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    Home Recipes Snacks

    Easy Greek Yogurt and Granola Parfait

    Published: Jul 7, 2020 · Modified: Jan 26, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Greek yogurt and granola come together to make a quick and delicious breakfast, lunch, or snack for kids. No wonder why Starbucks' yogurt parfaits are so popular!

    Greek yogurt topped with granola and fresh fruit, served in a small glass dish.

    I still cannot get over how many options you will find in the yogurt aisle of a grocery store! I mean, no wonder why parents are confused what to feed their kids.

    With all of the options out there, at least you know that by buying Greek yogurt, you are getting more protein per serving.

    Greek yogurt with granola and fruit (optional) - it's as easy as that! In fact, if you have left over fresh fruit salad, use it to make this parfait!

    Make it fun for your kids by setting out various toppings and letting them create their own parfait. My youngest enjoyed doing that just this morning!

    If they want to add fruit, great! If not, that's okay, too. If nothing else, you are increasing their exposure to a variety of foods.

    Oh, and 'Aesthetic' food or 'Instagram worthy' food is a hit with tweens and teens right now. This recipe would be an easy one to do a 'competition' with.

    Let your kids assemble their own parfait and you assemble your own and see who's is more visually appealing... then, eat up!

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe is so Great
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Dietitian Tip
    • How to Make a Greek Yogurt and Granola Parfait
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Recipes Made with Yogurt
    • Easy Greek Yogurt and Granola Parfait

    Why This Recipe is so Great

    • Easy to make It's so easy that kids can assemble yogurt parfaits themselves.
    • Well balanced Fruit and yogurt parfaits contain carbohydrate, protein, fat, and many other nutrients that are not listed on a nutrition facts label (like phytonutrients).
    • Great for meal prepping Parfaits can be made the night before and stored in the refrigerator for an easy breakfast on the go.
    • Contains protein and fiber, so kids feel full longer

    Ingredient Notes

    Greek yogurt in a glass bowl with a small bowl of granola centered in the middle of a variety of fruit (nectarine pieces, blueberries, sliced strawberries, sliced banana, and orange pieces).
    • Greek yogurt Good source of protein and calcium. Chobani makes a Madagascar Vanilla and Cinnamon flavored less sugar Greek yogurt that have a nice flavor.
    • Fruit Berries are the most common fruit to use in parfaits. Not only are full of nutrients, but they are pretty and easy to serve. My kids have made these with all different variations of fruit, including peaches and nectarines.
    • Granola Adds a wonderful texture to yogurt parfaits. I like to make my own granola, but store-bought granola will work just as well. Granola is made with rolled oats. Oats are a whole grain and are an excellent source of soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, phosphorus, thiamine, magnesium, and zinc.

    Dietitian Tip

    Greek yogurt is great because it's higher in protein than traditional yogurt, which means it will keep kids feeling full longer. It is thicker, though, which takes some getting used to.

    If your kids are used to sweetened traditional yogurt, they will likely not be thrilled if you all of a sudden serve them plain Greek yogurt. For this reason, I suggest mixing plain Greek yogurt in with a sweetened yogurt to increase their acceptance of it.

    This way, they will still get the flavor they love but with less sugar and more protein. Try it and let me know what you think!

    How to Make a Greek Yogurt and Granola Parfait

    It's hard to call this a recipe because it's so easy! Please keep in mind that there is really no 'wrong' way to assemble yogurt parfaits. Let your kids get creative! And, for specific instructions, scroll down for the recipe.

    Option 1 For same day eating, I layer the ingredients in the following order: Greek yogurt, granola, fruit (optional).

    Option 2 If you are making these ahead of time, try layering them the same as a Starbucks yogurt parfait: fruit first (optional), then yogurt, and then top with granola. Store refrigerated in a sealed air-tight container for up to three days (up to one day if using pineapple or banana).

    My Pick for Store-Bought Granola
    This granola has a nice flavor and excellent crunch to it. It's easy to find in most grocery stores.
    SHOP NOW

    Photo Credit: amazon.com

    Three bags of KIND granola. Image taken from amazon.com.

    Expert Tips

    • If assembling this ahead of time, the granola will soften. So, if your kids like granola to be crunchy, have them add the granola just before they eat it. 
    • Use fruit that you know your kids will like when making yogurt parfaits.
    • If there is a fruit that you aren't sure your kids will like, you can mix it in with a fruit that you know they like. This will help improve their acceptance.
    • If using pineapple or banana as an ingredient, assembled parfaits should be eaten within twenty-four hours for optimal flavor.
    • The only fruits that I really try to avoid are melons, but it's only because of their water content. If your kids insist on topping their parfaits with melon, I'd say give it a try!
    • If using frozen fruit, let it defrost before adding it to the parfait.
    • Slice or dice fruit into smaller pieces for this recipe. Kitchen scissors work well for small fruits like berries.

    Recipe FAQs

    What's in a Starbuck's yogurt parfait?

    Here is the ingredient list that can be found on their website: Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt [Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Nonfat Milk, Agave Syrup, Vanilla Extract, Carob Bean Gum, Vanilla Beans, Pectin, Water], Mixed Berry Compote [Mixed Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries), Evaporated Cane Sugar, Water, Plum Puree, Cornstarch, Ground Coriander, Citric Acid], Granola [Whole Rolled Oats, Milled Cane Sugar, Rice Flour, Oat Flour, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Molasses, Honey, Natural Flavor, Salt, Barley Malt Syrup]

    As you can see, Starbucks uses a nonfat vanilla yogurt that is sweetened with agave. An easy substitute for this would be to mix a small amount of agave or honey in with plain yogurt.

    What fruit goes good with yogurt?

    Include at least one fruit that you know your kids like when making these. My kids love ripe raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, grapes, pineapple, banana, and nectarines. Any combination of these will work well, as would many other fruits (like mango!).

    Is a yogurt parfait a good snack?

    They definitely can be! As with most other foods, it really depends on the ingredients used. Choose a yogurt and granola with minimal amount of added sugar and fresh fruit, and you've got an excellent snack for kids that provides protein and fiber that will help them feel full longer.

    More Recipes Made with Yogurt

    • Caesar dressing in a small round container centered around salad
      Healthy Homemade Caesar Dressing (No Mayo)
    • Strawberry banana smoothie bowl served in a white bowl and topped with sliced banana, freeze dried strawberries, chia seeds, and chocolate chips.
      Easy Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
    • Chicken salad on a pita cracker.
      Festive Chicken Pomegranate Salad for Kids
    • Blue smoothie bowl served in a white bowl and topped with granola, banana slices, and blueberries.
      Tropical Blue Smoothie Bowl

    Did your kids love this parfait made with Greek yogurt and granola? Please leave a 5-star rating below or a review in the comments section!

    Don't forget to snap a pic of their delicious parfait and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it. Enjoy!

    Fruit and yogurt parfait, layered, in a glass dish.

    Easy Greek Yogurt and Granola Parfait

    Kristi
    Easy and delicious, this parfait made with Greek yogurt and granola makes the perfect breakfast, lunch, or snack for kids!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 311 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 oz Greek yogurt Plain or vanilla. Your child's favorite yogurt is a good starting place, preferably with a low amount of added sugar. See notes section.
    • 2 tablespoon granola
    • ¼ cup fresh fruit Optional but highly recommended. Fruit should be cut up or sliced.

    Instructions
     

    • Spoon yogurt into the bottom of a small bowl or mug.
    • Top yogurt with granola.
    • Top granola with fruit (optional).

    Notes

    *The nutrition facts information will vary depending on which ingredients you choose to make these parfaits.
    If these parfaits will be assembled the day before eating, I suggest layering them in a different order. Put fruit in first. Top fruit with yogurt. Top with granola.
    If assembling this ahead of time, the granola will soften. So, if your kids like granola to be crunchy, have them add the granola just before they eat it. 
    This recipe is so versatile! You can easily change up the yogurt and/or fruit, based on what you have on hand.
    If your kids are used to super-sweet yogurt, try mixing a small amount of plain Greek yogurt in with the sweetened yogurt to slowly cut back on the level of sweetness.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 18gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 212mgFiber: 5gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 279IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 167mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Welcome to Carrots & Cookies! I'm registered dietitian and busy working mom of three on a mission to provide you with easy recipes and tips to make every minute you spend in your kitchen count! More about me...

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