Simple, delicious, and easy recipes have always been part of our life, and some recipes tend to turn into daily favorites. This one is an example of such a recipe.
I made it by using the ingredients that I already had at home—Greek yogurt, blueberries, and a bit of walnuts. A small taste of this dish was all that I needed in order to start eating it daily.
This parfait turns out delicious due to its flavor combination and texture. Creamy and tangy Greek yogurt goes wonderfully well with berries, nuts, and a bit of honey.
It is very healthy being rich in proteins, fibers, healthy fats, probiotics, and antioxidants, and it can be served either as breakfast or as a healthy snack. It takes no more than 10 minutes to prepare, and its presentation is simply outstanding.
Greek Yogurt Parfait with Nuts & Berries (Easy & Healthy!)
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Snacks, DessertCuisine: American, MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy2
Parfaits10
minutes320
kcalThis creamy Greek yogurt parfait with nuts and berries is ready in 10 minutes. A healthy, protein-rich breakfast or dessert you’ll want every single day.
Ingredients
1½ cups (360g) plain full-fat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- For the Nut & Seed Layer:
3 tablespoons raw or lightly toasted walnuts
2 tablespoons sliced or slivered almonds
1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1 tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseeds (optional, for extra fiber)
- For the Berry Layer:
½ cup (75g) fresh blueberries
½ cup (75g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
¼ cup (35g) fresh raspberries
1 teaspoon lemon juice (brightens the berry flavor)
- Optional Toppings:
¼ cup granola (adds crunch and texture)
Extra drizzle of honey or maple syrup
Light dusting of ground cinnamon
Directions
- Prepare the Sweetened Yogurt Base
Mix the yogurt, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Mix until combined well and taste the mixture; the yogurt must have an appetizing tangy flavor with just a slight sweetness. Adjust the honey to your taste.
Hint: It is advisable to mix the sweetener and the vanilla into the yogurt beforehand because this will help you achieve a consistently good flavor for every bite, and not just for the bites with the drizzle. - Prep Your Berries
If you are using strawberries, remove the stem parts and cut them into similarly sized pieces. Put the berries into a small bowl and stir with the teaspoon of lemon juice.
Hint: If the berries that you are using are not so sweet, add a little bit of sugar and leave them for about 5 minutes. - Roast the Nuts (Optional but Recommended)
The key to delicious parfaits is to roast the walnuts and almonds in an unbuttered frying pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly golden brown. This step is not mandatory, but it will turn a good combination of nuts into an excellent one.
Pro tip: Be very attentive, as nuts burn rather fast. As soon as you start smelling something, your work is done. Take away from fire and allow cooling. - Layer the Parfait
And now comes the exciting part. Below is the order of layering that works for me:
First layer: Place about ¼ of sweetened yogurt into each glass
Second layer: Add a spoonful of fresh berries
Third layer: Top the berries with some nut mixture
Fourth layer: Add yogurt again
Fifth layer: Repeat adding of berries
Sixth layer: Finish with the remaining yogurt and sprinkle with the remaining nuts on top
Pro tip: It’s better to use clear glasses to see the wonderful layers of your dessert. With a long spoon you can make them even more distinct by moving the spoon along the inner surface of the glass.
- Serve Immediately or Refrigerate
Serve immediately if you want the granola and nuts to stay crunchy. If you’re meal-prepping, see the storage section below for how to keep everything fresh and crisp.
Notes
- It is advisable to add granola at the very last moment to maintain its crunchiness.
- Freeze-dried fruits can also be used instead of fresh ones—simply defrost and remove excess water before adding.
- Coconut or cashew yogurt with maple syrup can be used as the dairy substitute in case of dietary restrictions.
- Assemble jars without crunch toppings and keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- The option of toasting nuts is up to you but highly recommended.
Nutrition Facts
2 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories320
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
16g
21%
- Sodium 65mg 3%
- Total Carbohydrate
28g
11%
- Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
- Total Sugars 18g
- Protein 18g 36%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
What to Serve With Greek Yogurt Parfait
For Breakfast and Brunch:
- Softer scrambled eggs or omelet for extra protein breakfast
- With avocado toast on sourdough bread
- And a cup of freshly made coffee, matcha latte or green tea
- Orange juice for some additional vitamin C to absorb the iron from the nuts
For Dessert:
- Almond biscotti or shortbread biscuits on the side
- Next to a bowl of vanilla ice cream
- With sparkling water with lemon to follow the dessert
For a snack spread:
- Served in small servings next to cheese plate and seasonal fruits
- With dark chocolate squares and herbal tea as an afternoon snack
Storage and Reheating Tips
Parfait Refrigeration:
The completed parfaits (without the granola and crunchy topping) may be kept in the refrigerator in sealed mason jars for up to 2 days. The yogurt and berries keep quite well together. To keep their texture, add the granola and nuts right before consuming.
When making a meal plan for the whole week, keep the ingredients separate in different containers: yogurt mix in one jar, prepared berries in another, and nuts/seeds in a zip lock bag at room temperature. Simply assemble the parfait in the morning in 2 minutes.
Parfait Freezing:
Assembled parfaits do not freeze well because the yogurt becomes separated, and berries turn into pulp upon defrosting. However, one can freeze the portion of the yogurt in ice cube trays and defrost it whenever it is required. Fresh berries freeze quite well by themselves.
Reheating:
This dish is served cold; thus, reheating is not needed. In case your refrigerated parfait is too cold, simply leave it out at room temperature for 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Could I make Greek yogurt parfaits the day before?
Yes. I can prepare yogurt and berry layers in advance but should add nuts and granola right before serving to preserve their crunchiness.
Q. Is Greek yogurt parfait healthy?
Yes. This dessert is packed with protein, probiotics, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. Thus, it can be considered a nutrient-rich meal.
Q. What Greek yogurt should I use for the parfait?
I recommend using plain full-fat Greek yogurt. Try to choose the product with a minimum number of components and with the presence of living cultures.
Q. Could I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Yes. You need to thaw and drain the frozen berries.
Q. How many calories does Greek yogurt parfait have?
It has around 320 calories if no granola is added. However, if granola is included, then it has 380-420 calories per portion.
Q. Can I make the dessert vegan?
Yes. Replace Greek yogurt with a plant-based alternative, and use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
Conclusion
This nutritious Greek yogurt parfait with nuts and berries proves that a wholesome meal is not only easy to prepare but also tasty and attractive. You can make it whenever you want, as this is an ideal dish for both breakfast and desserts.
Make it your own by using your preferred fruits and nuts. This can be your regular healthy food now.