Greek Yogurt with Honey: How to Serve It, Greek Style

Greek yogurt with honey is one of the simplest Greek desserts and breakfasts: a bowl of thick strained yogurt, a ribbon of honey and a handful of walnuts. It takes two minutes. The details below help you get the balance right. For more morning ideas, see what Greeks eat for breakfast.

How to make it

Serves: 1. Time: 2 minutes.

• ¾ cup (about 170 g) plain Greek-style strained yogurt
• 1–2 tsp honey, such as Kalymnos raw thyme honey
• 1 tbsp walnut pieces, lightly toasted if you like
• Optional: a pinch of cinnamon, or a few chopped Greek dried figs

1. Spoon the yogurt into a shallow bowl and make a small well in the middle with the back of the spoon.
2. Warm the honey jar in a bowl of warm water if the honey is very thick, so it drizzles.
3. Drizzle the honey into the well and over the top.
4. Scatter over the walnuts and serve straight away, while the nuts are still crisp.

Choosing the yogurt

Strained yogurt is thick because some of the liquid whey has been drained off. Read the ingredient list: plain strained yogurt usually lists only milk and live cultures. “Greek-style” is a description of texture, so check the label for the ingredients and the fat content you prefer. Full-fat yogurt gives the creamiest bowl.

Choosing the honey

A floral honey with a clear flavour shows up best against plain yogurt. Thyme honey is a classic Greek choice; read Greek thyme honey: taste, origin and uses and pine honey vs thyme honey to compare. Liquid honey drizzles easily. Creamed honey spreads instead of pouring, so stir a spoonful into the yogurt; see creamed vs liquid honey.

Toppings and variations

• Walnuts: the most common partner. Toasting them for a few minutes in a dry pan deepens their flavour.
• Dried figs: chop 2–3 figs and stir them in, or soften them first. See how to soften dried figs and easy dried fig recipes.
• Sesame: crumble a little pasteli over the top for crunch. It contains sesame.
• Fruit: fresh grapes, cherries or sliced peaches in summer.
• Spices: a pinch of cinnamon, or a little grated orange zest. The same honey, walnut and cinnamon trio flavours homemade baklava.

A note on honey and babies

Don’t give honey to babies under 12 months old, including in yogurt. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against it because of the risk of infant botulism.

Explore more honey in our Greek honey collection.

Sources

• CDC: Foods and drinks to avoid or limit for infants

Greek yogurt with honey: frequently asked questions