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.

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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)

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Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Yield 5 servings

5 from 40 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

Which is healthier soft-serve ice cream or 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.

What is soft-serve frozen yogurt made of? ›

Frozen yogurt usually consists of milk solids, some kind of sweetener, milk fat, yogurt culture (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus are common cultures), natural or artificial flavorings, and sometimes natural or artificial coloring. Milk fat comprises about 0.55-6% of the yogurt.

What is chocolate frozen yogurt made of? ›

Pasteurized & Cultured Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Maltodextrin, Cocoa, Whey, Nonfat Dry Milk, Stabilizer & Emulsifier (Mono & Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Cellulose Gum, Standardized with Dextrose), Natural & Artificial Flavor.

Which is creamier frozen yogurt or 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.

What brand of frozen yogurt is the healthiest? ›

Stonyfield is known for using organic and all-natural ingredients that don't have added antibiotics or synthetic hormones. They also use rice syrup for sweetness (maybe that's the secret?).

Is frozen yogurt more unhealthy 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!

Is soft-serve frozen yogurt good for you? ›

The frozen stuff also typically includes sugar, flavorings, stabilizers, and cream. Frozen yogurt makers often claim it is a healthier alternative to ice cream, but that depends on the ingredients. It's usually lower in fat and calories than ice cream, but it can be just as high in sugar.

Can you freeze yogurt and eat it 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.

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.

Does Mcdonalds use frozen yogurt? ›

Absolutely not, and it contains no yogurt. Here is the ingredient list: Milk, Sugar, Cream, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavor, Mono and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate. The composition of this recipe is to design a slurry that freezes rapidly and forms into an icecream-like substance.

What bacteria is in frozen yogurt? ›

Frozen yogurt characteristically has the composition of light or low-fat ice cream (Table 3). Additionally, it contains cultures of the two yogurt bacteria, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and these have been fermented to produce developed acidity.

Can you mix yogurt and ice cream together? ›

I was really quick and easy to mix together. It isn't as creamy as full fat ice cream, but the flavor was great and I really liked the tang from the yogurt, I may even add more next time.

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.

What is the difference between soft serve and frozen 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.

What's better soft serve or frozen yogurt? ›

Their major differences come down to their fat, added sugar and probiotics. Regular ice cream is richer in fat, while frozen yogurt has more added sugar. If you're watching your fat intake or added sugar intake, that may help guide which is a better choice for you.

Which is healthier soft serve or ice cream? ›

Though there isn't a major nutritional difference between the two, soft serve ranks a little better. Sabat says it often has a high amount of air, which reduces the fat content per serving. But ice cream can also vary wildly in its fat and sugar content depending on the brand.

Is frozen yogurt any better for you than ice cream? ›

“Ounce for ounce, frozen yogurt has about 25 fewer calories than ice cream—and only a third of the fat and saturated fat,” she says. So while frozen yogurt can be healthy, it's not always much better than a pint of Ben & Jerry's in the end. It all depends on how much you down—and what you eat it with.

Is soft serve frozen yogurt healthy? ›

Frozen yogurt has less fat than ice cream. But it can contain high amounts of sugar, meaning it should be treated as an occasional treat or dessert. Frozen yogurt is a dessert that's often promoted as a healthy alternative to ice cream.

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