These Mixed Berry Parfaits are a simple breakfast, light dessert, or healthy snack. A thick and creamy blend of yogurt, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and honey is layered with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries on top of a quick homemade granola crust and topped with more mixed berries.
Check this out! Adding a cream cheese to the yogurt gives these parfaits a taste reminiscent of cheesecake. Your tastebuds will think you've indulged in a decadent dessert, while still enjoying a wholesome and satisfying treat!
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Why You'll Love These Mixed Berry Parfaits
The homemade granola crust is made of almonds, pecans, dates, and cinnamon. It's just that simple and easy! The flavors and texture go perfect with the creamy filling and mixed fruit. I love the simplicity of this recipe!
No baking is required! However, these parfaits taste better after they've chilled for a couple hours (or even overnight). These are not just for summer either; although they are very refreshing and parfait (French for perfect) on a hot summer day.
Easy Granola Crust
Why Make Your Own Granola Crust? Making your own granola gives you complete control over what goes into your food! For this recipe, we use wholesome, quality ingredients. No preservatives and no refined anything 🙂 And the best part? It won't get soggy!
What to Serve Parfaits In
Parfait glasses are a nice touch, however, you can use mason jars or stemless wine glasses. You can also use plastic parfait glasses with lids, which I think are great for kids and picnics. If all else fails, just use a small bowl!
These yogurt parfaits are great for meal prep, so consider using these reusable, portable parfait cups. They have a separate compartment at the top for adding extra granola or fruit. Very handy!
Mixed Berry Parfait Ingredients
Yogurt - plain, unsweetened yogurt works best since we are adding honey and vanilla extract to sweeten it and add delicious vanilla flavor. Use regular or Greek yogurt.
Cream cheese - ahh my favorite ingredient since it thickens the yogurt and makes it taste like cheesecake after its chilled!
Berries - this recipe uses fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for a juicy berry goodness in every bite!
Honey - adds natural sweetness!
Vanilla extract - gives the yogurt taste a fresh and vibrant flavor.
Homemade granola - the granola is made with almonds, pecans, dates, and cinnamon. The nuts make the granola crunchy and keeps it from going soggy. The dates add a nice, natural sweetness.
Ingredient Substitutions
These mixed berry parfaits are totally customizable! With lots of substitutions and additions to please everyone.
- You can use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey. For a complete list of honey substitutes, please read my post substitutes for honey.
- Instead of berries, try sliced bananas, sliced kiwi, and shredded coconut.
- Instead of vanilla extract, you can substitute with almond extract or maple extract.
- Try walnuts, cashews, or walnuts instead of almonds and pecans.
- Use regular yogurt (any flavor) in place of the Greek yogurt.
Ingredient Additions
- For more texture, sprinkle the parfaits with some chocolate chips or crushed graham crackers.
- Stir in chia seeds or oats with the yogurt.
- Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
How to Make Mixed Berry Parfaits
First step, pulse the nuts, dates, and cinnamon in a food chopper. I love my Mini Food Chopper by Proctor Silex for this step.
Second step, combine the Greek yogurt, cream cheese, honey, and vanilla extract.
Third step, evenly distribute granola crust among 4 containers. Add a layer of yogurt mixture, berries, and another layer of the yogurt mixture. Top with more berries and a drizzle of honey. Enjoy!
Tips
Wash and dry the berries ahead of time to save time when assembling the parfaits.
I like to refrigerate the parfaits for about 2 hours to let the yogurt-cream-cheese mixture firm up and let the flavors meld. But this isn't written in stone! You can eat these parfaits right away if you don't have 2 hours to spare.
Making yogurt parfaits is all about creativity and personal taste.
What to Serve With Parfaits
Parfaits are perfectly suitable served all by themselves! However, if you're have a large gathering or party, serve them with some homemade muffins. You can't go wrong with these Banana Nut Muffins or Blueberry Orange Muffins. You can also serve them as a light dessert after the main meal such as Cajun Baked Salmon or Lemon Pepper Chicken Foil Packets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you start with fresh ingredients, and store covered in the refrigerator, the parfaits will last 2-3 days. But I think they're best enjoyed the day you make them and also the next day!
Fresh fruit is always best because it won't get mushy. But in a pinch, you could use frozen fruit such as strawberries and blueberries. You don't need to let them thaw before assembling the parfaits.
Yes, they are a convenient option for meal prepping breakfasts or snacks for a few days. Remember to store them in airtight containers and enjoy them in 2-3 days.
Absolutely, just scale up the recipe for a group. I suggest setting up a DIY parfait bar with various toppings for everyone to customize their own parfaits.
More Light Recipes to Try
If you tried this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment! I'd love to hear from you.
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Recipe
Mixed Berry Parfaits
Equipment
- Mini food chopper (or regular food processor)
- large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Kitchen knife
- Kitchen knife
- Parfait glasses, jars, or bowls
Ingredients
GRANOLA INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup unsalted almonds (not roasted)
- ¼ cup unsalted pecans (not roasted)
- 3 pitted dates, roughly chopped
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
PARFAIT INGREDIENTS
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup full fat Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup strawberries, rinsed and chopped
- 1 cup raspberries, rinsed
- ½ cup blueberries, rinsed
Instructions
- Using a food chopper, pulse the almonds, pecans, dates, and cinnamon until the mixture begins to come together as a ball, and the nuts are evenly crumbled. Portion the granola among 4 individual parfait glasses, serving dishes, or jars.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla until a smooth consistency is achieved.
- Divide half of the cheesecake mixture between the 4 serving dishes or jars and divide half of the berries among the individual dishes. Repeat this process with remaining cheesecake mixture and fresh berries.Evenly distribute half of the yogurt mixture among 4 individual serving dishes or jars, then distribute half of the berries evenly among the containers. Repeat these steps with the remaining yogurt mixture and the fresh berries.
- Cover the parfaits with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours so the yogurt-cream cheese mixture can firm up.
- Right before serving, you can decorate with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or an additional drizzle of honey.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2020 and was updated in 2023.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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