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How to make healthy fruit and yogurt parfaits in just 5 minutes with your choice of yogurt (dairy or dairy-free), fruit, and granola for a quick and easy grab-n-go breakfast, snack, or dessert!
When It comes to my favorite breakfast recipes, I love something quick, nutritious, and versatile. That’s why I’m obsessed with avocado toast, overnight oats, acai bowls, and now healthy fruit and yogurt parfait cups!
What’s in This Post
What Is Yogurt Parfait
A yogurt parfait (also called a fruit parfait) is a popular American breakfast or dessert dish. It’s made by layering elements such as rich and creamy yogurt, crunchy granola, nuts, and liqueurs into a cup or jar (so you can see the layers), and top it off with sweet fruit and/or whipped cream.
Unlike traditional parfait recipes, too, which can include high amounts of cream or even ice cream, yogurt parfaits are a healthier alternative and can be enjoyed as a breakfast, brunch, or dessert treat!
By layering the ingredients, you can enjoy a bit of all the elements in every single bite. The result is a healthy treat that tastes like dessert and is adored by kids and adults alike.
Are Yogurt Parfaits Healthy?
Just like smoothie bowls, a yogurt parfait can be healthy. It depends on the ingredients you’re using and your dietary goals. For example, many parfait recipes can contain high levels of sugar, but if you specifically use low-sugar granola and “sauce”, this is minimized.
At its base, this recipe is simply yogurt, fruit, and granola. This combination is packed with fiber, protein, several micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and gut-healthy elements. Luckily, when making homemade parfaits, you can be 100% in control of all the ingredients added to your jars, meaning you can tweak them to your flavor and dietary needs!
In many cases, the result is a nourishing, nutrient, and protein-packed yogurt fruit parfait perfect for helping keep you satiated until your next meal! You might also enjoy checking out this list of 50+ Healthy Vegetarian Breakfast Ideas for more ideas.
What Is In a Yogurt Parfait
I made this fruit & yogurt parfait recipe with simple and versatile base elements for a fruit parfait that’s high in protein, low in sugar, and absolutely delicious!
- Yogurt: First up, what type of yogurt is best for making yogurt parfaits? You can make a regular dairy natural or Greek yogurt parfait. Alternatively, to make a vegan yogurt parfait, use a dairy-free yogurt like:
I like to use plain or vanilla yogurt and allow the additional ingredients to add more flavor and sweetness. However, you can also make homemade flavored yogurt. Check the FAQs for the method.
- Fruit: Use all your favorite fresh fruits (canned and sometimes frozen work too) based on the season and what you have in your kitchen when pulling together a fruits yogurt parfait. I used a combination of fresh strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi for this version. Other options include:
- Peaches
- Mango
- Nectarine
- Plum
- Raspberries, blackberries, other fresh berries
- Cherries
- Pomegranate
- Banana
You could also use roasted or grilled fruits (like pineapple, mango, or peaches). The sugars within caramelize for a dessert-like fruit parfait recipe.
- Granola: Use your favorite granola, choosing one that fits your dietary needs (i.e., gluten-free, low sugar, high fiber, high protein, etc.). I used my nutty homemade granola. Muesli would also work for less crunch.
- Sauce: I love adding a sauce-y element for extra flavor and color. This time around, I used my homemade strawberry topping. You could also use syrups, jams/jellies, or even peanut butter.
Check the recipe card below for a lot more suggestions for optional ingredients for parfait.
How to Make a Yogurt Parfait
Learning how to make a parfait of fruits with yogurt and granola couldn’t be much more straightforward.
If you plan to use any homemade elements (i.e., yogurt, granola, or sauce), you’ll need to prepare these first.
Then, to assemble the parfaits, simply alternate layers of granola, a scoop of yogurt, sauce, and fruit (1-2 Tbsp each time) until you fill the glasses/mason jars. Enjoy!
How Long Do Yogurt Parfaits Last in the Fridge
Once assembled, enjoy the breakfast parfait within a few hours to avoid soggy granola.
Can yogurt parfaits be made ahead? To meal prep a fruit parfait without the granola becoming soggy, I recommend preparing the various ingredients and storing them separately in airtight containers in the fridge (for 3-4 days). Then simply assemble them when needed. Alternatively, prepare the fruit parfaits, leaving the granola to sprinkle over the top when serving.
FAQs
I often use frozen berries and chopped fruit in my parfaits when I want a different texture and a colder treat. If you leave them to thaw slightly in the yogurt, they’ll release extra liquid to make a kind of sauce and soften to flavor the parfait yogurt more. So, it’s up to you and what texture you’d prefer.
It will become soggy when left too long in the parfait, so you need to eat the parfait soon after adding it (within an hour or two maximum). Follow my make-ahead instructions above on how to meal-prep parfaits for 2-3 days.
Simply combine the yogurt, fruit, and optionally a small amount of sweetener (i.e., maple syrup, honey, agave, erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, etc.) in a blender and blend. Adjust the elements to your desired liking. I like using a 2:1 ratio of yogurt to fruit to begin.
I don’t recommend it, as the textures of the breakfast yogurt parfait will change upon thawing.
More Healthy Recipes
- Healthy Yogurt Popsicles
- The Best 5 Healthy Dessert-Inspired Overnight Oats
- 3 Ingredient Chia Pudding
- Simple Blueberry Kale Smoothie Bowl Recipe
If you try this healthy 5-minute fruit and yogurt parfait recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Healthy Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
Equipment
- 2 Glass jars or use small bowls or cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt natural or Greek yogurt or a vegan alternative like coconut yogurt, soy yogurt, or almond yogurt
- 1/2 cup granola – nut-free, gluten-free, low-sugar, high-fiber, high-protein – it's up to you!
- 1/2 cup strawberries or the fruit of your choice. i.e., peach, nectarine, plum, other berries, pomegranate, banana
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1 kiwi
- 1/4 cup strawberry sauce or strawberry syrup, jams/jellies, etc
Instructions
- If you plan to use any homemade elements (i.e., yogurt, granola, or sauce), you’ll need to prepare these first.
- To make the parfaits, simply alternate layers of granola, a scoop of yogurt, sauce, and fruit (1-2 tbsp each time) until you fill the glasses/jars. Then enjoy!
Storage Instructions
- Can yogurt parfaits be made ahead? To meal prep a fruit parfait without the granola becoming soggy, I recommend preparing the various ingredients and storing them separately in airtight containers in the fridge (for 3-4 days). Then simply assemble them when needed. Alternatively, prepare the fruit parfaits, leaving the granola to sprinkle over the top when serving.Store: Once assembled, enjoy the yogurt parfait within a few hours to avoid soggy granola.
Notes
- Don’t add the granola too soon: Otherwise, it will become soggy within the fruit and yogurt parfait.
- Have fun experimenting: Every element in this yogurt parfait recipe is flexible, so have fun trying different combinations.
- Use a bowl: Transform this into a delicious and healthy fruit yogurt bowl by ditching the glass/jar and adding your fruits, granola, and sauce to a bowl of yogurt.
- Chop large fruits: Fit more into your cup (and your spoonful) by chopping larger fruits and berries into smaller pieces.
- Dried fruit: Like chopped dates, apricots, figs, raisins, cranberries, etc., sprinkled over the top or in with the granola.
- Nuts & Seeds: Will add protein and more heart-healthy fats. Use any single or combination of nuts and/or seeds. i.e., almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, omega seed mix, chia seeds, etc. I recommend lightly toasting them for extra flavor and crunch.
- Seed or nut butter: Add a tablespoon of creamy nut or seed butter (peanut butter, almond butter, etc.) to the top for additional healthy fats and protein.
- Coconut: Shredded coconut or coconut flakes will add texture and flavor. Especially delicious when paired with fruits like mango or pineapple.
- Cacao nibs: A crunchy and antioxidant-rich addition.
- Chocolate: Add mini chocolate chips into the granola layers or top off the yogurt fruit parfait with some shaved chocolate for a sweeter treat. Alternatively, use healthy homemade Nutella instead of the fruit sauce.
- Chia pudding: For added protein and healthy omega fatty acids, add layers of chia pudding to your breakfast yogurt parfait.
- Liqueur: Add a splash of your favorite liqueur into the yogurt or sauce element to make parfait dessert recipes. I.e., Amaretto or Cointreau.
- Mint: Depending on the fruit you use in the fruit parfait, a few mint leaves to garnish will add delicious extra flavor.
- Whipped cream: Or dairy-free whipped coconut cream to garnish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
