Building a Healthy Yogurt Bowl + 6 Recipes

Yogurt bowls are a simple, easy way to prioritize a nutrient-dense breakfast with a great balance of protein and fiber. They’re just SO easy to throw together on busy mornings or meal prep the day before. Let’s go over the ultimate yogurt bowl formula with 6 recipes and even more ideas for flavor variations.

6 fully assembled yogurt bowls on a counter with spoons in the bowl.

When it comes to assembling the “ideal” yogurt bowl, it’s all about what you can ADD to it. One cup of Greek yogurt (depending on the brand) contains 18-20 grams of protein and only 160 calories. Plus, probiotic strains to help increase the variety of good bacteria in our gut!

Then, it’s figuring out toppings to add some fiber, healthy fats, and fruit/vegetables. This post is specifically about creating healthy, nutritious yogurt bowls: a really easy breakfast option that also packs a nutritional punch.

The Perfect Formula for a Yogurt Bowl

1 cup of Greek yogurt or kefir + 1 cup of fruit or vegetables + healthy fats from chopped nuts or seeds + drizzle of honey (optional).

One cup of yogurt (preferably Greek as it is higher in protein) has about 20 grams of protein! That’s a really ideal amount of protein for a meal – no protein powder needed! Two eggs only have about 12 grams of protein total. By including just one cup of fruit or vegetables, you can cover 40% of the recommended daily intake for fruits and vegetables.

An infographic with instructions to create a healthy yogurt bowl and the benefits of consuming one.

If you choose to use kefir, which contains significantly more probiotics than yogurt, it will result in a thinner consistency. Kefir is a great option to add some chia seeds and allow to thicken in the fridge. Or, add Jell-O pudding mix to it to thicken!

Selecting a plain, non-fat yogurt will contain less sugar. Specifically, Chobani non-fat yogurt has lower calories and more protein than other brands while also being lower in sugar. However, this might not be as flavorful. I love to use Chobani vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt.

Easy Customizations

To Increase Protein

  • Whisk vanilla protein powder (or preferred flavor) into the yogurt.
  • Top with peanut butter or even mix it into the yogurt.
  • Hemp hearts – 3 tablespoons has 10 grams of protein, plus omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Chopped nuts add a little protein and fiber.

Increase fiber content:

  • Stir chia seeds into the yogurt and let sit for a few hours for a thick, chia pudding-like consistency. Or, top with chia seeds or flaxseeds.
  • Raspberries have 8 grams of fiber per cup!
  • Make a savory yogurt bowl with diced avocado: a very high fiber food.

6+ Yogurt Bowl Recipes

A close-up of 6 Greek yogurt bowls with fruit and nuts on a counter.

These recipes are for two servings and can be easily customized with whatever toppings you like. My personal favorite are the berry cheesecake and apple pie! They’re so good on top of being so nutritious!

To store: all yogurt bowls can be prepped in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I love to add frozen fruit because it adds some juice and flavor as it thaws. If topping with banana, it’s best to add slices on when ready to consume (the day of).

Apple Pie with Pecans

This is one of the tastiest yogurt bowls you’ll ever have! It’s got all of the cozy, comforting flavors of apple pie. This bowl can be eaten cold or with the warm apple topping.

A close-up of a yogurt bowl topped with caramelized apples, maple syrup and chopped pecans on a counter.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of plain Chobani Greek yogurt
  • 1-2 large apples, diced into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon of butter or avocado oil
  • 1/4 cup of chopped pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, or to taste
  • Drizzle of maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Dice apples into small cubes.
  2. Combine apples and avocado oil or 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan on medium-high heat. Cook until apples are softened and tender, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add cinnamon and maple syrup. Give it a stir.
  3. Divide apple cinnamon mixture over two bowls of yogurt. Add chopped pecans. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information: 285 calories, 12.7g fat, 3.1g fiber, 22g protein, 19.7g sugar, 24g carbohydrates

Banana Yogurt Bowl with Brown Sugar and Pecans

A Greek yogurt bowl topped with banana slices and chopped pecans.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Chobani Vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1 large banana
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup of chopped pecans

Instructions:

  1. Pour one cup of yogurt into two bowls. Top with banana slices, brown sugar and chopped pecans.

Nutritional Information: 293 calories, 13g fat, 3g fiber, 20g protein, 17.5g sugar, 24g carbohydrates

Pumpkin Spice with Banana

All those nostalgic pumpkin spice flavors complement the banana perfectly. Of course, this is a great fall option but pumpkin puree is available all-year round!

A pumpkin spice yogurt bowl topped with banana slices and pumpkin seeds on a counter next to more yogurt bowls.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Chobani plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice (or more)
  • 1 large banana
  • Chopped walnuts and hemp hearts for garnish
  • A drizzle of maple syrup, optional

Instructions:

  1. Add pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and yogurt to a large bowl. Whisk together until smooth and well-combined. Divide into two separate bowls. Top with chopped walnuts, banana slices, hemp hearts, and maple syrup.

Nutritional Information: 305 calories, 13g fat, 3.5g fiber, 22g protein, 18.6g sugar, 27g carbohydrates

Dark Chocolate Cherry Yogurt Bowl

Rich, dark chocolate yogurt is combined with cherries and chocolate chips. I highly recommend a dollop of whipped cream to bring it all together!

A bowl of Greek yogurt topped with whipped cream, cherries, and mini chocolate chips on a counter surrounded by other yogurt bowls.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of unflavored or vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons dark cocao powder (I used Hershey’s Special Dark)
  • 1 1/2-2 cups of frozen cherries
  • Mini chocolate chips for garnish
  • 4 tablespoons of hemp hearts

Instructions:

  1. Combine yogurt and cacao powder into a bowl. Whisk together until well-combined. Divide into two bowls and top with frozen or thawed dark cherries, mini chocolate chips, hemp hearts and whipped cream (optional).

Peanut Butter Banana with Chocolate Chips

Add 3 tablespoons of peanut butter to two cups of yogurt and stir to combine. Top with sliced bananas, chocolate chips, and hemp hearts (or chia seeds for fiber).

Berry Cheesecake Yogurt Bowl

This is one of my favorite yogurt bowls! It has a thick and creamy consistency with just the right amount of sweetness. It tastes very similar to cheesecake but without any cream cheese.

A berry cheesecake yogurt bowl surrounded by other yogurt bowls.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Chobani vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1 1/2-2 cups of mixed frozen berries (use a raspberry mix for higher fiber)
  • 2 tablespoons Instant Jell-O Cheesecake Pudding Mix
  • 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts

Instructions:

  1. Add yogurt and Instant Jell-O pudding mix to a bowl. Whisk together until smooth and well-combined. Divide into two bowls or containers and top with chopped walnuts and frozen (or thawed) mixed berries.

I love to either add frozen berries on top if I am meal prepping for the next day or microwave the berries for about 30 seconds prior to topping. This adds some flavorful juices to the yogurt without adding any sweetener!

Crushed Pistachio and Oranges

If you prefer bright, refreshing flavors then this crushed pistachio and orange yogurt bowl might be for you.

A close-up of Greek yogurt topped with mandarin orange wedges, chopped pistachios and drizzled with honey.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of Chobani Plain or Vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup of shelled pistachios, chopped into smaller pieces
  • 2 mandarin oranges
  • Drizzle of honey, optional

Instructions:

  1. Add one cup of yogurt to each bowl. Peel and segment the mandarin oranges and add to each bowl. Top with crushed, shelled pistachios and a drizzle of honey.

Chia Yogurt Bowl

A high protein and fiber chia breakfast bowl topped with fruit, chopped pecans and honey on a wooden cutting board.

This recipe gives an example of what it looks like to incorporate chia seeds into a yogurt bowl. This recipe has 22 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber per serving! If you want to try something like this for your yogurt bowl, you can always decrease the chia seeds to just one tablespoon as well.

Related Posts:
30+ Breakfasts with 30 Grams of Protein
High Protein and Fiber Breakfast Challenge
18 High Protein Breakfast Casseroles
High Fiber Breakfast Ideas

6 fully assembled yogurt bowls on a counter with spoons in the bowl.

Healthy Yogurt Bowl Recipes

Alex Evink, MS, RD
6 delicious yogurt bowls with 20+ grams of protein per serving. These recipes are designed for a healthy, well-balanced breakfast that can be thrown together in minutes! Yogurt bowls are also ideal for easy breakfast meal prep, too. Each recipes provides 2 servings. Scroll through the post for even more ideas! All recipes are gluten-free except for the Berry Cheesecake, due to the Jell-O pudding mix.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

Apple Pie with Pecans

  • 2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2 medium-sized apples, or 1 large
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 tablespoon butter, avocado oil, or avocado spray
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Drizzle of maple syrup

Brown Sugar Banana with Pecans

  • 2 cups Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or hemp hearts
  • 1 large banana, cut into slices
  • 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar

Pumpkin Spice with Banana

  • 2 cups vanilla or unflavored Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice, or more for topping
  • 1 large banana
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or hemp hearts
  • Drizzle of maple syrup, optional

Dark Chocolate Cherry Yogurt Bowl

  • 2 cups unflavored or vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons dark cocao powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
  • 1 1/2-2 cups frozen dark cherries
  • 4 tablespoons hemp hearts
  • Mini chocolate chips for garnish
  • Whipped cream, optional

Berry Cheesecake Yogurt Bowl

  • 2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons Instant Jell-O Cheesecake Pudding Mix
  • 1 1/2-2 cup frozen mixed berries (use a raspberry mix to increase fiber)
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Orange Pistachio Yogurt Bowl

  • 2 cups vanilla or unflavored Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup shelled pistachios, chopped into smaller pieces
  • 2 mandarin oranges, segmented or chopped into small pieces
  • Drizzle of honey, optional

Instructions
 

Apple Pie with Pecans

  • Dice apples into small cubes. Combine apples and avocado oil or 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan on medium-high heat. Cook until apples are softened and tender, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add cinnamon and maple syrup to the apples and stir. Divide apple cinnamon mixture over two bowls of yogurt. Add chopped pecans. Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Banana with Pecans

  • Divide yogurt into two bowls. Top with banana slices, brown sugar and chopped pecans.

Pumpkin Spice with Bananas

  • Add pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and yogurt to a large bowl. Whisk together until smooth and well-combined. Divide into two separate bowls. Top with chopped walnuts, banana slices, hemp hearts, and maple syrup.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Yogurt Bowl

  • Combine yogurt and cacao powder into a bowl. Whisk together until well-combined. Divide into two bowls and top with frozen or thawed dark cherries, mini chocolate chips, hemp hearts and whipped cream (optional).

Berry Cheesecake Yogurt Bowl

  • Add yogurt and Instant Jell-O pudding mix to a bowl. Whisk together until smooth and well-combined. Divide into two bowls or containers and top with chopped walnuts and frozen (or thawed) mixed berries.

Orange Pistachio Yogurt Bowl

  • Add one cup of yogurt to each bowl. Peel and segment the mandarin oranges and add to each bowl. Top with crushed, shelled pistachios and a drizzle of honey.

Notes

  • To store: all yogurt bowls can be prepped in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I love to add frozen fruit because it adds some juice and flavor as it thaws. If topping with banana, it’s best to add slices on when ready to consume (the day of) to prevent browning.
  • For a dairy-free yogurt bowl, choose a higher protein plant-based yogurt like Kite Hill Greek-Style.
  • The Instant Jell-O cheesecake pudding mix is not gluten-free. However, other pudding mixes (like vanilla) are. 
Nutritional information is just an estimation, calculated for the brown sugar banana and pecan yogurt bowl. 
Nutritional Information: 305 calories, 13g fat, 3.5g fiber, 22g protein, 18.6g sugar, 27g carbohydrates
Keyword easy healthy breakfast idea

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