Healthy Nectarine Frozen Yogurt

Here is my favorite nectarine frozen yogurt recipe, with sweet, juicy nectarines, creamy Greek yogurt, a touch of honey, and a hint of vanilla that creates the perfect summer treat.

This frozen yogurt is what we reach for when the Portland heat hits and the nectarines at the farmer’s market are perfectly ripe. I always make a double batch because it disappears so quickly. Nothing beats homemade frozen yogurt on a hot afternoon, right?

What Kind of Nectarines Should I Use?

For the best frozen yogurt, you’ll want to use ripe nectarines that give slightly when you press them gently – they should smell sweet and fragrant at the stem end. Both white and yellow nectarines work well in this recipe, though yellow varieties tend to have a slightly more intense flavor that really shines through in frozen desserts. If your nectarines are still a bit firm, you can let them ripen on your counter for a day or two until they’re perfectly soft. Don’t worry if you have a few that are getting a little too ripe – those actually work great for this recipe since they’ll be sweeter and blend more easily.

Options for Substitutions

This simple frozen yogurt recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:

• Nectarines: Peaches are the most obvious swap since they’re so similar to nectarines. You can also try other stone fruits like plums or apricots, though you might need to adjust the sugar slightly depending on their sweetness.
• Greek yogurt: Regular plain yogurt works too, but your frozen yogurt will be a bit less thick and creamy. You can also use full-fat Greek yogurt for an even richer result, or go with non-fat if you prefer.
• Sugar: Honey or maple syrup can replace the sugar – use about 1/3 cup and mix it in well. Keep in mind that liquid sweeteners might make your frozen yogurt slightly softer.
• Lemon juice: Lime juice works just as well for that bright, tangy kick that balances the sweetness. You really need some kind of acid here to keep the flavors balanced, so don’t skip it entirely.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making nectarine frozen yogurt is using underripe fruit, which will result in a bland, icy texture – make sure your nectarines are soft and fragrant before you start.

Another common error is not straining out any remaining fruit chunks after blending, which can create an uneven texture that doesn’t freeze smoothly in your ice cream maker.

To avoid crystallization, don’t skip the sugar even if your nectarines taste sweet enough on their own, as sugar helps prevent ice crystals from forming and keeps the yogurt creamy.

Finally, resist the urge to over-churn the mixture – once it reaches a soft-serve consistency (usually 20-25 minutes), stop the machine immediately or you’ll end up with a grainy, butter-like texture instead of smooth frozen yogurt.

What to Serve With Nectarine Frozen Yogurt?

This creamy nectarine frozen yogurt is perfect on its own, but I love serving it with some crunchy toppings to add texture. Try sprinkling some toasted almonds, crushed graham crackers, or granola on top for a nice contrast to the smooth, fruity base. It also pairs beautifully with fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries, which complement the sweet nectarine flavor without competing with it. For a more indulgent treat, drizzle a little honey or serve it alongside some shortbread cookies for dipping.

Storage Instructions

Freeze: Your homemade nectarine frozen yogurt will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months. Store it in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming. I like to use shallow containers so it’s easier to scoop later.

Scoop: When you’re ready to serve, let the frozen yogurt sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften up for easier scooping. If it gets too hard, you can also run your ice cream scoop under warm water between scoops to help it glide through smoothly.

Make Ahead: This is actually one of those treats that tastes better after sitting in the freezer overnight. The flavors meld together and the texture becomes perfectly creamy. I often make a batch on Sunday to enjoy throughout the week as a healthy dessert option.

Preparation Time	30-45 minutes
Cooking Time	20-25 minutes
Total Time	2-3 hours
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1300
• Protein: 80-85 g
• Fat: 20-25 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-160 g

Ingredients

For the fruit:

• 3 cups nectarines, blanched, skins removed and pits discarded
• 1 tsp lemon juice

For the yogurt base:

• 3 cups plain greek yogurt (2%)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Step 1: Blanch and Prepare the Nectarines

• 3 cups nectarines, blanched, skins removed and pits discarded

Bring a pot of water to a boil and set up a large bowl with ice water for an ice bath.

Wash the nectarines and score an X at the bottom of each fruit.

Submerge the nectarines in the boiling water for 40-60 seconds, just until the skins begin to loosen at the scored marks.

Immediately transfer the nectarines to the ice bath to cool, then peel off the skins and remove the pits.

Reserve ½ cup of the peeled nectarines and chop them into small pieces for later use.

Step 2: Blend the Nectarine Puree with Sugar and Lemon Juice

• 2.5 cups nectarines, blanched and peeled (from Step 1)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Place the peeled and pitted nectarines (except for the reserved ½ cup chopped nectarines) in a blender or food processor.

Add the granulated sugar and lemon juice, then blend until completely smooth to create a puree.

Step 3: Combine with Greek Yogurt to Make the Flavored Yogurt Base

• 3 cups plain Greek yogurt (2%)
• nectarine puree (from Step 2)

Add the Greek yogurt to the nectarine puree in the blender and blend again until fully smooth and combined.

This forms the creamy yogurt base for your frozen yogurt.

For a little tang, I sometimes add a touch of extra lemon juice here.

Step 4: Churn or Freeze the Yogurt Mixture

• flavored yogurt base (from Step 3)
• 1/2 cup chopped nectarines (from Step 1)

If using an ice cream maker, pour the flavored yogurt base into the frozen bowl of the ice cream maker.

Churn according to manufacturer instructions for about 20 minutes.

During the last few minutes, add the reserved chopped nectarines from Step 1.

If not using an ice cream maker, fold the reserved chopped nectarines into the yogurt mixture by hand, then transfer to a freezer-safe container.

In either case, freeze the mixture for at least 2 hours, until solid.

Step 5: Serve the Frozen Yogurt

Scoop the nectarine frozen yogurt into bowls or cones and serve immediately as a refreshing treat.

I find it’s even tastier with a sprig of fresh mint or a drizzle of honey on top.