Nutty, creamy, sweet, and totally crave-worthy
Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest ones. That’s exactly what this black sesame yogurt bowl is.
It’s one of those quiet heroes—smooth, nutty black sesame paste swirled into creamy yogurt, topped with sweet banana slices and a drizzle of honey.
Every bite is silky, earthy, and just sweet enough.
I started making this on busy mornings when I wanted something different but didn’t want to cook. And let me tell you—it’s now on repeat.
🥣 What You’ll Need
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat for extra creaminess)
- 1 ½ tablespoons black sesame paste (unsweetened)
- 1 ripe banana, sliced
- 1 teaspoon honey (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon toasted white sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
🍯 Why I Love This Recipe
This bowl feels like something fancy, but it takes 5 minutes. I had black sesame desserts when I traveled to Japan, and this bowl brings back all those cozy, nutty flavors.
- Perfect balance of nutty + creamy + sweet
- Feels indulgent, but it’s healthy
- Great for breakfast, snack, or light dessert
- Super easy to make and clean up
🍽️ Servings + Time
Serves: 1
Total Time: 5 minutes
🔬 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
- Black sesame paste is packed with natural oils and has a strong, toasty flavor. Mixed with yogurt, it mellows and becomes creamy.
- Yogurt’s lactic acid helps balance the rich sesame flavor and adds a light tang.
- Bananas and honey bring natural sweetness that balances the bitterness of the sesame.
😬 Common Mistakes
- Using sweetened sesame paste: It can overpower the dish—stick to unsweetened and add your own honey.
- Not stirring well: If the sesame paste isn’t mixed into the yogurt evenly, you’ll get bitter pockets.
- Using underripe bananas: The sweetness makes a big difference here—go ripe!
🥄 What to Serve With
- A slice of toasted sourdough or multigrain bread
- A hot cup of matcha or coffee
- A boiled egg on the side for protein
- Chia pudding or granola for more texture
❓ FAQ
Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes! It’ll be slightly thinner, but still delicious.
Can I prep this ahead?
You can mix the sesame into the yogurt the night before, but add banana and honey fresh.
What if I don’t have black sesame paste?
You can blend toasted black sesame seeds with a bit of neutral oil to make your own!
🧠 Pro Tips
- Toast the sesame seeds yourself for that fresh nutty crunch.
- Use a ripe banana—the more spots, the sweeter.
- Swirl, don’t stir completely—for that pretty marbled look.
- Warm your honey slightly so it drizzles easily.
- Use a shallow bowl to show off the layers and toppings.
🔧 Tools You’ll Need
- Small bowl
- Spoon or butter knife
- Serving bowl
- Small dish for honey (optional)
🔄 Substitutions + Variations
- No banana? Try mango or pear slices.
- Dairy-free? Use coconut yogurt.
- Want crunch? Add granola or chopped nuts.
- Low sugar? Skip the honey or use a sugar-free alternative.
🧊 Make-Ahead Tips
- Stir the black sesame into yogurt ahead of time and refrigerate overnight. Add toppings just before eating to keep them fresh.
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Scoop yogurt into a bowl
Scoop 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt into your serving bowl.
Step 2: Add black sesame paste
Add 1 ½ tablespoons of black sesame paste on top of the yogurt. Don’t stir yet!
Step 3: Swirl gently
Use a spoon or butter knife to gently swirl the black sesame paste into the yogurt. Go for a marbled look.
Step 4: Add banana slices
Top the yogurt with 1 ripe banana, sliced into coins.
Step 5: Drizzle honey and sprinkle sesame
Drizzle 1 teaspoon of honey over the top and finish with toasted white sesame seeds.
🥡 Leftovers + Storage
- Best eaten fresh
- You can store the yogurt-sesame base in the fridge for up to 2 days
- Add banana and honey just before eating to keep it fresh and pretty
💬 Wrap-Up
This black sesame yogurt bowl is so simple, but seriously special. It’s cozy, creamy, and packed with flavor—and it takes just minutes to make. Try it tomorrow morning and let me know how it turned out in the comments. Got questions? Drop those too—I love hearing from you!
