“Find your favorite variety of potato chips, and mix Greek yogurt with a spoonful of sour cream or mayo, and any fresh or dried herbs you have on hand—Italian seasoning works great,” she explains. From there, taste to see if it’s missing anything, like lemon juice, black pepper, or other seasonings, and dig in. While Shariat loves potato chips, everything from pita and tortilla chips to raw chopped veggies like carrots and cucumber pair excellently with Greek yogurt-based dips.
4. Amp up the classic fruit-and-yogurt combo.
Fruit and Greek yogurt is another famous pairing, but slicing up a banana or sprinkling in that same kind of berry can get old. So try some unexpected options. Tropical fruits like pineapple, watermelon, and mango go surprisingly well with the tangy creaminess of yogurt. They also meld great with a sprinkling of Tajin (a lime, chili, and sea salt blend), which makes for a Mexican street-cart inspired treat, says Harbstreet. Frozen or canned options work well too, and can be super convenient during off-season, she adds—their texture just may be a little different than fresh.
Whether you go the tropical route or prefer to stick with solid standby combos (like apple and banana or orange and kiwi), your bowl could benefit from a bit of orange blossom water, Shariat says. “Just adding a touch can bring some gorgeous floral flavors to a yogurt bowl, making the fruit and whatever else you throw in there really sing,” she says. Not a fan of orange blossom? She says rosewater is worth trying out, too.
5. Sprinkle on some salt.
It doesn’t matter if you’re going the sweet or savory route: Salt belongs in your bowl. “Always add a pinch of salt to your yogurt mix, even if you’re doing fruits and granola,” says Shariat. “I find that it rounds out the flavors really beautifully.”
6. Make the yogurt your topper.
If you’re tired of Greek yogurt bowls, consider reversing your approach entirely, says Harbstreet. “Instead of looking for things to mix into Greek yogurt, think of it as something that can be added to another food,” she explains. Smear it on toast, crostinis, or pita bread for a handheld snack, and top with thinly sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, seeds, and spices for a savory bite. Or, she adds, make a sweet Greek yogurt toast with all the usual parfait add-ins, like peanut or almond butter, cinnamon, honey, or maple syrup, and fresh sliced apples or bananas.
7. Try out the social media “sundae” trick.
This Tik-Tok hack has been picking up steam for months: Swirl a tablespoon or two of peanut butter into a plain cup of yogurt, top it with melted chocolate and whole or chopped peanuts, and let the whole thing chill in the freezer. You’re left with a magic shell, sundae-esque treat that’s infinitely riffable.
For instance, Shariat recommends swapping peanut butter for tahini along with a squeeze of honey for a sesame twist-style snack. You could also swirl in raspberry or strawberry jam before adding the chocolate, pop a stick in it, and let it freeze until completely solid for a makeshift dreamsicle.