Learn how to make the BEST Frozen Yogurt at home! You only need three basic ingredients to make this rich, creamy, and super easy treat. This recipe is so simple and delicious that you'll return to it again and again all summer long!
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Are you a Froyo lover? Same here! I remember back in the day when there was a shop seemingly everywhere, and I wasn't mad about it.
Once I learned how easy it was to make at home though, I found myself churning out my favorite treat nonstop and with the BEST results! And I can't wait to show you how to make this scrumptious treat today.
Making Frozen Yogurt couldn't be simpler. It's definitely worth the very minimal effort (if you can stir a few ingredients together, you're halfway there!), and the flavor truly can't be beat. You're going to love the tart, tangy taste, and the rich, creamy texture is phenomenal, too.
Consider this your ultimate guide to make Frozen Yogurt at home! You'll find my favorite easy recipe below, plus tons of customization tips, topping ideas, and so much more. Just keep scrolling for all the delicious details!
Ingredients
This recipe uses three basic ingredients that you can find in any grocery store. Here's what you'll need:
- Yogurt - For the creamiest, best tasting results, make sure to use whole milk (full fat) plain yogurt. While nonfat can be used, it won't taste as rich or be as creamy. Greek yogurt also doesn't work well.
- Sugar - This recipe is sweetened with granulated sugar. It's neutral flavor complements the tangy yogurt, and it also helps give the Yogurt Ice Cream it's creamy texture.
- Salt - A pinch of salt is all that's need to bring out this tasty treat's amazing flavor! I recommend using kosher salt for the best results.
- More - This recipe is easily customized by adding other flavorings, such as vanilla, fresh fruit, peanut butter, chocolate, even crumbled cookies! Check out the Variations section below for ideas and tips.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten free!
You'll Also Need
You'll also need a large bowl and whisk for mixing together (and refrigerating) the ingredients, an airtight / freezer-friendly storage container, and an ice cream maker. Using an ice cream maker is a must, because it eliminates ice crystals and makes the finished Froyo super creamy. I have this Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker and highly recommend it! You can use for everything from ice cream to frozen drinks, even this delicious homemade Frosé!
How to Make Frozen Yogurt
This creamy treat couldn't be easier to make at home! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps with photos:
- Combine + refrigerate ingredients. Start by whisking the yogurt, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Once the sugar crystals have dissolved, cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for a minimum of two hours.
- Add yogurt mixture to machine. Every ice cream maker is different, so follow you machine's directions. If you're using a ice cream maker like mine, you will start the machine, then once it's running, you'll add the yogurt mixture.
- Process mixture until frozen. You'll know it's done when the yogurt has a soft serve texture. This typically takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
- Store in freezer. You can eat the yogurt right away, or you can enjoy it later. To do so, transfer the mixture from your machine to an airtight container before storing in your freezer. Tip: If your yogurt is too hard to scoop once frozen, let it sit on your counter for 10 to 15 minutes first. This will allow it to soften, and will make scooping much easier.
And that's all there is to it ... your DIY Frozen Yogurt is ready to eat! Wasn't that simple to make?
Variations
My favorite thing about this recipe is that it's easily customizable. I've had great success adding different flavorings, and you will, too! Here are a few ideas to try:
- Vanilla - Add a teaspoon (or two) of vanilla extract to the yogurt mixture before refrigerating. You could also use the seeds from a vanilla bean pod.
- Fruit - Fresh fruit, such strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or peaches, makes a wonderful addition! Cut back the yogurt to 3 cups, then whisk in 1 to 1 ½ cups mashed berries, along with the sugar and salt called for in the recipe. Chill the mixture, then prepare as otherwise directed. Tip: If your berries are super tart, sweeten them with a little extra sugar.
- Pumpkin - Turn your homemade Froyo into a fall treat by adding pumpkin puree! Follow the instructions in my Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt recipe, which you can make with or without the added cookies (yum!).
- Chocolate - Add ½ cup chocolate chips or small chunks to the machine about five minutes before the yogurt is done mixing.
- Peanut Butter - The yummy flavor of peanut butter (or other nut butters) makes a welcome addition. Check out my Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt recipe for details!
- Nuts - Add up to ½ cup chopped nuts (such as peanuts, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and more) to the machine about five minutes before the yogurt is done.
- Different Sugars - I've used brown sugar before when making a pumpkin version, and it turned out great. You could also experiment with maple syrup or honey, just keep in mind that using a different sweetener may effect the texture.
- Less Sugar - This recipe isn't sure sweet, but the amount of sugar is adjustable. Also bear in mind that if you use less, it may affect the finished result, and your yogurt may have an icier texture.
- Fat Free - To make fat free Frozen Yogurt, use fat free plain yogurt to prepare it. It won't be as rich and creamy, but it should still taste good.
- No Ice Cream Maker - Don't have an ice cream maker? While your homemade Froyo won't turn out quite as creamy without one, there are a couple methods you can try. One: stir the ingredients together as directed, then transfer to an airtight container and place in your freezer. Stir the mixture every 30 minutes (to break up any ice crystals), until it has the texture of soft serve. Then freeze until solid. Two: transfer the yogurt mixture to an in ice cube tray (you'll need multiple). Once frozen solid, transfer the cubes to a high power blender, then process until smooth and creamy. Eat right away or transfer to an airtight container and freeze.
Different Flavors
Looking for more frozen yogurt recipes? Try one of these next:
- Strawberry Frozen Yogurt - This variation is made with fresh strawberries ... perfect for enjoying in spring and summer!
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Frozen Yogurt - If you're a chocolate + peanut butter fan, you'll LOVE this recipe.
- Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt with Cookie Swirl - This mouthwatering version is perfect for fall (or anytime of year) and can be made with or without the cookies.
Topping Ideas
This homemade Frozen Yogurt recipe is delicious served plain, but who doesn't love a topping or two? Here are some yummy ideas to try:
- Fresh Fruit - Pile on the fresh (or dried) fruit. Anything from strawberries to bananas will work great. These Strawberry Hearts would be super cute!
- Fruit Sauce - A sweet fruit sauce (or jam) would also be delish. Try it with my mouthwatering Caramelized Bananas, or with my Blueberry Compote, Strawberry Compote, or Berry Compote. You could even do leftover Cranberry Sauce at holiday time!
- Dessert Syrups - Drizzle your bowl with your favorite sauce, such as chocolate, caramel, or strawberry. Try it with my homemade Salted Caramel Sauce!
- Maple Syrup or Honey - Spoon some maple syrup or honey over the top for an extra sweet treat!
- Nuts - Sprinkle some chopped nuts (like walnuts, pecans, pistachios, macadamias, and more) over the top before serving.
- Peanut Butter - Add a generous dollop of peanut butter for a nutty treat. Other nut butters can also be used.
- Chocolate - Love chocolate? Sprinkle your bowl with your fave chopped chocolate, chocolate chips, pieces of homemade Chocolate Bark, or other chocolate candy. Nutella would be yummy, too!
- Crumbled Cookies - Use your favorite store bought cookies, like Oreos or Chips Ahoy, or top with crumbled homemade cookies. Graham crackers also work.
- Candy - Top with Reese's Pieces or Cups, crushed Whoppers, chopped Snickers or Twix, or other candy bars.
- Sprinkles - Give your frozen treat a colorful twist by topping it with Rainbow Sprinkles!
- Pretzels - Add a handful of crushed pretzels (or chips) for a sweet-salty flavor.
- Coconut - Top with coconut flakes or chips for a tropical twist.
- Cereal - Bring out your inner kid by mixing in your fave cereal!
- Granola - Add some crunch by topping with store bought or homemade Granola.
- Marshmallows - Top with some mini marshmallows, or add some Rocky Road flavor with chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts.
- Maraschino Cherries - If you're making a sundae, don't forget the cherry topper!
- Brownies + Other Sweet Treats - Crumble on a brownie for a rich topping. Other cakes, muffins, bars, and desserts can also be used.
Storage
Store any Yogurt Ice Cream you don't eat right away in an airtight container in your freezer. Once frozen, it will stay fresh for up to three months, but will taste best when eaten within one month.
Tip: If your yogurt is too hard to scoop, let it warm up on your counter for 10 to 15 minutes first. This will allow it to soften, and will make serving much easier.
Related Recipes
Looking for more frozen dessert ideas? Try one of these delicious recipes next:
- Watermelon Sorbet
- Mango Sorbet
- DIY Freakshake
- Iced Coffee Popsicles
- Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
- Watermelon Popsicles
- M&M's Sundae
- Strawberry Paletas
- Ice Cream Sundae Bar
- Fruit and Yogurt Popsicles
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While you could *technically* freeze any yogurt to make frozen yogurt, you'll get the best results if you start with plain yogurt, then add your own sweetener and flavorings.
For the creamiest results, the best way to freeze frozen yogurt is to first mix together and chill your ingredients (plain yogurt, sugar, and any flavorings). Once that mixture is cold, use an ice cream maker to churn and freeze it. Store any yogurt you don't eat right way in an airtight container in your freezer.
If your frozen yogurt is icy, first of all, make sure to use an ice cream maker ... the constant churning as the yogurt freezes breaks up any ice crystals. You should also use full fat plain yogurt for the creamiest results, and make sure you're churning the yogurt mixture long enough ... it should have a soft serve texture when it's ready. Freeze anything you don't eat right away (before it starts melting) in an appropriately size airtight container with a tight lid (make sure to leave about 1-inch of space at the top).
While frozen yogurt is healthier and lighter than ice cream in the sense that it's not made with heavy cream, it still contains a lot of sugar. Like all sweets, you should eat it in moderation.
These two frozen desserts are similar but different. Frozen yogurt is made with yogurt (which is created by fermenting milk with bacteria, giving it a tart-tangy flavor), sugar, and other flavorings, while ice cream is typically made with cream, milk, sugar, and other flavorings.
Frozen Yogurt
Ingredients
- 1 32 ounce (907 grams) container plain yogurt (use full fat for best results)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- pinch kosher salt
Equipment
Instructions
- Whisk together yogurt, sugar, and salt until sugar crystals are dissolved.
- Refrigerate yogurt mixture for at least 2 hours.
- Add yogurt to your ice cream maker and process according to the machine's instructions until thickened and frozen. The finished texture should be similar soft serve, and it should take about 10 to 20 minutes.
- Eat frozen yogurt immediately or freeze in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
