Fruity Cocoa Yogurt Parfait

Yogurt parfaits always catch my eye, because we eat first with our eyes. I love a healthy, colorful parfait recipe that my whole family gets excited about.

Truth be told — I’m not a huge straight-up yogurt fan, but I LOVE the texture that chia seeds bring to the creaminess. It becomes a different food for me — weird, I know. And along with the combination of strawberries, bananas, and cacao nibs, this chia parfait recipe is a winner in my house.

I multiply this recipe by the number of hungry mouths I plan to feed and mix the yogurt and chia seeds in a big bowl before dividing them into individual jars to soak overnight in the fridge.

This is a great recipe for cooking with toddlers, or for having older kids do themselves…measuring ingredients, adding ingredients, and stirring ingredients well (all important kitchen skills).

Topping individual yogurt filled mason jars with chopped bananas, strawberries, and cacao nibs keeps these add ons from getting too soggy, but completes the meal for a grab-n-go option on busy mornings, or for an after school snack.

If you are looking for ideas on what to eat before a soccer game, or other sporting events, this Fruity Cocoa Yogurt Parfait is a great option for sustained energy.

I must say, I’m a big believer in eating adequate protein. Depending on the type of yogurt used to make these chia parfaits, I would compliment them with a hard-boiled egg (or two), or some quality chicken sausage to round out the meal. It still keeps the food prep quick and easy.

We love to use full-fat sheep’s milk yogurt or Siggi’s triple cream. If you or someone in your family is dairy-free, a coconut yogurt works really well for this parfait as well!

Using plain yogurt keeps the sugar content low and puts the control in your hands if you would like to add local honey for a touch of sweetness. You may also opt for a vanilla yogurt… just check the ingredients to make sure they are all real food approved.

The cacao nibs in this recipe add a rich chocolatey taste, a crunchy texture, and a boost of nutrition. They are crushed cocoa beans that have a very high antioxidant level, helping to reduce inflammation and sequester free radicals.

Cacao nibs naturally contain some caffeine, so I do keep quantities low for the kids, but I love that they are virtually free of sugar, and provide fiber, healthy fats, and important minerals.

We use mason jars for so many things in our kitchen, and one of my favorite products that pairs with them is the Ball Mason Jar Cap!! The metal lids rust and bend over time, but these caps keep everything tidy and are easy for the kids to use. They come in both regular and wide-mouth versions.

Enjoy this simple, nutritious, make-ahead recipe to keep your week running smoothly!

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