Delicious One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream Recipe
This banana ice cream recipe stars one simple ingredient: frozen bananas! This creamy, dairy-free treat is fun and refreshing on hot summer days.
Have you ever made frozen banana ice cream? This one-ingredient treat has a rich, creamy texture akin to regular ice cream, but you don’t need an ice cream maker or any sugar or dairy to make it. It whizzes up in the food processor in just a few minutes!
Banana ice cream was trendy years ago (remember “nice cream”?), but it recently made its way back into my kitchen thanks to PBS Kids show Daniel Tiger.
This healthy banana ice cream recipe is a great dessert to make with kids. But based on how much my family enjoys it, I can confidently say that adults will love it too!
How to Make Banana Ice Cream
You can find the complete recipe with measurements at the bottom of this post, but for now, here’s a quick overview of how it goes:
- Freeze the bananas: Peel the bananas, seal them in an airtight container or bag, and store them in the freezer. For the best flavor, freeze them overnight.
- Let them thaw slightly, then chop: Allow bananas to thaw on the counter for about 15 minutes before slicing. This makes blending easier.
- Whip them in the food processor: Process the chopped bananas for about 5 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides. Wait until the texture is smooth and creamy.
- (Optional) Freeze for a firmer texture: Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 30 minutes to 2 hours for a scoop-able consistency. Avoid freezing for more than 2 hours to prevent it from becoming an ice block!
Recipe Tips
- The riper the bananas, the better: Use brown, spotty bananas for the sweetest flavor.
- Let the bananas thaw if needed: If they’re hard to blend, allow them to sit a bit longer at room temperature. You can add a splash of almond milk if necessary.
- I recommend a food processor: A food processor yields a better texture than a blender without adding extra liquid.
- Enjoy on the same day: This ice cream can become icy after hours in the freezer, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Banana Ice Cream Flavor Variations
Add some excitement to your banana ice cream with these ideas:
- Incorporate smooth mix-ins like peanut butter during the last few minutes of blending.
- Fold in chunky additions like chocolate chips after the banana ice cream is fully smooth.
Let me know what variations you try!
More Favorite Frozen Treats
If you love this banana ice cream recipe, try one of these delicious frozen treats next:
| Frozen Treat | Description |
|---|---|
| Berry Sorbet | A refreshing blend of frozen berries and a touch of agave syrup. |
| Coconut Cream Pops | Light and creamy coconut popsicles made with coconut milk. |