This berry parfait (with ricotta & yogurt) is delicious enough to trick you into thinking that you're eating a healthy dessert. Add to that the fact that it takes only five ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare, and you have a winner on your hands!
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What started as a low-carb breakfast is now also an easy and healthy dessert I'm eager to indulge in. I love to serve these parfaits alongside my hash brown breakfast casserole when I'm hosting a brunch.
I usually rotate between this berry parfait recipe, my oat porridge (Pakistani oatmeal recipe), and my cottage cheese grapefruit bowl recipe for breakfast throughout the year. All three are healthy and easy to make, making them excellent options for the day's most important meal.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and easy to make: This is one of the simplest recipes you'll come across. No cooking, five ingredients, and a 10-minute prep time!
- Perfect for any diet: Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, this berry parfait is a perfectly balanced breakfast option for any diet plan.
- Healthy dessert: This is so delicious that I often enjoy it as a guilt-free treat.
- Creative presentation: Layer your ricotta yogurt parfaits in a tall glass with red, white, and blue for a holiday-themed party. Serve it in a parfait glass in a single layer, topped with fresh blueberries, or use mason jars with a layer of ricotta at the bottom of each, topped with layers of fruit, sliced almonds, and a garnish of mint leaves. However you choose to plate it, this recipe will be a showstopper!
Ingredient notes
- Ricotta: I recommend using full-fat ricotta cheese for a rich, creamy texture.
- Vanilla yogurt: Using vanilla-flavored plain yogurt eliminates the need for additional flavoring, and it's my go-to choice.
- Mixed Berries: Use fresh mixed seasonal berries to make this berry parfait both delicious and colorful. Frozen berries are not recommended for this recipe.
- Sweetener: This is an optional ingredient, depending on how sweet you want the parfait to be. Use honey, plain granulated sugar, or, for a sugar-free option, monk fruit sweetener.
- Almonds: The slivered almonds add a nice crunch and some texture to the berry parfait.
Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and detailed recipe instructions.
Substitutions & variations
- Use other fruits: Try using seasonal, fresh fruit other than berries, or add a tablespoon of my plum jam, raspberry sauce, or homemade lemon curd to switch things up a bit.
- Add lemon: Try the parfait cups with plain Greek yogurt and add in a tablespoon of lemon juice and lemon zest to try a distinct flavor.
- Change up the garnishes: Swap the almonds for crunchy granola, pistachios, or orange zest, and consider adding shaved chocolate as a garnish.
- Include herbs: Fresh mint or basil leaves add an unexpected and sophisticated flavor element to the berry parfait.
Step-by-step instructions
- Step 1: Add the ricotta and yogurt to a bowl.
- Step 2: Add the sweetener if using and whisk the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Wash the berries, pat them dry, and layer them along with the prepared ricotta and yogurt mixture. Garnish with the almonds and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Dry the berries well: Make sure to pat the berries dry before adding them to the ricotta so they don't make your breakfast parfait too liquid.
- Use a blender or food processor: If you're making a large batch or prefer a creamier consistency, consider using a food processor, electric mixer, or immersion blender.
- Strain any liquid from the ricotta and yogurt: Ensure that you remove all residual liquid from the ricotta and yogurt before mixing them. This yields a smooth and creamy breakfast parfait.
- Keep extra almonds on hand: Always have a small bowl filled with sliced almonds nearby. I like to add some to each layer of the parfait for added crunch.
Recipe FAQS
The word Parfait means "perfect" and was used to refer to a frozen layered dessert made of cream, ice cream, nuts, and fruits as early as 1894. However, the modern-day version of a parfait is typically served chilled, not frozen!
I prepare a few jars of the berry parfait at a time and keep them in my refrigerator for 2-3 days. After that, they start to get watery.
Don't let your parfait sit out more than 1-2 hours before refrigerating it. In very hot weather, your parfait should not sit out for longer than 1 hour!
More breakfast recipes to try
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Mixed Berry Ricotta Breakfast Parfait
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Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 2 teaspoon sugar (optional) (see notes)
- ⅓ cup blueberries
- ⅓ cup raspberries
- ⅓ cup strawberries
- 2 tablespoon almonds
Instructions
- Stir together the ricotta, yogurt, and sweetener (if using) till the mixture is smooth and creamy. (see notes)
- Wash all the berries and pat them dry.
- Layer the berries and the ricotta mixture and the berries in a tall clear glass or jar.
- Top with the almonds and the sprig of mint and serve.
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