An Easy No-Bake Dessert

When you want a dessert that looks impressive but takes very little effort, these Chocolate Strawberry Mochi Crunch Parfaits are just the thing. Layers of creamy vanilla Greek yogurt, juicy fresh strawberries, chewy strawberry mochi, crunchy cocoa granola, whipped cream, melted chocolate, and pistachios come together in individual glasses for a dessert that is as fun to eat as it is beautiful to serve.

The combination of textures is what makes these parfaits special. You get creamy yogurt, fresh berries, chewy mochi, crisp chocolate granola, and a silky chocolate drizzle in every bite. They are easy enough for a casual weeknight dessert but pretty enough for a dinner party, shower, brunch, or holiday table.

And the ingredient that really makes these parfaits stand out? San-J Premium Koji Granola Cocoa.

What Is San-J Premium Koji Granola?

If you haven’t tried San-J Premium Koji Granola, it may be a new kind of granola for you. San-J makes its Premium Koji Granola with rice koji, a traditional fermented ingredient used in Japanese cuisine. According to San-J, the granola is sweetened with rice koji rather than processed sugar and has a pleasantly complex, umami-rich flavor. The Cocoa variety combines that rice koji with Dutch-process cocoa for a rich chocolate flavor. 

The Cocoa Premium Koji Granola is also gluten-free and soy-free. Its ingredients include rolled oats, fermented rice koji puree, rice flour, rice, rice bran oil, and cocoa powder. 

That makes it particularly good in these parfaits. Instead of using ordinary granola simply as a crunchy topping, the cocoa granola becomes part of the dessert itself. Its chocolate flavor works beautifully with strawberries and chocolate, while the crunchy texture provides a nice contrast to the soft yogurt and chewy mochi.

Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Mochi Parfaits

They’re easy. There is no baking required, and the components come together quickly.

They’re individually portioned. Everyone gets their own pretty little dessert glass, making them perfect for entertaining.

They’re full of contrasting textures. Creamy yogurt, juicy strawberries, crunchy granola, chewy mochi, fluffy whipped cream, and silky chocolate make every bite interesting.

They’re naturally festive. The red strawberries, white yogurt and whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and green pistachios make these parfaits especially pretty on a dessert table.

They’re gluten-free and soy-free. Just be sure to check the labels of your other ingredients, particularly the mochi and chocolate, to ensure they meet your dietary requirements.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Fresh Strawberries

Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor. Dice them fairly small so you can get a little strawberry in every spoonful. Letting them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes helps bring out their flavor.

If your berries aren’t especially sweet, toss them with a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey.

Vanilla Greek Yogurt

Vanilla Greek yogurt gives these parfaits a rich, creamy base with just enough sweetness. Greek yogurt is also thick enough to create distinct layers rather than immediately running into the other ingredients.

Strawberry Mochi

Strawberry mochi adds the surprise element. Its soft, chewy texture is completely different from the creamy yogurt and crunchy granola. They are easy to find these days in the freezer section of most grocery stores.

Cut the mochi into quarters so the pieces are easy to layer and eat with a spoon.

San-J Premium Koji Granola Cocoa

This is the chocolate crunch layer. The Cocoa Premium Koji Granola has a rich chocolaty flavor from Dutch-process cocoa and the distinctive flavor of rice koji. San-J lists it as gluten-free and soy-free. 

Chocolate Chips

Melted semisweet chocolate gets drizzled over the top. You don’t need much—just enough to give each parfait a little extra chocolate flavor.

Whipped Cream and Pistachios

A generous swirl of whipped cream makes the parfaits feel extra special, while finely chopped pistachios add color and a little nutty crunch.

How to Make Chocolate Strawberry Mochi Crunch Parfaits

1. Prepare the strawberries

Place the diced strawberries in a bowl and let them stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

If they aren’t particularly sweet, toss them with 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey.

2. Melt the chocolate

Place the semisweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15- to 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until smooth.

Set the chocolate aside to cool slightly while you assemble the parfaits.

3. Start layering

Spoon about ¼ cup of vanilla Greek yogurt into the bottom of each of six small dessert glasses.

Straight-sided glasses work particularly well because you can see all those beautiful layers.

4. Add strawberries and cocoa granola

Add a layer of diced strawberries, followed by about 2 tablespoons of San-J Premium Koji Granola Cocoa.

5. Add the mochi

Place several strawberry mochi quarters over the granola.

Then add another layer of yogurt, followed by more strawberries and cocoa granola.

6. Finish with whipped cream

Top each parfait with a generous swirl of whipped cream.

7. Add the chocolate crunch topping

Drizzle the melted chocolate over each parfait and sprinkle with finely chopped pistachios.

Finish with a final sprinkle of Cocoa Premium Koji Granola and a strawberry mochi quarter.

Serve immediately.

Tips for Making the Best Mochi Parfaits

Use clear glasses. These desserts are all about the layers, so clear dessert glasses make the presentation much more appealing.

Don’t assemble them too far ahead. The granola is meant to provide crunch, so these parfaits are best served shortly after assembling.

Let the chocolate cool slightly. You want the melted chocolate to drizzle easily without being so hot that it melts the whipped cream.

Keep the strawberries bite-sized. Small dice makes it much easier to get strawberries, yogurt, granola, and mochi together in one spoonful.

Don’t skip the final granola sprinkle. It adds a little extra crunch right when you take your first bite.

Can I Make These Parfaits Ahead?

You can prepare some of the components ahead of time, but I recommend assembling the parfaits shortly before serving.

The strawberries can be diced in advance, and the chocolate can be melted shortly before assembly. You can also portion out the granola and mochi so everything is ready to go.

For the best texture, wait to assemble the parfaits until close to serving time. This keeps the granola crunchy and the mochi pleasantly chewy.

What Kind of Glasses Should I Use?

Small dessert glasses, juice glasses, or short straight-sided tumblers all work well. Aim for glasses that hold roughly 8 ounces or less.

Straight-sided glasses are especially nice because they show off the layers. If you don’t have dessert glasses, small jars can work too.

More Ways to Customize These Parfaits

There are lots of easy ways to make these your own.

• Swap strawberries for raspberries or a mixture of fresh berries.
• Use dark chocolate instead of semisweet chocolate for a more intense chocolate flavor.
• Try plain Greek yogurt with a little maple syrup if you don’t have vanilla yogurt.
• Leave off the pistachios if you need a nut-free dessert.
• Add a few thinly sliced strawberries to the top for an extra-pretty presentation.
• For an extra chocolatey dessert, add a little additional Cocoa Premium Koji Granola between the layers.

Frequently Asked Questions