How to Make Easy Fruit Yogurt and Granola Parfaits

I first came across a yogurt parfait around the turn of the century. (That sounds dramatic, doesn’t it?)

After church on Sunday nights, some of the ladies and I would walk to the nearest McDonalds for fellowship. It was only a block away.

That’s where I came across yogurt parfaits. I don’t even know if they sell them any longer, but tasting one back in the day was life changing for me.

How could something so healthy taste so good? In my opinion, they were better than a soft serve cone and that’s saying something.

But you know me… I can always improve upon something good. I’ve been making my own fruit, yogurt and granola parfaits for years now and they are nothing less than amazing.

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What is a Yogurt Parfait?

A yogurt parfait is a mix of flavors and textures, smooth, crunchy and soft, all layered in a parfait dish that is a healthy alternative to coyingly sweet desserts.

It’s delicious crunch, flakes, and flavor all bursting in one bite. The best part about parfaits made from yogurt is that you can personalize your creation into something that suits your own tastebuds. Yogurt parfaits are VERY customizable to you and your families taste buds.

Fruit, yogurt and granola parfaits… are nothing less than amazing.

What are the ingredients for a perfect fruit yogurt parfait?

The first main ingredient for a yogurt parfait is plain yogurt. You can use Greek yogurt, plain vanilla yogurt, dairy free yogurt, almond yogurt or soy yogurt.

My favorite choice is homemade yogurt which is super easy to make. I make my own homemade yogurt all the time in my Instant pot. The recipe is coming soon for that- promise.

The second basic ingredients is fresh fruit. Depending on the season, you can use whatever you love. I would recommend fresh fruit over canned fruit. Second in line to fresh fruit would be frozen fruit. I would add the fruit to the yogurt when it is still frozen so the sweet juices melt into the yogurt. Canned fruit would be chosen last since the texture isn’t lost and it’s not as healthy.

The third main ingredient is crunch. Crunch can come in many forms, nuts, granola and seeds are the first things that come to mind. Cereal can also add great crunch.

How to Assemble/Make the Yogurt Parfaits

Assembling the Parfaits is a relatively easy task.

Set up your clean jars and dessert dishes. Place all Ingredients nearby with spoons in each to make assembly easy.

Assemble your parfaits layering in order:

• yogurt
• fresh blueberries, washed
• fresh strawberries, hulled and cut up into pieces
• fun and crunch

Repeat as necessary until your jar/bowl/dessert dish is full.

Crunchy Mix Ins for your Fruit Yogurt and Granola Parfaits

Here’s my favorite part- some mix ins that you can add to give your parfaits some fun and crunch.

As a warning, some of these mix-ins are amazingly healthy. Some are super sweet.

Yogurt parfaits can be as healthy or unhealthy as you want it to be. (That’s my disclaimer for some of these things that are in the following list)

• chia seeds
• granola
• honey
• flaxseeds
• chocolate chips
• frozen cream cheese in cubes
• brownie pieces
• M and M’s
• cereal- your favorite
• chia seeds
• almonds
• cashews
• crumbled cookies
• honey
• cake pieces
• brownies
• your favorite candy bars chopped into pieces
• cinnamon
• caramel sauce
• cubed cake
• crumbled chocolate chip cookies
• apple pie filling
• cherry pie filling
• blueberry pie filling
• shredded coconut
• roasted pecans
• chopped peanuts
• blueberries
• raspberries
• whipped cream
• mango
• pineapple
• guava
• kiwi
• nutella

Another mix in that you might want to consider would be syrups or flavorings. Here are some ideas for that

Torani Flavorings can bring your parfaits to the next level. There are also sugar free versions as well.

Jordans Sugar Free Syrups are great for those watching their sugar intake.

Flavor drops are a fun way to add new flavors. I use a drop or two in my homemade yogurt all the time. There are different flavors like cookies and cream, caramel, cheesecake, and cake batter.

Secret Fruit Yogurt and Granola Parfait Combinations

I’m not gonna lie. I got this idea from the amazing Coldstone Creamery where they offer amazing ice cream concoctions of your choice.

Go for TROPICAL by adding some coconut, pineapple and mango chunks.

Make it a DOUBLE CHOCOLATE PARFAIT by adding some chocolate chips and some sweetened cocoa powder.

Go PINA COLADA with chopped pineapple, frozen banana and some coconut flakes.

Try a MIXED BERRY Parfait by adding strawberries and rasberries.

Say yes to PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE by adding some peanut butter, chocolate chips and chocolate syrup.

Try a PEANUT BUTTER CUP PARFAIT by adding chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter cups.

Go bananas with a BANANA SPLIT parfait with sliced bananas, pineapple, cherries and graham cracker crumbs.

Try a TURTLE SUNDAY parfait with hot fudge topping, hot caramel sauce, pecans, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Try a BROWNIE SUNDAE PARFAIT by adding chopped brownie pieces and chocolate syrup.

Toss in some OREO sandwich cookies and add a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

Have a S’MORES dessert by your backyard campfire with crumbled graham cracker crumbs, baby marshmellows and chocolate syrup.

Go APPLE PIE AMERICANA with some chopped apples, or apple pie filling and some caramel sauce.

Don’t throw away that last piece of birthday cake. Cut it up in cubes and use it as a BIRTHDAY CAKE TRUFFLE parfait.

Go CHOCOLATE NUTELLA! Melt some Nutella and chocolate syrup and drizzle in between your yogurt layers

Unsweetened Yogurt or Sweeteneed Yogurt? Which is best?

Which yogurt is the best to use? Personally, I think unsweetened yogurt is the best. With the added crunchy/fruity mix-ins that you use, it will be enough sugar. If you need additional sweetness, you can add some honey or stevia.

A Basic Recipe for Fruit Yogurt and Granola Parfaits

I eyeball my recipes. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. If you are needing a basic recipe, I’ve got you covered.

Can the Yogurt Parfaits be made ahead of time?

You can always assemble your parfaits one at a time but If you like to meal prep and save time, you can prepare them ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator.

Yogurt parfaits can be made ahead of time. Homemade yogurt has a pretty long shelf life as long as it’s covered and sealed it should be okay for up to a week. When you combine your fruit, yogurt and crunch, I would try to eat it within a few days.

I wouldn’t recommend freezing your yogurt parfaits for a long time since it could effect the consistency. I would however freeze it for a short time until the consistency is similar to soft serve ice cream.

What is the Best Container to Use?

What kind of containers are best to use for your Fruit Yogurt and Granola Parfaits? You can use parfait dishes, dessert dishes or even mason jars, large or small. If you want to make your yogurt parfaits look elegant you can use some tall fluted champagne glasses with some long dessert spoons.

Yogurt Breakfast Parfait Bar Ideas

Have you ever thought about having a Yogurt Breakfast Parfait Bar? There are many places where this would be a perfect opportunity to have an alternative to the normal cakes, cookies and pies that you normally find at church brunches or parties.

Set up a table with a nice tablecloth (red check would be nice), set out a huge bowl of yogurt (or buy single serve yogurts for ease), set out your various choices of fruit and place all of your add ins in separate bowls.

Choose beautiful fruit that is colorful and bright. You can even use these plastic disposable parfait cups that are specifically made for yogurt. There is a separate container for your crunchy add ins to keep them separate and they don’t get soggy. These take out containers would even be great for school or office lunches.

I’ve given you TONS Of ideas today, Sweet Sister, on how to make a Fruit, Yogurt and Granola parfait with tons of variations. Which one is your favorite? Will you be trying one?