- 1/2 cup granola (see notes)
- 1 rounded tablespoon diced dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, and golden raisins are especially good)
- 1 tablespoon slivered almonds (omit if not a fan of nuts)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds (see notes)
- 2/3 cup almond milk (I use unsweetened; may use milk of choice)
- 1/3 cup fresh blueberries, chopped strawberries, peaches or fruit of choice (more to taste; frozen blueberries are a good out-of-season option)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or sweetener of choice (optional; some milks offer more sweetness than others)
- Optional: raw pumpkin or sunflower seeds, cinnamon, vanilla or almond extract, shredded coconut, additional granola for a crunchy garnish
Overnight Granola Cups
These speedy cups will keep for several days in the refrigerator, although the dry ingredients may be assembled in multiple jars at once and then stored until needed. At night, simply add the milk and fresh fruit and refrigerate for a breakfast-at-the-ready. After making the first time, feel free to tweak as desired, adding more milk for a soupier mixture or choosing different fruits and add-ins based on personal preference.
Yields 1 serving.
Yields 1 serving.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 12-ounce or larger glass or jar (you need a little room to stir), combine the granola, dried fruit, almonds, and chia seeds. Pour in the milk and the maple syrup, if using, and stir well.
- Gently fold in the blueberries or other fruit of choice.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. Gently stir from the bottom before eating to fully incorporate all the ingredients. The granola cups will keep in the refrigerator for approximately 3 days.
Notes
- I find granolas with a primary ingredient of oats are perfect for this recipe, and then I add my favorite dried fruits. Feel free to experiment with your favorite store-bought or homemade variety. For delicious pre-made options that are not high in sugar, Bob’s Red Mill’s granolas are a great choice.
- Chia seeds resemble poppy seeds and are available in the organic section of most large grocery stores. They are tasteless but a great source of heart healthy omega-3s as well as fiber and other minerals. Chia seeds are also extremely absorbent, thereby offering a thickening property when left to soften in liquid. For alternate uses, the seeds may be sprinkled over yogurt, oatmeal and salads or added to a smoothie.