There is something uniquely satisfying about a beautifully layered breakfast. It feels special, a small act of self-care to start the day. This Yogurt Parfait Recipe isn’t just about assembling ingredients in a glass; it’s about creating a harmony of textures and flavours. We’re talking about thick, luscious yogurt, tangy-sweet berries that pop with freshness, and the deep, nutty crunch of a homemade granola that truly elevates the entire experience. This is the kind of breakfast that powers you through the morning without weighing you down.

Friends always ask me for the ‘recipe’ after trying it at weekend brunches, and they’re always surprised at how straightforward it is to create something that looks so elegant. The secret really lies in the quality of the components. Using a good, thick Greek yogurt provides the perfect creamy base, while making your own granola – which is far simpler than it sounds – allows you to control the sweetness and dial up the toasted, nutty notes that make each spoonful so rewarding.

This breakfast parfait is ideal when you want a nourishing start to your day, but it also works wonderfully as a light and refreshing dessert after a rich meal, like my Savory Beef And Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe. It’s a recipe that appeals to everyone, from busy professionals needing a quick yet wholesome meal to families looking for a healthy treat the kids will genuinely get excited about.

Recipe Overview

This Yogurt Parfait Recipe layers creamy vanilla-infused yogurt with a mix of fresh, juicy berries and a crunchy, golden-brown homemade granola. The flavour profile is a delightful balance of tangy, sweet, and nutty. Each bite offers a different texture, from the smooth yogurt to the crisp granola and the soft burst of the fruit. After testing multiple batches, I found that adding a tiny pinch of salt to the granola mixture really makes the nutty flavours stand out against the sweetness of the honey.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (for granola)
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 2 large parfaits
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Yogurt Parfait Recipe

• Genuine Flavour: The tartness of the thick Greek yogurt provides a perfect canvas for the natural sweetness of fresh raspberries and blueberries, all brought together by the warm, cinnamon-spiced crunch of the toasted oat and nut granola.
• Ready in Under 30 Minutes: The entire process, including baking a fresh batch of granola, comes together in about 30 minutes. If you make the granola ahead of time, assembly takes less than 5 minutes.
• Flexible Recipe: This parfait recipe is wonderfully adaptable. You can swap the berries for sliced peaches and nectarines in the summer, or use stewed apples and extra cinnamon in the autumn. No almonds? Use pecans instead.
• Great for a Healthy Start: It works beautifully for a nutritious breakfast on a busy weekday, an elegant addition to a weekend brunch spread, or even as a wholesome after-school snack.
• Family Tested: My children adore this. We set up a little “parfait bar” on Saturday mornings with bowls of yogurt, fruit, and granola, and they have the best time building their own creations. It always gets compliments.

Yogurt Parfait Recipe

⏱️ 20 min prep  •  🍳 20 min cook  •  👥 4 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the creamiest result, I recommend using a full-fat, strained Greek yogurt. My personal go-to is Fage Total 5%, as it has a fantastic, thick consistency that holds its shape perfectly in the layers. Don’t be tempted by low-fat, flavoured yogurts, as they are often thinner and contain a lot of sugar.

• For the Homemade Granola:
• 100g rolled oats (not instant)
• 40g whole almonds, roughly chopped
• 30g walnuts, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• A generous pinch of sea salt
• For the Parfait Assembly:
• 500g thick Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1-2 tsp honey, to taste (optional)
• 250g mixed fresh berries (I use a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and sliced strawberries)
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

Elena’s Tip: For an extra depth of flavour in your granola, toast the chopped nuts and seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant before mixing them with the other ingredients. It makes a remarkable difference.

How to Make This Yogurt Parfait Recipe

The process is broken down into two simple stages: first, we’ll bake the crunchy granola, and then we’ll assemble our beautiful parfaits. While the granola is in the oven, you can prepare your fruit and yogurt, making the whole process very efficient.

1. Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Line a medium-sized baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Mix the Granola: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and sea salt. Give it a good stir to distribute everything evenly.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the melted coconut oil and honey (or maple syrup) over the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly until all the oats and nuts are lightly coated.
4. Bake the Granola: Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on your prepared baking tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until it’s a lovely golden brown and your kitchen smells wonderful. Keep a close eye on it towards the end, as the honey can cause it to brown quickly.
5. Cool Completely: Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the tray. This is a crucial step! As it cools, it will harden and become wonderfully crunchy.
6. Prepare the Yogurt: While the granola cools, place the Greek yogurt in a bowl. Stir in the vanilla bean paste and the optional honey. Taste and adjust the sweetness if you like. I find that with sweet berries, the yogurt doesn’t need much extra sugar.
7. Start Layering: Now for the fun part. Grab two tall glasses or jars. Start with a layer of the vanilla yogurt (about 3-4 tablespoons).
8. Add Fruit and Granola: Sprinkle a generous layer of fresh berries over the yogurt, followed by a layer of your cooled, crunchy granola.
9. Repeat the Layers: Repeat the process – yogurt, berries, granola – until you reach the top of the glass. What works best for me is finishing with a final dollop of yogurt, a careful arrangement of the prettiest berries, and a final sprinkle of granola.
10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a few fresh mint leaves if you’re feeling fancy, and serve immediately to enjoy the ultimate contrast of creamy and crunchy textures.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Temperature Control: When baking the granola, a lower oven temperature is your friend. Baking at 160°C ensures the oats and nuts toast evenly without the honey burning before everything is cooked through.
• The Secret Step: I learned that for the crunchiest granola, you should press it down slightly on the baking tray before it goes in the oven and then avoid stirring it too much. Let it cool completely on the tray without disturbing it, then break it into clusters.
• Make-Ahead: The granola is the perfect component to prepare in advance. It can be made up to two weeks ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also wash and chop your fruit a day in advance.
• Storage: An assembled yogurt parfait is best enjoyed straight away. If you must store it, cover it tightly and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Be aware that the granola will soften over time as it absorbs moisture from the yogurt.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this parfait recipe, just some basic kitchen tools.

• Baking Tray
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Tall Glasses or Jars for serving

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While this is a straightforward recipe, a few common pitfalls can affect the final result. Here’s what to look out for.

• Using Runny Yogurt: The foundation of a good parfait is thick yogurt. Using a standard, thinner yogurt will cause the layers to bleed into one another, creating a soupy texture. Stick to a strained, Greek-style yogurt for those beautiful, distinct layers.
• Assembling Too Early: The magic of a parfait is the textural contrast. If you assemble it hours before serving, the granola will absorb moisture from the fruit and yogurt, becoming soft and losing its essential crunch. For the best experience, layer just before you plan to eat.
• Forgetting to Cool the Granola: Adding warm granola to cold yogurt is a recipe for disappointment. The heat will cause the yogurt to become runny, and the steam will prevent the granola from ever getting truly crisp. Patience is key; let it cool completely.

Delicious Variations to Try

One of the best things about this parfait recipe is how easily you can customise it based on the season or what you have in your pantry.

• Tropical Parfait: Swap the berries for diced mango, pineapple, and passionfruit. Use maple syrup in the granola and add some dried coconut flakes. Stir a tablespoon of coconut cream into the yogurt for a truly tropical feel.
• Chocolate Cherry Indulgence: A more dessert-like version. Use a rich cherry compote instead of fresh berries, add cocoa powder to your granola mix before baking, and finish with a few dark chocolate shavings on top.
• Vegan Parfait: This recipe is easily made plant-based. Use a thick, creamy coconut or soya yogurt and ensure you use maple syrup instead of honey in the granola. The results are fantastic. For more plant-based ideas, check out this Healthy Veggie Fried Rice Recipe for a simple dinner.

What to Serve With This Yogurt Parfait Recipe

This parfait is a complete meal in itself, but if you’re building a larger brunch menu, it pairs beautifully with both sweet and savoury items.

• Fresh Croissants: Serve alongside warm, flaky croissants and good-quality butter for a classic brunch experience.
• A Savoury Balance: For a full café-style meal, it provides a lovely, light contrast to something savoury like a perfectly made Cheesy Tuna Melt Sandwich.
• Drink Pairing: A freshly brewed pot of coffee, a simple cup of breakfast tea, or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice are the perfect beverages to accompany this breakfast parfait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yogurt Parfait with Homemade Granola

A delicious and healthy parfait featuring layers of creamy Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and crunchy homemade granola. Perfect for a quick breakfast or a light dessert.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 340

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Homemade Granola

• 100 g rolled oats not instant
• 40 g whole almonds roughly chopped
• 30 g walnuts roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 2 tbsp coconut oil melted
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• A generous pinch of sea salt

For the Parfait Assembly

• 500 g thick Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1-2 tsp honey to taste (optional)
• 250 g mixed fresh berries I use a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and sliced strawberries
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Method

 

1. Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Line a medium-sized baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Mix the Granola: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and sea salt. Give it a good stir to distribute everything evenly.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the melted coconut oil and honey (or maple syrup) over the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly until all the oats and nuts are lightly coated.
4. Bake the Granola: Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on your prepared baking tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until it's a lovely golden brown and your kitchen smells wonderful. Keep a close eye on it towards the end, as the honey can cause it to brown quickly.
5. Cool Completely: Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the tray. This is a crucial step! As it cools, it will harden and become wonderfully crunchy.
6. Prepare the Yogurt: While the granola cools, place the Greek yogurt in a bowl. Stir in the vanilla bean paste and the optional honey. Taste and adjust the sweetness if you like. I find that with sweet berries, the yogurt doesn't need much extra sugar.
7. Start Layering: Now for the fun part. Grab two tall glasses or jars. Start with a layer of the vanilla yogurt (about 3-4 tablespoons).
8. Add Fruit and Granola: Sprinkle a generous layer of fresh berries over the yogurt, followed by a layer of your cooled, crunchy granola.
9. Repeat the Layers: Repeat the process – yogurt, berries, granola – until you reach the top of the glass. What works best for me is finishing with a final dollop of yogurt, a careful arrangement of the prettiest berries, and a final sprinkle of granola.
10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a few fresh mint leaves if you're feeling fancy, and serve immediately to enjoy the ultimate contrast of creamy and crunchy textures.

Notes

Store leftover granola in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Assemble parfaits just before serving to maintain the granola's crunch.

I truly hope you give this yogurt parfait recipe a go. It’s a simple joy that can make any morning feel a little more special. Once you’ve tried making your own granola, you’ll see how rewarding it is. I’d love to hear how you customise your parfait! Let me know in the comments below what fruit and nut combinations you come up with.
Enjoy,
Elena