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 34 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.

Is chocolate frozen yogurt healthy? ›

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 frozen yogurt be soft-serve? ›

A frozen yogurt is not a cultured yogurt product that is then quiescently frozen but rather a non-standardized soft-serve type frozen dessert to which some quantity of yogurt or acidulant might have been added to alter the pH of the final product.

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.

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.

What brand of frozen yogurt is the 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.

Is frozen yogurt as unhealthy as 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 healthiest ice cream to eat? ›

We asked dieticians, nutritionists and doctors to recommend the healthiest ice creams sold at grocery stores, and they provided these eight suggestions, all available nationwide.
  • Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream.
  • Halo Top Ice Cream.
  • Talenti Gelato.
  • Arctic Zero Ice Cream.
  • Alec's Ice Cream.
  • Cado Avocado Frozen Dessert.
Mar 21, 2024

Is there such thing as healthy frozen yogurt? ›

Due to their potential health benefits, frozen yogurts that contain live probiotic cultures are the best choice. To pick a variety that contains them, look for the words “live active cultures” on the nutrition label.

Is soft-serve frozen yogurt healthy? ›

Soft serve also tends to have a lower fat content than hard serve, which can make it a healthier option. Many soft serve ice creams and frozen yogurts are made with milk instead of cream, which reduces the fat content.

What is soft-serve frozen yogurt made of? ›

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 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.

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.

Why is frozen yogurt so expensive? ›

So much for market over-saturation and yogurt glut -- stores are continuing to spring up everywhere. Some frozen yogurt shop owners complain that besides their high rent, taxes and insurance expenses warrant a 500-percent markup.

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.

What is a healthy alternative to ice cream? ›

Some options mimic the look and feel of regular ice cream but don't contain all of the calories and fat. Those include Halo Top, Enlightened, and Sweet Habit. Frozen yogurt is also a great alternative that gives you that frozen treat feel but with the same health benefits as yogurt.

Is frozen yogurt a healthier option? ›

Yes? Using yogurt instead of cream typically means a significant reduction in fat and calories. A half-cup serving of frozen yogurt will typically average 100 to 140 calories and zero to 3 grams of fat (a very reasonable sweet treat for any healthy diet).

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