Yogurt Bowls

This yogurt bowl is simple, flexible, and exactly the kind of thing I make on repeat when I want something quick but still satisfying. It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and easy to customize based on what you have in the fridge. While it barely qualifies as a recipe, I wanted to share it anyway because it’s such a quick and easy breakfast.

I also needed something to post alongside my granola for yogurt and raspberry compote, which live on my other site. Rather than leaving those floating on their own, this felt like the most natural way to show how everything comes together in real life.

This yogurt bowl is naturally easy to make gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free, depending on the yogurt, granola, and toppings you choose. It works just as well for breakfast as it does for a snack or light dessert.

Yogurt bowls are easy to prep ahead if you keep the components separate. For grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks, assemble the yogurt and compote in a jar or container, then add the granola just before eating so it stays crunchy.

If you want everything in one container, layer the yogurt on the bottom, swirl in the compote, and keep the granola in a small separate container or bag. This works especially well if you’re packing a bowl for later in the day or taking it to work.

Because the yogurt and compote both hold well in the fridge, you can prep several jars at once and assemble them quickly throughout the week.

Ingredient Notes

Please scroll down for the full recipe. Below are a few helpful notes on the ingredients.

• Yogurt – thick yogurt works best here. I usually use Greek yogurt, but any thick plain or vanilla yogurt is fine. If you happen to have leftover Greek yogurt after making this bowl, it’s also delicious in my no-bake Greek yogurt cheesecake without gelatin. Dairy-free yogurts also work well as long as they’re not too thin. My favorite is coconut milk yogurt. It goes great with the raspberry compote!
• Fruit compote – this adds sweetness and fruit flavor without needing to sweeten the yogurt itself. Raspberry is my favorite, but strawberry, blueberry, or mixed berry compote all work beautifully. If you don’t have compote on hand, things like peach jam, maple blueberry sauce and strawberry preserves all work great.
• Granola – a little goes a long way. You want crunch without overpowering the yogurt. 
• Fresh fruit – optional, but it adds freshness and texture. Berries work especially well, but sliced bananas or stone fruit are great too.

 

 

Make Ahead and Storage

This yogurt bowl is best assembled right before eating, but all of the components can be prepared ahead of time.

Store yogurt, granola, and compote separately in airtight containers. When you’re ready to eat, you can assemble a bowl in just a minute or two.

Or put it together the night (or a few nights) before eating and add the granola before serving. That’s what I do.

Variations

Despite it being so plain, it’s still really tasty. But I totally get it if this recipe is too boring for you. Here are some other variations I’ve tried.

• Berry crisp-style bowl – use raspberry, strawberry, or blueberry compote, then add granola with nuts and a pinch of cinnamon. This one feels a tiny bit like a fruit crisp without turning into dessert.
• Peanut butter & jelly bowl – swirl a spoonful of peanut butter (like my easy 1-ingredient homemade peanut butter) into the yogurt before adding the compote. Finish with granola or chopped peanuts for crunch.
• Tropical bowl – use coconut yogurt, add mango or pineapple (fresh or frozen), sprinkle with coconut flakes, and finish with granola. A squeeze of lime is surprisingly good here.
• Chocolaty bowl – add a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a few dark chocolate chips along with the fruit. This keeps it snack-like rather than dessert-heavy.
• Extra-protein bowl – stir in a little nut butter or a spoonful of protein powder before assembling the bowl. This works especially well if you’re using plain yogurt.
• Seeded breakfast bowl – add chia seeds, hemp seeds, or ground flax along with the granola for more texture and staying power. This one’s great if you want something more filling.