Lemon-Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bites

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These lemon-blueberry frozen yogurt bites, filled with probiotic yogurt and plenty of prebiotic blueberries, will help keep your gut in tip-top shape. This easy frozen snack is versatile, too—swap in raspberries or strawberries instead of blueberries for a different twist with the same health benefits.

a recipe photo of the Lemon-Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bites
Credit:

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
2
  • Blueberries provide antioxidants, fiber and vitamins that may improve your skin and brain health.
  • Greek yogurt in this recipe adds healthy protein and supports a healthy gut microbiome.
  • Swap in raspberries or strawberries instead of blueberries for a different twist on this easy snack.

Cool and berry-licious Lemon-Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bites are perfect for snacking. The freeze-dried blueberries add a fruity sweetness to the yogurt, while the mildly floral cardamom and vanilla deliver warm, sweet notes without adding sugar. Best of all—these bites offer both prebiotics and probiotics, which are necessary for a flourishing microbiome. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to turn these bites into clusters.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • If you want to turn these bites into clusters, create a pile of 3 to 4 bites together on the baking sheet so they’re touching in a mound. Continue with Step 2 so they freeze together.
  • You can grind the freeze-dried blueberries in a spice grinder or mini food processor, but crushing them in a bag works well and requires less cleanup.
  • If you prefer a sweeter taste, add some date syrup or honey to the yogurt mixture.
  • Before snacking, allow the blueberries to stand at room temperature for a few minutes so they don’t feel so cold on your teeth.

Nutrition Notes

  • Besides adding a bright, citrusy flavor to these bites, lemon also adds some nutrition. This includes antioxidants and vitamin C, though the amount is tiny in these bites since the amount of lemon zest is small. Regularly including lemon in your diet may improve your skin health and prevent kidney stones. 
  • Blueberries are little powerhouses of nutrition. Loaded with antioxidants, gut-friendly fiber and vitamins C and K, these little gems may also improve your skin health. By regularly eating blueberries, you might also reduce your risk of chronic disease and have better cognitive function, cholesterol and blood pressure. 
  • Coming in with protein, calcium and probiotics, Greek yogurt supports a healthy gut microbiome. You also get a healthy dose of the mineral selenium, which acts as a powerful antioxidant, reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. The protein in the Greek yogurt and the fiber in the blueberries will work together to help stabilize your blood sugar.
the ingredients to make the Lemon-Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Bites

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings

  • cup freeze-dried blueberries

  • 1 cup whole-milk plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt

  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom or  cinnamon

  • teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups fresh blueberries

Directions

  1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place ⅓ cup freeze-dried blueberries in a zip-top plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, crush the berries into a very fine powder. Transfer the powder to a medium bowl; stir in 1 cup yogurt, 2 tablespoons vanilla, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon cardamom (or cinnamon) and ⅛ teaspoon salt until smooth. Add 2 cups blueberries; stir to coat.

    a photo of the blueberries smashed with a rolling pin in a plastic baggy

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman

  2. Using a fork, remove 1 blueberry from the yogurt, tapping excess yogurt off; use a wooden pick to push the blueberry off the fork onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining blueberries, leaving space between them. Place the baking sheet, uncovered, in the freezer until the bites are frozen, at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Remove from the freezer 5 minutes before serving.

    a photo of the blueberry dipped in the yogurt mixture

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman

To make ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I store frozen blueberries?

    Store the blueberry yogurt bites in an airtight, freezer-safe container. They should last for up to 1 month in the freezer. Remove from freezer 5 minutes before serving.

  • Can I use frozen blueberries?

    Yes, you can use frozen blueberries, but use fresh for the best results. If you do use frozen berries, make sure to thaw them only slightly (not completely) before using, as the yogurt mixture might have trouble sticking to the berries.

  • What should I do with the lemon after it’s zested?

    Save your zested lemon by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and storing it in the refrigerator. Use it for flavored water, hot or iced tea, salad dressings, fish or pasta. You can also squeeze the juice into ice cube trays to freeze for later use.

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

EatingWell.com, October 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

247 Calories
6g Fat
32g Carbs
12g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 247
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 32g 11%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 23g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 12g 23%
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Vitamin A 8µg
Vitamin C 19mg 22%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 7%
Folate 16µg
Vitamin K 33µg
Sodium 170mg 7%
Calcium 129mg 10%
Iron 1mg 3%
Magnesium 25mg 6%
Potassium 318mg 7%
Zinc 1mg 8%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.