Do you need instructions to make a delicious bowl of Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts? Probably not. But if you need the basic proportions to start with and a few expert tips from a Greek for the real, traditional experience for Yiaourti me meli, then continue reading!
This Greek yogurt with honey (Yiaourti me meli) is one of the simplest things you'll ever make. Use the right ingredients and get the balance right and you've got the ultimate Greek yogurt breakfast or a light Greek yogurt dessert that actually delivers.
This is a classic Greek yogurt recipe built on contrast: thick, tangy yogurt against sweet, aromatic honey and the earthy crunch of walnuts.
You'll often see instructions like "add a handful of walnuts" or "as much honey as you like", which sounds flexible, but it's just vague. If you want consistent results, you need a starting point. In this honey greek yogurt recipe, I'm giving you simple, tested proportions so you get the right balance from the first try. From there, adjust to your taste.
For more recipes with Greek yogurt, don't miss this Yogurt parfait recipe with honey and fruits, this lighter Greek yogurt cheesecake with honey and white chocolate, and this savory easy Greek yogurt bread without yeast.
📋 Ingredient notes
This Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts is made with a handful of ingredients and minimal procession. So, it goes without saying that quality is what makes a difference. Most versions taste flat because they ignore these details. This one doesn't. So, to make this Greek yogurt recipe you'll need the following ingredients:
Greek strained yogurt: Check the ingredients on the back. Real Greek yogurt (known in Greece as straggisto) is traditionally made of only two ingredients: milk and live active cultures. It is then strained, typically through cheesecloth bags, to remove the liquid whey, resulting in a thick and creamy product without additives.
✏️ If you only have regular yogurt, you can strain it in the refrigerator with a cheesecloth for 4-8 hours to make it thicker. The procedure is the same as in my how to make Labneh recipe.
Run out of Greek yogurt? Here are 19 best Greek yogurt substitutes and how to use them.
Real Greek thyme honey: Greek thyme honey is generally thicker with high viscosity and significantly more aromatic and complex than standard American honeys. Flavowise, it typically features woody, herbal, and slightly spicy notes. In contrast, common American table honeys tend to be thinner, more fluid and with a simpler taste ↗️.
Walnuts: best if they're roasted in the oven or briefly toasted in a pan to bring out their nutty aroma. It makes a difference!
✏️ I don't suggest using any type of vanilla yogurt because most of the brands contain thickeners and other additives which means it's not real Greek yogurt. Instead, you can add a splash of vanilla extract.
👉 For the full list of ingredients with quantities, please see the recipe card ⬇️ at the end of this post.
🎥 Video
Watch a short video for how to make this traditional Greek yogurt with honey:
🎵 Music on Video: building a treehouse Musician: as tall as pine
📖 Recipe
Traditional Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts
Ingredients
- 7 oz (200 g) Greek yogurt (see note#1)
- 4 tablespoons (30 g) walnuts (briefly toasted)
- 2 tablespoons (50 g) Greek thyme honey
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 pinch sea salt flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Spoon the Greek yogurt to a serving bowl. Smooth the surface and press the back of a spoon into the yogurt to form small pools.👉 This creates space for the honey to rest.
- Add the walnuts first and drizzle the honey.👉 This allows the honey to coat the nuts and "stick" them to the yogurt.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and sea salt flakes and serve.
Notes
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Nutrition
👉What more to add
Here are some suggestions for what else you can add to your Greek yogurt bowl:
- Other nuts such as roasted almonds, hazelnuts or pistachios
- A tablespoon of bee pollen
- A teaspoon of rose water for a Mediterranean touch
- Some fresh chopped spearmint. In Crete, we love to combine dairy with spearmint, especially in sweet recipes.
- Dried fruits such as raisins, goji berries, cranberries and blueberries.
- Fresh chopped fruit such as apples, peaches or pears.
- A couple tablespoons of desiccated coconut for a tropical touch.
- A few tablespoons of granola.
- A few drops of extra virgin olive oil for a savory twist.
💭 FAQs
Greek yogurt with honey is a highly nutritious combination that provides a powerful blend of protein, calcium, and probiotics. This duo is particularly beneficial for gut health, as honey acts as a prebiotic, helping the beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in the yogurt survive the digestive process more effectively. Additionally, the protein in the yogurt slows the absorption of honey's natural sugars, leading to a more stable release of energy and longer-lasting fullness compared to eating sweeteners alone. To manage sugar intake, it is generally recommended to use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt and add small amounts of honey, perhaps incorporating other nutritious toppings like walnuts or fruit to enhance the nutritional value.
Greek yogurt and honey are a classic pairing because their flavors and textures balance each other perfectly. The thick, creamy consistency and signature tartness of the yogurt provide a sharp contrast to the smooth sweetness of the honey.
To make Greek yogurt from regular yogurt, strain it in the refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours. For a thick, traditional texture, an overnight strain (about 8-12 hours) is recommended. The longer it strains, the thicker it becomes.
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If you tried this Greek yogurt with honey recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
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