Why You’ll Love This Greek Yogurt Key Lime Parfait

• It’s Incredibly Refreshing. The sharp, citrusy flavor of key limes is a total wake-up call for your taste buds, making this parfait feel like a cool breeze on a hot day. It’s the opposite of a heavy, rich dessert.
• The Textures Are Everything. You get this fantastic play between the velvety smooth yogurt filling, the juicy burst of fresh berries, and the satisfying crunch of the homemade graham crust. Every single spoonful is a little adventure.
• It’s Deceptively Simple. Honestly, if you can stir and layer, you can master this recipe. There’s no technical skill required, which makes it a fantastic project for budding cooks or a last-minute lifesaver when guests are on their way.
• You Control the Sweetness. Using Greek yogurt as the base means you can adjust the honey or maple syrup to your exact preference. Love it tart? Use less. Got a sweet tooth? Drizzle a little more. It’s your parfait, your rules.

Ingredients & Tools

• 2 cups (500 g) plain full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh key lime juice (from about 10-12 key limes, or bottled if you must!)
• Zest of 2 key limes
• 1/4 cup (85 g) honey or maple syrup, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (100 g) graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, for a sweeter crust)
• 1 cup fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries, for layering
• Extra lime zest and mint leaves for garnish

Tools: A set of 4 parfait glasses or small jars, a medium mixing bowl, a small bowl, a zester or fine grater, and a citrus juicer.

The real star here is the key lime juice—using fresh makes a world of difference, giving you that authentic, perfumy tartness that regular Persian limes just can’t match. And don’t skip the full-fat Greek yogurt; it provides a luxuriously creamy base that stands up to the lime juice without becoming watery.

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Why Full-Fat Yogurt? It’s all about texture and stability. Full-fat Greek yogurt is thicker and richer, which means your parfait layers will hold their shape beautifully and won’t weep or separate. Low-fat versions can be a bit too thin and sometimes have a tangier, less balanced flavor.
• Fresh vs. Bottled Juice? I’m a huge advocate for fresh-squeezed key lime juice if you can find the little guys. The flavor is brighter and more complex. But listen, a good-quality bottled key lime juice (not regular lime juice!) will work in a pinch—your parfait will still be delicious.
• Graham Cracker Crust Shortcut. You can absolutely buy pre-crushed graham crackers, but pulsing whole sheets in a food processor takes 30 seconds and gives you more control over the crumb size. You want a mix of fine crumbs and a few slightly larger pieces for that perfect crunch.
• Zesting Like a Pro. Only zest the bright green part of the lime skin; the white pith underneath is bitter. Do this before you juice the limes—it’s infinitely easier! The zest packs an incredible aromatic punch that deepens the lime flavor immensely.

How to Make Greek Yogurt Key Lime Parfait

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Chili and Garlic — The spicy, savory notes of the shrimp make a fantastic light meal before this zesty dessert, creating a well-balanced menu that feels coastal and elegant.
• A Simple Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette — The peppery arugula and sharp lemon continue the citrus theme without overpowering the main event, cleansing the palate perfectly.

Drinks

• A Crisp Glass of Prosecco or Sauvignon Blanc — The bubbles and acidity in these wines cut through the creaminess of the yogurt and mirror the lime’s zestiness, making each bite taste even brighter.
• Sparkling Water with a Lime Wedge — For a non-alcoholic option, this keeps things refreshing and light, ensuring the parfait remains the star of the show.

Something Sweet

• Dark Chocolate-Covered Almonds — A small bowl of these on the side offers a bitter, crunchy contrast that complements the parfait’s creaminess without competing with its flavor profile.
• Mini Shortbread Cookies — Their buttery, delicate flavor is a lovely, simple companion if you want just a little extra something sweet alongside your parfait.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using watery yogurt. This is the biggest culprit for a soupy parfait. If your yogurt has a lot of liquid (whey) floating on top, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve for 10 minutes first. A stable base is key to pretty layers.
• Mistake: Squeezing limes ahead of time. Fresh citrus juice is best used immediately. If it sits for more than an hour or two, it can develop a slightly bitter, flat taste. Juice those limes right before you mix the filling.
• Mistake: Packing the graham cracker layer too tightly. You want to press it down just enough so it forms a base, but don’t turn it into a cement-like brick. A light touch ensures you still get a crumbly, delicate texture.
• Mistake: Assembling too far in advance. While a brief chill is great, assembling the parfaits hours ahead will cause the graham cracker layer to become soggy. For best results, assemble no more than an hour before serving.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Roll your limes before juicing. Before you cut and juice them, firmly roll each key lime on the countertop with the palm of your hand. This breaks down the internal membranes and helps you extract significantly more juice with less effort.
• Tip: Use a piping bag for ultra-clean layers. If you want picture-perfect, restaurant-style layers, spoon the yogurt mixture into a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off). You can pipe neat, even circles of filling without disturbing the crumb layer beneath.
• Tip: Toast your graham cracker crumbs. For a next-level nutty flavor, spread the graham cracker crumbs on a baking sheet and toast them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes before mixing with the butter. Let them cool completely first—this deepens the flavor incredibly.
• Tip: Make a mini batch for one. This recipe is easily scalable. Just mix a single-serving portion of yogurt with a teaspoon of lime juice and a drizzle of honey in a small jar, top with a tablespoon of the crust mix, and you have an instant, healthy snack.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! You can easily swap the Greek yogurt for a thick, plain coconut yogurt or a soy-based alternative. Just make sure it’s a variety that’s really creamy and not too runny. For the crust, use a dairy-free butter or even coconut oil. The flavor will be slightly different—coconut yogurt will add a tropical twist—but it will still be utterly delicious and refreshing.

How far in advance can I prepare the components?
You can prep the individual parts a day ahead. Mix the graham cracker crust and keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. Prepare the key lime yogurt filling and store it separately in a sealed container in the fridge. The berries can be washed and sliced. Then, simply assemble the parfaits an hour or so before you plan to serve them for the best texture.

My yogurt mixture is a bit thin. How can I thicken it?
If your yogurt is on the thinner side, don’t panic. You can stir in a teaspoon of chia seeds and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes—the chia seeds will absorb excess liquid and act as a natural thickener. Alternatively, a half-teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a teaspoon of the lime juice before stirring it into the main batch can also help stabilize it.

Can I use regular limes instead of key limes?
You can, but the flavor profile will change. Key limes are more aromatic, tart, and slightly floral compared to the more straightforward tartness of Persian (regular) limes. If you substitute, you might want to use a little less juice from a regular lime at first, taste, and then add more if needed, as they can be more potent. The zest is equally important for that true lime flavor.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Leftover parfaits will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but be aware that the graham cracker layer will continue to soften. They’re truly best enjoyed the day they’re made. If you think you’ll have leftovers, you might consider storing the components separately and assembling individual portions as you want them.