Breakfast parfaits are portable, delicious, and often loaded with nourishing ingredients that will keep you feeling full through even the longest morning meeting (been there, stomach growled through that). But sadly, many parfaits are desserts masquerading as a healthy food—we know, total bummer.
See, many store-bought options are made with sweetened yogurt and granola, turning all that yogurty goodness into a straight-up sugar bomb. Example: The Lemon Crunch Yogurt Parfait at Starbucks has 29 grams of sugar; that’s how much sugar (at max) you should have in an entire day, and there’s not even chocolate involved! *So* not worth it.
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The solution: DIY your next parfait. The basic structure of a parfait includes repeating layers of yogurt, fruit, and granola, but there’s room to get creative with your add-ins for any aspiring chefs out there.
To start, opt for plain Greek yogurt that’s low in sugar and packed with protein. Follow with fresh fruit instead of jams, and choose granola made with simple ingredients and without added sugar. When you’re done, you’ll have a satisfying well-balanced breakfast that delivers protein, fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants. Plus, the winning combination of creamy yogurt, sweet fruit, and crunchy granola is hard to beat.
If you still need some inspo in the parfait department, check out the 10 delicious parfait recipes here. With a variety of crave-worthy flavor combinations and ingredients, there’s a parfait for every preference and dietary need—and you’ll never get stuck in a breakfast rut again.
Easy Parfait Recipes
Creamy Berry Parfait with Quinoa
Swap granola for quinoa for a protein boost. Just mix the protein-rich grain with Greek yogurt, vanilla, and cinnamon, then layer with antioxidant-rich acai and blueberries. Top it off with walnuts for some healthy fats. Mmm.
Healthy Apple Pie Breakfast Parfait
Apple pie in the morning? Yes, please! Caramelized apples rich in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium taste just like the classic pie filling you love. Chia and oat pudding, yogurt, and apple cinnamon granola truly make this a dessert-inspired—yet healthy—breakfast.
Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Overnight Oat Parfait
Overnight oats replace yogurt in this parfait recipe for an extra dose of gut-friendly fiber. Strawberry rhubarb chia jam brings flavor and nutrients like antioxidant vitamin C and vitamin K, which plays a vital role in bone and heart health. Granola adds a highly satisfying crunch.
Yogurt Sundae
Your morning yogurt bowl reinvented. Greek yogurt is layered with nourishing berries and fiber-rich brown rice for a simple healthy breakfast that’s tasty enough for dessert. You’ll never think of sundaes the same again.
Chocolate Chia & Raspberry Parfait
Try this parfait recipe when you want an Instagram-worthy breakfast that’s as nourishing and delicious as it looks. You’ll layer chocolate chia pudding (packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids) with a creamy vibrant pink mousse made with avocado, raspberries, and dates. All the *heart eyes.*
Peanut Butter Berry Yogurt
Great news: You can now eat PB&J with a spoon! And this version is even tastier than the sammie you had as a kid: Fresh raspberries offer fiber, immune-boosting vitamin C, and better-than-jelly flavor. Trust us, you’ll want seconds.
Skinny Maple Granola Yogurt Parfait
Forget store-bought granola. Instead, make this naturally sweetened granola loaded with nutritious and flavorful ingredients like oats, pumpkin, nuts, dried fruit, maple syrup, and cozy spices. Pair with Greek yogurt and bananas for a delicious on-the-go breakfast.
Banana Nut Teff Parfait
Have you tried teff yet? This ancient whole grain provides tons of protein, fiber, and important nutrients like iron. Make this banana almond teff porridge and layer with banana slices, almonds, and Greek yogurt for a hearty breakfast that will keep you fueled through your crazy-long morning meeting.
Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Breakfast Parfait
Here’s your excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast. Chocolate porridge made with buckwheat groats—a great source of protein, fiber, and magnesium—is topped with banana, strawberry chia seed jam, and homemade Nutella. (Yes, we said homemade Nutella.)
Creamy Yogurt Parfait with Mixed Berry Compote
There’s no syrupy fake fruit filling in this one. Combine fresh mixed berries with a little maple syrup to make a tasty berry compote. Layered with plain Greek yogurt and granola, this simple parfait is a breakfast you are going to lurrrve.
(Featured photo: Shutterstock)