Best Frozen Yogurt Machine
We don’t have to be in the dog days of summer to crave cool and refreshing frozen yogurt. Even if you’re living a dairy-free lifestyle, you can still enjoy this yummy creamy dessert if it’s made from coconut or soy yogurt.
Often referred to as fro-yo, this popular treat tastes similar to ice cream but without the eggs and extra fat. That doesn’t mean it’s dull, boring or lacks taste. Just like its richer cousin, frozen yogurt comes in a rainbow of delicious flavors, from fruity berry and decadent chocolate to rich vanilla and cookies ‘n cream.
If you want to become your family’s frozen treat hero, we recommend investing in a frozen yogurt machine. Own one of these fun kitchen tools and you’ll be able to whip up a tub of creamy, freshly made deliciousness every day of the week.
We narrow down the best frozen yogurt machines that you can buy online. So read on, find the machine that best suits your needs and get ready to whip up a batch of frozen delight.
1. Top Pick: Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker
You and your family love frozen yogurt. It’s your favorite dessert and you would have it every day, all year round if you could. If you’re looking to indulge in that cool goodness at home with plenty for everyone, then this machine is for you.
The Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker allows you to indulge in 2 quarts of cool, creamy frozen yogurt any time you want. And with its large-size capacity, everyone in your house can get his or her fill and no one gets left out.
We recommend you consider this sleek-looking model for your home. Measuring 8.25 x 8 x 11.25 inches and weighing 12 lbs., it will sit nicely on your countertop or tucked neatly away in a deep drawer or cupboard, ready to use any time you’re craving a sweet frozen dessert.
A super cool-looking model in brushed stainless steel with an embossed logo, this fully automatic small appliance makes frozen yogurt, sorbet, and homemade ice cream in as little as 25 minutes. That’s less time than it takes to get dressed, hop into the car, and drive to the local fro-yo store or supermarket. And it’s easier on the wallet, too.
Fully automatic and convenient to use, this machine features a heavy-duty motor and a double-insulated freezer bowl that contains cooling liquid to create fast and even freezing. The double wall keeps the bowl cool and at an even temperature. The easy-lock lid with a large spout makes adding ingredients simple and mess free. Then simply turn on the frozen yogurt machine and it does the rest.
Pros:
- Clear and concise instructions included
- Comes with recipes
- 3-year limited warranty included
- BPA free
- Non-slip feet keep the base stationary during use
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
2. Best Large Capacity Machine: Nostalgia WICM4L Electric Ice Cream Maker
If you’re a fan of nostalgia and love the look of an old-fashioned home-made ice-cream and frozen yogurt maker but don’t look forward to the fuss of hand-churning, then you’ll want to consider this frozen yogurt machine.
With its large 4-quart capacity, the Nostalgia WICM4L Electric Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt and Gelato Maker is great for party time – or any time. The wood exterior is reminiscent of the old-fashioned ice cream makers of the past, but you won’t have to put out much energy or work too hard to make a batch of cool deliciousness. Measuring 12 x 12 x 16 inches and weighing less than 9 lbs., this model is conveniently compact, lightweight and uses a motor to do the work.
The Nostalgia WICM4L Electric Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt and Gelato Maker comes equipped with a powerful electric motor that does all the churning. No intensive stirring or manual effort is needed. Just add your ingredients into the aluminum canister, place it in the middle of the bucket, layer with ice and salt and the electric motor does the rest.
The durable churn paddle is another great feature of this model, and the handy plastic liner makes for an easy cleanup. As for getting the different flavors you enjoy, it’s a snap to customize each recipe by adding extras such as strawberry preserves, cookie dough, candy pieces and much more.
When you’re done enjoying your delectable creation, you can use the included lid and lid cap to store leftover ice cream in the freezer.
It doesn’t get much easier or convenient than that!
Pros:
- Large 4-quart capacity
- Easy to clean
- Recipes included
Cons
- Basket feels a little flimsy.
- Shipping is inconsistent with multiple reports of damaged products.
3. Best for Individual Use: DASH DPIC100GBWH04 My Pint Electric Machine for Gelato, Sorbet + Frozen Yogurt
If you love frozen yogurt, want to make some at home but find the machines too expensive or too large, then this machine is for you.
Many frozen yogurt machines churn out 2, 3 or 4 quarts of the cool tasty treat at a time, too much for a single person, or anyone looking to cut down on their portions size. That’s why we recommend the DASH DOIC100GBWH04 My Pint Electric Machine for Gelato, Sorbet + Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream Maker for churning out delicious frozen yogurt in small, individually sized batches.
This cute-looking kitchen appliance measures 8.5 x 5.4 x 4.4 inches, weighs only 2.2 lbs. and makes up to 1.6 cups of frozen goodness. Compact and lightweight, there is no complicated assembly required with this convenient personal frozen yogurt maker.
And it’s so easy to use. Customize your recipes with everything from chocolate and caramel to sprinkles or your favorite fruit preserves, then just push the button and in less than 30 minutes, you’ll be enjoying a cool, sweet treat.
This machine may be small, but it’s mighty and includes a cooling bowl, mixing spoon, recipe book, and recipe database access. Oh, and did we mention all non-electric parts are easily wiped clean and dishwasher safe? Makes a great wedding or housewarming gift for your favorite frozen-yogurt-loving friends.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Good for single portions
- Backed by a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Noisy
4. Best Non-Electric, Hand-Use: Zoku Frozen Yogurt Maker
Sometimes you’re in the mood for some delicious homemade frozen yogurt but you don’t want to use a large electric machine. No problem. If churning by hand and making frozen yogurt without using electricity or batteries appeals to you, then we recommend this cute little model.
The Zoku Ice Maker, Compact Make and Serve Bowl with Stainless Steel Freezer Core makes soft serve frozen yogurt in as little as 10 minutes, and a harder version in around 20 minutes, no electricity needed!
Measuring 5.5 x 5.5 x 3.75 inches and weighing only 1.1 lbs. you can literally take it anywhere. Keep in mind, though, that the canister needs to be in a freezer prior to making frozen treats.
Use this model on any countertop. Make frozen yogurt in the backyard or at the cottage. So convenient, you can make and serve your delicious frozen treat out of the same bowl. Just pour in your chilled frozen yogurt mixture, churn and scrape the stainless steel bowl. Watch as it solidifies as you churn. In no time at all, you’re ready to eat. So easy to clean, too, just hand-wash with warm water.
What we also like is the recipes in the cookbook that comes with the frozen yogurt maker, plus you can create your own flavors. Included with this model are a 6-ounce stainless steel bowl, a protective sleeve and a spoon. Available in a choice of four colors and it’s BPA and phthalate free. Healthy, delicious, and affordable, it makes a great gift.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Doesn’t need electricity
- Fun and easy to use
BPA and phthalate free
Cons:
- Makes small portions
- Not dishwasher safe
- Need to wait for the bowl to warm up a bit before cleaning it
Things to look out for:
Consider these things when choosing a frozen yogurt machine that best suits your needs:
The Capacity
Like most kitchen appliances, frozen yogurt makers come in all sizes, and that can affect the amount of cool treats it can make at a time. From small units that produce less than 2 cups to ones that churn out up to 4 quarts, consider how much frozen yogurt you’ll want to consume in one sitting before choosing a model. If you have a large family, or many large family gatherings where you want to make lots of this frozen treat, then look for a larger model with an output of 4 quarts or more. For anyone wanting small portions, choose a model that offers individual or 1-quart options.
Options and Features
If you’d like to also be able to make gelato and hard ice cream as well as frozen yogurt, look for a model that allows you to do this. Many frozen yogurt machines create more of a soft-serve product rather than a harder version. If you want your frozen yogurt to have the consistency of hard ice cream, look for a model that offers this option. Some of the pricier models can have up to 12 different hardness settings, really giving you lots of choices for the final product.
When it comes to the number of special features you can find on a machine, the price of the frozen yogurt maker often reflects the number of bells and whistles available. A more expensive model may offer features such as a large spout for adding extra ingredients and an easy-lock lid and container as a convenient way to store leftovers in the freezer.
Another good feature to consider is the power of the motor. This will determine how efficiently and quickly the process takes with just a push of a button. Another great feature is a frozen yogurt machine that has a double insulated canister with the inside walls filled with cooling liquid. This contributes to fast and even cooling.
Having an electric model at any price point is convenient as it does all the work for you, with no physical effort needed on your part. However, if you don’t want to waste electricity or use batteries, consider a manual model that makes frozen yogurt using man (or woman) power.
Other features to consider include: Non-skid feet or a non-skid base. This is a safety feature that stops the machine from moving while it’s churning frozen yogurt; a recipe book. This is handy since each model offers recipes that work best in that particular machine.
Materials
Frozen yogurt makers are made from a variety of materials, from stainless steal to plastic. If you are conscious about toxins, find a model that is BPA and phthalate free. Some models are available in an array of colors, so you may want to consider this if you are looking for a kitchen appliance to fit into your décor. Finally, some frozen yogurt machines contain small parts or magnets and could be a choking hazard for small children. If you have little ones in the house, you may want to choose a model that does not present a potential choking hazard.
Warranty
Warranties protect you from long-term issues. If this is important to you, we recommend you purchase a model that has at least a 1-year warranty. Many higher-priced models offer longer warranties or a money-back satisfaction guarantee.
Cleaning
It’s great to have fresh homemade frozen yogurt every time the mood hits you, but if the machine is difficult to clean, it may take the joy out of the process. Look for a model that is dishwasher safe, or comes apart easily with non-electric parts that are easy to hand wash.
How Froyo Machines Work
Frozen yogurt machines, or froyo machines, can seem like magic from a distance. With surprisingly minimal effort you can have 2 quarts of low-calorie frozen yogurt ready to go. Frozen yogurt machines use a series of coils just like you have in your refrigerator. Coolants are then circulated through the system to drop the internal temperature of the machine to temperatures low enough for frozen yogurt to freeze instead of staying a goopy mess.
FAQ
What is the best frozen yogurt machine?
Our top pick is undoubtedly the Cuisinart ICE Pure Indulgence. Sous Vide Guy approves of this unit not only for its sleek design, but for its robust warranty package as well. When working with any machines as complex as a frozen yogurt maker it’s important to cover your bases as well as you can.
How much does a frozen yogurt machine make?
A: Generally speaking frozen yogurt machines get more expensive the more froyo you make per patch. For consumers you’re probably looking at minimum 2 quarts of frozen yogurt on the cheaper end of the spectrum. If you’re looking for an industrial usage than expect to spend at a baseline between $4 000 and $5 000 USD, but top-of-the-line units can go for as much as $17 000.
How do you clean a froyo maker?
Cleaning your froyo maker is something of a time intensive process. This is because there is a lot of dairy-based build up in the machine’s parts after even a single use. In turn, this is one of the reasons why many website suggest that you clean your froyo maker 2-3 times a week. The FDA, meanwhile suggests even more regular cleaning.
To clean your froyo maker begin by shutting it down and allow up to an hour for any residue to soften. Remove the output tubes and drain any excess residue. Next do 2-3 warm water flushes through the hopper. This will further loosen anything still sticking around inside. Once the cleaning cycle is done grab your favorite scrubby and wipe out any spots. From here we suggest following the manufacture’s suggested cleaning mix – which is typically a 2:1 ratio of dilution liquid to acid. Repeat with another wipe down, followed by one last hopper flush using warm water. You’ll also want to make sure that any of the smaller parts have been disassembled and cleaned in the same way.
Is frozen yogurt healthier than ice cream?
Frozen yogurt is a great, health-conscious alternative to traditional ice cream or gelato. It tends to have both fewer calories and less lactose than the alternative. This means that it’s just as good for the lactose intolerant out for a treat as it is for those who are weight watching. You also cut down on the amount of fat, which is a huge bonus. With that said, frozen yogurt compensates for this by being having slightly more sugar than ice cream. One 100g serving of frozen yogurt will have on average an additional 3 grams of sugar.
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