Craving that tangy frozen yogurt shop flavor? You can totally make it at home—no secret recipe required.
Tart Frozen yogurt shops might not be the craze they once were, but my love for that signature tart froyo? Still going strong. That creamy, tangy goodness just hits different—especially on a hot summer day. And here’s the best part: you can make it yourself with just three simple ingredients. No weird additives. No mystery ingredients. Just yogurt, sugar, and honey. That’s it!
Honestly, for how amazing it tastes, you’d think those shops were guarding some secret formula. But nope—turns out, the magic is in the simplicity.
Now, to get that smooth, dreamy texture, you will need an ice cream machine. And I know what you’re thinking… Do I really need one? If you love homemade frozen treats as much as I do, then yes—totally worth it. It makes the whole process easy and fun, especially when the weather warms up and you want something sweet and refreshing in a flash.
Learn how to use your ice cream machine like a pro
So grab your yogurt and a spoon, because once you try this at home, you might just skip the froyo line for good.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need to Make Dreamy Tart Frozen Yogurt
Let’s keep it simple — because that’s part of the magic here. Just a few ingredients, and you’re on your way to that tangy, creamy froyo we all secretly (or not so secretly) adore.
- Plain Yogurt + Plain Greek Yogurt
This is the heart of your frozen yogurt. The regular yogurt gives it that smooth texture, and the Greek yogurt adds the perfect tang. You can use whole milk or low-fat — both work great — but I don’t recommend going non-fat. You’ll miss out on that creamy richness! - Sugar + Honey
This combo sweetens things up just enough to balance the tartness, without overpowering that signature flavor. The honey adds a lovely depth, while the sugar brings everything together. Prefer natural sweetness? Try topping it with this easy date caramel recipe — it’s a naturally sweet game-changer. - Fresh Fruit Toppings (totally optional… but highly encouraged!)
I love topping mine with juicy raspberries or strawberries. They add a pop of color, a bit of natural sweetness, and a little texture. But honestly? Use whatever fruit you love or have on hand — peaches, blueberries, even mango. It’s your froyo moment! Want to get fancy? Drizzle your bowl with this homemade blueberry syrup for a sweet, fruity finish.
Simple, nostalgic, and so good — this frozen yogurt recipe is everything you love about those froyo shop memories, but made right at home.
Step-By-Step Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together the plain yogurt, Greek yogurt, sugar, and honey. Grab a whisk and stir it all up until the sugar fully dissolves — it should look smooth and creamy.
Now’s the fun part: taste it! Some yogurts are a little more tart than others, so if it needs a touch more sweetness, go ahead and add another tablespoon or two of sugar. This is your froyo, after all — make it just the way you love it.
Once your mixture is sweetened to perfection, pour it into your ice cream machine and let the magic happen. Just follow your machine’s instructions — every one’s a little different — and in no time, you’ll have soft, creamy, homemade frozen yogurt that’s ready to scoop and enjoy. It’s honestly so satisfying watching it churn into that dreamy texture!
You’ll know your frozen yogurt is ready when it’s smooth, creamy, and holds its shape — kind of like soft-serve from your favorite froyo shop. It’ll firm up even more if you pop it in the freezer for later, but honestly? It’s hard to resist a spoonful (or two) straight from the machine. Serve it right away for that soft, dreamy texture, or stash it in the freezer until your sweet tooth calls again.
Feeling inspired? Pair your froyo with a slice of strawberry muffin or go all-out dessert mode with chocolate gelato next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tart frozen yogurt made of?
Tart frozen yogurt is made with just a handful of simple ingredients: plain yogurt, Greek yogurt (for that extra tang and creaminess), sugar, and honey. That’s it! It’s that perfect balance of tangy and sweet, with a smooth, creamy texture that’s totally crave-worthy.
Can I just freeze yogurt to make frozen yogurt?
Technically… yes, but don’t expect it to taste like the froyo you know and love. Freezing plain yogurt straight from the container turns it icy and hard — not the creamy, dreamy texture you’re probably hoping for. That’s why we add sugar and honey, then churn it in an ice cream machine. It whips in air and gives it that soft-serve feel we all go crazy for.
How do I make my yogurt more tart?
If you love that tangy zip, try using more Greek yogurt in your mix — it naturally has a stronger tart flavor. You can also experiment with a tiny splash of lemon juice to boost the tartness without affecting the texture too much. Just be sure to taste as you go — you want zing, not pucker!
Tart Frozen Yogurt
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain yogurt (low fat or whole milk)
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt (low fat or whole milk)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Fruit toppings (optional)
Instructions
- Pour any excess liquid out of the yogurt containers. In a large bowl, whisk the yogurts, sugar, and honey until the sugar is completely dissolved. Taste and add a few more tablespoons of sugar or honey if necessary (some brands of yogurt are more tart than others).
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for freezing yogurt in your ice cream/frozen yogurt machine. You'll know it's ready when it's smooth and stiff (it will harden even more in the freezer). Serve right away with fruit toppings, if using, or transfer to a container and freeze until ready to eat. If the yogurt stays in the freezer more than a few hours, you may need to let it sit out on the countertop for a bit to soften before serving.
