Cherry Chocolate Chip Greek Yogurt Parfaits | High-Protein Meal Prep
These easy cherry Greek yogurt parfaits are layered with homemade cherry chia compote, creamy vanilla yogurt and chocolate chips for a high-protein breakfast or snack that’s perfect for meal prep.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
I’m always looking for easy breakfasts and snacks that I can prep ahead of time, especially during the school year when mornings seem to move about twice as fast as they should. These Cherry Chocolate Chip Greek Yogurt Parfaits have quickly become one of my favorites.
They’re simple, high in protein, easy to prep a few days ahead and honestly taste more like a little treat than meal prep.
The star is the homemade cherry chia mixture. I cook frozen cherries down with a little honey and water, stir in chia seeds and let everything thicken before smashing the cherries. It turns into this sweet, slightly tart cherry layer that is SO good with creamy vanilla Greek yogurt.
And then, of course, chocolate chips.
Cherry and chocolate is one of those combinations that just works, and a little sprinkle of mini chocolate chips on top makes these parfaits feel extra good without turning breakfast into dessert.
Although I’m also not opposed to breakfast tasting a little like dessert.
Why I Make My Own Flavored Greek Yogurt
For these parfaits, I start with plain Oikos Pro Greek yogurt and flavor it myself with a little honey and vanilla.
This is something I’ve started doing more often because I like being able to control exactly how sweet my yogurt is. Some flavored yogurts can be much sweeter than I actually want, especially once I’m adding fruit, granola or chocolate chips.
Starting with plain Greek yogurt means I can add just enough honey to take away some of the tartness while still keeping that thick, creamy Greek yogurt texture.
And honestly, I think it tastes better.
The vanilla makes such a difference, too. It takes plain yogurt and turns it into this creamy vanilla base that pairs perfectly with the cherries.
The Easiest Homemade Cherry Chia Compote
Don’t let the word “compote” make this sound complicated. This is basically a really easy homemade cherry sauce.
And frozen cherries make it even easier.
I actually love using frozen fruit for recipes like this because I can keep a bag in the freezer and make these parfaits whenever I want without worrying about fresh cherries being in season.
The cherries cook down with a splash of water and honey until they’re soft and juicy. Then the chia seeds help absorb some of that liquid and naturally thicken everything.
Once the mixture cools, I like to smash the cherries a little bit. I don’t want them completely pureed because those little pieces of cherry throughout the parfait are so good.
The mixture will continue to thicken as it sits, so don’t worry if it looks slightly loose when you first take it off the heat.
A High-Protein Breakfast You Can Grab From the Fridge
This is exactly the kind of meal prep I want waiting for me in the refrigerator.
There is no cooking in the morning. No blender to wash. No eggs to make.
Just grab a jar and breakfast is done.
The Greek yogurt gives these a good boost of protein, while the chia seeds add some fiber and help make the cherry layer more filling.
I usually make several little jars at once so we have them ready for breakfast or snacks throughout the week.
They’re also really good when you want something sweet in the afternoon but still want a snack with some protein.
The Cherry + Chocolate Combination
You can absolutely top these with granola, and I do love that extra crunch.
But if I had to pick?
Mini chocolate chips.
There’s something about cherries, vanilla and chocolate together that makes these taste so much more fun than your average yogurt parfait.
You don’t need a ton, either. Just a little sprinkle on top gives you chocolate in a few bites while still keeping this a really easy, balanced breakfast or snack.
You can also do a combination of granola and mini chocolate chips, which might be the best of both worlds.
How Long Do Yogurt Parfaits Last in the Fridge?
These parfaits can be stored covered in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days.
The cherry chia mixture can also be made separately and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then you can build a fresh parfait whenever you want one.
This is also a great option if everyone in the house likes different toppings.
Can I Use Fresh Cherries?
Absolutely. Frozen cherries are just incredibly convenient because they’re already pitted and you can make this recipe year-round.
If you have fresh cherries that need to be used, pit them first and follow the same basic method. You may need to adjust the water slightly depending on how juicy your cherries are.
Can I Use a Different Fruit?
Yes! This same basic method would be really good with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or a combination of berries.
But I have to say, the cherries are especially good if you’re adding chocolate chips.
More Topping Ideas
You can keep these really simple or load them up depending on what sounds good that morning. Try:
- Mini chocolate chips
- Granola
- Chopped almonds
- Chopped walnuts
- Cacao nibs
- Hemp hearts
- Coconut flakes
- Fresh cherries
- Peanut or almond butter
- A little extra drizzle of honey
For my kids, chocolate chips are an easy win. For myself, I love a little granola and chocolate together for the crunch.
Why Chia Seeds Work So Well Here
Chia seeds are perfect for homemade fruit compotes because they absorb liquid as they sit. That means you can get a thick, jammy consistency without needing a ton of added sugar.
They’re also adding a little fiber, protein and healthy fats to the parfait.
The important part is giving the cherry mixture time to cool. It will look thinner when it’s warm and get considerably thicker as the chia seeds absorb the cherry juices.
Easy Breakfast, Snack or Meal Prep
I love a recipe that doesn’t have to fit into just one category.
These are great for breakfast when I need something I can grab straight from the refrigerator, but they’re just as good for an afternoon snack.
And because they taste a little sweet and you get those bites of cherry and chocolate, they can even satisfy that after-dinner sweet craving.
It’s one of those meal-prep recipes that takes a few minutes to make but makes the rest of the week feel just a little easier.
Tips for Meal Prepping Parfaits
If you’re using chocolate chips, you can add them right away.
If you’re using granola and want it really crunchy, I recommend keeping it separate and adding it right before eating. You can absolutely put it on when you assemble the jars, but it will soften as it sits in the refrigerator.
I usually prep enough for a few days at a time rather than an entire week so everything stays fresh.
I hope this breakfast meal prep helps you! Don’t forget to follow along on social media for more Meal Prep + healthy recipes!
Cherry Chocolate Chip Greek Yogurt Parfaits
Ingredients
Cherry Chia Compote
- 2 cups frozen pitted cherries
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon honey plus more to taste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
Vanilla Greek Yogurt
- 3 cups plain Oikos Pro Greek yogurt
- 1-2 tablespoons honey to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Layering
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips and/or granola
Let's Make It
- Add the frozen cherries, water and honey to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cherries are completely softened and have released their juices.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the chia seeds.
- Let the cherry mixture cool and thicken. Once cooled, use the back of a spoon or a fork to gently smash the cherries. You still want some small pieces of cherry throughout the mixture.
- While the cherries cool, add the plain Greek yogurt, honey and vanilla to a bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy. Taste and add additional honey if you prefer it sweeter.
- To assemble the parfaits, spoon a layer of cherry chia compote into the bottom of each meal-prep jar.
- Add a layer of vanilla Greek yogurt, followed by another spoonful of cherries and another layer of yogurt.
- Top with mini chocolate chips, granola or a combination of both.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Nutrition Facts
Approximate nutrition per parfait, based on 4 servings using the cherry chia compote, Oikos Pro plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey in the yogurt mixture and mini chocolate chips:
Calories: approximately 300
Protein: approximately 20g
Carbohydrates: approximately 39g
Fat: approximately 8g
Fiber: approximately 5g
Sugar: approximately 26g
Nutrition will vary depending on the exact Greek yogurt, amount of honey and toppings used. Using granola instead of chocolate chips will also change the nutrition information.
Meal Prep in 1 Hour
You can use any two of the meals in this series to get your meal prep done in just about and hour, give or take!
Having your breakfast and lunch ready for the week helps you stay on track with your nutriton, saves you time and money! I truly beleive that meal prep does not need to be over complicated, take too much time or be boring!
I always get asked- “do you ever get tired of eating the same thing all week?” and the answer is, no! Not when the food taste good! I give plenty of variety in these preps and keep it simple!
As always, thanks for being here and remember, don’t over complicate the process! Take a deep breath, you got this!
