Change up your standard breakfast foods with these healthy (and FUN!) Yogurt Parfaits. These ten flavor combinations are simple, nutritious, and endlessly versatile—and are filled with a balanced mix of protein, probiotics, complex carbohydrates and fruit.
Yogurt Parfait
In our house, we call yogurt parfaits “yogurt sundaes” and while my kids are under no illusions that this is ice cream, they love the idea anyway! This is a fun way to serve up yogurt, and all of the calcium, protein, and probiotics that it includes.
This is a simple recipe that many kids will be happy to help assemble on their own!
Ingredients You Need
To make these yogurt parfaits, you’ll need these ingredients:
- Yogurt (I like plain whole milk best)
- Fruit such as fresh or frozen and thawed berries, diced mango, applesauce, roasted apples, or chia jam
- A crunchy layer or topping like granola, mini animal crackers, lower sugar cereal, or broken up graham crackers.
- Healthy seeds such as chia or hemp seeds, optional
TIP: You can really use any fruit or topping that your kids like, so let them come up with ideas too!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this recipe. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full information.
- Decide which fruit to use.
- Decide which toppings to use.
- Add a layer of yogurt to the bottom of a small container or bowl. Top with fruit.
- Top with a little more yogurt.
- Add a layer of seeds, if desired, to help keep the topping from getting soggy.
- Add crunchy topper.
TIP: You can do as much or as little of each layer as you like, though I like twice as much yogurt as the fruit and topping layers. Adjust as you like!
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to yogurt and toddlers and babies, whole milk plain yogurt is best. I prefer to also buy organic yogurt. The fats in this type of yogurt are crucial for proper brain development in kids…and in my opinion, it just tends to taste better!
You can use regular or Greek yogurt in this recipe.
Most parfaits are best eaten soon after you make them as the crunchy topping can get soggy. But, you can make these ahead with a simple adjustment:
Either top the second layer of yogurt with a thick layer of hemp seeds, chia seeds, or shredded unsweetened coconut, then add the crunchy option. The seeds will help prevent the topping from absorbing the moisture in the yogurt. Or just make everything ahead and stash in the fridge, then add the crunchy topping just before serving.
A parfait includes yogurt and usually fruit and some sort of crunchy topping such as granola. I like to mix things up and top with other foods too, just to make it fun for the kids.
Tips for Making the Best Healthy Yogurt Parfaits
- Use plain whole milk yogurt, such as the kind from Kalona Super Natural.
- Add a layer of seeds or coconut between the yogurt and topping to help prevent the topping from getting soggy.
- You can use regular or Greek yogurt in this recipe.
- Fruit such as fresh or frozen and thawed berries, diced mango, applesauce, roasted apples, or chia jam work well here.
- A crunchy layer could be granola, mini animal crackers, lower sugar cereal, or broken up graham crackers.
- If you plan to store them for more than 4 hours, put the crunchy topping in a separate container and simply add it to the rest of the ingredients when ready to serve.
- Let the kids help decide which ingredients to include and to assemble their own!
- You may also like Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt, Banana Yogurt, Yogurt Melts, and Yogurt Muffins.
I’d love to hear what you think of this recipe if you try it, so please comment below to share!
This post was first published September 2019.
Quick Yogurt Parfaits
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- 1/4 cup fruit (such as fresh or frozen and thawed berries, diced mango, applesauce, roasted apples, or chia jam)
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (or chia seeds or shredded unsweetened coconut)
- 1/4 cup crunchy topper (such as granola, mini animal crackers, dry cereal, or broken up graham crackers)
Instructions
- Place half of the yogurt into a small container or bowl.
- Top with fruit.
- Top with the rest of the yogurt.
- Add an even layer of seeds on top of the yogurt, if using.
- Finish with the crunchy topping.
- Serve or store in the fridge. (If you plan to store them for more than 4 hours, put the crunchy topping in a separate container and simply add it to the rest of the ingredients when ready to serve.)
Notes
(1.) Yogurt, fresh berries, chia seeds, granola.
2.) Yogurt, blueberry chia jam, coconut, mini animal crackers.
(3.) Yogurt, diced roasted apples, hemp seeds, crushed graham crackers.
(4.) Yogurt, mango, chia seeds, O cereal.
(5.) Yogurt, applesauce, puff cereal.
(6.) Yogurt, applesauce, granola.
(7.) Yogurt, diced banana, peanut butter cereal.
(8.) Yogurt, diced strawberries, chia seeds, granola.
(9.) Yogurt mixed with berry jam, fresh blueberries, graham cracker crumbs.
(10.) Yogurt mixed with almond butter, mashed banana, baby puffs. Add a layer of seeds or coconut between the yogurt and topping to help prevent the topping from getting soggy. You can use regular or Greek yogurt in this recipe. I prefer to use plain whole milk.
Thanks for the toddler-specific guidance. I’ll be making this today in a Head Start classroom, as an activity for children and parents to do together.
Oh great, I hope everyone enjoys it!