Frozen Yogurt Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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This homemade frozen yogurt is made without an ice cream maker. Simply mix the ingredients, place the mixture in a shallow pan, and freeze.

Although you'll need to stir the mixture a few times while freezing it, this is an easy recipe, and the yogurt comes out creamy and delicious.

Frozen Yogurt Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

In summer, there's nothing quite like a sweet frozen treat. I used to own an ice cream maker, but it took up too much countertop space. So I gave it away, and now I make frozen treats without an ice cream maker.

This frozen yogurt recipe is truly easy to make and delicious. You can serve it at a soft-serve consistency or freeze it until it can be scooped out.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Frozen Yogurt Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this homemade dessert. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Greek yogurt: I use plain whole-milk yogurt in this recipe. While regular yogurt is excellent, you should definitely use Greek yogurt in this recipe.
  • Sweetener: I like to use honey because it's so delicious. You can use a granulated sweetener if you prefer - sugar or a sugar-free alternative.
  • Vanilla extract: Use high-quality pure vanilla for the best results.

Variations

The basic recipe is simple: it contains yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract. You can add fruit—fresh or frozen, pureed or chunky.

I like to completely puree the fruit in the food processor, then add the yogurt, honey, and vanilla.

But you can blend the yogurt and honey first, then add the fruit and process briefly, leaving fruit chunks in your yogurt.

The possibilities are endless, but the flavors I make most often, in addition to this one, are mango frozen yogurt, raspberry frozen yogurt, and chocolate frozen yogurt.

Instructions

Making frozen yogurt without an ice cream maker is easy, although it's a bit time-consuming. The detailed instructions are included in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps:

Mix. You start by mixing the ingredients together. You can use a food processor or simply place the ingredients in a bowl and use a hand whisk. Keep in mind that you'll need to whisk for about three minutes to get the mixture to be fluffy.

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Freeze. Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch square baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 45 minutes.

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Stir. Remove the pan from the freezer. Use a rubber spatula to give the mixture a good stir. You especially want to stir the already-frozen edges into the still-soft center. Flatten back, cover, and continue freezing for 2 more hours, stirring every 30 minutes.

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Freeze some more. The yogurt should now have a soft-serve consistency. You can go ahead and enjoy it. At this point, I usually transfer it to a smaller container (this makes scooping easier), cover it, and freeze it for one more hour to achieve a scoopable consistency.

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Recipe FAQs

Do you need an ice cream maker to make frozen yogurt?

No, you don't. Instead of using an ice cream maker, you can stir the yogurt often during the freezing process to ensure a smooth and creamy consistency.

Why do I need to stir the yogurt so often?

To achieve the creamy consistency shown in the photo below, you either need an ice cream maker or stir the yogurt often during the freezing process. This helps prevent large ice crystals from forming.

While the frequent stirring may seem like a drag, it's not difficult to do on a day when you're home anyway. And to me, the extra space I have in my kitchen by not owning an ice cream maker is worth it.

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Is this yogurt as good as commercial yogurt?

No. Unlike commercial brands, this recipe contains no thickeners and is lower in sugar than many brands.

So don't expect the "perfect" texture and intense sweetness you get when you add thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and lots of sugar.

But this homemade version is wonderful! You can taste the yogurt's tang and the honey's sweetness. It's simple, delicious, and fresh.

Serving Suggestions

This dessert is excellent all on its own. It also pairs well with grilled peaches, apple crisp, baked apple slices, or fried bananas.

Sometimes, I serve it topped with honey-roasted nuts, stewed prunes, blueberry compote, or strawberry compote.

You can also drizzle it with melted dark chocolate or melted peanut butter. And for a special treat, serve it with crumbled chocolate cookies or chocolate chip cookies.

Storing Leftovers

You can freeze the leftovers in a sealed container for up to a month. However, the longer they stay in the freezer, the less creamy and icier they will become.

If the yogurt has been in your freezer for over a day, remove it about 30 minutes before enjoying it.

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More Frozen Yogurt Recipes

  • Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
  • Mango Frozen Yogurt
  • Raspberry Frozen Yogurt

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Recipe Card

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4.99 from 889 votes

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Frozen Yogurt Recipe

This frozen yogurt is made without an ice cream maker. It's easy to make, creamy, and delicious.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Rest time2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Total Time2 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 178kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Greek yogurt plain, full fat
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Place the yogurt, honey, and vanilla in your food processor’s bowl or in a medium mixing bowl.

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  • Process the ingredients to incorporate, stopping once to scrape the sides of the bowl, then process for 1 more minute until light and fluffy. If mixing by hand, mix for 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.

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  • Using a spatula, transfer the mixture to a square 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Cover with cling wrap and freeze for 45 minutes.

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  • Remove the pan from the freezer. Use a rubber spatula to stir the already-frozen edges into the still-soft center, then spread evenly again.

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  • Cover again, and place in the freezer for 2 more hours, repeating the process of stirring the yogurt every 30 minutes.

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  • When the entire mixture is frozen, serve immediately as a soft-serve yogurt (use chilled bowls), or freeze it for 1-2 more hours for a firmer consistency that you can scoop out with an ice cream scoop.

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Video

Notes

  • To keep this yogurt low-carb, you can use a sugar-free sweetener. ½ cup of the low-carb
  • You can keep this yogurt in a sealed container in the freezer for up to a month. But the longer it stays in the freezer, the less creamy and icier it will become. If it's spent longer than a day in your freezer, remove it from the freezer about 30 minutes before enjoying it.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 41mg | Sugar: 21g

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Frozen Yogurt Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (32) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  1. Shirin

    Many thanks for this recipe. The taste ended up being great, however the texture was more like a sorbet. I didn't have plastic wrap and had to use a cut up zip loc bag instead. I wonder if that's the reason why it didn't turn out creamy? Or did I perhaps do the stirring incorrectly? I'd love any advice as I want to try this again <3 Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Shirin,
      It could be the Ziploc bag, not stirring thoroughly, or perhaps the yogurt you used wasn't creamy. Next time, get the highest-fat Greek yogurt you can find (which would be the highest-calorie one), use plastic wrap, and stir the yogurt thoroughly.
      If kept in the freezer overnight, it also helps to remove it to the counter at least 30 minutes before serving it.

      Reply

  2. Branden Lewis

    How would one go about making a peanut butter frozen yogurt?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Branden,
      Great idea. I would use this chocolate frozen yogurt recipe as a starting point. Replace the cocoa powder with powdered peanut butter and omit the vanilla.

      Reply

  3. Ro

    How do i use vanilla bean vs extract?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I recommend using one whole vanilla bean in this recipe.

      Reply

  4. Paris Heidt Laliberte

    Is there a way to reduce the "yogurt" taste ? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Paris,
      Yes. Increase the honey to 1/3 cup.
      If you like cinnamon, add 1/2 teaspoon of it.

      Reply

  5. Adam

    Can you just use the vanilla and yogurt?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yes, you can!

      Reply

  6. Amber

    Can your frozen yogurt recipes be made in an ice cream maker? Also, do you think this would work with 2% fa*ge? Thank you.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yes. You can mix the ingredients per the instructions and then transfer them to an ice cream maker.
      I don't recommend using 2% fa*ge in my frozen yogurt recipes.

      Reply

  7. Marina

    Have you tried this with fruit in it such as raspberries? Does the consistency turn out right?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yes, you can add fruit - fresh or frozen, pureed or chunky. I puree the fruit in the food processor, then add the yogurt, honey, and vanilla.

      But you can blend the yogurt and honey first, then add the fruit and process briefly, leaving fruit chunks in your yogurt.

      The fruit flavors I make most often are mango frozen yogurt and raspberry frozen yogurt.

      Reply

  8. Marina

    Will this turn out well with a 2% fat greek yogurt instead of full fat?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Sadly, it won't. I tested this recipe with full-fat Greek yogurt and low-fat Greek yogurt. The full-fat version is significantly better. It's tastier and creamier. The low-fat version is OK, but it's not as good.

      Reply

      • Marina

        Thank you!

  9. Antoinette

    Can this be made in an ice cream maker?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yes. You can follow steps 1 and 2 in the recipe card (mixing the ingredients), then transfer the mixture into your ice cream maker. An ice cream maker will eliminate the need to stir the yogurt periodically.

      Reply

  10. Kim

    Can these be placed in a mold to make them into popsicles?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I haven't tried this, so I'm not sure.

      Reply

Frozen Yogurt Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Can you just freeze yogurt to make frozen yogurt? ›

Press a piece of parchment against the top of the yogurt to prevent ice crystals from forming. Freeze until hard, at least 6 hours or overnight. Serve the frozen yogurt: When ready to serve, let the frozen yogurt sit on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes, until just soft enough to scoop.

Is frozen yogurt healthy or unhealthy? ›

Ice cream and frozen yogurt are both delicious ways to treat yourself. However, if you eat either, you should do so in moderation. Both will contribute calcium and protein to your diet. However, they also contain added sugar, which may harm your health.

Is homemade frozen yogurt good for you? ›

Frozen yogurt may have some health benefits, compared to other frozen desserts. It can contain beneficial nutrients and bacteria, lower levels of lactose and fewer calories than desserts like ice cream.

Can you make frozen yogurt in an ice cream maker? ›

Instructions
  1. Whisk together the Stonyfield Greek Yogurt and the honey until smooth.
  2. Pour the mixture into the ice cream machine and process according to your machine's directions. Once done, remove and transfer to a freezer safe container. Or, scoop and serve as needed.
  3. Serve with any desired toppings.
Jun 15, 2022

Why is yoghurt not suitable for freezing? ›

Can you freeze yoghurt? Yes, you can freeze yoghurt but you should be mindful that its texture will change, becoming thinner and less creamy. It will still be fine to use in cooking or smoothies. To freeze small amounts of yoghurt, pop it in ice cube trays, then transfer cubes to a freezer bag and expel air.

Why is my frozen yogurt icy? ›

However, a common problem many encounter when home-making froyo is the icy, chunky consistency — a result of its low-fat but high-moisture nature. To combat this, simply use rich, high-fat cream products as a base or add it to your base.

What kind of frozen yogurt is healthiest? ›

Mixmi Frozen Yogurt is one of the healthiest options in the frozen yogurt aisle. At just 90 calories per serving and with 1.5 grams of fat, it's an excellent choice for those mindful of their dessert choices. With both probiotics and prebiotic fiber, this choice supports your digestive health.

Can you eat frozen yogurt every day? ›

False. Frozen yogurt (and regular yogurt for that matter) is not an appropriate meal. A small serving (1 1/2 cups) of frozen yogurt does provide about 15 percent of your daily calcium and 5.5g of protein, but it also packs 30 grams of sugar.

Is gelato healthier than frozen yogurt? ›

Significantly, frozen yogurt can also contain probiotics, or live active cultures. These healthy microorganisms can boost your immune system and improve the health of your digestive tract. Ice cream and gelato do not have probiotics, potentially making frozen yogurt a healthier choice.

Does Blue Bunny make frozen yogurt? ›

If ice cream had a fun best friend… Blue Bunny Frozen Yogurt comes in four delicious flavors.

Is sherbet healthier than ice cream? ›

So, the good news here is that if you're looking for an iced dessert or treat that has similar properties to ice cream but is lower in calories and saturated fat, sherbet is going to be preferable over ice cream as a more diet friendly alternative.

Can diabetics eat frozen yogurt? ›

Angelone says that if you have diabetes, limit frozen yogurt to an occasional treat, just like other sweets, and definitely hold off on calorie- and sugar-laden toppings. "Adding gummy bears and syrup will increase blood sugar much more than adding fiber-rich blueberries and sliced almonds," Angelone says.

Can you just freeze Greek yogurt to make frozen yogurt? ›

You can absolutely serve the strawberry Greek yogurt immediately in glasses as a milk shake or a smoothie. But to serve it as a frozen yogurt treat, you do need to freeze it for at least 6 hours until it hardens. Take it out of the freezer and allow it to sit for a few minutes so it is easier to scoop and serve.

How to make frozen yogurt with Jamie Oliver? ›

You'll need:

Tip the frozen bananas into a food processor and blitz to a coarse paste. Use a spatula to push the banana mixture down the sides of the bowl and blitz again. With the motor running, add the yoghurt a tablespoon at a time, until you have a smooth ice-cream texture.

What makes frozen yogurt not ice cream? ›

What is the difference between frozen yogurt and ice cream? Both recipes call for dairy and sugar. The dairy in ice cream comes from cream, while frozen yogurt uses cultured milk. The result is that ice cream tends to have a higher fat content, while frozen yogurt contains more sugar to hide its tangier taste.

Can you make frozen yogurt from store-bought yogurt? ›

Frozen yogurt is just ice cream by another name: a frozen dairy dessert made with yogurt instead of milk and cream. You could, if you wanted, make frozen yogurt with nothing more than yogurt itself. Stick some plain full-fat yogurt in an ice cream machine and give it a churn.

Is frozen yogurt just regular yogurt frozen? ›

Frozen yogurts vary but are generally made from yogurt, additional cultured milk, sweeteners, and sometimes other dairy derivatives. Contrary to popular belief, regular yogurt's probiotic benefits don't really carry over to frozen yogurt because the cultures are ruined during the freezing process.

What happens if you freeze Greek yogurt? ›

It's important to note that freezing Greek yogurt does not significantly alter its nutritional value. The protein, calcium, and other beneficial nutrients remain intact. However, freezing does result in a loss of some of the yogurt's probiotic qualities.

What happens when you freeze dry yogurt? ›

Freeze drying is pretty much like magic. Basically, what happens is we freeze our Yips Yogurt Chips to a super low temp, then put them under a vacuum. That vacuum, along with very low levels of heat, removes all the moisture, taking the ice and turning it into a vapor, without passing through the liquid state.

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