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START YOUR DAY THE RIGHT WAY WITH THESE HEALTHY FRUIT AND YOGURT PARFAITS: PERFECT AS A GRAB-N-GO BREAKFAST
If you are after a low-sugar, high-protein breakfast that tastes as good as a dessert you are in the right place!
What you are looking for are yogurt parfaits!
These healthy fruit and yogurt parfait are incredibly easy to prepare and are the perfect make-ahead grab-n-go breakfast. Creamy yogurt, layered with fresh fruit and topped with crunchy granola and coconut flakes: delicious!
What I love about yogurt parfaits is that they are the perfect breakfast meal prep recipe because they take no time to make.
But they are so delicious that you can double up and have them as a snack or evening dessert. And without feeling guilty!
But before we dive into the (incredibly easy) steps to make this indulgent breakfast, you might be wondering…
What is a yogurt parfait?
A yogurt parfait is a make-ahead breakfast usually served in glasses, made with yogurt layered with fresh fruit, topped with granola and a drizzle of sweet maple syrup or honey. It’s quick to make, easy to prepare, and healthy which makes it the perfect breakfast meal prep for busy mornings.
But what is a parfait?
Parfait is a French word that literally means perfect. In France, the original parfait recipe is a type of frozen dessert made by boiling cream, egg, sugar and syrup to create something similar to a custard.
The oldest recipe that uses the name parfait is from a French cookbook dated 1894, and it’s a frozen coffee-flavored dessert constructed in a pretty shape (parfait-shape).
But then in the United States, a different variant was made by layering ice cream and fruit in tall glasses.
And more recently, the yogurt parfait was born: simple layers of yogurt, fruit, and granola. Perfect for a healthy breakfast!
How to make a yogurt parfait
You are not going to belive how easy these yogurt parfaits are to make.
I mean, I would barely call this a recipe!
- One: Add 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt to a glass or a jar (I use Weck jars, love them).
- Two: Add some fresh berries (I used raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries – but you can pretty much use any fruit you like).
- Three: Add another 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt on top.
- Four: Add more fruit.
- Five: Top with some crunchy granola, nuts or coconut flakes and a dash of maple syrup or honey.
Yes! It’s that simple.
Now let’s dive into some of the most frequent questions I get asked about yogurt parfaits.
What type of yogurt is best to make yogurt parfaits?
You can pretty much use any yogurt you like: Greek-yogurt, dairy-free yogurt, plain yogurt.
But the type of yogurt you pick is going to have an impact on the nutritional values of this recipe.
Greek yogurt: If you want an extra boost in protein, make sure to use Greek yogurt (Fage is my favorite). It has 9% protein in each portion, which makes yogurt parfaits the perfect high-protein breakfast if you have a sweet tooth.
Plain yogurt: This is a good alternative if you prefer its texture. But please make sure you read the label. You won’t believe how much sugar some companies put in yogurt.
Yes, even plain ones. Look for yogurt with no added sugar, otherwise, your healthy breakfast will quickly turn into a sugar feast.
Dairy-free yogurt: If you are on a vegan diet or lactose-intolerant, you can use any plant-based yogurt. I love Greek-style coconut yogurt. But you can also use almond milk yogurt, oat milk yogurt, cashew nut yogurt, soy yogurt.
Again, whatever yogurt you pick, make sure doesn’t contain processed ingredients and doesn’t have too much sugar in it.
Should I use fresh or frozen berries?
I prefer using fresh berries because I found yogurt parfaits maintain a bit better in the fridge. Frozen berries lose more water when they defrost, and make the yogurt runnier, which isn’t something I particularly enjoy.
Having said that, frozen berries can work too, and can be cheaper depending on the time of year. So feel free to use them and check which type of berries you prefer.
What type of granola should I use?
I normally use granola naturally low in sugar, sweetened with unrefined sugar like maple syrup or honey.
If you want to keep your yogurt parfait super healthy you can skip the granola all together and use chopped nuts to add a bit of crunch.
I love using a combination of almonds, hazelnuts and cashew nuts.
MEAL PREP TIP: You might be wondering if your granola will get soggy if you add it while you are meal prepping your yogurt parfaits.
The answer is yes, especially if you add it 2-3 days before eating them. I had the most success by adding the granola the night before, or in the morning.
Can I use other types of fruit or nuts?
Of course, you can!
What I love about yogurt parfaits is that they extremely versatile (a bit like overnight oats).
You can pretty much use any fruit and nuts you like, as long as it keeps well in the fridge and doesn’t go brown too quickly (or your parfaits won’t look very inviting).
Some delicious alternatives I love:
Apple & Cinnamon Yogurt Parfait: Simply chop some apples, add a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep them from browning, and sprinkle them with cinnamon. Top with granola and chopped almonds.
Almond butter & Banana Yogurt Parfait: I love this version, but chopped bananas will only last a day or two max in the fridge, so make this only if you are going to eat it quickly. Slice a banana and top with a tablespoon of almond butter, some chopped almonds and some cocoa nibs for extra crunch.
Tropical Yogurt Parfait: A refreshing parfait, perfect for summer! Just chop some mango and pineapple and use granola and coconut flakes as toppings.
Can I meal prep yogurt parfaits?
Yes! That’s what I love about yogurt parfaits. They are so easy to make ahead and they last a good 3-4 days in the fridge. Remember to add the granola only on the top layer. This will prevent it from getting too soggy.
Where can I store yogurt parfaits?
I love using Weck jars (as you can see from these pictures). Another great option is using Ball jars or any other 8 oz jar.
Are yogurt parfaits healthy?
This yogurt parfait recipe is healthy but not all yogurt parfaits are. It really boils down to the ingredients you use.
If you want to make sure your yogurt parfaits are healthy:
- Use yogurt without any added sugar or junk.
- Avoid adding refined sugar: a dash of maple syrup or honey is all it takes. And if you are using sweet fruit like bananas, you can omit that entirely.
- Use a granola low in sugar, or better still, use some chopped nuts.
Are yogurt parfaits vegan?
If they are made with regular yogurt or Greek yogurt, yogurt parfaits are vegetarian but not vegan.
But if you substitute regular yogurt for a dairy-free alternative and avoid using honey, you can easily make a vegan yogurt parfait.
Fruit And Yogurt Parfaits
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt, dairy-free yogurt)
- 1/2 cup mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon granola
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the berries, and if some are too big, chop them to smaller pieces.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt to a mason jar.
- Add half of the chopped fruit.
- Add the remaining yogurt.
- Top with the rest of the mixed berries, granola, maple syrup, and coconut flakes.
- Seal the lids and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- When you are ready to eat the yogurt parfaits, simply remove from the fridge, mix and enjoy.
Notes
If you don't mind softer granola, add it at meal prep time. Nutritional information is based on using Greek yogurt. If you use a different yogurt, values might vary.
Nutrition
Have you tried this yogurt parfait recipe?
Let me know in the comments!
FOR MORE DELICIOUS BREAKFAST IDEAS:
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TDV says
Hi Sara
Yes, you are right in every way: I have found your blog by clicking on one of your wonderful pins and I cannot stop navigating your site, lol
Great content and an inspirational journey: I had just launched my blog less than a month ago and I am spreading myself thin by trying to implement Pinterest together with 2 other platforms and not getting real results from any yet!
Time to focus on Pinterest first as you advise and get this started well…So thank you!
My Question for you is: What is the app/software you are using for calorie mapping and Nutritional information for your recipes? It looks so professional and clean… absolutely great
Many thanks in advance for your reply and keep up the good work
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Hey TDV,
I use the plugin WP Recipe Maker Pro. It comes with custom Nutritional Info 🙂