Chia Parfaits with Greek Yogurt and Summer Berries
This refreshing Chia Parfait combines protein-packed Greek yogurt, wholesome chia seeds, and a medley of seasonal berries to make a stunning layered healthier sweet treat. Perfect for breakfast on the go, a light dessert, and a rejuvenating post-workout snack!
If you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a healthier dessert, you’ve come to the right place because these berry and chia yogurt parfaits are all of the above! They are easy to make and provide a significant source of fiber and high-quality protein -plus, they’re pretty!
This parfait recipe is particularly perfect during the summer because it’s no-bake, and the lovely red, white, and blue layers are perfect for Memorial Day parties, Fourth of July barbecues, and Labor Day cookouts.
I love making snacks like these chia parfaits, fresh fruit kabobs, cheddar and prosciutto-wrapped apples, and Greek yogurt popsicles because they aren’t laden with sneaky refined sugar and processed junk. You can even make mini parfaits for a fun and festive kid-sized version!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s NO-bake and NO-cook. Simply combine the chia yogurt ingredients, assemble the parfait with any fresh fruit, berries, or toppings you like, grab a spoon, and enjoy!
- Versatile serving options. You can enjoy these delicious, fiber and protein-rich berry chia parfaits for breakfast, snacks, or dessert!
- Perfect for spring/summer. These red, white, and blue parfaits are perfect for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day gatherings, or you can switch up the fruit and berries to make Easter, Mother’s Day, baby shower, or bridal shower-themed parfaits.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Milk – I love making these with Fairlife whole milk because it makes the yogurt extra creamy and adds another 3 grams of protein per parfait. You can use plant-based alternatives like almond milk, cashew, coconut, oat, or soy milk.
- Greek yogurt – It helps create a thicker, more pudding-like consistency with a slightly tangy flavor while increasing the protein, calcium, and probiotic content. Feel free to use vanilla Greek yogurt and adjust the sweetener to taste.
- Chia seeds – Besides boosting the fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids content, chia seeds develop a gel-like texture, making the Greek yogurt-milk mixture extra rich and creamy.
- Maple syrup – Or honey or Stevia, to taste, add sweetness.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a warming, sweet cream-like flavor.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Mixed berries – I used a medley of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, but feel free to mix and match your favorite berries and fresh fruit.
How to make a chia parfait with Greek yogurt and mixed berries
Step 1: Make chia yogurt. Whisk the milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Assemble parfaits. Divide the yogurt mixture between two parfait dishes or small mason jars. Cover, refrigerate, and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight to set.
Step 3. Stir and garnish. Right before serving, give the pudding a good stir and top it with fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup, and enjoy!
Recipe tips
- Add more or less maple syrup to adjust the yogurt’s sweetness. You can also enhance the sweetness by using flavored Greek yogurt like vanilla, mixed berries, or lemon and adding warming dessert spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
- It’s worth noting that the chia seeds will continue to absorb moisture and soften the longer the yogurt sits, so it’s best to serve chia pudding parfaits within a day or two of making it.
Variations
The beauty of fruit and yogurt parfait recipes is that you can customize the toppings to create your own delicious combination of tastes and textures. Feel free to mix and match any of these ingredients:
- Fresh fruit and berries. Mix and match blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries with blackberries, bananas, mango, pineapple, kiwi, etc.
- Dried fruit and berries. Add dried cranberries, acai berries, golden raisins, papaya, apricots, or shredded coconut for a sweet, chewy element.
- Incorporate crunch. Add a layer of granola, chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.), seeds (pumpkin, flax, hemp, etc.), crushed graham crackers, animal crackers, or vanilla wafers.
- Creamy toppings. Top the parfaits with a dollop of almond butter, peanut butter, or Nutella.
- Chocolatey toppings. Dust cocoa powder over the top, drizzle chocolate syrup or sprinkle dark chocolate chips, chunks, or shavings.
- Dessert toppings. If it tastes great on an ice cream sundae, it tastes great on a chia parfait! You can’t go wrong with whipped cream, caramel sauce, strawberry sauce, fruit preserves, and competes.
Storing
Although these berry and chia yogurt parfaits are best served within a day of assembling, you can cover each one tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate them for 2 to 3 days. Do not freeze.
FAQs
Yes, raw chia seeds are perfectly fine to add to yogurt. You can mix chia seeds directly into yogurt for some added crunch or let them soak in the yogurt until they become soft and gelatinous, and make the yogurt extra creamy.
If your chia yogurt seems too liquidy, you’ve likely used too much milk compared to Greek yogurt and chia seeds. To help thicken it, add more chia seeds and allow them to soak until they fully absorb the excess moisture and the yogurt mixture thickens to your desired thickness.
More parfait and trifle recipes
More Greek yogurt recipes
- Protein Oats with Greek Yogurt and Egg Whites
- Fresh Fruit Greek Yogurt Popsicles
- Greek Yogurt Strawberry Muffins
- Red Pepper Egg Salad with Greek Yogurt
- Greek Yogurt Spinach Dip
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Chia Parfaits with Greek yogurt and summer berries
Equipment
- 2 Parfait dishes or small glass Mason jars
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 cup plain 2% Greek yogurt feel free to use vanilla Greek yogurt and adjust the sweetener to taste
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice. I love these with Fairlife whole milk for an extra creamy texture and protein boost
- 1 tbsp real maple syrup you can also use honey, or stevia to taste
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 1/3 cup blueberries
- 1/3 cup strawberries
- 1/3 cup raspberries
- optional: extra drizzle of maple syrup to garnish
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the chia seeds, yogurt, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until blended.
- Divide the mixture between two parfait dishes or small mason jars.
- Cover, refrigerate, and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight to set.
- Right before serving, give it a good stir and top with fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.
Notes
- Add more or less maple syrup to adjust the yogurt’s sweetness. You can also enhance the sweetness by using flavored Greek yogurt like vanilla, mixed berries, or lemon and adding warming dessert spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
- It’s worth noting that the chia seeds will continue to absorb moisture and soften the longer the yogurt sits, so it’s best to serve chia pudding parfaits within a day or two of making it.
Nutrition
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Just discovered your blog because of your award nomination from the Saucy Gourmet. Congrats! I love your food point of view. This looks just as tasty, and a lot healthier than my 4th recipe!! Way to go.
This looks like a festive, healthy recipe for the 4th! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
Such a beautiful photo! These look really yummy and healthy! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friend’s Friday! Please come back next week and share another great recipe!
Do you know how many servings this makes? I have 10oz. parfait cups.
8-10 oz cups would be perfect Dana.
I love this recipe! Love that you like to “hack” traditional recipes to make them healthier! As a dietitian, I like doing that too! This looks great. Please keep up the great work!
Thank you so much Cathy!!