Wholesome Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits

Fruit and yogurt parfaits can be a filling and nourishing breakfast or snack when you use good ingredients. See how easy they are to put together and what makes them fabulous.

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I am a pretty health-conscious gal but I love the flavor of something that feels like a treat without ruining my hard wellness work.

And this version sure beats the McDonald’s classic I ate regularly as a kid, which was discontinued in 2020.

It contained a shocking 28 grams of refined white sugar per serving. That’s 3 grams more than the total amount of sugar the average woman should allot herself per day.

Holy inflammation.

And they only contained 6 grams of protein per serving. Not a great way to start the day. Luckily, my homemade version is far more nutritious and, in my opinion, a lot tastier.  

What yogurt should I use to make homemade yogurt parfaits? 

When it comes to yogurt, look for a full-fat product with no added sugar and live cultures listed on the label.

Low-fat versions are often full of synthetic flavors and artificial sweeteners.

In addition, I suggest plain yogurt, again to avoid added sugars, and looking for products that have live, active cultures. They’ll be listed on the ingredients. Fage is my favorite yogurt from the store.

Raw dairy? Even better.

Products that are grain-based (such as oat milk yogurts) spike blood sugar significantly.

Try coconut, almond, or cashew yogurts instead. I always prefer your nuts are sprouted first to reduce mineral robbing anti nutrients in nuts and seeds but I think you’d have to make that yogurt from scratch.

We’ll let that go for now. 😉

What granola should I use in my yogurt parfaits? 

The granola is my favorite part about these yogurt parfaits. Crunchy, subtly sweet, and full of nutritious goodies if you pick the right product.

I highly suggest making your own. Store-bought products just have too many added sugar and inflammatory oils.

Here are some of my favorite recipes, including a couple of grain-free options for those limiting carb intake.  

• Healthy Granola 
• Homemade Granola 
• Pumpkin Flax Seed Granola 
• Simple Grain-Free Granola
• Grain-Free Granola Recipe 

If you are in a bind and don’t have time to make your own granola, aim for a store-bought version that is low in sugar and inflammatory oils. I recommend the Rise and Shine Keto Nut Granola by Seven Sundays. 

How can I flavor plain yogurt?

So I’ve advised you to avoid yogurts that contain added sugars. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a little sweetness in your parfait. You will get some from the granola but feel free to also add a bit of raw honey, maple syrup, and a bit of vanilla or almond extract.

Raw honey is my top pick here. It has antioxidant qualities, contains some awesome micronutrients, and even has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Believe it or not, the addition of almond butter and peanut butter will also add a subtle sweetness to your parfait.

Make sure you select quality products that list only the nut in their ingredients list.  A big scoop of Jif or Peter Pan isn’t in that category folks.

To save time, mix homemade yogurt all at once

To save time, you can empty an entire 32 ounce carton of full fat yogurt into a bowl or food processor. Add honey and vanilla and mix then return it to the container–viola! Ready for your week.

If I was flavoring a 32 ounce container, I’d probably do a tablespoon of vanilla extract, and maybe 1/3 to 1/2 cup of honey. You’ll just have to taste as you go. You can always add more but you can’t take it out.

What kind of fruit should I add? 

You can use fresh or frozen fruit when making yogurt parfaits. Just keep in mind that frozen fruit will get a bit watery as it thaws.

I have love blueberries, mangoes, raspberries, and strawberries. So throw some (or all) of those in there.

Another fun option is roasted apples, especially in the fall months. Feeling fancy? Try these Sliced Baked Apples With Brown Sugar.  

Can I make other, fun additions? 

Yogurt, granola, and fruit are plenty to make these yogurt parfaits a real treat, but feel free to get creative with other additions. Here are some of my favorites. 

• Jam. Just add a dollop. Look for fruit juice-sweetened products as opposed to those sweetened with sugar. Thrive Market makes some great ones.
• Swap out the granola. Use crushed graham crackers or animal crackers instead! This offers more of a dessert feel without an overdose of sugar. 
• Cacao nibs. With an intense, chocolaty flavor (sans the sugar), cacao beans are bitter and nutty and add great texture to these healthy yogurt parfaits. 
• Cinnamon. I love adding this warm spice to my homemade yogurt parfaits, especially alongside a smattering of cacao beans. Yum. 

How to boost the nutrition content of your yogurt parfaits

Looking to get a little more bang for your buck in the health department? Try these fun additions. 

• Hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids making them awesome allies for those looking to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and promote hair/skin/nail health, bone growth, and reproductive health. 
• MCT oil will give you an extra boost of healthy fat and will help keep you full longer.
• I have been known to throw a whole chunk of coconut oil in mine but I don’t mind chewing the little bits of it. I’m probably weird though.

Other tips for advanced prep

These parfaits are so easy to make ahead of time. Just make a big batch of granola in advance (make a big batch so you can use it for other purposes too) and flavor your yogurt.

Store both components in separate airtight containers (the yogurt should go in the refrigerator).

When it comes time to serve, dice up some fruit and throw it all together.

What to serve with fruit and yogurt parfaits

It depends on when you plan to serve these but if they are for breakfast try these great options to round out your meal:

• Baked ham and egg cups
• Green onion and bacon quiche
• Breakfast casserole