12 Ways To Easily Level Up Your Plain Yogurt
Nutritious and versatile, yogurt is simple enough to enjoy as a snack on a regular basis. Yet plain yogurt, while a healthy choice, is unsweetened, unflavored, and well ... plain. Even Greek yogurt, despite being increasingly popular, could benefit from some extra flavor. Both of these are a source of calcium, vitamin B12, and probiotics, but Greek yogurt has fewer carbs and sugar than regular yogurt while also having almost double the protein. Either way, both promote gut health and are a perfect choice for a balanced, healthful addition to your diet. But with so many different varieties and flavors found in grocery stores, plain yogurt — Greek or regular — has some stepping up to do.
While it can be eaten alone, plain yogurt is also used in a range of recipes like dips, smoothies, baked goods, and the newest obsession: picture-perfect yogurt bowls. Plain yogurt is ideal for this easy, social-media-ready dish, but you don't always have to choose sweet or one-ingredient toppings. When making yogurt bowls, fro-yo smoothie bowls, or just wanting to incorporate something different with the dairy treat, there are a multitude of toppings that pair well. If you are looking for a way to bring plain yogurt to the next level, try some of these savory and sweet ideas.
1. Add a burst of flavor with cherry tomatoes
Tomatoes and yogurt may seem unusual together, but it's actually a classic pairing. The tanginess of the tomato works with that of the yogurt, all while being tart and even savory. Cherry tomatoes are ideal because they pack a lot of flavor in a small, juicy bite, so it doesn't overwhelm the yogurt. Roasted or charred is the way to go — just coat them with some olive oil and herbs, spice them up with garlic, salt, and pepper, and pop them into the oven or under the broiler. As far as seasoning, you can really get creative here. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar or chili oil, or go for green herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil. If you're stuck, think of Italian flavors like a Caprese, and take it from there. Spread your concoction on a layer of Greek yogurt, and enjoy the luscious combo.
Using cherry tomatoes on your plain yogurt is also a great way to increase the nutritional value of the dish. Just a half-cup of cherry tomatoes is loaded with vitamin A, and they are a healthy source of fiber, calcium, vitamin C, and potassium. These tiny tomatoes are known for having highly-concentrated antioxidants, and like other tomato varieties, they can promote skin and heart health.
2. Brighten it up with fresh fruit
Not as overrated as it may seem, fruit is a delicious way to upgrade plain yogurt. Whether you like a classic yogurt bowl or a smoothie bowl blended with yogurt, it can be topped with various fruits to achieve that colorful, picturesque, and tasty effect. In your next smoothie bowl, mix together mangoes, pineapples, and frozen bananas with plain yogurt for a spin on this tropical smoothie bowl which uses flavored, dairy-free yogurt. There are endless ways to incorporate fresh fruit into smoothie bowls, as all the recipe requires is the fruit of your choice, yogurt, and a blender to whip it all together into a thicker version of the dairy treat we know and love. From there, it's all about sweetening it to your personal liking.
To liven up a simple bowl of yogurt, try adding in fresh berries, figs, or kiwi for a juicy, refreshing taste. You could also consider adding toasted coconut flakes or banana chips for some texture. Or give it a dessert quality with apples and cinnamon sugar; pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg; or strawberries with graham crackers. Next time you're outside grilling this summer, grill some peaches and serve with Greek yogurt and honey for a mouthwatering treat. It doesn't have to be complicated. There's really no way to go wrong here — you can experiment every time you eat yogurt with your favorite fruits or exotic combinations.
3. Sweeten it up with honey
It may seem simple, but plain yogurt becomes something to obsess over once you discover how honey changes everything. A natural sweetener, honey gives yogurt a delectable flavor when it would otherwise suffer for something other than its characteristic tang. Honey is as versatile as yogurt when it comes to pairing. You can use it as the only addition, or it can mingle with fruits, granola, nuts, jam, and other sweet toppings. Combine your favorites, drizzle with honey, and enjoy.
Not only is it easy, but it's a healthy duo. Just as unsweetened, unflavored yogurt is nutrient-rich, honey is also beneficial to your health. Not just a sugary delight, according to the Mayo Clinic, honey has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial qualities that make it worth enjoying whenever we want. Yeah we know, all things in moderation — honey is mostly sugar and will act as such in your body. It's a good thing a little goes a long way!
4. Give it a savory kick with pesto
Not only does pesto give sandwiches, dressings, and pizza a savory flavor, it takes plain yogurt to the next level. With either Greek or regular yogurt, you can stir in some pesto for bold flavor. Using the traditional mortar and pestle method, this sauce is relatively simple to make. While you can enjoy store-bought pesto, it's even more delicious when made fresh. At its core, pesto is just basil, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. Grind it down and mix it together, and you've made a savory sauce in little to no time.
When you are making your own pesto, you can easily switch it up. Trade pine nuts for almonds, or substitute Manchego for parmesan. You can also add some color or spice with sun-dried tomatoes or roasted peppers. No matter how you change the recipe, your plain yogurt will benefit from the flavors and the nutrition. Even though pesto isn't necessarily considered a healthy food, as it is mostly unsaturated fat, it does have nutrient-rich ingredients such as basil, nuts, and olive oil, which contain antioxidants. This means it's not only adding rich and aromatic flavor to yogurt, but it's increasing the overall robustness of the snack.
5. Mix in avocados for extra creaminess
Any superfood will be a good addition to plain yogurt, but avocado gives the dairy snack a creamier texture and rich taste. This topping is an easy and versatile option. You can simply chop some avocado and add it to your yogurt with a drizzle of olive oil; you can include it in a parfait; or you can combine it with yogurt to make a dip. For a parfait, Avocados from Mexico suggests Greek yogurt, lime juice, strawberries, honey, and granola with cubed avocados. Or you could deconstruct the parfait and use this combination in a yogurt bowl. Make a quick dip with avocados, plain Greek yogurt, cilantro, and lime juice. Spice it up with some garlic, cumin, and salt, and it's perfect for dipping veggies or spreading on pita bread.
However you include avocado, expect a buttery-smooth, savory flavor. This refreshing superfood is best when it's ripe, so take care to choose an avocado that is firm with no pockets of air. If it isn't ripe and soft enough to mix into the yogurt, try placing the avocados with some bananas to speed up the ripening process — science will naturally do all the work.
6. Go for bold flavors like roasted or sautéed veggies
So many yogurt toppings are sweet, but because plain yogurt is unflavored, it can be heightened with savory, spicy, umami, and salty flavors. Roasted or sautéed veggies are a prime way to achieve this — choose whatever vegetables you love, season them, and fire them up in the oven or on the stovetop. You can use onions, mushrooms, peppers, sweet potatoes, and more. Literally, any vegetable will add some extra flavor to plain yogurt, and you'll go against the grain by selecting something other than sweet toppings.
In order to get perfectly roasted vegetables, there are a few tricks. Although some veggies take longer to cook in the oven than others, you can roast them all at the same time on one baking sheet — just lay down the veggies that take more time first (distribute the veggies evenly on the tray so they heat properly) and add the others later, after 15 minutes or so. Plenty of oil and spice will also help crisp up those veggies, but make sure to flip them halfway through roasting to cook them all the way through.
7. Use chickpeas for extra crunch
If you want some more protein or texture, try some chickpeas on top of your yogurt. Also called garbanzo beans, this versatile food is nutrient-rich. In only one cup, there is an abundance of folate (vitamin B9), manganese, healthy carbs, iron, fiber, and potassium. Additionally, chickpeas are an ideal source of plant-based protein and can help keep you feeling fuller for longer, as well as aid in digestion. Pairing chickpeas with yogurt is a smart way to create an uncomplicated and filling afternoon snack.
To get crispy, crunchy chickpeas, pop them in the air fryer! It's really that easy. Just dry them, coat them in olive oil and salt, and fry them for about six minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Chickpeas are also yummy with herbs and spices, like garlic, smoked paprika, or rosemary. They don't require much, making them a quick, simple, and delicious way to alter plain yogurt.
8. Spread it on toast
These days, avocado toast is all the rage, but you should try spreading plain yogurt on toast. Substitute it for cream cheese or avocado toppings, and have some fun. Just like with breakfast bowls, you can be creative with the toppings you put on toast. Start with yogurt, Greek or regular, and finish it off with extra ingredients: bright and colorful fruit, granola, toasted coconut, nuts, and a drizzle of honey. Basically, you can deconstruct your favorite yogurt bowl and put it on some crusty bread or French toast for a refreshing breakfast. Likewise, you can opt for savory ingredients like yogurt, olive oil, and fennel seed; or sautéed greens, sesame oil, and red pepper or chili flakes.
And let's be real: If it's going viral on TikTok, we're more interested in trying it. Within reason, of course! Yogurt toast sounds like a safe experiment, so play around. The trending recipe that TikTok user saltynsweeteats tried out includes combining eggs with Greek yogurt to produce a custard-like toast. All you do is whip together eggs and yogurt with some honey or syrup, pour on a thick piece of bread, top with berries or your favorite fruit, and stick it in your air fryer until it's golden and crispy. We'll be right back; we have to try this.
9. Elevate classic toppings like granola
Does plain yogurt with plain granola sound exciting? Not exactly. You can easily use classic toppings on plain yogurt and still make it alluring. For starters, granola can be made in various ways, with some of them very unique. From classic parfaits to smoothie bowls and yogurt toast, granola is an essential topping. It's a perfect way to add crunchy and nutritious flavor while having numerous combinations of ingredients. There's this sweet and nutty granola recipe, which calls for cinnamon, ginger, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, and maple syrup, or a simple few ingredient crunchy granola recipe that allows for any crunchy add-ins of your choice. If you don't feel like making it at home, there are several healthy granola brands you can buy at the store.
In general, granola is rather nutritious with its combination of ingredients like oats, nuts, and grains, and it can be an excellent source of vitamin B, iron, fiber, and protein (via WebMD). Because some granola consists of prebiotic fiber, it can help promote healthy gut bacteria just like yogurt does. So while granola helps with texture and flavor, it also increases the health benefits of the dairy snack that makes a classic parfait seem even better.
10. Have a sweet snack with berry compote or jam
Fresh fruit brings a refreshing vibrance to plain yogurt while a delicious berry compote or jam takes it to a whole other level. Stirring in a sticky-sweet jelly or jam will instantly give plain yogurt a fruity, sugary flavor. Add peanut butter, and you've got a variation of PB&J. Throw in a few extra berries and you've basically made a tart. With so many jams, jellies, and compotes, you can incorporate fruit however you like. In the fall, go for apple or peach jams; and in the summer, stick with juicy, berry-based jams.
Even though grocery stores and supermarkets offer a variety, you can make jams and jellies at home. It all comes down to using fresh ingredients, the appropriate-sized jars and amount of pectin, and following the method precisely. Also, canning is an awesome way to use fruit in bulk and enjoy it for an extended amount of time. Likewise, berry compote is not very challenging to make. Only a few ingredients — usually sugar, berries, and lemon juice — are simmered on the stove until it reduces to a thick, fruity sauce. Who needs flavored yogurt when you can turn plain yogurt into a dessert or obsession-worthy snack with just a ripple of jam or compote?
11. Freeze it into yogurt bark
Take everything you've learned so far about toppings for yogurt. Now freeze it. Truly, yogurt bark is that simple. Begin by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or plastic wrap, and spreading out the plain yogurt — whole fat typically freezes better than low fat because of its thicker, fattier consistency. Next, top it with berries or other fruit, granola or oats, nuts, honey, or even peppermint. Then you cover the tray tightly before sticking it in the freezer to harden. When it's solid, take it out and break off pieces. Keep any extras refrigerated so it doesn't melt, and you have an easy snack for the whole family to love.
In a version made by Jennifer Garner, she uses sweet ingredients with no sugar added like purees from the food brand she co-founded, Once Upon A Farm. Ree Drummond's recipe (via Food Network) includes strawberry and blackberry preserves with sunflower seeds and coconut flakes. Any of these toppings will help the yogurt bark come to life.
12. Keep it healthy and interesting with nuts and seeds
For a healthy, salty, and savory upgrade, consider using nuts or seeds on plain yogurt. From classic combos to underrated nuts, the options are endless. If you're seeking savory flavors, combine some oil and spices with the nuts or seeds. When you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, experiment with dessert flavors like pecan pie, walnuts with maple syrup, or even hazelnut with honey. Another idea is to add cashews, peanuts, and almonds with some raisins for a snack reminiscent of trail mix.
Then there are the nuts we don't always think of, like hickory nuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts. Seeds are just as versatile. For example, chia seeds, fennel seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds can all be toasted lightly and paired with plain yogurt.
One of the healthier ways to intensify plain yogurt, nuts and seeds are worthwhile ingredients. Nutrition-wise, all kinds of nuts have magnesium but almonds are high in calcium, pecans and peanuts have plenty of vitamin B, and walnuts are full of folate. A mere handful of nuts is rich in fiber, protein, and healthy calories.