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? ›

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.

What is chocolate frozen yogurt made of? ›

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.

Is frozen yogurt better than ice cream for diabetics? ›

If you have diabetes or insulin resistance, you'll probably want a lower sugar option. In that case, it might make more sense to choose ice cream as an occasional treat. Look for reduced sugar or no-sugar-added varieties. If you're limiting your fat intake, frozen yogurt will be a better choice for you.

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.

Is dq soft serve healthier than 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 easier on your stomach than ice cream? ›

People with lactose intolerance or sensitivity may have difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar that's naturally found in milk and milk products. Frozen yogurt could be a good alternative to regular ice cream because undergoing fermentation lowers the lactose it contains.

What are the ingredients in Publix chocolate frozen yogurt? ›

Ingredients: Cultured Lowfat Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Cocoa Powder (processed With Alkali). Nonfat Dry Milk, Whey Protein Concentrate, Cultured Dairy Solids, Mono & Diglycerides Natural Flavors, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan.

What's the difference between frozen yogurt and 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 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.

What is the best dessert for a diabetic to eat? ›

Baked goods made with whole wheat flour, almond flour, or other low-GI ingredients and less added sugar are fine for diabetics. Some good choices are sugar-free carrot cake, keto chocolate cake, and low-carb coconut macaroons.

What kind of ice cream can a type 2 diabetic eat? ›

The following are the best brands and flavors for those who have diabetes. Blue Bunny Ice Cream: This brand offers vanilla and chocolate options. Both contain 20 grams (g) of carbohydrates per ½-cup serving. Breyers Creamy Vanilla: This contains minimal fat and 17 g of total carbohydrates per ½ cup.

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.

Why can I eat frozen yogurt but not ice cream? ›

Products made from cream — like ice cream, cream cheese, custard, or butter — should be avoided due to the high levels of lactose. In addition to some kinds of cheeses, some people with lactose intolerance may be able to eat yogurt in moderation, as the lactose has been partly broken down.

What is the best yogurt to freeze? ›

Greek yogurt will freeze just fine. I also recommend plain yogurt with no added flavors.

Why is my homemade frozen yogurt icy? ›

The problem is that yogurt, while creamy when you spoon it from the carton, actually contains a good amount of water and not a lot of fat. When you freeze it, the water forms crystals that make fro-yo icy and decidedly non-creamy.

Which is healthier frozen dessert or ice cream? ›

Real ice cream is mostly healthy as it is made of real milk and contains real nutrients. It is a complete food in itself. On the other hand, frozen desserts contain palm oil or hydrogenated fats as the main ingredient,” he added.

Is frozen yogurt a healthier dessert? ›

Although frozen yogurt does contain sugar, the best part about the treat is that it is full of healthy benefits. Protein, calcium, potassium and numerous vitamins fill the cup. These elements are so good for you that they can boost your immune system, lower your cholesterol, and help your digestive system.

Is Greek yogurt healthier than ice cream? ›

Light and low-fat yogurts are higher in protein and calcium than light ice cream. They're also usually lower in fat, saturated fat, and calories.

Is dole whip healthier than ice cream? ›

A Dole Whip can be a healthy dessert choice. Since it is made with pineapple, it adds in some fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is also lower in calories than your traditional ice cream. That being said, it does have a decent amount of sugar added, and something to be mindful of.

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