Healthy Sugared-Vanilla Yogurt Fruit Dip
~ A delicious, healthy and incredibly easy Yogurt Fruit Dip! It’s made with just 4 simple ingredients you probably have on hand. A total hit at parties, yet easy enough for everyday snacks … with just 3 minutes total prep time! (Originally published on July 3, 2013. Photos and text fully updated.) ~
This Recipe Is: • Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
I could live on fruit. As in, no other foods in my diet. Ok, fine … I could maybe add in some ice cream from time to time – just to balance things out. But REALLY, I adore fruit!
And, to make it extra-special, or to gussy it up for a party platter, I like to whip up this super-easy Yogurt Fruit Dip to serve alongside. It’s …
- So sweet, creamy and refreshing.
- With rich notes of brown sugar and vanilla, plus just a tiny hint of cinnamon to keep things interesting.
Plus, it’s:
- Ready in 3 minutes flat – no kidding!
- Soooooo much healthier than most fruit dip recipes out there (which often feature ingredients like Cool Whip, pudding mix, marshmallow fluff and full-fat cream cheese) … and it’s even healthier than the original recipe that inspired it!
The Yogurt Fruit Dip I’ve Loved Since I Was Little
Seriously, I’ve loved this fruit dip most of my life. You see, when I was growing up, my mom and I used to go to Walt Disney World every summer. While we were in Florida, we always visited a friend who’d been a home-ec teacher with my mom.
And as you may have guessed, when hanging out with a former home-ec teacher, we always had really delicious meals. And desserts. And snacks.
With all of the amazing foods we shared together, I’m not sure why I remember this one particular Yogurt Fruit Dip so well. Actually, maybe it’s because I clearly remember that I had to refrain from licking the bowl. (I had to use my good manners, after all.)
When I complimented our friend on the most-scrumptious-fruit-dip-I-have-ever-eaten, she laughed at me! Laughed, I tell you! “Oh, Gretchen! This really isn’t even a recipe – it’s just thrown together! It’s so easy to make!”
Ok. Even better!
Still, I did finally write down the ingredients (so I would actually know what to “throw together”).
How to Make This Dip (And How It’s Healthier)
Over the years, I’ve made this easy, “throw together” fruit dip more times than I can count, and along the way, I’ve done my best to tweak it a little to make it as healthy as can be, without sacrificing the creamy-dreamy, sweet and delicious flavor I’ve always adored.
Luckily, since it takes just 3 minutes to whip up, it’s not only easy to make … but also easy to experiment with.
All you have to do is dump 4 ingredients in a bowl. And then stir. Done! Begin dipping!
Honestly, now that I think about it, 3 minutes might be a bit much – you can probably do it in about 1.7 if you’re focused! When I say this is an easy Fruit Dip recipe, I’m not messing with you, friends!
But anyway, since it’s so simple to make, it was also really easy to experiment with healthier swaps.
Our friend’s original version was made with sour cream, but now I make mine with probiotic-filled, protein-rich Greek yogurt. I’ve also found that I can reduce the original amount of brown sugar.
But it’s still absolutely delicious, full of sweet, brown sugar and vanilla joy. And now it’s more guilt-free, too!
Plus, it’s a way, way more healthy fruit dip than all those other recipes featuring things like Cool Whip and marshmallow fluff!
Serving Ideas
1) Snacking
Of course, it’s a wonderful snack dip any time your fruit’s getting a bit boring or feeling a tad lonely.
Try it with whatever fruit you like, whatever happens to be in your fruit drawer.
Our friend always served her Yogurt Fruit Dip with fresh blueberries, and it was deeee-lish. But once I started making this dip for my own family, I realized it had possibilities far, far beyond just blueberries. Believe me, we’ve eaten it with practically every fruit you can think of – and that sweet, sugared-vanilla vibe has never let us down!
2) As a Dressing for Fruit Salads
Hey – here’s something you might not have thought of: you can also use this Yogurt Fruit Dip recipe more like a fruit salad dressing, which is great for things like brunches and bridal showers.
The consistency is just perfect, and the rich notes of brown sugar and vanilla add a little flair to “plain” fruit bowls. Drizzle some over top before serving, or offer it alongside so guests can each decide for themselves how much “dressing” they’d like to add.
3) Party Fruit Trays
And, no doubt, it’s the perfect party dip to serve at cookouts, potlucks and supper clubs, whenever you’re bringing a refreshing fruit tray. So nice and light, yet decadent-tasting, too. (Pssssst … for tips on making your fruit trays even more amazing, check out our ideas for easy DIY Fruit Bouquets to turn your fruit platters into edible works of art. Everyone will be sooooo impressed!)
4) Red, White and Blue Fun
And for patriotic summer holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July? We’ve got loads of ideas for ya there! Serve this fruit dip with any of our five showstopper, star-spangled Red, White and Blue Fruit Salads.
Or, with our irresistible Red, White and Blue Fruit Kabobs. Either way, your dish will be almost as impressive as the evening fireworks!
5) Even Halloween, Too!
Oh! And don’t forget to adapt this dip for Halloween parties by quickly turning it into our darling little Ghostly Fruit Dip!
Ok, ok … I think you get the idea!
This easy Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip is so adaptable. Perfect for holidays! Or … well … for any other day, too! Keep it on hand, and your fruit will never be lonely again!
Healthy Sugared-Vanilla Yogurt Fruit Dip
Just 3 minutes and 4 ingredients (that you probably have on hand)! This easy Yogurt Fruit Dip is surprisingly delicious – yet also so healthy and incredibly simple to make!
• Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
Ingredients
- 1 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
- a scant 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon (plus a little more for garnishing, if desired)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
- Eat immediately or chill for half an hour (if time permits).
- Optional for garnishing: Sprinkle with a little additional cinnamon just before serving, if desired.
- Serve with assorted fresh fruit.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 servings Serving Size: 2 tablespoonsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 21Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g
Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
OH my Goodness! This was soooo good! I actually made it waaay more rich my accident though. I don’t care much for the grittiness of brown sugar so I decided to put in in a double broiler but thought about adding a tiny bit of butter for some liquid and accidently dumped probably a Tbs of butter in there and just went with it. It is VERY good and very rich and I will make it without the butter added next time. I tasted it before even adding the brown sugar and it was really good then too! That’s for a recipe that’s not the typical yogurt and cool whip type dip. 🙂
Wow Mitzi!! Thank you for the great feedback! We are SO happy you tried it, and even adjusted it for your own tastebuds!
As far as the brown sugar, we don’t find the grittiness to be an issue. It sort of dissolves into the yogurt and just leaves a sweet taste behind! (Bonus – you won’t have to break out the double broiler! 🙂 ) When you make it the next time – let us know how you like it!
Thanks again for letting us know how much you liked it! We love that it’s healthier than most dips – and no … no cool whip here! ~G&S