5 Ways to Make Parfaits

May 29, 2022

Like Donkey says in Shrek, “You know what else everybody likes? Parfaits.”

The French created the parfait back in 1892. We were inspired by this week’s sales and curated some recipes for fun, indulgent, sweet, delicious, and savory–yes savory–parfait options. Get past the basic fruit + yogurt formula, and take a tasty risk. Parfaits give the consumer a flavorful bite from beginning to end. We have recipes for an entreé parfait, dessert parfait, snack parfait recipes, and more we’ve found for you.

 

5 Ways to Make Parfaits

Savory Yogurt Parfait with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Pesto

  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Total: 20 mins
  • Servings: 2
     

Ingredients:

  • For pesto:
    • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
    • ¼ cup toasted almonds (or any type of nuts you have on hand)
    • 1 large garlic clove
    • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • Juice of ½ a lemon
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • Pinch of salt
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus more if needed)
  • For yogurt:
    • 2 cups full-fat, plain Greek yogurt
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • For toppings:
    • ¼ to ½ cup cooked, cooled quinoa
    • ½ diced cucumber
    • ½ cup grape tomatoes (slice the big ones in half)
    • ¼ cup fresh, crumbled feta cheese

 

Directions:

  1.  For the pesto:
  2. Place basil leaves, almonds, garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and olive oil in a food processor. Process until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and process again. Taste-test and add more salt and pepper as needed. Add a couple more teaspoons of olive oil if the pesto needs to be thinned out a little bit more. Set the pesto aside.
  3. For the yogurt mixture:
    1. In a small bowl mix together the yogurt, salt, pepper, and garlic. Set the yogurt mixture aside.
  4. Make sure you have everything prepared for your assembly line. I used two stemless wine glasses. Parfait or martini glasses would also work.
  5. Begin layering your parfait by spooning yogurt into the bottom of each glass. I spooned about 1 to 2 tablespoons. Make sure to smooth it out into an even layer. Follow the yogurt layer with a teaspoon dollop of the basil pesto, and smooth out. Next spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the cooled quinoa and gently spread out. Follow with a sprinkle of cucumbers and grape tomatoes. Top off with a sprinkle of the feta cheese.
  6. Repeat the next layer in the same order. Yogurt, basil pesto, quinoa, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and feta cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy.

 

 

Chocolate Parfait

  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Chill: 1 hr
  • Total: 1hr 20 mins
  • Servings: 6
     

Ingredients:

  • 1 (1.4-oz.) package fat-free, sugar-free chocolate instant pudding mix
  • 2 cups 1% low-fat milk
  • 1/2 cup light sour cream
  • 1 (8-oz.) container fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided
  • 3/4 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs (4 cracker sheets)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated chocolate

 

Directions:

  1. Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a bowl until blended and smooth. Fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping.
  2. Spoon 1 Tbsp. crumbs into each of 6 (4-oz.) glasses, and top with 1/3 cup pudding mixture. Repeat layers with remaining crumbs and pudding mixture. Top each parfait evenly with remaining whipped topping and grated chocolate. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • 196 calories
  • 4.6g fat
  • 4.9g protein
  • 31.8g carbohydrates
  • 10mg cholesterol
  • 306mg sodium

 

 

Berry Cheesecake Parfait

  • Total: 15 mins
  • Servings: 2
     

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup dried banana chips, crushed
  • 1 cup Peanut Butter Multi Grain Cheerios
  • 2 large ripe bananas, sliced
  • 1/4 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts, chopped

 

Directions:

  1. Layer 3/4 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup banana chips and 1/4 cup cereal into each of 4 parfait glasses. Top with banana slices and peanuts. (Divide out the layers however you like!)

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • 457 calories
  • 17g fat (11g saturated fat)
  • 9mg cholesterol
  • 152mg sodium
  • 67g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 5g fiber)
  • 14g protein

 

 

Peanut Butter-Banana Yogurt Parfaits

  • Total: 15 mins
  • Servings: 2
     

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2/3 cup marshmallow creme
  • 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping
  • 4 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries

 

Directions:

  1. Beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme until blended; fold in whipped topping.
  2. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cracker crumbs into each of 2 glasses or dessert dishes. Layer each with 1/2 cup cream cheese mixture, 1/4 cup raspberries and 1/4 cup blueberries; repeat layers. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • 396 calories
  • 15g fat (9g saturated fat)
  • 29mg cholesterol
  • 174mg sodium
  • 54g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 6g fiber)
  • 4g protein

 

 

Blueberry Chia Seed Parfait

  • Total: 20 mins
  • Servings: 2
     

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup of chia seeds
  • 1 cup of almond milk
  • 2 tbsp. of honey
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups of granola
  • 1 1/2 cups of blueberries
  • 1 cup of Greek yogurt
  • Honey, optional

 

Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl whisk together chia seeds, 2 tablespoons of honey, vanilla extract and almond milk until just combined. Place in the refrigerator overnight. Stir mixture before serving in parfaits.
  2. Evenly distribute a layer of Greek yogurt, granola, honey, blueberries and chia pudding into three separate glasses. Top the top layer with more blueberries and a drizzle of honey if desired.