McDonalds Parfait Recipe (Fruit and Yogurt)

A McDonalds parfait is the perfect on-the-go breakfast or a healthy alternative to dessert.

When McDonald’s discontinued its fruit and yogurt parfait in 2020, it led to many broken hearts around the world. I know I wasn’t happy. Fans thought it might be temporary, but the legendary snack and healthy dessert is still not back.

Why do the best dishes always get discontinued from McDonald’s breakfast menu? Remember the amazing breakfast sauce?

I then thought about it, what does it really take to make my own McDonalds parfait at home? And the answer is: not very much at all. 

I experimented with the McDonald’s fruit n yogurt parfait recipe a couple of times, using different toppings and fruit. But the recipe I’m giving out today perfectly replicates the iconic Mcdonald’s breakfast item.

I love this recipe when I want a big breakfast in the morning! Grab a spoon and let’s go have a treat!

What’s In a McDonald’s Yogurt Parfait?

Vanilla yogurt. The low-fat vanilla yogurt used in the parfait from McDonald’s is oh-so-creamy and oh-so-wonderful. Dannon seems to be the brand used in the McDonald’s parfait. But if you don’t mind the extra calories, you can also use Yoplait’s thick and creamy yogurt. It’s perfect if you’re eating this as a healthier dessert, opposed to say a mid-day snack,

If your diet requires more protein, you can switch vanilla yogurt to Greek yogurt. For a vegan McDonald’s parfait, you can replicate the creaminess of the yogurt with coconut cream or coconut milk.

Frozen strawberries. I like using frozen fruit because as they thaw, they let out a sweet juice that adds the perfect sweetness to your parfait. But you can always use fresh fruits if you prefer. 

Frozen blueberries. The popular menu item from McDonald’s has frozen blueberries. Again, if you prefer to use fresh fruit, you can. Also, if you’re craving a McDonald’s parfait and blueberries or strawberries aren’t in season, you can replace them with the fruit of your choice. 

A few good options are bananas, mangoes, or peaches. But if you ask me, I can’t make a parfait without blueberries, they’re the star of all blue foods.

Granola. The fast food chain uses Nature Valley granola in its parfait. The sweet granola is oat-based, without nuts, with a slight taste of honey. One thing I love about McDonald’s fruit and yogurt parfait is how the granola is served in a pack on the side. So, it’s easy to leave it out. Granola is a carb-heavy snack, so if you’re watching your calories and want a light dessert, you can omit it.

How to Make A McDonalds Parfait

You really don’t need to be a Top Chef to prepare a McDonald’s parfait. I highly advise using a tall glass as it will facilitate adding those layers on layers of sweet, creamy goodness. It’s a healthy dessert that only requires 5 ingredients. And, it literally takes minutes to prepare.

What more could you ask for? 

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla yogurt 
• 1 cup of thawed frozen strawberries
• 1 cup of thawed frozen blueberries
• ½ cup of granola
• 2 tablespoons honey (optional)

Instructions 

1. First, thaw your frozen fruit.
2. To prepare a McDonald’s parfait, first, start by adding a half cup of yogurt to the bottom of your glass.
3. Drizzle half a tablespoon of honey over yogurt.
4. Then, add a fourth cup of strawberries and fourth cup of blueberries on top of the yogurt.
5. Add another half cup of yogurt on top of the fruit.
6. Again, drizzle another half a tablespoon of honey over yogurt.
7. Add the rest of your thawed berries, creating your last layer at the top.
8. Finish it off with a fourth a cup of crunchy granola.

Additional Topping Ideas for McDonald’s Parfaits

You can get creative in the kitchen and come up with many additional topping ideas for the McDonald’s parfait. For a heavier dessert with more protein, you can replace the layers of berries with peanut butter.

Sometimes, I also like to replace the granola with pecans. It adds a hint of sweetness to the dessert. Not only are pecans very tasty, but they’re also great for your health! If you have a sweet tooth, you can also drizzle some honey on your dessert. Or, you can even try a dash of cinnamon.

Below are a few more suggestions for getting creative when you’re making this copycat McDonald’s recipe:

Add nuts to your parfait

Beyond pecans, below are a few of my favorite nuts (or seeds!) to add to the mix:

• hazelnuts
• chashews
• chia seeds
• pumpkin seeds
• flax seeds

Add Creative Toppings

Ready to get wild and crazy? Try these additions:

• fresh herbs such as mint
• cacao nibs
• milk chocolate chips or pieces of dark chocolate

Mix Up The Fruit

Don’t feel confined to typical berries. Go tropical or even with a touch of Autumn by adding:

• mango
• pineapple
• apple sauce (try it instead of honey)

Go for Gluten Free Granola

Gluten-free? That doesn’t mean you can’t add granola. Here are a few of my favorite gluten-free granolas. One of them is even grain free:

• Bear Naked Granola Cereal (vegan)
• Purely Elizabeth Granola (grain free)
• Bakery on Main Granola

McDonald’s Yogurt Parfait FAQs

Are McDonald’s yogurt parfaits healthy?

A yogurt parfait from McDonald’s contains healthy nutrients such as vitamins, calcium, protein, and potassium. Also, it is not very high in calories. However, it does have a fair amount of added sugars. These are best avoided, especially if you’re watching your weight.

It’s still healthier than a McMuffin though, that’s for sure!

Let’s look at the nutrition facts of 1 serving of McDonald’s yogurt parfait in more detail.

• 236 calories
• 3 grams of fat
• 28 grams of sugar
• 10 grams of protein
• 45 grams of carbohydrates
• 75 mg of sodium
• 1 gram of dietary fiber

Does McDonald’s Still Have Parfaits?

No, McDonald’s no longer offers yogurt parfaits. In 2020, as the fast-food giant aimed to make service quicker for employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, it discontinued this item.

At least the Fruit and Maple Oatmeal is still on McDonald’s menu, however.

What brand of yogurt is used in McDonald’s parfait?

The brand of yogurt used in the McDonald’s yogurt parfait recipe is a source of debate in the interwebs. Yoplait Go-Gurt has been mentioned as the brand of yogurt used in McDonald’s yogurt parfait.

However, most sources claim that McDonald’s uses Dannon Light + Fit vanilla yogurt in their fruit and yogurt parfait. It was also confirmed as the yogurt brand used in the fruit and yogurt parfait from McDonald’s by an employee of the franchise. 

In reality, the yogurt used in the McDonald’s fruit and yogurt parfait cup may differ based on your location. For another copycat McDonald’s dessert recipe, check out the legendary Shamrock Shake.

More Fast and Easy Breakfast Ideas

2-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins

How to Cook Frozen Hash Browns

Krusteaz Waffle Recipe

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Cheese Pinwheels

4-Ingredient Banana Bread

Have questions or suggestions about this copycat McDonalds parfait recipe? Leave them in the comments below.