29 Greek Yogurt Add-Ins to Make It Taste Better
Sneak Peek: Plain Greek yogurt can be an acquired taste, but the right add-ins make all the difference. These 29 mix-in ideas transform yogurt into something you’ll actually crave–sweet or savory, snack or dessert.
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Plain Greek yogurt…well, it can be pretty plain. But it doesn’t have to stay that way! With a few clever mix-ins—anything from fruit and nuts to pie scraps or a swirl of lemon curd—you can turn it into something you’ll actually look forward to eating. Below you’ll find 29 fun and tasty ways to dress it up, whether you want sweet, savory, or somewhere in between.
Tips That Make a Difference
- Balance Sweetness: Start with a small amount of sweetener (honey, sugar, or maple). You can always stir in more if needed.
- Think Texture: Add crunch (granola, nuts, cereal) to make yogurt more satisfying.
- Savory Works Too: Don’t limit yourself to sweet add-ins—herbs, cucumbers, or Dijon mustard make Greek yogurt into a dip or sauce.
- Boost Flavor: A splash of vanilla, almond, or citrus extract can transform plain yogurt instantly.
Sweet & Simple (Ideas 1–7)
- Stir in a spoonful of heavy cream or half-and-half – Makes yogurt smoother and richer.
- Add vanilla extract or other flavorings – Try almond, lemon, or orange.
- Use vanilla bean paste – Adds tiny flecks and a gourmet touch.
- Sweeten with sugar, honey, or maple syrup – Adjust to taste.
- Try a flavored sweetener – Like vanilla stevia drops or monk fruit.
- Mix in fruit juice concentrate – Grape, orange, or cranberry make a tangy treat.
- Add a splash of microwave lemon or orange curd – Tangy, creamy, and bright.
Fruity Concoctions (Ideas 8-14)
- Top with fresh sliced fruit – Berries, bananas, peaches, kiwi, etc.
- Add roasted or cooked fruit – Especially berries or pears.
- Swirl in strawberry balsamic sauce – A reader favorite!
- Mix in leftovers from fruit pies or cobblers – Like peach, pumpkin, or berry.
- Layer under warm microwave cinnamon apples – Sweet, quick, and comforting.
- Cinnamon Basil Simple Syrup and fresh blackberries are particularly delicious.
- Add yogurt to your fruit smoothie for extra protein.
Crunchy & Fun (Ideas 15–23)
- Top with granola – Try Chocolate Olive Oil Granola or a low-calorie version of granola.
- Sprinkle with cookie crumbs – Graham crackers, Oreo cookies, Girl Scout cookies, etc.
- Add crumbled pie crust scraps – Bake with cinnamon sugar for a crunchy topping.
- Mix in chopped nuts or spiced pecans – For crunch and flavor.
- Sprinkle with a favorite breakfast cereal for texture – Great for kids or lunchbox treats.
- Use leftover yogurt waffles or pancakes – Break them into pieces and mix in.
- Add a spoonful of cream of coconut – Sweet, rich, and tropical.
- Try it with pumpkin butter and spices – Add cinnamon and crumbled Peppernuts for fall flavor.
- Make Chia Seed Pudding–Add chia seeds to yogurt along with flavorings and let sit for several hours to thicken.
Savory Twists (Ideas 24–25)
- Make a dip with yogurt, cucumbers, and dill – Especially good with fish or pita chips.
- Stir in Dijon and mayo – Combine equal parts Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, then add Dijon to taste.
Dessert-Inspired Combos (Ideas 26–29)
- Blend yogurt with any flavor of ice cream – Soft-serve vibes with more protein.
- Add PB2 or peanut butter + cocoa powder – Stir in for a peanut butter cup flavor.
- Mix in leftover pie – Pumpkin, chocolate cream, or fruit pies make it a full-on treat.
- Layer yogurt under 2-Minute Microwave Chocolate Pudding – Like a parfait, but faster.
FAQ
Add flavor with honey, maple syrup, vanilla extract, or fruit. For savory, try cucumbers, garlic, or herbs.
Fresh fruit, chia seeds, nuts, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup add flavor and nutrition without excess sugar.
Yes. It can replace sour cream, mayo, or heavy cream in dips, dressings, and baking for extra protein and fewer calories.
Final Thoughts
Greek yogurt doesn’t have to be bland or boring. With the right mix-ins—whether it’s roasted fruit, cookie crumbs, or a spoonful of lemon curd—you can turn plain yogurt into something that fits your cravings, sweet or savory. And if you’re ready to take it a step further, don’t miss my soft-serve frozen yogurt made with Greek yogurt in the Ninja Creami. It’s become a daily treat.
If you haven’t tried making yogurt at home, check out the Greek yogurt recipe and the video in this post to get started.
👉 Check out the Creami Frozen Yogurt Recipe here.
Questions? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon!
I use extracts and powdered drink mixes. The powdered drink mixes go a long long way. For example, I have some True Lemon packets that are 0.8g each (like sweet ‘n low packet size) which flavor one full quart of yogurt after straining (eg I strain 1 qt of newly made yogurt and then flavor the result with just one of these packets).
When I flavor yogurt I always start with some vanilla extract – it seems to enhance the flavor no matter what flavor you choose. I sweeten with liquid sucralose. I have type 2 diabetes and hanging the yogurt, using artificial sweetener, and unsweetened drink mixes or extracts means I can pretty much indulge in sinfully creamy hung yogurt at will.
The extracts are pretty expensive if you’re buying them by the 1 oz or 2 oz small bottles at the grocery store but they can be had for considerably less in larger quantities online. You can also pretty easily make many extracts using vodka as the carrier. I’ve been making my own lemon extract from microplaned lemon peel and Everclear for about a decade. Avoid getting the pith in it as much as possible.
Hello Pyewacket,
What an informative comment!!! I love it. I’m not familiar with True Lemon packets but will look for them the next time I go to Krogers. These are great ideas. Thanks for taking the time to share with my readers.