Healthy Dirt Cups

Healthy Dirt Cups are a delicious sweet treat, loved by kids! This healthy dirt cup recipe is made with my Greek chocolate yogurt as the base – no added sugar and high in protein!

These Healthy Dirt Cups are a more nutrient-dense twist on the classic sweet treat. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s still a treat, through and through, but it has less added sugar and more protein that traditional dirt cups.

These healthier dirt cups have a creamy, chocolatey base that my kids are obsessed with. Then of course, it’s still topped with crushed chocolate cookie pieces and gummy worms, but with a few swaps to make it lower in sugar and higher in protein.

Why This Healthy Dirt Cup Recipe is SO Good:

• This childhood treat brings so much nostalgia!
• No cooking required
• Made in less than 10 minutes
• Simple, with just a handful of ingredients
• Higher in protein and lower in sugar than the traditional recipe
• It’s delicious!
• Totally kid-approved!

Ingredients & Substitutions

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

• Greek Yogurt: in lieu of pudding and cool whip, this healthier dirt cup recipe uses Greek yogurt as the base. I use a no added sugar, vanilla Greek yogurt, but you can use plain Greek yogurt with a sweetener of your choice, or a plant-based Greek-style alternative “yogurt.”
• Cocoa Powder: unsweetened cocoa powder gets whisked into the yogurt to create a rich, chocolate base.
• Chocolate Sandwich Cookies: You can use traditional Oreo cookies here, or swap for slightly more nutrient-dense alternatives (that may be more suitable for things like gluten-free lifestyles, too). Try these Simple Mills Cocoa Cashew Crème Sandwich Cookies or Catalina Crunch Chocolate Vanilla Keto Sandwich Cookies.
• Gummy Worms: I’m all about balance, and with only a couple gummy worms used in each dirt cup, you can just use regular gummy worms (we like these Albanese gummy worms). But for alternatives, try these Black Forest gummy worms made with real fruit juice, or these low sugar, low calorie Smart Sweets gummy worms.

Step-by-Step Directions

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

1. Make the chocolate Greek yogurt base.
2. Crush cookies.
3. Assemble!
4. Top with gummy worms.

Expert Tips, Substitutions, & Variations

• Keep whisking the yogurt until it’s very smooth – you don’t want any cocoa clumps!
• If you’re using unsweetened or plain yogurt, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and sweeten to taste with your preferred sweetener.
• Make adjustments for your dietary lifestyle. You can use a plant-based Greek-style “yogurt” in lieu of Greek yogurt, gluten-free cookies, or low carb/ high protein sandwich cookie alternatives.
• Make them festive for special occasions! I love these Graveyard Dirt Cups for Halloween!

Storage

These healthy dirt cups can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Please note, though, that the cookie crumbs will soften against the yogurt the longer that they stay uneaten.

If you’re going to make ahead, I highly recommend making the yogurt base ahead of time, crushing the cookie pieces, and then keeping all parts separate until you’re ready to eat – then assemble.

Supplies You’ll Need

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• Small whisk – this helps smoothly combine the cocoa into the yogurt
• Meat mallet – for crushing cookie pieces!

More Healthier Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

• Chocolate Greek Yogurt
• Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
• 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
• Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
• Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Acai Ice Cream
• PB Cup Tropical Smoothie dupe
• Gluten-Free Banana Cookies

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