Persian Jeweled Yogurt Parfaits

This post is sponsored by FAGE; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A colorful mix of jewel-toned Persian toppings makes plain Greek yogurt extraordinary! This luscious parfait is a nutritious way to start (or end!) any day.

Do you love yogurt as much as my family does? Plain, Greek, sweet, savory... whatever way you serve it up, I am here for it, spoon in hand!

Yogurt is one of my very favorite ingredients. I have a ton of recipes that use yogurt here on Big Flavors, and I'm always looking for more fun ways to enjoy it.

Greek yogurt is a staple in my refrigerator. I love keeping FAGE Total 2% Plain Greek Yogurt on hand because it's so incredibly versatile.

The large size (35.3 oz.) is great for enjoying over the course of multiple days, and the small size (7 oz.) is perfect for taking on-the-go. It also comes in a 17.6 oz. size if you're looking for something in between those two.

Some of my favorite ways to use plain Greek yogurt include:

• Dolloping on top of tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas
• Mixed with horseradish, mayo, vinegar, and dried dill as a sauce for steak
• As mast-o-khiar, a Persian cucumber/yogurt sauce alongside grilled and stewed Middle Eastern dishes
• As the base for parfaits
• Spooned on top of bowls of Spicy Turkey Three-Bean Chili to tame the heat
• Mixed up in tzatziki sauce, preferably slathered onto my favorite Falafel-Spiced Chickpea Flatbreads
• As a substitute for mayonnaise in super creamy No-Mayo Deviled Eggs
• In sauces, marinades, and condiments like salad dressing
• On a spoon, straight out of the carton (one of my favorite ways to enjoy it!)

FAGE Total Plain Greek Yogurt is ridiculously rich and creamy! My family absolutely loves it. It's all-natural and Non-GMO Project Verified. It's made with milk from cows that have been fed non-GMO feed, is rich in protein, and is made with only milk and live active yogurt cultures. Plus there are no added sugars, other than those naturally occurring in the milk.

Both my son and husband have some lactose sensitivities, so Greek yogurt is a great source of calcium for them. The live active yogurt cultures make it easily digestible for them, meaning they can enjoy yogurt without worrying about any tummy troubles. Win/win!

I love a good parfait. Some of my favorite toppings include fresh and dried fruits, raw or toasted nuts, granola clusters, hemp hearts, chia seeds, honey, maple syrup, flax, and cereal bits. A fun mix of colors, textures, sweet, and salty items are what take a parfait from boring to extraordinary in my book.

To make a truly swoon-worthy treat, I decided to make a Greek yogurt parfait adorned with edible rose buds.

Keeping that color and textural balance in mind, I took inspiration from my Persian heritage and decided to incorporate the colors and flavors of the Middle East.

There are several Persian dishes that are called "jeweled" because they include ingredients such as pomegranate arils, dried apricots, pistachios, and saffron. I decided to forego the expense of saffron in this parfait and opted for a drizzle of honey instead. It adds just a hint of sweetness that accompanies the other ingredients beautifully.

A light sprinkling of cardamom really brings the Middle Eastern flair to life in these parfaits. If you don't have cardamom, a little cinnamon would also be nice.

You can find dried rose buds in Middle Eastern markets, ethnic grocery stores, and natural markets. If you can't find them in person, they're available online. You could also substitute fresh edible flowers if you like, or leave them off completely. These parfaits are delicious without them, too, but they do add a floral quality that really enhances them nicely.

I made these for dessert a few nights ago, and my son was blown away! He wants me to pack it in his lunch again soon, too. And I'm happy to comply!

It's a healthy treat that feels like a dessert, without any of the typical "guilty pleasure" ingredients.

They're great for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. If you're taking them on-the-go, you could bring the small cups and put your toppings in a container to bring alongside.

I recommend putting the honey in a separate container if bringing it for later assembly, or putting some yogurt topped with honey in one container and the remaining toppings in another. This will keep all of the textures nice so you don't need to worry about soggy parfait toppings.

I love how quickly and easily this parfait comes together, and how different the toppings are than the ones we typically use.

I hope these Persian Jeweled Yogurt Parfaits have inspired you to take a trip to the Middle East without leaving the comfort of your home!

Be sure to check out the FAGE website to find more recipe inspiration!

Looking for more breakfast and brunch favorites? Check out these 5-star recipes:

• Our Favorite Buttermilk Pancakes
• Waffle Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict
• Zoodle Frittata
• Tropical Superfruit Smoothie Bowl
• 5-Ingredient Samoa Cereal Bowls
• Ashwagandha Chai Porridge
• Brunch Week Recipe Roundup
• Turkey-Scotch Eggs
• Squash Blossom Frittata
• Caramelized Banana Breakfast Porridge
• Brie Waffle Bites
• Wobble Café’s Pain Perdu
• Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche

Doing some online shopping? Check out my Amazon Shop page for recommendations!

Recipe for Persian Jeweled Yogurt Parfaits

If you try out this recipe, please come back and give it a star rating and comment below. I’d love to know what you think of it!

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