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.
Sher says
Seriously, 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/
Ethan says
i 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...
LeQuan says
haha! 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!
Kristina says
I 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)
natalie says
I 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
Natalie, 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.
DessertForTwo says
What 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
DessertForTwo, 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! :)
marla {family fresh cooking} says
Faith, 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.
grace says
great 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. :)
Krista says
YUM! I love making frozen yogurt at home. These mix ins are to die for....
Veronica says
Thank 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.
Carolyn Jung says
I 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!
Victoria says
Great 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!
Simply Life says
wow! this looks SO good! wish I had a bowl right now!...and I love your "new look!"
Allison says
Seriously those are my two favorite flavors. I can not pass up chubby hubby. This is a treat I WILL be making.
Geni says
Chunky Monkey and Chubby Hubby are my very favorite flavors. I love knowing I can do this without an icecream maker! Pretty new site!
aipi says
Luscious n scrumptious ~ what a treat!!
US Masala
FOODESSA says
The 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
maznah- cooking varieties says
this is so yummy, its simply irresistable to try it out. many thanks for sharing
Monet says
This 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!
Anna Johnston says
Brilliant. 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. :)))
anh says
That sounds so yummy!!
Hannah says
Despite 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!
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
I love frozen yoghurt, this sounds so irresistible!
Barbara says
Always 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!
Jay says
awesome...the recipe sounds lipsmacking..;P
Tasty Appetite
tasteofbeirut says
Banana and yogurt sounds great! Makes it creamier and the addition of pretzel bits is very cool.
Stevie says
I 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.
Heavenly Housewife says
This 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
Heavenly 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! :)
Ameena says
Is frozen yogurt really that easy? What a great summer idea!! And I love the unique name.
Ambreen says
Wow, this looks fantastic! Great idea! Love the new layout of your site :)
Michele | Cooking At Home says
Lovely.A definite will-try!
nancy at good food matters says
Faith, 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!!
MaryMoh says
That looks easy and healthy too. I would love to try some day. Thanks very much for sharing.
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
My 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!
sheila @ Elements says
Oh 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! :)
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
Hubby 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! :)
Angie's Recipes says
hehe...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!
Anu says
Wow 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
Anu, 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! :)
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says
YAY 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!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe the name is so cute Faith! And yes I don't get enough use out of my ice cream bowl, even in Summer!
Raina says
You 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:)
Jessica says
Yay 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!
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says
Its 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!
Lindsey@Lindselicious says
Brilliant! I am making this- this weekend.
Erica says
First 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
Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says
LOL, 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!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
That 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!
Mimi says
Easy and delicious, a perfect summer treat.
Mimi
Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen says
Congrats 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 :)
shooting star says
thats a yummy pic..wanna eat up the screen!!
Michelle says
oooooo!
Sounds perfect!
Susan says
I 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!
Sonia says
Wow 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 :)
Lisa says
This 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!
Joanne says
Can 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.
Rosa says
Delightful ice cream! Yes, no need for an ice cream maker.
Cheers,
Rosa
hellooolife says
omg, 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
Hellooolife, 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! :)
BeadedTail says
With the ingredients you used, I bet this is delicious! Sounds easy enough for me to make it too! Thanks for this recipe Faith!