Easy Yogurt & Granola Bowls
Hearty breakfast recipes don't have to be difficult to make. These easy Greek Yogurt Bowls are the perfect lighter start to the day that requires minimal time and minimal effort. They're totally customizable - don't miss our favorite toppings and mix-ins!
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Yogurt & Granola Bowls Recipe
Yogurt & granola bowls have to be one of the quickest breakfast ideas out there. Okay, so maybe just as fast as smoothies... But when I want more of a sit-down meal for breakfast, I make these yogurt & granola bowls!
The best thing about yogurt bowls is that you can add pretty much anything and it will taste AMAZING! It's one of my favorite breakfasts for that very reason. I can adapt everyone's bowls to give them the add-ins they like, or use it as an opportunity to clean out the fruit drawer in the fridge.
These yogurt bowls have just the right balance of sweetness and so many different ways to prepare them. They even work as a simple brunch or breakfast bar, and you can let people customize their own bowls. If I want to serve a fancier breakfast, I will serve them with something savory like sausage spinach quiche.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
There's are so many great reasons to start your day with a granola bowl:
- They're an adaptable breakfast option. Get the flavor combo just how you want it and change it up for others too!
- They work for easy mornings or an elevated brunch gathering. Offer up different flavors of yogurt and toppings and let people build their own bowl how they like it.
- Meal prep time is made easy with a recipe like this. As long as you don't add the dry ingredients (yet), you can store them for a while and eat as needed.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these yummy yogurt bowls! First, start with your favorite yogurt, of course. Greek yogurt is my go-to base. Many people enjoy it for its calcium and a high protein content.
I use full-fat Greek yogurt, but you can use a low-fat variety instead. For a dairy-free option, coconut or soy yogurt work great - there are lots of great Greek-style yogurt alternatives these days!
I prefer to buy unsweetened yogurt, and then add honey to my liking. But you can absolutely grab vanilla yogurt or whatever flavor you like to start with. If you don't want to use honey, then maple syrup and agave syrup work fine. You can even sprinkle on brown sugar or melted peanut butter, or eat it unsweetened.
Top it off with crunchy granola and fresh fruit. My homemade granola it is my all-time favorite, but store-bought granola or even cereal will work too. Use any flavor that you want!
Yogurt Bowl Topping & Mix-In Ideas
The thing I love about yogurt bowls is how versatile they are. You can use what you have and make them as simple or elaborate as you like. Here are some of my favorite toppings and mix-ins:
- fresh berries: My go-to! Try diced strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries.
- stone fruit: Diced peaches or pitted cherries are wonderful in the summer.
- tropical fruits: Sliced banana, kiwi and mango are all so fun. Shredded coconut adds a lovely crunch.
- dried fruit: Any bite-size dried fruit works - add raisins, dried cherries or whatever you have on hand. Dice up bigger fruits like dried apricots and pitted dates.
- seeds and nuts: Your granola might already have nuts in it, but feel free to add more on top! Chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and flax seeds are another favorite, and cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips add tons of crunch.
- drizzles: Add extra honey or maple syrup. Sometimes I melt peanut butter or almond butter and drizzle it on top. You could make it more like dessert with chocolate sauce even.
- other additions: Before adding any toppings, many people like to stir in unflavored, vanilla or chocolate protein powder or collagen peptides.
How to Make Yogurt Bowls
Making a hearty yogurt bowl is pretty straightforward, but here are the instructions on what you'll need to do:
- Prepare whatever fruit that you plan to use. If you're using fresh strawberries or other larger fruit, be sure to cut it up well.
- Add cold Greek yogurt to a bowl and sweeten with honey. Sprinkle granola over the top of the creamy yogurt, then add fruit and a drizzle of honey.
If you are prepping fruit in advance, add a spritz of lemon or lime juice to prevent browning. Store fruit separately from the yogurt.
Tips for Success
This is a great way to make breakfast time super tasty and easy. So here's a few tips to make it a success:
- Don't overload the bowl. Make sure you have plenty of creamy yogurt in proportion to the toppings so it is the perfect balance. Too many toppings will make it difficult to eat.
- Store ingredients separately. For optimal crunch, it is best to store granola, fruit and yogurt separately and assemble them in the morning.
- Cut fruit into small pieces so that each spoonful can have equal parts juicy fruit, crunchy granola and sweet honey.
How to Meal Prep
One of my favorite easy breakfasts is to meal prep these Greek yogurt bowls. Easy breakfast for the whole family for a week in just a few minutes? Sign me up!
However, it is best to portion everything out separately. I do not recommend storing with granola though as it will get quite soggy. Here's how I do it:
- Sweeten all the yogurt together in a bowl. This saves time on a busy morning.
- Divide yogurt into smaller containers like mason jars. Stash these in the fridge.
- Prepare all the fruit toppings. Wash and slice any berries or whatever you plan to use! Things that brown easily, like apples and bananas, should be stored separately or cut up closer to certain things. You can store these separately or add it to the containers with the yogurt - it will keep 3-4 days.
- Make or buy granola and have it handy. (I make sure it's low in the pantry for my littlest.)
- In the morning, get out everything you need. Everyone can build their own bowls.
What to Serve with Yogurt Bowls
You don't need to serve anything with this quick and hearty breakfast, but there are a few yummy options if you'd like something with it. Of course, morning coffee is always needed, and a nice cup of tea would be good with a breakfast yogurt bowl.
Egg muffins and regular muffins, like these blueberry muffins, would both be great. You can also serve these at a brunch by making a topping bar and letting people serve themselves!
FAQ
Greek yogurt is thick and can support the weight of heavy toppings like fruit. It has a tangy flavor and is oh so creamy. You can absolutely use regular yogurt, but the toppings may sink. Though you can absolutely use a flavored yogurt, I find unflavored and unsweetened yogurt is the best because you can sweeten each bowl individually.
Frozen fruit will be too cold and crunchy to enjoy, and it will become soggy and release lots of liquid as it thaws, which isn't the most ideal texture. It's not unsafe to eat, but fresh fruit works much better in a yogurt bowl.
Add granola just before serving to make sure it is at its optimal crunch. If you store yogurt and granola together in the same container, the yogurt can soften the granola.
Did you make this recipe?
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Yogurt and Granola Bowls
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup Greek yogurt plain
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ⅓ cup mixed berries e.g. raspberries, blueberries or diced strawberries
- ¼ cup granola homemade or store bought
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds optional
Instructions
- Add the Greek yogurt to a bowl or airtight container.
- Then top with fruit, granola and honey.
- Serve immediately!
Nutrition
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What a lovely combination... and what a delicious result! I love yogurt and granola together, though lactose intolerance made it tough for the last few years, but since I'm apparently good with dairy now, I want to try this immediately! What a great light dessert!
YUM! My mom always does plain yogurt, berries, and honey for Christmas morning breakfast.
YUM! That sounds amazing. I love adding raspberries specifically to this recipe too 🙂
I love the Quaker Granola so much! These parfaits looks delicious.
Thank you so much! They're perfect for dessert or breakfast 🙂
yum, i love yogurt with granola this is definitely a must try. maybe with some dark chocolate chips I have left over from holiday baking!
Oh yes, that sounds amazing, too!
Oh my yum! I love your butterscotch chips idea.
Thank you! It just adds a little something 🙂
Adding the butterscotch chips would definitely take this from a breakfast to a dessert for me! Excellent idea!
Exactly! It tricks you into thinking it's super healthy 😉
Yum! This looks amazing!
Thanks Hannah!
It would have to be the same as you - as a topping on yogurt. I never would have thought about using butterscotch chips, though. I typically use chocolate chips.
That's perfect, too! With the honey, butterscotch just sounded good to me!
I love that you are best friends with dessert! Too cute!
Love the parfait recipe too! My children would love yogurt if butterscotch chips were added to it!
Pinning and sharing everywhere! 🙂
~ Ashley
Well there you go! You can trick them a bit 😉
I love adding granola to my yogurt! Never thought to serve it for dessert but will definitley have to try it!
It's great for when you're full but want a little something sweet!
Love the idea of the butterscotch chips! This is a must-try!
Thanks Stephanie! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
That looks really yummy!
Thank you Sarah!
Looks tasty! I love yogurt parfaits, and adding butterscotch chips sounds perfect.
It's the perfect little touch 🙂
I never would have thought to add butterscotch chips to a yogurt parfait! I'm really excited to make some of these for the kids now. You're absolutely inspiring me!
Thank you Mary! You are so sweet 🙂
Oh I love yogurt parfaits. They're always so tasty and they feel so much more decadent than they really are. Yum!
Exactly! That's why I use 'em 🙂
I haven't used granola for dessert before, but I think I will have to try it next time. Thanks.
Definitely! You'll enjoy it.
These look really yummy and decadent!
Thanks Megan!
Thanks for sharing such an amazing recipe #client
Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Perfect easy dessert for the holidays.
Thanks so much!
This looks so, so good! I haven't had yogurt and granola in a long time, but it is one of my all-time favorites! Thanks for sharing this recipe?I now want to try this granola! Yum!
It's one of my faves, too! 🙂 Granola is so good! I'm super picky about the texture though, this was a good find 🙂
Butterscotch chips - what a great idea! Yum.
Thanks Kristin! It's a favorite addition for me.
The butterscotch chips is a fantastic idea! Looks delicious!
Thanks Dana! I really enjoy it.
This looks sooooo yummy! I want this for breakfast right now. Hehe.
It's 100% acceptable as breakfast 🙂
We think so alike! Your parfait looks so good. Andrew loves butterscotch chips (and I do, too!) so we will need to make these one day soon. Thanks for the recipe!
I know, right?! I loved your idea, too! Especially the apple chips- yum!
This looks so amazing! I'm a big fan of yogurt and granola and I love that you mixed in the butterscotch chips!!
Thanks girl! I love it 🙂