Yiaourti me meli – Greek yogurt with honey and nuts Recipe
Yiaourti me meli is a very simple yet iconic Greek dessert: thick yogurt drizzled with honey and sprinkled with nuts. In Greece it’s eaten both after lunch and for breakfast, especially on hot days when nobody feels like heavy cakes. It tastes like a small, sweet break after a meal – creamy, honeyed, and pleasantly crunchy.
This dessert captures the essence of Greek simplicity: just a few good ingredients that together create something creamy, fragrant, and satisfying without any baking or complicated preparation.
Chef's tips
Use the thickest Greek yogurt you can find – the higher the fat content, the creamier and more dessert‑like the result. Choose a flavorful honey, because its taste really defines the whole dish.
How to serve
Serve in small glass bowls or tumblers so the layers of yogurt, honey, and nuts are visible. For a more elegant version, finish with a drizzle of extra honey and a few whole nuts on top.
Ingredients
- Greek yogurt thick, preferably 10% fat - 600 g
- honey runny, e.g. thyme or multifloral - 4 tablespoons
- walnuts roughly chopped - 60 g
- hazelnuts roughly chopped, optional - 40 g
- cinnamon optional, for sprinkling - 0.5 teaspoons
- vanilla extract, optional, for the yogurt - 0.5 teaspoons
Preparation
- Roughly chop the walnuts and hazelnuts with a knife. If you have a bit more time, toast them in a dry pan over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until they start to smell nutty – they’ll be crunchier and more aromatic. Set aside to cool.
- Transfer the Greek yogurt to a bowl, add the vanilla extract if using, and gently mix until smooth.
- Divide the yogurt between 4 bowls or glasses. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey over each portion in thin streams.
- Sprinkle each portion with the nut mixture. If you like, dust everything with a pinch of cinnamon. Serve right away or chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
Storage
No storage information available for this dish.
I love making this when I want something sweet but don’t feel like turning on the oven. It’s ready in minutes, feels light, and still gives that sense of a proper dessert.
