When you want to feel like you're indulging in something rich and sinful, but you're really not, then a Frozen Greek Yogurt Banana Split is where it's at!
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Frozen Greek Yogurt Banana Split is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- whole milk plain Greek yogurt
- pure vanilla extract
- pure almond extract
- honey
- salt
- bananas
- strawberries
- blueberries
- coconut flakes (I used unsweetened, but sweetened will also work)
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- oblong shallow 'ish dish (for freezing yogurt)
- paring knife (for preparing toppings)
- cutting board (for preparing toppings)
- spatula
- ice cream scoop
- kitchen timer
- plastic wrap (to cover frozen Greek yogurt)
- measuring cups and spoons
- parfait dishes or banana split dishes
How this recipe came to be:
Lately, it seems I've been eating my weight in Greek yogurt.
I can't seem to get enough.
The only problem I've had is that sometimes I want it frozen but I've yet been able to find it in the store without it being in bar form and on a stick.
Because of this, I decided to do an internet search to find out how to make my own soft-serve frozen Greek yogurt.
Can it be done, and will its taste and consistency be any good?
I landed on this method for freezing Greek yogurt from Healthy Recipes Blog which looked easy and seemed to have the consistency I'd like judging by the photos.
Since I already knew I wanted to make a frozen Greek yogurt banana split, I set off to get my ingredients and kitchen equipment in order.
*exit stage left*
How long will this frozen Greek yogurt take to make?
Approximately 2-3 hours, with lots of stirring in between freeze times.
Why so much stirring? Can't it just be frozen and left alone?
Nope. Not so much.
The stirring helps keep the consistency creamier with fewer ice crystals than if you froze the Greek yogurt and didn't stir.
If you didn't stir it pretty regularly, you'd have a hard mess/mass that wouldn't serve nicely using an ice cream scoop.
Why use whole milk Greek yogurt?
The extra fat in the whole milk Greek yogurt will help to keep the consistency of the frozen yogurt more like ice cream than ice milk.
Can flavored whole fat Greek yogurt be used in place of plain?
Sure thing. Use whatever flavor you think would be tasty.
For me, since I wanted the flavor to mostly reside in the toppings for this Greek yogurt banana split, I decided to keep the flavor of the frozen yogurt itself a little on the plain side with only a few extract additions to enhance the flavor of the Greek yogurt itself.
Additional topping suggestions:
- chopped, toasted nuts (your favorite variety)
- sauteed apples (maybe with some cinnamon/sugar)
- jams and jellies
- semi-sweet chocolate or white chocolate chips
- fruit cocktail
- chopped peaches
- broken sugar cones
- granola
- caramel sauce
- hot fudge sauce
- broken cookie pieces
I know I'm veering off from the healthier aspect of this recipe with some of the above suggestions...but it's hard not to when you think of all the delicious possibilities! 🙂
What makes Greek yogurt the healthier option?
Protein. Protein. Protein.
What does protein do for the body?
A better question might be "What DOESN'T protein do for the body?"
For an in-depth look at how protein benefits the body, check out this article at Healthline.com
After the Greek yogurt is frozen, can it be served immediately?
Not so fast, grasshopper!
For best consistency and severability, it's best to let the frozen yogurt sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
During this wait, you can make good use of your time by preparing your topping ingredients instead of staring directly at your frozen yogurt willing it to soften quickly using the power of your steely stare.
The step-by-step photo instructions for making Frozen Greek Yogurt Banana Splits:
- Add the whole milk Greek yogurt to a shallow container.
- Measure in the vanilla and almond extracts. Stir well to combine.
- Add honey and stir well to combine.
- Freeze for 1 hour. Remove and stir well to combine.
- Return to freezer and freeze for another hour.
- Remove and stir well to combine.
- Smooth again into an even layer.
- Freeze again (optional), or allow to thaw for 20 minutes before scooping and serving.
- *Note - if keeping frozen, add a layer of plastic wrap directly to the surface of the frozen yogurt.
- Prepare bananas by slicing lenghtwise.
- Wash and prepared strawberries and blueberries into similar size pieces.
- Scoop the frozen Greek yogurt into dishes and garnish with additional honey, sliced bananas, chopped strawberries, blueberries, and flaked coconut (optional).
- Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Additional recipes using fresh blueberries and/or strawberries:
*Blueberry Banana Quick Bread (shown below, and featured in the video)
Blueberry Banana Quick Bread with white chocolate and pecans is a definite upgrade from your typical banana loaf recipe. It’s easy to make too!!
*Strawberry Basil Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes (not shown)
Sweet strawberries, tart sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil mingle together nicely in this sweet and savory Strawberry Basil Salad. They’re then dressed with light and tasty balsamic vanilla vinegar and topped with almond slices.
*Old-Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake (shown below)
Delight your family and friends with this Old-Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake. It’s so flavorful and tender that you’ll wish rhubarb was in season all year long!
*Blueberry Basil Bruschetta (not shown)
If you have 10 minutes and only five ingredients, you can serve these Blueberry Basil Bruschetta and be blown away with how easy and delicious they are.
*Frozen Greek Yogurt Banana Split (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's Frozen Greek Yogurt Banana Split.
If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂
Frozen Greek Yogurt Banana Split
Ingredients
- 32 ounces whole milk Greek yogurt, plain
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons pure almond extract
- ¼ cup honey plus additional for topping
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 bananas cut in half lenghtwise
- ½ cup fresh diced strawberries
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- 3 tablespoons flaked coconut unsweetened
Instructions
- Place the yogurt into a shallow dish and stir in the vanilla and almond extracts, along with the ¼ cup honey and salt.
- Freeze for 60 minutes.
- Remove from the freezer and stir well.
- Return the yogurt to an even layer and freeze again for 60 minutes.
- Remove from the freezer and allow to sit for 20 minutes before scooping and serving.
To prepare the frozen Greek yogurt banana split:
- Into each split dish (or bowl) place two banana halves.
- Place two frozen Greek yogurt scoops into each banana split dish.
- Top each frozen yogurt scoop with a drizzle of honey, and top with the fresh strawberries, blueberries, and flaked coconut.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's protein-packed frozen Greek yogurt breakfast banana split recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
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