Buying an ice cream maker wasn’t the best $75 I’ve ever spent. Don’t get me wrong, it works just fine, but I just don’t get enough use out of it. We love ice cream, but Mike and I don’t eat it very often. With just two of us in the house, there’s really no need to make a whole batch just to have it sit in the freezer for the better part of a year until either of us remember it’s there (which has actually happened more than once).
Frozen yogurt, on the other hand, I could eat like it’s going out of style. Even though I could definitely use an ice cream maker, frozen yogurt is so easy to make it doesn’t even require one!
To make my frozen yogurt, I mix up a Greek yogurt base and then freeze it. It’s after the freeze that the real magic happens: I whip it into a creamy, soft-serve consistency in my food processor. After that it’s ready for any mix-ins you like.
The flavor I came up with that I’m sharing today is basically a healthy remake of Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby (with a little bit of Chunky Monkey thrown in for fun). But this high-protein, naturally-sweetened treat is a lot less chubby or chunky, making it a much healthier indulgence.
- 2 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1½ cups (345 g) Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, honey, or other natural sweetener of your choice (see Note below)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
- 4 tablespoons small pretzels, crushed a bit in your hand
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- Mix together the banana, yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla; transfer the mixture to an ice cube tray and freeze.
- Remove from the freezer (you can dip the bottom of the ice cube tray in hot water so the frozen yogurt can slide right out).
- Transfer the frozen yogurt cubes to a food processor and pulse a few times to break it up, then process until smooth and creamy (you might need to do this step in 2 batches, depending on how big your food processor is). Scrape the sides of the bowl down as necessary.
- Transfer the frozen yogurt to a large bowl and fold in the chocolate chips, pretzels, and peanut butter.
- Eat it as-is, or freeze until it stiffens up just a bit to the point of being scoop-able, about 15 minutes depending on how cold your freezer is.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
BeadedTail says
July 7, 2011 at 11:52 pmWith the ingredients you used, I bet this is delicious! Sounds easy enough for me to make it too! Thanks for this recipe Faith!
hellooolife says
July 8, 2011 at 12:55 amomg, i love your recipe!!! Do you think it’d still taste good with fruit instead of chocolate/pb/pretzels? or would you add other sweetners?
admin says
July 9, 2011 at 7:01 amHellooolife, I think it would be really delicious with fruit and maybe honey as the sweetener…if you try it, let me know how it goes! :)
Rosa says
July 8, 2011 at 1:08 amDelightful ice cream! Yes, no need for an ice cream maker.
Cheers,
Rosa
Joanne says
July 8, 2011 at 6:36 amCan I tell you, I actually woke up this morning thinking about trying to make frozen yogurt out of Greek yogurt…and now here you are with this downright dreamy recipe! It’s like you can read my mind.
Lisa says
July 8, 2011 at 6:51 amThis is a great idea—I have an ice cream maker, but it’s a pain. I’d much rather just freeze the yogurt and then process it!
Sonia says
July 8, 2011 at 8:25 amWow this looks super! Thanks so much for making a recipe that does not use an ice cream maker! I have been eyeing a lot of greek yogurt fro-yos online lately but they all required equipment I don’t have.
I can’t wait to try this! Love the pretzel chocolate combo :)
Susan says
July 8, 2011 at 8:58 amI haven’t used my ice cream maker yet this season either since it’s just the two of us at home. This does sound quite delicious!
Michelle says
July 8, 2011 at 9:10 amoooooo!
Sounds perfect!
shooting star says
July 8, 2011 at 9:34 amthats a yummy pic..wanna eat up the screen!!
Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen says
July 8, 2011 at 10:00 amCongrats on your new site layout (why am I always so late?!), I love it! That ice cream looks SO good, I love how you made it without an ice cream maker :)
Mimi says
July 8, 2011 at 10:04 amEasy and delicious, a perfect summer treat.
Mimi
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
July 8, 2011 at 10:14 amThat looks great. I love frozen yogurt too.. I had no idea it was so easy to make without an ice cream maker(even though I have one too) I don’t know if I just didn’t notice before(sorry if I’m late to say this!), but I love your new site design!
Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says
July 8, 2011 at 12:39 pmLOL, love chubless :) Looks so good! Pretty bowl, you shop anthropologie, one of my favorite places. And you are good, Faith, I’d definitely have gone with the one cup size :)
Have a great weekend!
Erica says
July 8, 2011 at 1:57 pmFirst off, love the new look! So bright and pretty. Second- I am a frozen yogurt fanatic. And the fact that you used greek yogurt as a base is so cool. How delicious- perfect summer treat
Lindsey@Lindselicious says
July 8, 2011 at 3:15 pmBrilliant! I am making this- this weekend.
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says
July 8, 2011 at 4:46 pmIts all about taste. I live alone and make my own ice cream. I make 1 liter at a time but serve it to my friends, I go through a lot. But I have yet to try a frozen yogurt, great idea and nice flavor!
Jessica says
July 8, 2011 at 5:17 pmYay to your recipe! I definitely would LOVE to make this! Chunky monkey is my hubby’s favorite and we don’t have an ice cream maker, so this is the perfect recipe for the weekend. Yours looks so delicious!
Raina says
July 8, 2011 at 5:59 pmYou always come up with the best healthy recipes! This sounds wonderful and something I would love. I also love that it does not require an ice cream maker since I don’t have one. I really like the flavors you added and cannot wait to try it:)
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
July 8, 2011 at 7:34 pmHehe the name is so cute Faith! And yes I don’t get enough use out of my ice cream bowl, even in Summer!
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says
July 8, 2011 at 7:57 pmYAY YAY…so glad I found a second person who thinks alike about ice cream maker.I never bought one- I hardly make ice cream at home..its better to spend 5 bucks on a store bought than to take the headache to getting ingredients and churning & stuff! Love that cute measuring cup & the ice cream looks delish! Have a fun weekend my friend!
Anu says
July 8, 2011 at 9:45 pmWow this sounds and looks wonderful! I can’t wait to make this! One question though: do you think I can use fat free greek yogurt? thanks so much!
admin says
July 9, 2011 at 6:56 amAnu, I haven’t tried it with fat free yogurt, but I think it would work as long as the yogurt has the same very thick consistency. If you try it, let me know how it turns out! :)
Angie's Recipes says
July 8, 2011 at 11:02 pmhehe…my ice cream maker stays somewhere in the kitchen and I hardly use it…not even in summer time.
Your ice cream looks so good!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
July 8, 2011 at 11:33 pmHubby bought me an ice cream maker (a hint maybe?) but I haven’t used it because we’ve both been trying to stay away from high calorie treats. This froyo sounds like something we could both enjoy without feeling too guilty. And I don’t even have to get the ice cream maker out of the pantry! :)
sheila @ Elements says
July 8, 2011 at 11:53 pmOh yum!!!! Love that it’s made with bananas & Greek yogurt which is so incredibly healthy instead of cream. And the added pretzels, chocolate chips, and peanut butter is just perfect! I totally have to make this! :)
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
July 9, 2011 at 1:02 amMy ice cream machine doesn’t get used enough either! But when I do I prefer to make sorbets or fro-yo – less fat, just like your delicious Chunky but Chubless! Great recipe :) Faith, your new layout looks fantastic!
MaryMoh says
July 9, 2011 at 1:03 amThat looks easy and healthy too. I would love to try some day. Thanks very much for sharing.
nancy at good food matters says
July 9, 2011 at 6:12 amFaith, your post’s title is the most attention-grabbing, perfect-for-summer one I’ve come across—I don’t own an ice cream maker; I’d rather go “chubless” so this is the right recipe for me–Thanks!!
Michele | Cooking At Home says
July 9, 2011 at 7:14 amLovely.A definite will-try!
Ambreen says
July 9, 2011 at 8:32 amWow, this looks fantastic! Great idea! Love the new layout of your site :)
Ameena says
July 9, 2011 at 9:36 amIs frozen yogurt really that easy? What a great summer idea!! And I love the unique name.
Heavenly Housewife says
July 9, 2011 at 12:18 pmThis looks great. I’ve been testing the waters with frozen yogurt and haven’t been too successful. I’m curious, after you froze it, was it still nice? Did it freeze into a block of rock hard ice like mine did?
*kisses* HH
admin says
July 10, 2011 at 8:15 amHeavenly Housewife, I froze it completely, then I processed it until smooth and creamy in a food processor…after that I only froze it for about 20 minutes, maybe even a little less (just so it was scoop-able). It stayed nice and creamy that way. I’m not sure what would happen if you left it in the freezer for longer, but it would probably freeze solid and you’d have to re-process it in the food processor, which I don’t think would be as good (since the mix-ins have already been stirred in and would get pulverized in the food processor). I recommend processing only the amount that you’re sure to use right away so it’s nice and creamy and so you don’t end up having to process it again once the mix-ins are added. Hope this helps, daaahling! :)
Stevie says
July 9, 2011 at 12:23 pmI really like frozen yogurt, esp made from Greek yogurt. It is more sour in an exciting, non-ice cream way. Your fillings to make if chubless look great. I have the idea that you could make the yogurt base and add anything, which would make it a super recipe for a child’s birthday party. All the guests could assemble their own versions.
tasteofbeirut says
July 9, 2011 at 8:34 pmBanana and yogurt sounds great! Makes it creamier and the addition of pretzel bits is very cool.
Jay says
July 10, 2011 at 5:34 amawesome…the recipe sounds lipsmacking..;P
Tasty Appetite
Barbara says
July 10, 2011 at 6:09 amAlways fun to start with Greek yogurt and add. Frozen or not. I don’t use my ice cream freezer a lot, but I am sure glad I have it!
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
July 10, 2011 at 12:42 pmI love frozen yoghurt, this sounds so irresistible!
Hannah says
July 10, 2011 at 2:43 pmDespite my fondness for my ice cream machine, this looks like a great excuse to give it a break! Both healthy and a touch decadent- Looks incredible!
anh says
July 10, 2011 at 8:22 pmThat sounds so yummy!!
Anna Johnston says
July 10, 2011 at 8:27 pmBrilliant. Your a rock star. I adore frozen yogurt, much better than ice cream. Great ingredients, looks like I’m gonna have to turn the heat up and have a crack at this recipe me thinks. :)))
Monet says
July 10, 2011 at 9:13 pmThis is exactly what I need…we don’t own an ice cream maker, but I’m always wanting to make my own. Thank you so much for sharing with me. I’m hungry now! I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and I\’m wishing you a week full of love and laughter!
maznah- cooking varieties says
July 11, 2011 at 12:20 amthis is so yummy, its simply irresistable to try it out. many thanks for sharing
FOODESSA says
July 11, 2011 at 6:45 amThe reasons you gave in your post is exactly why Hubby and I decided that an extra piece of equipment should not take any more of our limited kitchen real estate.
I’ve gotten so used to making these frozen treats otherwise. An ice-cream maker is not really necessary in our situation.
Faith…I love pretzels and quite frankly have never yet had it in ice-cream…hmmm…now you’ve got me going!
Thanks for sharing this particular indulgence…will try it for sure ;o)
Ciao for now,
Claudia
aipi says
July 11, 2011 at 1:54 pmLuscious n scrumptious ~ what a treat!!
US Masala
Geni says
July 11, 2011 at 5:00 pmChunky Monkey and Chubby Hubby are my very favorite flavors. I love knowing I can do this without an icecream maker! Pretty new site!
Allison says
July 11, 2011 at 5:49 pmSeriously those are my two favorite flavors. I can not pass up chubby hubby. This is a treat I WILL be making.
Simply Life says
July 11, 2011 at 6:34 pmwow! this looks SO good! wish I had a bowl right now!…and I love your “new look!”
Victoria says
July 11, 2011 at 8:54 pmGreat recipe!! I actually love my ice cream maker but don’t use it all the time. This is a great technique, and I love all the yummy mix-ins you use. Also, I love your new layout :) Very nice!
Carolyn Jung says
July 11, 2011 at 10:48 pmI love this idea for making your own fro-yo without an ice cream machine. And I appreciate your honesty about how little you actually use yours. You see, I, too, have toyed for a year about getting an ice cream maker. But so far, I have not bit the bullet. I keep wondering just how often I would use it. Plus, half the time, our freezer is so full of other stuff, I doubt I’d have room for the canister. I think you’ve convinced me to save my pennies for now and just make fro-yo like this instead. Yum!
Veronica says
July 12, 2011 at 1:20 amThank you so much! I’m in love with this recipe and idea. I don’t have an ice cream maker so I usually don’t ever read recipes for ice cream and I love that you make it with your food processor. Now why haven’t I tried that?! I will be soon, for sure.
Krista says
July 12, 2011 at 10:51 amYUM! I love making frozen yogurt at home. These mix ins are to die for….
grace says
July 15, 2011 at 4:35 amgreat name for a tasty treat, faith! i always thought it’d be awesome to work for ben and jerry’s because a)they play with awesome flavors, b)they’re easy on the earth, and c)they come up with terrific names. :)
marla {family fresh cooking} says
July 15, 2011 at 7:59 amFaith, where the heck have I been?! Your blog changes are AMAZING!!! Looks fresh & wonderful over here. I have never made frozen yogurt in my food processor before, great idea that I will be trying soon.
DessertForTwo says
July 15, 2011 at 8:29 amWhat a great idea!
I scale down ice cream recipes to make ~ 1 pint of ice cream. I find that 2 people can go through a pint no problem.
I love the pretzels in this! Can’t wait to try it :)
admin says
July 15, 2011 at 9:35 amDessertForTwo, I agree, two people can go through a pint no problem…but for me, it can be a real hassle to haul out my ice cream maker just for a pint. Plus I love the tangy flavor and added nutrition from frozen yogurt. If you try it, let me know how you like it! :)
natalie says
July 15, 2011 at 8:44 amI just want to clarify that it is Plain Greek yogurt? is that right? also, can it be non-fat or do you recommend something else?
thanks!
admin says
July 15, 2011 at 9:33 amNatalie, I used plain Greek yogurt — Fage Total 2%. I haven’t tried it with fat free Greek yogurt, but I think it would work as long as the yogurt has the same very thick consistency.
Kristina says
July 20, 2011 at 4:53 pmI love this idea! I couldn’t wait to give it a shot, but I messed it up somehow. I got yogurt all over the place and made a big mess. (I chronicled my shortcomings here. http://knucklesalad.com/apricot-frozen-yogurt)
LeQuan says
July 27, 2011 at 12:09 amhaha! love the name of your fro-yo! that’s just so awesome that you don’t need an ice cream maker to make this. this looks delicious and like store bought stuff. great choice on the addition of the pretzels!
Ethan says
August 8, 2011 at 9:33 pmi am a yogurt monster and i do it froyo all the time. my favorite combos so far are PB and J made with PB or PB2 powder (dehydrated peanut butter) and fresh berries, or Cookies and Cream which i make as a mixture of yogurt, cottage cheese and oreos…
Sher says
May 28, 2012 at 3:45 pmSeriously, when I saw this recipe I freaked out a little. Brilliant!
PS: I love this so hard, I featured you on Momcaster: http://momcaster.com/2012/05/28/homemade-frozen-yogurt-no-ice-cream-maker/