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Finding a sweet treat that’s both healthy and satisfying can be tricky, but these orange-scented dates and yogurt parfaits with pecans hit the spot. With just six simple ingredients, this easy recipe comes together in just ten minutes.
As a dietitian, I take pride in sharing recipes that are both cultural and nutritious. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen coming up with creations that are not only nourishing but also flavorful and easy to make. My goal is to help you lead healthier lives by making good nutrition accessible and easy to incorporate into your daily lives.
As a result, I am adding to my collection of Ramadan recipes by including even more healthy sweet recipes.
You’ll be happy to learn that the recipe is versatile, so you can use any type of yogurt you like. I used protein-rich Greek yogurt, but you could also use regular yogurt, coconut yogurt or another vegan yogurt to suit your needs.
What is a yogurt parfait made of?
What’s in a yogurt parfait, you ask? It’s all about those tasty layers—creamy yogurt, juicy fruit (fresh or dried), and usually a bit of crunch from nuts. And let’s not forget the homemade granola on top—because who doesn’t love a little extra texture?
For this parfait, I’ve mixed things up with chopped Medjool dates and crunchy pecans. The dates bring that perfect sweetness, the pecans add a satisfying crunch, and the orange-scented, thick and creamy yogurt ties it all together like magic.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need:
- Greek Yogurt: I went with 2% plain Greek yogurt, but feel free to use any type you like—even regular yogurt works. Just a heads-up: if your yogurt is sweetened, you might want to dial back on the dates.
- Dates: Soft Medjool dates are the star here, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try Deglet Noor, Barhi, or even dried apricots for a twist.
- Pecans: I love how pecans pair with dates and orange, but any nut will do the trick. Walnuts, almonds, or cashews would be just as tasty—just make sure they’re plain and unsalted.
- Orange: I added some orange zest to the yogurt for a burst of flavor. Lemon or lime would work too if you’re in the mood for a citrusy spin. Fresh cara orange zest and juice add a subtle hint of orange that I’m obsessed with!
- Vanilla Extract: A little vanilla goes a long way in adding deliciousness while keeping the maple syrup in check.
- Maple Syrup: I used maple syrup to sweeten these parfaits, but honey, agave nectar, or any other sweetener will work just as well.
How to make them
This yogurt parfait recipe is super quick and easy to whip up! The only part that takes a bit of time is chopping the dates and nuts, but if you’ve got a food processor, you’ll breeze right through it.
For a complete list of ingredient measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, you can find everything you need in the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Make-ahead magic & sweet twists
- For a stress-free dessert, prep the parfait ingredients ahead of time, but hold off on assembling them until right before serving. Though, if you’re a fan of planning ahead, these parfaits still taste amazing the next day—even fully assembled in the fridge!
- Want to take it up a notch? Drizzle with dark chocolate or add a dollop of whipped cream for a more indulgent treat.
- Bonus tip: The yogurt mixture doubles as a fantastic fruit dip. Try it with fresh berries for a delightful snack!
Storage savvy
To keep your parfaits at their best, it’s a good idea not to store them fully assembled for too long. The yogurt can get thick and clumpy, and the nuts might lose their crunch—not exactly what you want! Instead, stash the ingredients separately in airtight containers until you’re ready to layer them up. This way, everything stays fresh, crunchy, and delicious when you’re ready to dig in.
I’m super excited for you to try these parfaits! When you do, I’d love to hear how they turned out. Feel free to leave a rating, drop a comment, and tag me on Instagram @DesiliciousRD. Your feedback and photos always make me smile!
Hungry for more?
Get the Recipe:
10-Minute High Protein Dates And Yogurt Parfaits
Video
Ingredients
- 1 orange, cara, washed, juice of entire fruit and zest of half orange
- 1 cup pecans, plain, roughly chopped, Benefits of nuts
- 2 cups Greek yogurt, 2%, plain, unsweetened, Are fermented foods good for gut health?
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, pure, no added sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract, pure, unsweetened
- 1 cup Medjool dates, soft, chopped into small chunks
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, grate the zest of half an orange and extract the juice from the entire fruit.
- Add yogurt, orange juice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract and stir to combine.
- Gather 4 clean glasses to assemble the parfaits. In each glass, begin with chopped dates and chopped nuts as the first two layers. Add a little yogurt and repeat the process one more time to produce 2 sets of layers. You want to distribute the ingredients equally among four glasses.
- Garnish each parfait with orange pieces, curls or zest for added flair. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Parfait Prep & Fun Twists
- Prep your parfait ingredients ahead of time, but wait to assemble them until just before serving to keep things crisp—no one likes soggy parfaits! I love using Medjool dates and pecans, but feel free to mix it up with any nuts or dried fruits you like.
- No fresh oranges? No problem! Lemon or lime works great as a citrus swap. For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle with dark chocolate or add a dollop of whipped cream.
- If you’re using sweetened yogurt, cut back a bit on the maple syrup to keep it balanced.
- And here’s a bonus tip: the yogurt mixture makes an awesome fruit dip—especially with fresh berries!
Nutrition Information:
Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions, and might fluctuate depending on ingredient variations, portion sizes, and recipe adjustments. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It’s perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
