40+ Creative Yogurt Toppings That You've Never Thought of Before

Photo shows bowls and jars of plain yogurt, yogurt topped with berries and oats, and bowls and jars of berries, seeds, and granola, on a dark green tabletop

Take Your Breakfast to the Next Level

Healthy, delicious yogurt is a favorite meal or snack all over the world, and for good reason! Plain, natural yogurt is made from just two ingredients and is packed with protein and other nutrients to help jump start your day or give you a boost of energy on the go.

Photo of an assortment of bowls and cups on a white table top containing plain yogurt, yogurt topped with fruits and granola, poppyseeds, coffee, honey, blueberries, and bananas
Protein and nutrient-rich yogurt with your choice of toppings is the perfect breakfast or snack

What is yogurt?

Yogurt (also spelled yoghurt, yogourt or yoghourt) is a dairy product made by fermenting fresh milk or cream with a bacterial culture. Fermentation of the natural sugars in the milk by these bacteria produces lactic acid, which acts on the milk protein to give yogurt its smooth thick texture and characteristic tart flavor.

Photo of two glass jars of plain yogurt topped with fresh fruit and nuts on a white painted table with slices of passionfruit, kiwifruit, and peach beside them
Toppings like fresh fruit and nuts balance the tartness of the yogurt without the need for artificial flavors or refined sugars

Health benefits of yogurt

People around the world have been eating yogurt for hundreds of years. Not only is yogurt delicious, it is also extremely nutritious:

  • Packed with calcium: One cup of yogurt contains up to 50% of your recommended daily intake of calcium, which is necessary for healthy bones and teeth

  • High in B vitamins: Yogurt contains high levels of vitamin B12 and riboflavin, which help protect against heart disease 

  • Contains essential nutrients: One cup of yogurt provides 28% of your daily phosphorus, 10% of your daily magnesium, and 12% for potassium

  • Promotes gut health: Some yogurts contain active bacteria known as probiotics, which aids digestion and contributes to your intestinal health

Plain vs Flavored Yogurt

But there’s a catch - these benefits apply to PLAIN yogurt. Many store-bought flavored yogurts contain so much sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives, that you might as well be eating dessert.

Photo of 5 opened single-serving yogurt cups, one with a spoon in it, sitting on a tabletop and a folded blue and white striped napkin
Single-serving store-bought flavored yogurts can contain up to 3 teaspoons of sugar each!

The beauty of plain yogurt, especially homemade, is that you can customize it by adding your favorite fruit, jam, sweetener, or toppings for unlimited flavor combinations without all the additives.

Read on for a list of our favorite toppings and mix-ins that will keep you eating healthy and happy for weeks!

Crunchy Goodness

Homemade or store-bought muesli or trail mix
Crumbled cookies - try graham crackers, Oreos, or arrowroot
Fresh homemade granola
Roasted pepitas or pumpkin seeds
Shelled sunflower seeds
A sprinkle of coconut or demerara sugar
Chopped mixed nuts toasted in maple syrup

Two small jars of plain yogurt topped with chopped nuts and honey and a bowl of nuts on a dark gray wooden surface
Or how about a mix of chopped walnuts and honey?

Chia or poppy seeds
Toasted sesame seeds
Plain, salted, or honey-roasted peanuts or pecans
Whole or sliced almonds
Crumbled dry cereal
Cacao nibs
Passion fruit pulp with the seeds

Picture of a cup of plain yogurt topped with passion fruit pulp, two passionfruit halves, and a white spoon on a white painted wooden surface
Passionfruit pulp = tart, sweet, and crunchy = Yes please!

Tart sliced star fruit
Pomegranate seeds

Tastes Like Dessert

Frozen mixed berries or mango
Homemade rhubarb or cherry compote
Sliced bananas rolled in shredded coconut
Chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips

Photo of a variety of chocolate types - cocoa powder, dark and mild chocolate squares, dark and white chocolate disks, and chocolate chips, plus coffee beans, vanilla beans, star anise, and cinnamon sticks
Pump up the flavor and the antioxidants with rich dark chocolate

Dried cherries, blueberries, raspberries, or cranberries
Chopped dried apricots, apples, kiwi, or mango
Fresh young coconut pulp
Honey, agave nectar, date syrup, or maple syrup
Caramelized roasted pineapple slices

Photo of grilled sliced pineapple on parchment paper with wooden honey drizzle stick and mint leaves
Grilled pineapple slices drizzled with honey = natural sweetness to balance a tart yogurt

Ground spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, all spice
A dollop of cashew, peanut, almond, or pea butter

Savory Surprises

Soba cha (buckwheat tea)
Fiber-rich wheat germ
Roasted diced butternut squash
Protein-rich hemp hearts
Drizzled extra-virgin olive oil
Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, mint, thyme, or sage

Picture of bunches of fresh herbs (sage, basil, lavender), glass jars of olive oil, and a mortar and pestle on a rustic wooden bench
Try fresh herbs straight from the garden with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil

Fresh or frozen avocado chunks
A tiny drizzle of sesame oil
Roasted beets, carrots, or parsnips
Chewy crystallized ginger
A pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt

Picture of a wooden bowl and wooden scoop both filled with coarse pink salt crystals with more salt sprinkled around then on a wooden surface
Pink Himalayan sea salt is a super-pretty way to skip the additives in regular table salt

Crumbled feta cheese
Sliced black, green, or kalamata olives
Fresh ground peppercorns

Store-bought or Homemade Yogurt?

Of course, before you add your toppings you have to choose your base. Store-bought and homemade plain yogurt will both work as a blank slate for building a delicious breakfast. However,  in our experience, store-bought yogurt just can’t compare to homemade in either price or flavor. Making yogurt at home might seem intimidating at first but with a countertop yogurt maker like this one from Total Chef it couldn’t be easier - it even comes with individual-sized jars and lids so you’ll never need to buy single-serving yogurt cups again!

Picture of Total Chef countertop yogurt maker on a dark brown tabletop with jars of homemade yogurt topped with berries and muesli in the foreground
The Total Chef Yogurt Maker takes the guesswork out of making homemade yogurt

Have you tried any of these toppings? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and let us know your favorite combination!

Photo shows the left half of a shallow blue bowl filled with yogurt, frozen berries, sunflower seeds, and two passionfruit halves, on a light gray surface. Text overlay reads 40+ Yogurt Toppings You've Never Thought of Before