You know what I love? Rediscovering a snack I haven’t eaten in a while. It’s reminiscent of finding a crumpled $5 bill in the bottom on my purse- such a pleasant surprise! I had this experience with the always-delicious yogurt parfait yesterday.
I get it. No one needs a recipe for a parfait, as they are pretty simple- yogurt, fruit, something crunchy. Really, just like vegetable soup or an omelet, you can pretty much add whatever you want and it will be delicious.
Still, I’ve eaten my fair share of these over the years and figured it would be fun to share my favorite ingredients. Let’s start with the main event, the yogurt.
Current Favorite Greek Style Yogurt: Fage. Thick and creamy, it’s just delicious! I usually buy Fage Total (full fat), but will also get 2%. Gone are my non-fat yogurt days; I’ve seen the light.
Current Favorite Regular Yogurt: Stonyfield. I love their pouches too and if you ever want a yogurt that is basically dessert, try their banilla flavor and prepare for your eyes to pop out of your head.
Favorite Fruits: Berries, for sure, but the humble banana also shines in parfaits to me. In the summer it is fun to switch it up with more tropical options like pineapple or kiwi too. Do you think watermelon would work? Is that just crazy talk?
Favorite Crunchies: Granola (I know, I’m such an innovator). My current favorite granola is Love Grown‘s Raisin Almond Crunch. I also love to add crushed nuts, like walnuts, pecans and most often almonds (like honey roasted or Blue Diamond’s Toasted Coconut). I’ve also used crumbled graham crackers, cereal and in full disclosure, crumbled cookies too.
Warning: the toppings are delicious and may tempt little hands to climb chairs when your back is turned.
Favorite Sweet Stuff: I usually opt for plain Greek yogurt. Not always, but usually. To sweeten it, because I’m not as hardcore as you may be, I use honey most often, but a spoonful of jam, maple syrup or fresh fruit puree (especially for the baby!) will do the trick wonderfully as well.
Favorite Toppings: Chia seed “sprinkles” always. Cacao nibs for a chocolaty treat. Shaved coconut. Or if you’re really wanting to kick it up a notch- melted peanut butter!
A couple other delicious parfaits I’m loving is this one that blends in cream cheese and lemon zest, this kid-friendly version and this no-bake apple pie extravaganza.
Whichever combo you choose, expect to experience the squenchy-face-of-joy.
Because they’re delicious.
What are your current parfait favorites?
Favorite yogurt? Toppings?
I’m always looking for new ideas!
Kacie says
Love this!! Between nursing and exercising I feel like I’m constantly eating and it’s made me kind of uninspired about food. I often resort to spoon in nut butter jar and looking at your parfait is a good reminder to make myself a real snack that will be more mentally satisfying!
emma @ be mom strong says
I’m not nursing and spoonfuls of nut butter are my go-to’s!
Brynn says
only you can make a post about parfaits hilarious yet informative. Love this post. One of my favorite combinations is tropical fruit with coconut- seriously delicious.
Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says
I love Fage yogurt! My favorite yogurt parfait includes topping full-fat greek yogurt with granola, blueberries, and honey. So good!
Joanna @Makingmine says
Haha, I love the comparison to finding a $5 bill. It’s SO true though! I’m pretty boring with my toppings – usually just some fruit and granola. I need to get my hands on some Banilla again – my grocery store doesn’t carry Stonyfield and Target only has the Vanilla flavor. I miss having more options!
Mollie K says
Full fat Fage is dreamy!! It is so thick and creamy and delicious. I have been having my yogurt on the run as a second breakfast after my post workout protein shake and have been doing it overnight oats style..so my toppings are either bananas or berries, some oats, plain fage, flax seed, a little almond milk, and you might think this is really weird but coconut oil (it hardens and i love it!)
Heather says
I’m currently trying to cut way back on dairy and gluten (doctor’s orders), so my new favorite combo is So Delicious Coconut milk yogurt and Kind Cinnamon Cluster granola with a banana. SOOOO yummy.
Jessie says
Some of my (dessert-like) favorite combos are plain yogurt mixed with Biscoff spread and slightly-frozen raspberries (tastes like raspberry cheesecake). Or plain yogurt with peanut butter, cinnamon and crunchy apple cubes.
Fage also makes those new blended yogurts and the coffee one is fantastic!! Really good just plain or maybe with some granola.
Brittany says
Fage Total is my favorite also! Banana and peanut butter are my standard mix ins, it’s such an easy and complete meal!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I recently switched to Fage as well and LOVE It. And I buy the 2% kind – so much more flavor than the fat-free option.
Brittany says
These look great! I’m loving strawberry and granola at the moment for my breakfasts 🙂
Kiki says
i use the trader joes Greek Yougurt which has a similar thickness as fage. I usually mix in some Justin’s maple almond butter ( small packets make it easy to take on go) , dried cranberrys and chia seeds or slivered almonds for a crunch. I even throw it in my cooler to have at the beach as a healthy snack.
Jerrica says
Too funny!! I was CRAVING hard core a parfait over the weekend. We were out and about running errands and I was just dying. I stopped off at Starbucks and grabbed a black cherry parfait and it was oh.so.delicious. I haven’t had a parfait in years but for some reason I just had to have it immediately.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Yum! I love parfaits and this one looks delicious!
Jen@Jpabstfitness says
Toasted coconut yogurt with chopped kiwi = amazing!!!!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Lately I’ve been loving plain greek yogurt (fage is soooo good) with frozen raspberries, blueberries, and cherries!
christina says
so i know this post is about parfaits but i cannot get over HOW CUTE her little cheeky smile is!!!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
Fage 2% or full fat is my FAVORITE. There is no brand that makes Greek yogurt like they do. I love adding crumbled muffins/pancakes/waffles to my yogurt, nut butter, fruit, chia seeds and a drizzle of maple syrup. That’s a breakfast that never fails me!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
I loveee full far yogurt. The best. Aslo, I’ve tried watermelon and yogurt… not impressed