Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar

Make your morning gatherings unforgettable with a DIY Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar. It’s the perfect interactive food station for family brunches, friendly get-togethers, or even corporate events. Choose from toppings like berries, nuts, and honey to create a wholesome, delicious experience.

Remember last summer when I shared my go-to breakfast recipe? Well, I took the idea to the next level and designed it for a crowd with this Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar.

Imagine setting up a delightful breakfast that looks like it leaped out of a magazine page but only takes minutes to assemble. That’s the charm of the Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar—simple elegance that’s effortlessly achieved.

Whether it’s a family gathering, a fabulous brunch with friends, or even a casual meeting, this parfait bar caters to everyone. It’s the ultimate way to serve a group without the hassle of custom orders—everyone builds their dream breakfast.

From the choice of yogurt to the array of toppings like fresh fruits, nuts, and sweet drizzles, each guest can create their own masterpiece. It’s a fun, interactive experience that also accommodates dietary preferences with ease.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe Idea

I’m always looking for creative and special ways to host guests. This idea might be my new favorite when it comes to serving breakfast to a large group of people. Why?

• It is so easy to set up.
• By using storage jars, you can quickly set it up multiple days in a row.
• This bar is completely customizable by using toppings to suit your occasion.
• The look is absolutely adorable.
• With a variety of topping options, it satisfies many different taste preferences.
• It’s filling and delicious.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

Products Used

As you can see, I used a variety of jars and glass food storage containers to set up my Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar spread. I recommend using resealable containers like these, especially if you are hosting breakfast for multiple days. Instead of filling (and then cleaning) a bunch of bowls and containers, dry items can be stored in the pantry and cold items can be stored in the refrigerator.

The glass storage jars are perfect for your dry goodies while the traditional mason jars are perfect for things like honey, yogurt, etc. You could even store your extra fruit, berries, etc. in the jars. I also loved using 8 oz jars for serving the parfaits. They are a perfect size and you can even use the lids to reseal them if needed.

Dry Storage:

• Ball® 4-Cups Stack & Store Jars
• Ball® 9.9-Cups Stack & Store Jars

Wet/Refrigerator Storage:

• Ball® 8 oz. jar
• Ball® 32 oz. jar

Serving Jars:

• Ball® 8 oz. jar

Other:

• Wooden Spoons
• Napkins

Now that you’re all stocked up on storage and serving devices, let’s talk about some of the ingredients you’ll want to use to bring this Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar to life!

What Type of Yogurt is Best

I suggest using whatever yogurt you enjoy best, whether that’s traditional, greek, skyr, dairy-free, etc. My only recommendation here is that you use unflavored or vanilla. Since you’re providing a plethora of topping options, you want your yogurt flavor to be on the neutral side so that its flavor won’t compete with the toppings.

Recommended Toppings

Get as creative as you like with your toppings. You can use what you love. If you’re hosting a celebration, you can pick items that match your theme or decor. For example, if you’re hosting a tropical event, use tropical fruits, coconut, macadamia nuts, etc.

To help get you started, here is a list of things I recommend (some of which I used on my Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar):

• berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• fresh fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, kiwi, apples, pears, banana, etc.)
• dried fruit (raisins, cherries, figs, cranberries, etc.)
• nuts (sliced almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
• shredded coconut
• granola
• chocolate chips (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate)
• crushed cookies (Oreos, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, etc.)
• honey
• maple syrup
• nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, etc.)
• mint leaves (to garnish)

As you can see, it is possible to go all out with this idea or keep it quite limited, and it will still be just as wonderful. That’s what I love about this. You can really make it your own or customize it to suit your celebration or event.

With all of that in place, you just need some napkins and wooden spoons for serving. And while completely optional, a vase of seasonal blooms finishes off this decadent display beautifully. I used a mix of store-bought flowers and some from my yard. It is peony season, after all, so including a few of them was a must.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare the parfait bar ahead of time?

Absolutely! For the easiest morning setup, you can prepare the components the night before. Store the different toppings in separate containers and keep the yogurt chilled. Just assemble the display when you’re ready to serve to ensure everything stays fresh.

How do I keep the ingredients fresh during the event?

If you’re serving outdoors or in a warm room, use ice trays or chilled serving dishes to keep the yogurt and fruit cool. Cover the toppings with clear lids or plastic wrap to protect them from the elements and to keep them fresh longer.

What if my guests have food allergies?

Label each topping clearly so guests can avoid anything they’re allergic to. Offering a variety of nut-free and gluten-free options ensures everyone can enjoy creating their parfait without worry.

How much should I prepare per guest?

A general guideline is about 1 cup of yogurt, 1 cup of fruit, and 1/4 cup of granola per guest. Adjust the quantities based on the duration of your event and the number of other dishes being served.

Can the parfait bar work as a dessert option?

Yes! With sweeter toppings like chocolate chips, cookie crumbles, and whipped cream, your parfait bar can easily transition into a delightful dessert station. You can even swap out the yogurt for ice cream to create an ice cream sundae bar. Serve alongside coffee and tea for a complete dessert experience.

I’m not sure a recipe is required for this Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar. However, I’m going to provide one for you anyway. I thought it might be handy to have something you can print out and view as you’re gathering supplies and ingredients. I hope it’s helpful. You can find the printable recipe card below.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this idea and that it provides a little inspiration for your next breakfast or brunch gathering. Enjoy and happy entertaining!

More Creative Breakfast Ideas You’ll Love

• Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Danish
• Oreo Pancakes
• Breakfast Strata Cups
• Mini Pancakes
• French Toast Breakfast Sandwiches

Hosting a breakfast or brunch shouldn’t be a chore—it should be a joyous occasion where everyone can find something they love to eat. With the Yogurt Parfait and Granola Bar, you provide just that: a fun, flexible, and beautiful dining experience that’s as enjoyable to assemble as it is to eat. If you give this fun idea a try, I’d love to hear about it! Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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