Yogurt Bowls

A few weeks ago, on Instagram, I shared a picture of the greek yogurt bowls I made for my daughter to eat for lunch. I’ve been making these breakfast parfait bowls for over a decade and never thought to share a recipe. But I couldn’t believe the number of questions I had received about this simple yogurt breakfast idea.

How do I make our yogurt bowls? How much yogurt do I use? What kind of yogurt do I use? What are our favorite toppings? Do I make them ahead of time?

So, I will share our favorite yogurt bowl recipe, answer those questions, and more. Everything you’ll ever need to know about yogurt bowls is here.

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

• The entire family loves them. Yogurt bowls are a healthy breakfast recipe everyone can agree on.
• Satisfying. These yogurt bowl ideas are filled with protein, fiber, and other healthy ingredients to keep you full all morning or afternoon. 
• Inexpensive. Homemade yogurt bowls use simple ingredients that are easily accessible and affordable. Even if you use all organic ingredients, a delicious yogurt parfait bowl will still cost under $2 a bowl, maybe even less.
• Pretty. We all eat with our eyes first, and yogurt bowls are beautiful and look very appetizing. Another reason kids love these!
• Meal prep ready! Use a mason jar and layer the ingredients into a yogurt parfait for a quick breakfast, lunch, or snack. You can also make them 2-3 days in advance to have them ready ahead; I’ll give more meal prep tips below.

Ingredients

• Yogurt. The best yogurt recipe for a healthy yogurt bowl is low-sugar Greek yogurt. I like to use vanilla, coconut, mixed berry, or strawberry yogurt, but if the goal is to keep sugar at a minimum, then consider using plain greek yogurt, which only has 5 grams of sugar. You can also use dairy-free yogurt if have want a vegan option.
• Raw nuts. Any raw nuts will work, but I prefer sliced almonds to help get a little in every bite. I use one tablespoon of nuts per bowl.
• Granola. Whether you use store-bought or homemade granola, measuring it out is essential. This is where many extra calories and fat can sneak into your yogurt granola bowl. Many healthy granola brands are available, so just read the label before purchasing. We love this almond butter granola recipe, and one tablespoon of granola is plenty for a yogurt bowl.
• Berries. Raspberries, blackberries, peaches, kiwi, and blueberries are my favorite fruit in yogurt bowls. Berries are a great way to add bulk without a lot of extra calories or fat, so I’ll top my yogurt bowl with ½ cup.

How to Make a Yogurt Bowl

• Start with your favorite low-sugar Greek yogurt. Either use a 5.3-ounce container or measure 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of yogurt.
• Place the yogurt into a bowl, measure out your favorite toppings, and sprinkle them on top of the yogurt.

Supplies

• Glass jars with lids. 16-ounce mason jars or 2-cup Pyrex containers work great for storing yogurt bowls. See all of my favorite glass meal prep containers.
• Measuring cups and spoons. The key to a healthy yogurt bowl is to measure everything. 

Variations

There are so many Greek yogurt breakfast bowl ideas; here are a few of our favorite toppings.

• Nut butter. 1-2 teaspoons of a drizzle of peanut butter or almond butter are delicious on top of a yogurt bowl. 
• Jams. Drizzle in strawberry, raspberry, or elderberry jam.
• Raw nuts. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, or any raw nut add protein and crunch. You can also sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top.
• Toasted coconut. Keep the sugars under control by using unsweetened coconut and toast it using a pan on the stovetop for a few minutes, frequently stirring, until brown and toasty.
• Frozen or fresh fruit. Both taste delicious in yogurt bowls. If using frozen fruit, soften it up by heating it in the microwave for 30 seconds or so. Oranges, pineapple, mango, and pomegranate seeds are delicious.
• Dried fruit. Stick with unsweetened to keep extra added sugars to a minimum. Cranberries, blueberries, raisins, and dried cherries are delicious. 
• Cocao powder or nibs. For a decadent dessert-like yogurt bowl, sprinkle some cocoa nibs or stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder. You could add chocolate chips but watch the sugar.
• Natural sweeteners. Between the yogurt and other ingredients, adding extra sweeteners shouldn’t be necessary. However, if you’re using plain yogurt and want to control the sugar, a drizzle of honey or pure maple syrup will work.

Other Tips

• Purchase 32-ounce containers of greek yogurt. If you eat yogurt breakfast bowls often, consider purchasing large containers of Greek yogurt, which helps you measure the yogurt while also saving money. I’ve seen plain and vanilla yogurt sold in larger containers.
• Be aware of high-sugar yogurts. Some yogurts have more sugar than ice cream or candy bars; even if the label looks healthy, read the label to be sure.
• Be aware of added sugars with toppings. Can you see a pattern here? Catching hidden sugars is essential to keep yogurt parfait bowls healthy. Many toppings like sweetened coconut, dried fruit, or candied nuts can add extra sugar to yogurt bowls. Choose raw and unsweetened when purchasing these ingredients.
• Make homemade granola. Store-bought granola has come a long way. But, it still can include a lot of hidden sugars. Homemade granola is easy to make, and you can reduce the amount of sugar by doing so. This coconut almond granola recipe is low in sugar and delicious.
• Measure everything. I might sound like a broken record, but if the goal is to create a healthy, nutrient-dense yogurt bowl, then measuring all ingredients is a must. Don’t try to eyeball everything, or you’ll end up with a 500+ calorie, sugar-filled bowl of yogurt and toppings.
• Stir in superfoods. Flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds are superfoods I love using in many yogurt bowl recipes.

Meal Prep Tips

• Yogurt bowls can be made and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or use glass containers with tight-fitting lids. These are great to put into lunches or grab on the way to work.
• Bananas and apples will brown if put on too early, so I recommend adding these fruits before you eat the yogurt bowls.

FAQS

Other Yogurt Breakfast Ideas

If you love yogurt for breakfast, then try these delicious recipes.

• Strawberry Banana Yogurt Smoothie
• Blueberry Kale Smoothie
• Overnight Oats with Yogurt
• Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
• Banana Split Breakfast Jar

See more healthy breakfast recipes.

Did you make this recipe?

Have you tried this Greek Yogurt Bowl yet? If so, I’d love for you to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. We all learn from each other’s experiences. Also, it would be awesome if you could share a picture on Instagram and tag it #organizeyourselfskinny. I can’t wait to see it.