10 Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits to Try

We’ve reached the dog days of summer, and heavy meals and desserts just don’t work in the extreme temperatures and humidity that many experience. So, something cool, light, and refreshing is always important when it comes to the hot weather, and if you’re looking for something sweet but light for breakfast, the next poolside get-together, or just a little treat for yourself, then you should try out some yogurt and fruit parfaits!

What is a Parfait?

A parfait is defined as a dessert (which actually can work as a breakfast or an any-time snack as well) that is made up of layers of ice cream or cream, fruit, and/or other ingredients served up in a tall glass, so this actually leaves a lot of room for play when it comes to creating the perfect parfait for you!

The word parfait is French and translates to perfect. In fact, the very first parfait recipe consisted of boiling cream, egg, sugar, and syrup together, creating somewhat of a custard that was frozen before serving.

For the parfait recipes that we’re going to share with you, using yogurt instead of ice cream or cream gives you a lighter, healthier alternative to layer in between your fruit and other ingredients that is perfect for beating the heat but will be kinder to your waistline and isn’t as heavy as ice cream can be.

So, without further ado, grab a tall glass and a long spoon because we’re going to check out our list of ten yummy fruit and yogurt parfait recipes to try!

Yogurt and Fruit Parfait – Yogurt, Berries, and Granola

This recipe variation calls for vanilla nonfat yogurt, frozen strawberries in juice, fresh blackberries or raspberries, and granola. With this recipe, the nonfat yogurt helps lighten the parfait dessert even more, while the juicy fruits bring in a natural tanginess and their own sugars, and the granola lends a crunch to the overall texture as well as a bit of extra sweetness. Simple, light, and sweet with no extra added sugars!

Yogurt Parfait with Mixed Berries, Maple Syrup, and Coconut Flakes

Add a little something extra to your yogurt and mixed berry parfait with some granola and coconut flakes layered in, then drizzle some pure maple syrup over top for a parfait that makes a great breakfast or a deliciously light and healthy dessert. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are recommended for this recipe, but you can use just about any sort of berries or fruits that you like!

Strawberry Shortcake Yogurt Parfaits

For this creamy parfait, layer some sliced strawberries, vanilla yogurt, and some cubes of shortcake or even angel food cake. Then, top it all off with some extra sliced strawberries, a little bit of strawberry syrup, and a dollop of whipped cream for a finishing touch.

Orange Creamsicle Yogurt Parfait

Canned mandarin oranges are great for this simple recipe, or use freshly sliced oranges if you wish. Layer with vanilla yogurt and then if you want to go an extra step, top it off with a homemade orange syrup that puts the orange and sweet, creamy vanilla flavors over the top without being too heavy.

Blueberry and Lemon Parfait

To create this pretty, tangy, and sweet parfait, layer a bit of blueberry pie filling in between some vanilla yogurt, throw in some granola for a bit of crunch and extra subtle sweetness, and then top it off with fresh blueberries and a homemade lemon syrup to make a light and refreshing parfait treat.

Frozen Yogurt Parfait Bites

Here is a slightly different version of the yogurt and fruit parfait, one that could actually work as a to-go option as a quick breakfast on the way out the door. Fill a muffin tin with slices of banana, some Greek yogurt, either granola or your favorite cereal, then chop up some fresh berries to throw on top and freeze. Remove from tins after they’re frozen and bag up any extras to save for future eating.

Mocha Morning Breakfast Yogurt

With this recipe, we offer a twist on the standard fruit and yogurt parfait. To achieve this, simply mix Greek yogurt, honey, instant coffee granules, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and you can also add some chocolate whey protein powder to amp up your protein intake. Layer this mixture with your favorite granola cereal with nuts, strawberries, and raspberries for a tasty, refreshing wake-up!

Japanese Style Parfait

In order to make your fruit and yogurt parfait Japanese style, you start with a layer of corn flakes cereal, then you add your yogurt, a fruit jam of your choice along with some fresh fruit of your choosing, and then it’s finally topped off with a dollop of whipped cream for good measure. In Japanese cuisine, parfaits are actually quite a big deal when it comes to dessert due to the Japanese’s emphasis on the presentation of their food.

Homemade Yogurt Parfaits

This recipe brings in Greek yogurt mixed with honey and vanilla that is layered with fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, or any sort of fruit you like. Then, you top it off with granola and coconut flakes before serving for an added touch of crunch and sweetness.

Raspberry Chocolate Parfait

If you’re craving chocolate and raspberries, try this healthy variation of a parfait! Mix some cocoa powder into nonfat vanilla yogurt, then layer in fresh raspberries and a bit of your favorite chocolate cereal and you’ve got a healthy, but decadently sweet breakfast or dessert that you don’t have to feel guilty about!

The World of Yogurt and Fruit Parfaits is Waiting for You!

So, whether you’re looking for something light and refreshing for a summer dessert, a healthy breakfast option, or just a little something in between, then we encourage you to try any of the ten fruit and yogurt parfaits we suggested, and we hope that you’ll experiment and come up with your own amazing fruit and yogurt parfaits as well!