Breakfast is the only reason I get up in the morning.
Not really. I get up because I have to go to work.
Breakfast is the only reason I get up without too much grumbling. Unless you count the grumbling in my stomach, which has been intense ever since I started training.
That’s a whole other topic. I eat my last meal around midnight. In theory that would hold me over. Notsomuch. I wake up so hungry you’d think I hadn’t eaten in days.
What’s really fun is waking up starving and remembering you have something really delicious prepped for breakfast. Remember Meal 1 from yesterday’s WIAW post? This is it – a Tiramisu Parfait.
The oats are cooked and soaked in coffee and cocoa overnight to produce a light, spongy pudding. In the morning, I mixed up some Greek yogurt with vanilla protein powder to create the decadent, creamy layers in this Tiramisu Parfait.
Did you know that Tiramisu means “pick me up” in Italian? Rightly so. This breakfast rendition was so good it had this night owl up early and eating breakfast with a smile.
The Italian dessert certainly couldn’t be passed off a breakfast (not that it hasn’t happened in a moment of weakness…). This is a much healthier version is perfectly acceptable in the morning, and you won’t be missing a thing with these flavors. Espresso-soaked ladyfingers are easily replaced with coffee-cocoa overnight oats. The sweet, tangy Greek yogurt mixture is the perfect sub for the mascarpone and heavy cream that layers a traditional Tiramisu.
If you’re feeling frisky, you could shake it up and top the breakfast treat with melted cherries.
A traditional Tiramisu can run upwards of 500 calories, 30g of fat, and 30g of sugar. Never fear. Depending on your protein powder, this Tiramisu Parfait is around 200 calories, 2g fat, 4g sugar… and 20g of protein!
I never wanted it to end.
Tiramisu Protein Parfait
Inspired by this recipe.
For the Oats:
- 1/3 C rolled oats (use gluten-free to make GF)
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 C water
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp rum extract (almond would also work here)
- 1/4 cup strong brewed, cooled coffee
- 8 drops liquid stevia (adjust to desired sweetness)
- 3 oz plain Greek yogurt (use soy or almond yogurt to make dairy-free/vegan)
- 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 2-3 drops orange stevia (optional, you could also use orange zest or extract of you want the hint of citrus)
Combine the oats, cocoa powder, cinnamon, extracts, and water in a bowl and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until the liquid is (mostly) absorbed. Add coffee and stevia. Stir to combine, then cover and place in the fridge overnight (or at least 2 hours).
In a small bowl, combine yogurt, orange stevia (or zest,/extract), protein powder, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until well combined. This can be done the night before, or at time of serving.
To assemble, place a spoonful of the oats in a cup, followed by a spoonful of the yogurt mixture. Repeat until you’re out of each.
Optional: Top with fruit of your choosing. I chose melted cherries (cherries microwaved with a few drops of lemon Stevia for ~20 secs). Whipped cream would always be amazing.
Makes 1 serving.
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This first time I made this, I couldn’t wait ’til morning and ate it as Meal 7 (dessert).
Would you eat this parfait for breakfast or dessert?
Are you a morning person or a night owl?