Want an easy, make-ahead recipe that’s high-protein and high-flavor? These yogurt parfaits are here for the win! Greek yogurt and chia seeds bring the protein, fruit compote adds natural sweetness, and granola delivers the crunch. A perfect anytime treat!
In an effort to keep my kiddos full in between meals, we go through a fair amount of yogurt… and one of our favorite yogurt snacks is protein-packed yogurt parfaits with plain Greek yogurt, homemade granola, and a delicious fruit compote thickened with chia seeds (it’s similar to jam but without all the sugar.)
The compote is easy to make ahead and keep in the fridge… so I often make a double or triple batch to have it on hand whenever hunger strikes.
This fruit compote is nutritious and filling with extra protein and fiber from the chia seeds… and it has just the right amount of sweetness to make plain yogurt palatable for kids!
Yogurt parfaits can be as basic or as fancy as you want them to be — mostly depending on what type of container you serve them in (we always eat our parfaits in the cute glasses I photographed them in for this post!)
The parfaits are great for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, dessert, baby showers, bridal showers, Christmas brunch, and so much more. Just make sure you wait to add the granola until right before you serve them, so it doesn’t get all soggy!
Oh, and warm fruit compote tastes fabulous on vanilla ice cream and as a topping for waffles or pancakes!
Ingredients for Chia Seed Fruit Compote
- 3 c. fresh or frozen fruit of choice (I used blueberries and cherries but most fruits work)
- 1/2 c. water
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 Tbs. maple syrup or brown sugar
- a pinch of salt
- 3 Tbs. chia seeds (or 2 Tbs. corn starch) to thicken it
NOTE: if you’re really short on time, you could substitute your favorite store-bought jam for the fruit compote.
In addition, you’ll need yogurt, granola, and small cups or bowls to assemble the parfaits.
- Plain Greek Yogurt (or whatever yogurt you’d like to use) — here’s my recipe for super simple homemade yogurt in a slow cooker
- Granola — here’s my recipe for whole grain granola (I wouldn’t add the dried fruit if I were mixing it with the fruit compote)
- Small cups, bowls, mason jars, or parfait dishes to serve.
Here are a few cute disposable options on Amazon — square 5 0z cups, parfait cups with lids, and a fancier cup with a base.
Ingredient Substitutions
This recipe is very forgiving… so don’t feel bad about making some swaps.
Honey or brown sugar could be substituted for maple syrup.
Omit the cinnamon if you’re not a fan (although I love the flavor combo).
Add more water if you want it thinner or more chia seeds if you want it thicker.
For fruit, the possibilities are endless. Here are some of our favorite combinations:
- Blueberry + Cherry
- Triple Berry (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- Strawberry + Peach
- Double Cherry (red and black cherries)
How to Make Chia Seed Fruit Compote
1. In a medium-sized saucepan, bring fruit, water, cinnamon, syrup, and salt to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the fruit is very soft and some of the liquid has evaporated (I usually smash my fruit with the back of a fork during the simmering process).
3. Once the fruit is very soft, remove the pan from heat and add chia seeds or corn starch.
4. Stir and let cool completely (chia seeds will need at least an hour to fully soften and absorb the liquid.)
5. Serve, or refrigerate fruit compote in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
How to Assemble Yogurt Parfaits
In small bowls, glasses, or parfait dishes, layer approximately 2 Tbs. fruit mixture, 1/3 cup yogurt, and 2 Tbs. granola.
Eat and enjoy!
Note: You can easily assemble these ahead of time, just don’t add the granola until right before you serve.
Doesn’t it look fancy!
Protein-Packed Yogurt Parfaits with Chia Seed Fruit Compote
Want an easy, make-ahead recipe that’s high-protein and high-flavor? These yogurt parfaits are here for the win! A perfect anytime treat!
Ingredients
- 3 c. fresh or frozen fruit of choice
- 1/2 c. water
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 Tbs. maple syrup or brown sugar
- a pinch of salt
- 3 Tbs. chia seeds (or 2 Tbs. corn starch) to thicken it
- Plain Greek Yogurt (or yogurt of chioce)
- Granola
- Small cups, bowls, mason jars, or parfait dishes to serve
Instructions
How To Make Fruit Compote:
- 1. In a medium-sized saucepan, bring fruit, water, cinnamon, syrup, and salt to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- 2. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the fruit is very soft and some of the liquid has evaporated (I usually smash my fruit with the back of a fork during the simmering process).
- 3. Once the fruit is very soft, remove the pan from heat and add chia seeds or corn starch.
- 4. Stir and let cool completely (chia seeds will need at least an hour to fully soften and absorb the liquid.)
- 5. Serve, or refrigerate fruit compote in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
How To Assemble Parfaits:
- 1. In small bowls, glasses, or parfait dishes, layer approximately 2 Tbs. fruit mixture, 1/3 cup yogurt, and 2 Tbs. granola.
- 2. Eat and enjoy.
Notes
Feel free to make a double or triple batch of the fruit compote and keep it in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
Also, here are some of our favorite fruit combinations:
- Blueberry Cherry
- Triple Berry (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- Strawberry Peach
- Double Cherry (red and black cherries)
Recommended Products
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If you’re looking for a tasty treat to add to your breakfast, snack, or dessert rotation, give these yogurt parfaits a try — you won’t regret it!
What fruit flavor combo would you want to try first?
And as always, visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly recipes!
Gabriela says
I made the fruit compote yesterday….very good. I really like adding chia to it. Next…the parfait.
Andrea says
glad you liked it — the chia seeds are a good addition!
Debbie says
I’m not much of yogurt fan but my hubs is. He usually gets the one that flavored and low sugar and I would rather do the healthier version of plain Greek yogurt. It’s probably why I don’t eat it that much because it’s so flavorless. However, I would o this parfait for sure! Your granola mix recipe is one I would totally do but I’d probably just buy my yogurt. I can’t wait to try this!
Andrea says
definitely just buy the yogurt if you aren’t a big yogurt eater — my homemade recipe makes a half gallon of yogurt! hope you enjoy this recipe (if you decide to try it out!)
Deb says
http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2012/09/no-stir-clumpalicious-granola/
http://amysfinerthings.com/basic-easy-homemade-granola-with-lots-of-variations
2 easy granola recipes. I never buy it, it is just way too expensive considering it is basically oatmeal. 😉
Andrea says
thanks!! I used to make granola ALLLLLLLL the time, but got out of the habit!
Deb says
In case anyone wants to go really crazy, all the way homemade:
http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2009/10/how-to-make-homemade-yogurt-2/
Andrea says
thanks Deb! I actually have an even easier post on my own blog for homemade yogurt (probably should have linked to it in this post!)
Anyway, you make it in a slow cooker and it requires almost no effort and it’s almost foolproof! Here it is if you’re interested.
Deb says
That IS easier.
Gabriela says
thanks for the links….I was thinking to start making my own yogurt…so perfect timing. I didn’t remember, Andrea, you had it here. great…:)
Lauren S says
My husband is a granola snob. When he doesn’t make it himself, he has found that Walmart carries a very good granola, better than the national brands oddly enough, and it’s also cheaper. It can be hard to find because it’s often sold out. I guess others know about it. It’s Sweet Home Farm Honey Nut Granola. It’s not filled with puffed rice which he doesn’t like. The ingredient list is not full of a bunch of crazy ingredients.
Andrea says
good to know! i often make my own, but I put lots of dried fruit in mine, and I just like a more “plain” granola for the parfaits. I usually just buy whatever is cheaper 🙂
Nancy says
That compote looks delicious and it would be so convenient to be able to store it for a while. My mom used to make a rhubarb (or strawberry rhubarb) sauce, served with ice cream and/or angel food cake.
Andrea says
yes, it keeps for a while in the fridge!
DeeDee says
I have to try this. I am currently on Weight Watchers and nonfat Greek plain yogurt is 0 points and unlimited. However, I don’t like it like that and this is one recipe I will try for sure. Another fruit type of dessert we love is this Creamy Vanilla Cheesecake Fruit Salad that is also made with yogurt. Even better, it fits my program and my son loves it. I’ve taken this to parties too and everyone loves it. And I love that I can have quite a bit of it and stay on my program. Here it is: http://bit.ly/2vowIEp
Ann W says
We also make our own granola, a recipe we’ve had for years. We call it Grandma’s granola and it’s so good.
Michelle says
Oh yum! Would you be willing to share Grandma’s recipe, Ann?
Alissa says
This looks so yummy (and easy!). I LOVE dairy and we eat a lot of yogurt around here. Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to give this a try.
Andrea says
yes, I always joke that half my shopping cart is dairy whenever we’re grocery shopping! I certainly hope we never have to deal with a dairy allergy or intolerance!
Amy says
Yum! I have started to eat yogurt regularly with this pregnancy but have never made a compote! Going to try it this week!
Andrea says
it’s amazing. The compote is SO much better than fresh fruit (which I do still like on occasion)