Protein Breakfast Parfait: Two Ways
BREAKFAST PARFAIT WITH PROTEIN
Mornings can be a whirlwind, making it challenging to prioritize a balanced breakfast. If you’re like me and my family, we crave something that's quick, easy to prepare, and nourishing enough to fuel our busy days. Whether you’re rushing out the door or savoring a quiet morning, having a go-to breakfast option that’s both delicious and packed with protein can make all the difference.
Finding ways to incorporate protein into breakfast can be tricky, especially when you’re not cooking up a big meal. That’s why I set out to create a breakfast recipe that’s not only balanced and protein-packed but also convenient for those on-the-go mornings. Enter the Protein Breakfast Parfait—a versatile, make-ahead option that’s perfect for busy mornings, leisurely weekends, or even as a midday snack.
Below, I’ve shared some of my favorite flavor combinations and tips on how to build your own parfait. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility—you can mix and match ingredients to suit your taste and nutritional needs. With endless possibilities, your breakfast parfait can be as unique as you are.
For our fitness vacation guests, we prioritize easy, nutritious breakfast options like breakfast parfaits, layered Greek yogurt with berries, and protein smoothies. These meals are quick to prepare, delicious, and perfect for maintaining energy throughout the day.
BUILD YOUR PARFAIT
The secret to a well-balanced protein breakfast parfait lies in the right ratio of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It’s easy to get carried away with fruit and end up with a sugar-heavy parfait, but by keeping a few guidelines in mind, you can create a breakfast that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Here’s the ratio I use when building protein breakfast parfaits:
Protein: 1 scoop of protein powder of your choice (about 15-30g of protein) mixed with 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt.
Carbohydrates: 3/4 cup of fruit -or- 1/2 cup of fruit + 1/4 cup of granola (naturally sweetened or unsweetened).
Fat: 2 tablespoons of nuts, or 1 tablespoon of nut butter (almond, peanut, cashew, etc.).
By sticking to this formula, you’ll get a balanced mix of macronutrients that will keep you full and energized. Below are two of my go-to parfait recipes.
TWO PARFAIT RECIPES
BERRY MADNESS PARFAIT
Ingredients:
1/2 -3/4 cup Greek Yogurt or Coconut Milk Yogurt
1 scoop Grass-fed Whey Protein (or your preferred type of protein powder – about 20g)
1/4 cup Strawberries
1/4 cup Blueberries
1/8 cup Sunflower Seed Mix (sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and dried coconut flakes)
1/2 tablespoon Raw Almonds
1/2 tablespoon Pumpkin Seeds
Instructions:
Mix the protein powder with the yogurt until fully incorporated and smooth. In a glass or container, layer the yogurt-protein mixture with berries, nuts, and seeds. Top with a few additional berries and almonds for garnish, if desired. Store in the refrigerator overnight in glass containers or an easy grab-and-go cup if you need to take it with you in the morning.
PINEAPPLE BANANA DREAM PARFAIT
Ingredients:
1/2 - 3/4 cup Greek Yogurt or Coconut Milk Yogurt
1 scoop Grass-fed Whey Protein (or your preferred type of protein powder – about 20g)
1/2 cup Banana, sliced
1/2 cup Pineapple, chopped
1 tablespoon Granola
1 tablespoon Raw Almonds
1 tablespoon Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
Instructions:
Mix the protein powder with the yogurt. Layer the yogurt-protein mixture with banana, pineapple, and almonds. Top with granola and coconut flakes. Store in the refrigerator overnight in glass containers or an easy grab-and-go cup if you need to take it with you in the morning.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS TO ADD TO YOUR PARFAIT
The options for creating your perfect protein breakfast parfait are limitless. Here are some ideas to help you customize your parfait:
Protein: Change up the type of protein or flavor. Try egg white protein, hemp, pea protein, or a mixed plant-based protein source. Experiment with vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry-flavored proteins to add variety.
Carbohydrates: Incorporate your favorite types of fruit, whether fresh or frozen. Some great options include kiwi, raspberries, cherries, mango, apple, apricot, and peach. You can also add cooked or uncooked oats, gluten-free granola, or dried berries like goji berries for an extra superfood boost.
Fat: Enhance the flavor and nutrition of your parfait with different nuts like cashews, walnuts, macadamia nuts, or pistachios. Nut oils or butters can also be used for a creamy texture. MCT oil is another great option for increasing nutrient density, and avocados add a mild taste with numerous health benefits. Blending MCT oil or avocado into the yogurt creates a smooth, rich mixture.
Superfoods: Boost your parfait with nutrient-dense superfoods such as acai powder, cacao powder, cacao nibs, maca powder, supergreens powder, or superfruits powder. These can be mixed into the yogurt or sprinkled on top for added flavor and nutrition.
Take the Work Out of Planning Your Protein Focused Breakfasts
Discover the ultimate guide to nutritious and delicious protein shakes, protein smoothie bowls, protein breakfast bowls, protein bars, and protein pancakes with our Protein Powered Morning Recipe Guide!
What’s Inside:
120 Done-for-You Recipes: Each recipe comes with ingredients, instructions, and nutrition information for calories, protein, carbs, and fats.
Enjoy the Recipes
25 traditional shake recipes
15 chocolate-themed recipes
20 fall and holiday-based recipes
10 Specialty Shakes
10 Protein Smoothie Bowls
10 Protein Power Breakfast Bowls
10 Greek Yogurt Bowls
10 Protein Breakfast Bars
10 Protein Pancake recipes
Nutrition Modifications: Customize your recipes to fit your nutritional needs - macros, dairy free, vegan, and more.
Tips to Boost Nutrition: Tips and ideas to boost the nutrient value of your protein meals.
Additional Tips and Ideas: Hydration, adjusting sweetness levels, preparation and storage, layering flavors and textures, and so more.
Digital Interactive PDF: Easily download and interact with the guide on any device, or print it out for a handy physical copy.
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