No tricks here, just all treats with a gut-healthy twist! This Chocolate Coconut Soft Serve Frozen Kefir made with Lifeway embodies the spirit of a classic candy bar with flavors of rich dark chocolate, sweet coconut, and crunchy almonds in the form of a spoonable, chilly treat that’s loaded with nutrition. It delivers all the nostalgic indulgence, but packs in complete protein, bioavailable nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, and live and active cultures from Lifeway Lowfat Vanilla Kefir.
Our luscious vanilla kefir transforms the other ingredients into a creamy soft serve base, and it provides 12 live and active probiotic cultures that your microbiome will love as much as you love this dessert. Fermented foods like Lifeway Kefir have been shown to support the microbiome with beneficial probiotic bacteria, which is important for a healthy gut, immune system, skin, and more. Meanwhile the complete protein in our kefir supports metabolic health, satisfaction, and muscle health. So you can enjoy this soft serve for a post-workout treat, to indulge in a late night craving, or to treat yourself after a long day, all while knowing you’re giving your body a nutrient-rich dessert that loves you back.
To complete this soft serve frozen kefir recipe, all you need is cacao powder, unsweetened coconut, chocolate chips, a banana, and flaky, sliced almonds. Want it sweeter? Add a little maple syrup for a touch of fall flavor without the effects of refined sugar. Either way, when you’ve got Lifeway in the kitchen, healthy desserts like this are yours to enjoy at a moment’s notice. Try this recipe with other flavors of our kefir to experiment further!
Find Lifeway Kefir and our other probiotic foods in a store near you or shop online. Want more recipe inspiration? Check out all our delicious offerings here.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for better gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health.
Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, support the digestive system, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1. Lifeway Kefir also contains a variety of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones and overall health, including vitamins D3, K, and B12 along with calcium and potassium. Along with our kefir, we also offer our creamy, cultured Lifeway Farmer Cheese, a high protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome that’s easy to spread and contains no added salt or sugar.
Prep Time: Varies - See Directions Servings: 2Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Lowfat Vanilla Kefir
- *or try our Organic Whole Milk Vanilla Kefir for a richer flavor and texture
- 1 frozen banana (sliced if needed)
- 2 tbsp. sliced almonds
- 3 tbsp. unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp. cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- 2 tbsp. dark chocolate chips or chunks
- optional: 2-3 tsp. pure maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter
- Garnishes: crushed sliced almonds, plus additional unsweetened coconut and dark chocolate chips
Directions
Make It With a Ninja Creami:
- Add the Lifeway Lowfat Vanilla Kefir, banana, almond, shredded coconut, cacao powder, chocolate chips, and maple syrup if using to a blender, and blend together on high until very smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the mixture to a Ninja® CREAMi® container, seal with a lid, and freeze overnight.
- Remove the lid and process the base by selecting soft serve if your machine has a soft serve function, then ice cream. If needed, re-spin if the texture seems crumbly. If your machine does not have a soft serve function, simply process it like you normally would for ice cream.
- If your machine has a soft serve function, secure the soft serve lid and nozzle, and attach to the swirl portion of the machine. Pull the leaver and dispense the soft serve into 2 bowls. Otherwise, dispense like your normally would for ice cream.
- Garnish each serving with crushed sliced almonds, shredded coconut, and some chopped chocolate chips. Enjoy!
Make It Without a Ninja Creami:
- Add the Lifeway Lowfat Vanilla Kefir, banana, almond, shredded coconut, cacao powder, chocolate chips, and maple syrup if using to a blender, and blend together on high until very smooth and creamy.
- Pour the mixture into a sealable glass or silicone container that's shallow in length. Put the lid on and freeze for 4 hours. Scrape down the sides, then put the lid back on, and freeze again until completely frozen.
- Once frozen, scoop out the frozen kefir into two bowls or cones, add the toppings, and enjoy!
- If you have an electric ice cream maker, you can also make this recipe; just blend the ingredients, pour into the machine, and process until frozen. Scoop and serve as you normally would with the toppings.
