Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (2024)

This thick and creamy soft serve chocolate frozen yogurt recipe is the perfect low calorie dessert for a hot summer day!

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (1)

Easy dark chocolate frozen yogurt recipe

With just five ingredients, it’s almost too simple to make this recipe at home.

And the best part is that there’s no heavy cream or condensed milk, and no ice cream maker required for the homemade chocolate froyo.

It turns out ultra rich and smooth, and the recipe can be dairy free, egg free, gluten free, vegan, sugar free, nut free, low carb, low fat, and keto friendly.

Also try this Pineapple Dole Whip Recipe

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (3)

Healthy chocolate frozen yogurt ingredients

Here’s what you need for the diy chocolate recipe: plain yogurt, cocoa powder, salt, sweetener of choice, and pure vanilla extract.

The cocoa powder: This can be regular unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch cocoa powder, or even hot cocoa or hot chocolate mix. I recommend using Dutch if you want the most authentic and rich chocolate taste.

The yogurt: Pretty much any regular or Greek yogurt works here, including dairy free yogurt like almond milk or coconut milk yogurt. If you wish to use vanilla yogurt, omit the vanilla extract in the recipe. Or for a fun twist, try blueberry or strawberry yogurt.

Sweetener of choice: Use your go-to all purpose granulated or liquid sweetener. Regular sugar, coconut sugar, date sugar, pure maple syrup, honey, or agave all work. To lower the calories or for sugar free frozen yogurt, you can use erythritol or xylitol.

Optional ingredients: Change up the flavor and pack in added nutrition with a mashed banana, a few tablespoons of peanut butter or Homemade Nutella, or a scoop of plain or chocolate protein powder.

For a vegan recipe, choose plant based yogurt. For keto chocolate frozen yogurt with no sugar, choose your favorite keto yogurt and sweetener.

Use leftover cocoa powder to make Chocolate Banana Bread

Above – watch the homemade chocolate frozen yogurt recipe video

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (4)

How to make the best chocolate frozen yogurt

In a large mixing bowl or a blender, whisk or process the yogurt, cocoa powder, salt, sweetener, and pure vanilla extract.

Also add in the optional banana and peanut or almond butter, if using.

Once evenly mixed, transfer the chocolate yogurt mixture to either a frozen ice cream machine or a chilled large airtight container.

(The ice cream machine yields a creamier texture, but I’ve tried both methods, and they are both super tasty. There’s also a blender method included below.)

Stir the yogurt in the container or churn in the machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. Then swirl in about a third cup of mini chocolate chips if you wish.

You can eat the chocolate fudge frozen yogurt immediately as chocolate soft serve or freeze for up to an hour for a firmer texture.

If not using an ice cream maker, place the bowl of chocolate yogurt in the freezer. Stir the contents every half hour for two or three hours total.

Store leftover froyo in the airtight container for up to a month. Thaw for about fifteen to thirty minutes before enjoying.

I have a Cuisinart ice cream maker. Other brands like KitchenAid are also good choices. As mentioned, you can easily make the recipe without an ice cream machine if you do not own one.

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (5)

How to make it in the blender

If you have a high speed blender, like a Blendtec or Vitamix, you can make the recipe without using either of the two methods above.

Pour the chocolate yogurt mixture into ice cube trays or a very shallow long container and freeze until solid.

Pop the chocolate ice cubes into the blender, and blend with the tamper until it reaches a smooth soft serve texture.

This option will only work in a blender that is strong enough to fully blend and pulverize hard foods like frozen fruit and ice cubes.

While the blender is out, make Brownie Batter Dip or Protein Pudding

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (6)

More chocolate ice cream recipes

Oat Milk Ice Cream

Protein Ice Cream

Almond Milk Ice Cream

Chocolate Sorbet

Coconut Ice Cream

Banana Ice Cream

Keto Ice Cream

Avocado Ice Cream

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (7)

The recipe was adapted from my Homemade Frozen Yogurt and Cherry Frozen Yogurt, and from this homemade Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt.

Pin it now to save for later

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt

This thick and creamy soft serve chocolate frozen yogurt recipe is the perfect easy dessert for a hot day.

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (8)

Leave a Review

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Yield 5 servings

5 from 37 votes

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups plain yogurt (dairy free works too)
  • 1/2 cup Dutch or regular cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sweetener of choice
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • optional 1/3 cup peanut butter or almond butter
  • optional add-ins, such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a mashed banana

Instructions

  • Mix everything in a large bowl or a blender. Transfer to either an ice cream machine or a chilled large airtight container. If using an ice cream machine, churn according to manufacturer’s instructions, then serve and enjoy. If using a container instead, place the bowl in the freezer. Take it out to stir every half hour, for a total of two or three hours, until chilled and creamy. Natural homemade chocolate frozen yogurt is creamiest the day it's made because it freezes solid, so thaw leftovers for fifteen minutes or so before serving.

    View Nutrition Facts

Notes

Readers also love these Sweet Potato Brownies.

Have you made this recipe?

Tag @chocolatecoveredkatie on Instagram

Healthy Chocolate Recipe Ideas

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Black Bean Brownies

Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Or this Keto Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Keto Brownies

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - Creamy, Healthy Soft Serve Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is healthier frozen yogurt or soft-serve? ›

In this comparison, frozen yogurt ranks as the overall healthiest dessert. One serving of froyo has less than one-fifth as many calories as the same amount of ice cream, making it a good choice if you are trying to lose or maintain weight.

Can frozen yogurt be soft-serve? ›

We start with a 2% fat yogurt base, and flavor it ourselves to the same standards as our ice cream. All frozen yogurt is soft-serve.

Is frozen yogurt creamier than ice cream? ›

Frozen yogurt does not use cream, but sometimes uses more sugar to compensate for its tart flavor. Some frozen yogurts contain very beneficial bacteria for numerous health benefits. Frozen yogurt can be “healthy” for you! Ice cream contains the most cream out of the three because of its 10% milk fat minimum.

Can you freeze yogurt cups to eat like ice cream? ›

Yes, you can freeze yogurt to eat like ice cream. Note that the texture may be firmer compared to store-bought frozen yogurt or ice cream, but it still makes a refreshing and healthy snack. How long does yogurt last if I freeze it? Yogurt lasts for one to two months in the freezer.

What is healthier soft serve of ice cream? ›

Ultimately, it depends on the recipes being used, but, generally speaking, soft serve tends to be the healthier choice between the two. This is due to the fact that soft serve contains around 3%-6% of milk fat, while ice cream must contain at least 10% by federal law.

Is frozen yogurt actually healthier than ice cream? ›

Average all brand of a cup of frozen yogurt contains 10% fat, 37.3 g of sugar, and 221 calories whereas average all brand of a cup of vanilla ice-cream contains 22% fat, 28 g of sugar, and 273 calories. Toppings or the type of ice cream or frozen yogurt may actually determine the healthier choice. Be cautious though!

What is the difference between soft-serve ice cream and soft-serve yogurt? ›

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.

How do you make frozen yogurt in a soft-serve machine? ›

Stir together yogurt, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl until sugar is dissolved. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Pour chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions until it reaches "soft-serve" consistency.

What is soft-serve frozen yogurt made of? ›

Skim milk and sugar make up the base's mass. Buttermilk and cultured milk add live yogurt cultures, and corn syrup, powdered milk, whey, and stabilizers all enhance texture, turning what would otherwise be an icy slush into something creamy.

What brand of frozen yogurt is the healthiest? ›

TCBY. With the highest number of live active cultures—aka probiotics, which offer numerous health benefits—included (seven different microbes!), this is the top pick among healthy frozen yogurts. Compared to other brands, TCBY boasted a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin D, and calcium.

Can diabetics eat frozen yogurt? ›

Theoretically, yes - but with a big caveat. Most frozen yogurt has some form of added sugar, so if you are diabetic, first check on how much it has per serving.

Why can't you freeze Greek yogurt? ›

Greek yogurt often contains live cultures or probiotics, which are beneficial for digestive health. However, when frozen and thawed, the bacteria can become active again, potentially affecting the probiotic properties of the yogurt. To enjoy the best texture and taste, it is recommended to consume Greek yogurt fresh.

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.

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 DQ soft-serve healthier than ice cream? ›

Is Soft-Serve Healthier Than Ice Cream? From a nutritional perspective, the difference between soft-serve and hard ice cream is negligible.

What is the difference between soft-serve and frozen yogurt? ›

if you taste similar flavors side-by-side, you'll note the frozen yogurt has more of a tangy flavor. this is a result of the dairy in yogurt being cultured before being made into a frozen treat. best case scenario with soft-serve ice cream is that it is made with a custard made with eggs, milk and cream, then frozen.

Is frozen yogurt healthy or unhealthy? ›

Frozen yogurt certainly does have healthy attributes like less calories and fat and some healthy bacteria but there's a lot of variation in the sea of frozen yogurt options. Whether you're at the local yogurt shop or picking up pints at the grocery store – seek out nutrition info and read ingredient labels carefully.

Is frozen yogurt good for you or bad 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.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5650

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Birthday: 1996-01-14

Address: 8381 Boyce Course, Imeldachester, ND 74681

Phone: +3571286597580

Job: Product Banking Analyst

Hobby: Cosplaying, Inline skating, Amateur radio, Baton twirling, Mountaineering, Flying, Archery

Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.