When I was a kid, Dairy Queen visits were nearly as common as trips to the neighborhood pool. (In other words, nearly any day that was sunny and over 70 degrees.)
The trips were so frequent that I can still recall our order decades later. Blizzards for my two older sisters and Mom, a Dilly Bar or butterscotch dipped cone for me, please, and always a Buster Bar for Dad.
Essentially an ice cream sundae on a stick, Dad’s go-to Dairy Queen menu item features vanilla ice cream, plenty of peanuts, and a center layer of chocolatey fudge, all enveloped in a coating that’s akin to our Two-Ingredient Chocolate Shell.
I’d beg for a bite—and be granted one because Dad’s the best—and could certainly see the appeal. In fact, 30 years later, I still do. That said, I have different eating habits these days beyond just “ALL THE SUGAR,” so ice cream is more of a sometimes treat.
One thing I try to prioritize these days is protein. So, I stopped scrolling when I spotted a trending recipe from Kayla Breeden Falconer (@kaylaskitchandfix) on Instagram, which she bills as “Peanut Butter Chip Frozen Yogurt Bars aka my take on Buster Bars!!! They’re made from just 6 healthy ingredients and make for the perfect summer treat,” They also sneak in a solid dose of protein thanks to some savvy strategies.
How to Make Copycat Dairy Queen Buster Bars
Once I found out that the how-to videos for Breeden Falconer’s copycat Dairy Queen recipe had racked up more than 10 million views and hundreds of raving comments like, “Tried these and they are SO good…definitely making them again,” I knew I had to do just that. I found the recipe for Peanut Butter Chip Frozen Yogurt Bars on Breeden Falconer’s blog and hit the kitchen. These “Buster Bars” are easy to make.
Ingredients
- ½ cup “runny” peanut butter
- The 1 cup yogurt
- The 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- The 2 tablespoon peanuts
- The 1 cup chocolate chips
- The 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Directions
Step 1
In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup “runny” peanut butter (which I took to mean the drippy natural kind), 1 cup of yogurt (I opted for vanilla Greek), 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips, and ¼ tsp salt.
If you want to pump up the protein even more, reduce the peanut butter to ¼ cup and add 2 tablespoons of your favorite vanilla protein powder, Breeden Falconer suggests.
Step 2
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop heaping ¼ cup portions of the filling into rounds on the parchment (or try a more classic bar shape like the ones pictured on top). Press an ice pop stick into the side of each circle, using a spoon to swoosh the filling over the stick so it sits in the center of the yogurt. Evenly sprinkle 2 tablespoons of peanuts over each of the rounds. Use clean fingers to press the peanuts in gently, and then freeze for two hours to solidify the “bars.”
Step 3
In a small bowl, add 1 cup of chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each until the chocolate is smooth.
Using a spoon to drizzle and spread the chocolate mixture, completely cover each frozen yogurt bar. Place the bars back on the parchment, pop them into the freezer to allow the chocolate to harden, and then dive in.
Related: 19 Irresistible (and Unique!) Ice Cream Recipes for Summer
The Verdict
While they aren't exactly like the flavor of the Buster Bar bites I stole from Dad, I enjoyed the more subtle level of sweetness and the welcome balance courtesy of the pinch of salt. The entire process (not counting the freezing steps) took just 10 minutes, so I can see myself making these again all year long. Plus, each bar delivers a bit of satisfying, muscle-supporting protein (about 20 grams per bar).
When I make them again, I might follow the lead of one Breeden Falconer fan, who says, “I added mashed bananas, and it was amazing!” I can only imagine a layer of Date Caramel Sauce might be a welcome addition on top of the peanuts, too.
Score the Peanut Butter Chip Frozen Yogurt Bar recipe here, and if you’re seeking other balanced ways to sweeten up any day, don’t miss these 21 healthy ice cream and frozen dessert recipes to beat the heat.