Oat Groats Yogurt Parfait

This Oat Groats Yogurt Parfait tastes like berry cheesecake, combining chewy whole oat groats with a creamy berry yogurt layer for a breakfast parfait that delivers plant-based protein, fiber, and antioxidants in every spoonful. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and makes a nourishing breakfast or snack throughout the week.

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🔍 Quick Look: Oat Groats Yogurt Parfait

⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
👥 Servings: 4
📊 Calories: ~268 kcal (based on nutrition panel)
👩🏽‍🍳 Flavor Profile: Fresh, creamy, tangy, herbaceous, and slightly sweet with plenty of crunch.
💪🏼 Nutrition: 17 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, ~122 mg calcium, ~120 mg magnesium
⭐ Difficulty: Easy. This red slaw comes together in 15 minutes.

👩🏽‍⚕️ Dietitian’s Note

Oat groats are the least processed form of oats and retain their naturally occurring beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that has been shown to help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels when consumed regularly. They’re also rich in prebiotic fibers that help nourish beneficial gut bacteria, supporting a healthy gut microbiome.

Combined with calcium-rich Greek-style soy yogurt, berries, and nuts, this breakfast parfait delivers protein, fiber, calcium, and antioxidant-rich plant foods that support bone health, digestive health, and healthy aging.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

This smoothie oats parfait is fresh, flavorful, and comes together in minutes. Plus, it’s also:

A perfect make-ahead breakfast
High in protein and fiber
Naturally sweetened with dates
Easy to customize with your favorite fruit
More satisfying than traditional yogurt and oatmeal

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Below, I share ingredient notes from both a nutrition expert’s and trained chef’s perspective.

Frozen fruit, yogurt, oat groats, pistachios, vanilla extract, and dates.

Oat Groats are whole oat kernels with only the outer hull removed. They have a pleasantly chewy texture and are less processed than rolled or quick oats.
Greek-Style Plant-Based or Regular Yogurt adds creaminess, protein, and calcium while creating a cheesecake-like flavor.
Berries or Cherries add natural sweetness and antioxidants. Frozen fruit works perfectly here.
Pistachios or Walnuts add crunch and healthy fats that make this breakfast parfait even more satisfying.

See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

🌱 Substitutions

This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt. Below are some simple ingredient substitutions.

Fruit: Use frozen or fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, or plums.
Yogurt: Any unsweetened plant-based Greek-style yogurt works well.
Nuts or Seeds: Swap pistachios or walnuts for pecans, almonds, pumpkin seeds, or hemp hearts.

📝 How to Make Oat Groats Yogurt Parfait

The complete recipe with exact amounts is below. These additional tips will help you get the best results.

✔️ Storage & Meal Prep Tips

These simple steps help preserve freshness and flavor:

Store assembled parfaits in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Meal Prep: This recipe makes 4 breakfast parfait jars. For each jar, layer:

½ cup cooked oat groats
½ cup berry yogurt mixture

I recommend using 12-ounce (350 ml) glass jars. This gives you enough room for the oat groats, yogurt layer, and toppings without overfilling the jar.

Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Add the pistachios or walnuts just before serving for the best texture. If desired, pack the nuts in a separate small container and sprinkle them on immediately before eating.

🥣 More Oatmeal Recipes

These Creamy Oat Bran Oats are one of my favorite breakfasts for staying fuller longer and supporting more stable blood sugar levels.

My Overnight Oat Bran is built to help reduce blood sugar spikes.

This Savory Protein Porridge is designed to support steadier blood sugar. It’s nourishing, umami-rich, and high in protein and fiber.

With this creamy 30g protein Blended Oatmeal recipe, you won’t taste the veggies at all.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Can I use oats instead of granola for a yogurt parfait?

Yes. Oats are a great alternative to granola and typically contain less added sugar and oil. Oat groats, rolled oats, steel-cut oats, and toasted oats can all add texture to a yogurt parfait. This oat groats yogurt parfait uses cooked oat groats for a satisfying chewy texture.

Do you put uncooked oats in breakfast parfaits?

You can. Rolled oats are often added directly to parfaits and soften as they sit in the yogurt. However, oat groats and steel-cut oats should be cooked before using because they remain quite firm when uncooked.

Can I just mix oats with yogurt?

Absolutely. Mixing oats with yogurt is a simple way to create an easy breakfast or snack. Rolled oats work especially well and soften as they absorb moisture from the yogurt. For a heartier option, try cooked oat groats mixed with yogurt, fruit, and nuts, as in this oat groats yogurt parfait.

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Oat groats breakfast parfait in a jar with a spoon.

Nisha Melvani

This Oat Groats Yogurt Parfait combines chewy oat groats, creamy berry yogurt, and crunchy nuts for an easy high-protein meal-prep breakfast.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook oat groats: 45 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine Vegan

Servings 4 servings

Calories 331 kcal

▢ ⅔ cup dry oat groats or 2 cups cooked oat groats
▢ 2 cups Greek-style yogurt plant-based or dairy
▢ 2 cups frozen fruit cherries, berries, mango, or fruit of choice
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 small lemon zest

Optional toppings:

▢ ½ cup chopped pistachios or walnuts, or pumpkin seeds
▢ 2 tablepsoons hemp hearts

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1 Blender or immersion blender
1 Medium saucepan

▢

How to cook oat groats: Rinse dry oat groats under cold water. Transfer to a medium saucepan with 2½ cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the oat groats are tender but still pleasantly chewy.

Drain any excess water if needed and allow the oat groats to cool completely before assembling the parfaits.

Tip: Oat groats vary by brand. If the pan becomes dry before the groats are tender, add a splash of water and continue cooking.
▢
Use soft, pitted dates for the smoothest texture. Remove the pits before blending. If your dates are firm, or if using a lower-powered blender, soak the dates in hot water for 10 minutes and drain well before using.
▢
Make the fruit yogurt layer: Add the Greek-style soy yogurt, frozen berries or cherries, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and dates to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
▢

Assemble the jars: Divide the cooled oat groats evenly among 4 (12-ounce) jars. Top each jar with the berry yogurt mixture. For distinct layers, spoon the yogurt mixture gently over the oat groats.

Top with chopped pistachios or walnuts, and hemp hearts, if desired. Add them when assembling the jars or just before serving for extra crunch.
▢
Chill (optional): Cover the jars and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.

Nutrition facts include toppings.

Store the components separately if preferred. Refrigerate the cooked oat groats and berry yogurt mixture in separate airtight containers for up to 4 days. Assemble individual servings as needed and top with pistachios or walnuts before serving.

This information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate. Nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as product types and brands used.

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🔍 Quick Look: Oat Groats Yogurt Parfait