I have seen the viral yogurt cluster trend everywhere on my social media, and since I have a passion for healthy snacks, I had to try my own take on it. This recipe, which is a bit like a grown-up version of my Baby Yogurt Melts, is very similar to my frozen yogurt bark, but instead of spreading everything on a baking sheet, the recipe is shaped in clusters and filled with way more fruits.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Unsweetened Plant-Based Yogurt – I like to use a thick, high-protein Greek-style plant-based yogurt made of soy to make yogurt bites. Other plant-based yogurts are thin and can’t hold the fruit bites on the baking sheet. My tip is to create different cluster flavors by using flavored yogurt like strawberry yogurt or vanilla yogurt so you can skip the sweetener in the recipe. Plant-Based Protein Powder – This is optional. You can make the recipe without protein powder, but since plant-based yogurt is low in protein, I like to boost my snack with some pea protein powder. My tip is to use different pea protein powder flavors like caramel, vanilla, or chocolate to add flavors to your cluster. Fruits – There’s no limitation here. You can use pieces of fresh strawberries, fresh raspberries, fresh blueberries, or chopped mango. My tip is to use fresh fruits. They stir way better into the fresh yogurt. Frozen fruits tend to firm up the yogurt, and it gets hard to stir. Vanilla Extract – Add only if your protein powder is not flavored to avoid an overpowering vanilla flavor. Maple Syrup or any liquid sweetener you like. If you watch your sugar intake, swap it for a few drops of vanilla stevia drops. Dark Chocolate Chips – I am using 70% dark chocolate, but semi-sweet chocolate chips work great if you like the clusters sweeter. Coconut Oil – This helps melting the chocolate but also harden the chocolate shell faster.
Preparation
Serving and Storage
You can store these yogurt clusters in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. The best way to eat the clusters is half frozen. Remove the clusters from the freezer and place them on a plate at room temperature 10 minutes before serving. they softened and got easier to bite in.
Expert Tips
Make sure you use thick yogurt. Some dairy-free yogurts are more liquid and runny. The clusters run away on the baking sheet, and it’s hard to shape into bulky clusters. If so, the protein powder thickens the yogurt and helps shaping the bites. Use Fresh Fruit – They are easier to stir in the yogurt than frozen fruits. Add Nuts, Seeds, or Peanut Butter for a boost of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Stir in 2 tablespoons of nut butter with the yogurt or up to 1/3 cup chopped nuts or seeds, like hemp seeds, chopped almonds, or peanuts. Play With Flavors. Dip the clusters in vegan white chocolate, use flavored yogurt, or swap berries for banana or mango pieces. Another great idea is to add a dollop of my date caramel to the yogurt clusters before freezing them for a sweet caramel taste. Add peanuts and they taste like fruity healthy snickers yogurt bites. Serve with a pinch of flaky sea salt. Add a sprinkle of sea salt flakes on top before serving to enhance the chocolate flavor.
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