinnamon and let cool – I place mine in the fridge for 5 minutes. Once cool, add 1/2 cup quinoa to parfaits, then top with remaining greek yogurt. Sprinkle with pecans.
Eat up!
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oh my gosh…I’m totally having a parfait for breakfast and I cannot wait after seeing this! Um graham is underrated. I made some graham pancakes last year and they were delicious…
Mmmm… that looks so good. Definitely going to the store to pick up some pumpkin. I will be eating this after work today. Thanks for sharing
This looks AMAZING! I just made pumpkin quinoa granola the other day – I love the way quinoa adds a different texture to the mix!
I’m embarrassed to say I still haven’t tried quinoa yet
This looks delicious though!
This has got to be one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! Can’t wait to give it a try
These are beautiful! I feel like you could even pass these off as dessert!
so fun for breakfast or dessert:-) I love graham cracker crumbs on fro yo
I love quinoa.. but have yet to try it all sweetened up…
This may have just changed that for me
I just might top mine with roasted pumpkin seeds…
That sounds delish.
You are MOST definitely on to something here. Something fabulous
yum! making parfaits pretty is such a great way to really enjoy them. i’ll take this one any day
I’ve always just thought of quinoa as savory…definitely need to try it like this.
I love how yours always look so pretty…mine would inevitably have a big glob going down the side of the glass
You’re so creative! What a great combo and a beautiful presentation.
I have read that quinoa is really good! I have never tried it, but I will soon!
I love parfaits too!
-Amalia
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com
Once again, you’ve made something that literally makes me want to drool!
That looks incredible! I am loving all the pumpkin ideas this fall… for a week straight I had a pumpkinpie-esque bowl of overnight oats, so delish!
I can’t wait to try your parfait!
I don’t even like yogurt but you bloggers always make me want to!!!
Looks delicious!
This looks great even if I’m not a fan of quinoa. Anything pumpkin is bound to be good!
Quinoa is such an amazing ingredients! I love making quinoa puddings with peanut butter! Your take on the parfait sounds delicious! Have a great day Jessica!
Making it with peanut butter sounds incredible. I need to try that.
The is gorgeous!! and sounds wonderful.
Just when I think you can’t get better than the pumpkin cupcakes, you go and show us this.
I love quinoa for breakfast, and adding the pumpkin to it makes it look so perfect for fall. Thanks for sharing!
What a brilliant idea! The addition of quinoa seems like this would almost make it into a rice pudding-like mixture, which I such a fan of! Oh and adding pumpkin makes anything better!
What a great idea! I really need to make these, soon!
Gorgeous! Also, I have a little obsession with graham cracker crubs…there was an ice cream place i lived near in college that offered them as a “topping” – so dang good.
I’ve never had quinoa before, but that may have to change because I need to make this parfait. Your presentation is beautiful, too, which makes me want to eat this right off of the screen!
Thank you!
I’ve been wanting to do a quinoa parfait for a while now. I need to veganize this!
If you do, let me know!
Sigh…I love you. Is that ok? I’ll be making these little lovelies asap!
More than ok.
I noticed your photography skills are getting better, I wish I could say the same for me.
Thank you so much! That really means a lot to me.
Parfait perfection. Well done!
Yep, totally stealing that idea from you!! Thanks – I never in a million years would have thought to use quinoa that way!
Hmm, I wonder if this could be baked somehow for another added tasty level
Girl, you should start making videos to teach us how to cook these things. I am NOT a cook and get so intimidated in the kitchen. I bought some quinoa about 2 months ago and it has just been staring at me on the top shelf of our pantry ever since because I have NO CLUE what to do with it or how to cook it HA!
This dish looks so yummy and pretty. Perfection!
Yummmmm! So easily turned gluten free with GF graham crackers! Yay!
I think these are some of the prettiest pictures you’ve taken! Or maybe it’s just that I love anything pumpkin pie…
delish and beautiful… like always!
Lovely photos! This recipe might even get me to try quinoa, which scares me for some reason.
Oh my gracious, what a tasty idea! I can’t wait to try! I’ve never had quinoa before!
Mmm I’m on a quinoa kick right now and this is perfect!
Ooh, that looks awesome!
What a great idea. I kind of forgot about graham crackers…except when I was eating smores at the beach. haha! I love them too…nothing like a great graham cracker crust!
Still haven’t tried quinoa but I bought a box yesterday! Can’t wait to try this. It looks amazing.
This sounds amazing!
those are just lovely! I still haven’t tried quinoa for breakfast, but someday soon…
Confession: Quinoa scares me. Not only do I not know how to pronounce it, I fear it will be too crunchy and stick in my teeth like popcorn.
This is SUCH a fabulous idea. I would have never thought to make a quinoa parfait – it looks delicious! You always seems to come up with the most genius creations
Great idea! This looks awesome!
This is such a great idea. I eat breakfast at work though— not sure if I could bring all these ingredients in for assembling….we’ll see though! It looks delicious….
Prepare it at home and take it with you! I mix everything up into a big mess anyway.
Oh! If you like graham cracker crumbs, I have a dessert you absolutely have to try! A friend and I sell gift baskets of these bars that we make and they are SO graham-cracker-good! When I make them I always secretly hope for leftover crust to just eat from the bowl. Graham crumbs + butter + cinnamon = all things right in the world. I swear! I’d be happy to ship you a sample! Email me if you’re interested. Thanks for the post, so excited it’s finally pumpkin season again!
This has to be THE most creative fall recipe I’ve seen so far – I’ve seen a lot of the same things, but this is so unique, and it looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
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