Greek yogurt has become an increasingly popular breakfast and snack food over the last decade. Brands like Chobani have led the charge, taking over significant market share due to their thick, creamy texture and tangy flavor. But the question remains: what are the best things to eat with Greek yogurt?
Fruit
One of the most classic yogurt parings is fresh fruit. The sweet flavors complement the tartness of the yogurt perfectly. Some great options include:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Kiwi
Berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are especially popular. Their small size makes them easy to mix in. Bananas, mangos, and peaches can be sliced or chopped into chunks to add some texture. And the sweet juices released from the fruit help balance out the tang.
You can keep it simple by just mixing in a handful of fresh berries or chopping up half a banana. For a more elegant presentation, alternate layers of fruit and yogurt in a parfait glass. Granola makes a nice topping addition too.
Granola
Speaking of granola, it deserves its own special shoutout. The crunchy texture and toasty oats are delicious when combined with creamy Greek yogurt. You can buy pre-made granola or make your own fairly easily. Some tasty mix-in options include:
- Nuts – almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews
- Seeds – pumpkin, sunflower, flax, chia
- Dried fruit – raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates
- Spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom
When buying pre-made granola, look for options without too much added sugar. And feel free to get creative with your own combinations of nuts, seeds, spices, and dried fruits. A handful of granola adds protein, fiber, and crunch to your yogurt.
Nuts and Seeds
Speaking of protein, nuts and seeds are a fantastic way to add nutrition and texture. Some healthy choices include:
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Pistachios
- Cashews
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Pine nuts
You can sprinkle them on top of your yogurt or mix them in. Chopped nuts add some nice crunch. Flax, chia, and sesame seeds blend in easily to add fiber. Nut butter is another option – a tablespoon of almond or peanut butter swirled into Greek yogurt is delicious.
Oats
If you like the texture of granola but want something a bit healthier, try topping your yogurt with oats. Old fashioned rolled oats add great chew and fiber. Steel cut oats can also work if you don’t mind the longer cook time. Mix in fresh fruit, cinnamon, a drizzle of honey, or other creative combinations.
Overnight oats are another way to enjoy oats with yogurt. Simply mix together oats and yogurt the night before with your desired toppings. Chill in the fridge overnight so the oats soak up the liquid. Top with fruit, nuts, or seeds in the morning for an easy, fiber-filled breakfast.
Dried Fruit
In addition to mixing in fresh fruit, don’t forget about dried fruit options. Some tasty choices include:
- Raisins
- Cranberries
- Dried cherries
- Dried apricots
- Dried mango
- Dates
- Dried figs
- Dried apples
Chopped dried fruit adds chewy texture and concentrated sweetness. Try raisins and dried cranberries for a tangy boost. Diced dried apricots, mangos, apples, and figs provide a tropical vibe. And dates or prunes add a nice sticky caramel-like consistency.
Honey
A drizzle of honey provides the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the tang of yogurt. Acacia honey has a mild flavor that works well. Wildflower, clover, and orange blossom honey varieties also pair nicely.
For easy mixing, you can drizzle the honey straight onto the yogurt. Another option is to whisk a tablespoon or two into the yogurt before topping with fruit, granola, nuts, or anything else you desire. The honey helps create a nice creamy base.
Jams and Preserves
In addition to fresh fruit, fruit spreads like jams, marmalades, and preserves taste delicious when dolloped on top of yogurt. Some flavorful options include:
- Strawberry jam
- Raspberry jam
- Apricot preserves
- Peach preserves
- Cherry preserves
- Orange marmalade
- Blueberry preserves
- Blackberry jam
The sweet fruitiness helps counter the tartness of the yogurt. You can also look for low sugar varieties to cut down on the added sugar. Adding a spoonful of your favorite jam, marmalade, or preserve transforms plain yogurt into a decadent breakfast or snack.
Nuts and Seeds
In addition to eating nuts and seeds on their own, nut and seed butters make great toppings for yogurt. Try these delicious options:
- Almond butter
- Cashew butter
- Peanut butter
- Sunflower seed butter
- Tahini (sesame seed butter)
Look for unsweetened nut and seed butters without extra oils or unnecessary ingredients. Swirl a spoonful into your yogurt for a quick protein and healthy fat boost. The rich, creamy textures pair perfectly with the tangy yogurt.
Dark Chocolate
Who doesn’t love the combination of fruit and dark chocolate? Sprinkle chunks or shavings of dark chocolate onto your yogurt for an indulgent treat. Some fun pairings include:
- Dark chocolate chips + banana
- Dark chocolate shavings + raspberries
- Dark chocolate chunks + strawberries
- Dark chocolate bars + orange slices
The high cacao content in dark chocolate gives just the right amount of sweetness and bitterness. For best results, use chocolate with at least 70% cacao. The bold chocolate flavor complements the tangy yogurt beautifully.
Coconut
Coconut flakes bring a tasty tropical vibe to yogurt. A sprinkling on top adds flavor and texture. You can use shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut. For added crunch, try coconut chips made from dehydrated coconut meat.
Some delicious yogurt coconut combinations include:
- Coconut flakes + pineapple + lime juice
- Coconut chips + mango
- Coconut flakes + bananas + honey
Coconut yogurt is another way to enjoy the coconut flavor mixed right in. Many brands now offer Greek-style yogurt made with coconut milk instead of dairy. Pair it with your favorite fruits and toppings for a dairy-free alternative.
Spices
Don’t underestimate the power of spices to transform plain yogurt into something special. Some tasty options include:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Cardamom
- Vanilla
- Cocoa powder
- Pumpkin pie spice
Cinnamon adds comforting warmth and pairs especially well with fall fruit like apples and pears. Nutmeg and ginger lend a spicy kick. Vanilla extract brings in sweetness. Cocoa powder mixes into yogurt for a chocolatey flavor.
Get creative with spice blends like pumpkin pie spice mixed with cinnamon apples or cardamom blended into mango coconut yogurt. Even just a dash of cinnamon can take your yogurt up a notch.
Tea
Brewed tea – hot or cold – makes a refreshing beverage to enjoy with yogurt. The flavors of the tea complement the tangy yogurt nicely. Some excellent tea pairings include:
- Black tea + berries
- Green tea + melon
- Herbal tea + citrus
- Chai tea + banana
- Matcha tea + mango
The options are endless when it comes to finding the perfect yogurt-tea combination. Earl grey, chamomile, peppermint, and chai tea are just a few that pair deliciously with yogurt. Brew your tea, top it with a scoop of yogurt, and enjoy!
Cereal and Yogurt Parfaits
For an easy breakfast or snack, layer your favorite cereal and yogurt to create a tasty parfait. Some winning combinations include:
- Granola + yogurt + fruit
- Muesli + yogurt + nuts
- Oats + yogurt + peanut butter
- Rice cereal + yogurt + honey
Use any cereal or granola that you prefer as the base. Add layers of thick, creamy yogurt and top with nuts, seeds, fruit, honey, or anything else you desire. The options are endless for creating a personalized parfait.
Savory Yogurt Bowls
While yogurt is commonly enjoyed as a sweet breakfast or snack, it can also be turned into a savory meal or side. Some ideas for savory yogurt bowls include:
- Yogurt + cucumbers + dill + lemon
- Yogurt + chickpeas + tomatoes + cumin
- Yogurt + roasted veggies + parsley
- Yogurt + lentils + garlic + olive oil
Mix Greek yogurt with fresh or roasted vegetables, beans, lentils, herbs, spices, olive oil, etc. The options are endless. Savory yogurt bowls make a light yet filling vegetarian meal or side dish.
Smoothies
Thick, creamy yogurt serves as an excellent base for smoothies. Simply blend it with your favorite fruits and liquids for a nutrition-packed drink. Some tasty combinations include:
- Yogurt + banana + peanut butter + milk
- Yogurt + strawberries + honey + orange juice
- Yogurt + mango + pineapple + coconut water
- Yogurt + spinach + avocado + apple juice
Use yogurt instead of ice cream to add protein, probiotics, and thickness to your smoothie. The tangy flavor also helps balance out the sweetness of the fruit and other ingredients. Add nuts, seeds, spices, or greens to pack even more nutrition into your blended yogurt drinks.
Overnight Oats
Overnight oats provide another easy way to enjoy yogurt for breakfast or snacks. Simply mix together oats and yogurt the night before and chill in the fridge. The oats will soak up the yogurt’s liquid to create a creamy bowl of goodness topped with your favorite add-ins. Some tasty combinations include:
- Yogurt + oats + peanut butter + bananas
- Yogurt + oats + almonds + cinnamon + apples
- Yogurt + oats + chia seeds + strawberries
- Yogurt + oats + coconut + pineapple
Overnight oats are customizable to your tastes. Use quick oats or steel cut oats with any type of yogurt. Then add nuts, seeds, spices, fruit, honey, or anything else to create your own signature overnight oats blend.
Conclusion
The options are nearly endless when it comes to delicious pairings with yogurt. Fruit, nuts, seeds, granola, spices, chocolate, tea, and many other ingredients can help take plain yogurt from boring to spectacular. Greek yogurt’s thick, creamy texture makes it the perfect base for breakfast bowls, parfaits, smoothies, and more.
When buying yogurt, look for options without excessive added sugars. Plain, unsweetened varieties provide flexibility to flavor it yourself. Chobani makes an excellent Greek yogurt with mouthwatering tang and thick texture. Mix it with your favorite toppings for a creamy, protein-packed treat any time of day.