Okay, so this isn’t really ice cream, but I think that a lot of people know by now that you can make an extremely suitable ice cream-like substitute out of frozen bananas.
The kids… They had no idea it wasn’t real, the texture is spot on. There are a couple different ways you can make this: a high-powered blender (like a Blendtec with the Twister Jar, or a Vitamix) or in a food processor. I don’t have a Twister Jar on my Blendtec (yet) so I opted to go the food processor route. It can be a time consuming process, but watching the bananas turn from, well, bananas into ice cream is pretty neat.
You can see how irresistible this stuff is because I couldn’t even take 3 pictures before tiny little hands started reaching for the spoon. I seriously have 3 pictures that are good, and about 12 with a hand grabbing the spoon. Every time I put the spoon back, she was grabbing it again. So I gave up. Luckily, she’s got a cute little hand.
Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Ice Cream
Chocolate ice cream that has no cream and sugar and the kids still love? It does exist and it's easy.
Ingredients
- 4 Bananas, peeled, frozen, and sliced
- 1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 1/4 cup Almond Butter
Instructions
- Place the frozen banana slices in the food processor or blender. Process until fluffy, creamy and smooth. You will probably have to keep scraping the sides and pushing the bananas down occasionally until the ice cream texture is achieved.
- Once the bananas are the texture of ice cream, add the cocoa powder and almond butter to the bananas and process again until well combined.
- Serve right away. If you choose to freeze it after making it or because you have leftovers, let thaw on the counter about 10 minutes before scooping so it's not so rock hard.
Nutrition Information
Yield 5Amount Per Serving Calories 165Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 4gSugar 12gProtein 4g
Asia
Tuesday 21st of June 2022
Thank you for sharing this recipe! It is delicious and satisfies my cravings. I've made this a few times and still haven't been able to get that creamy ice cream texture. It's either too chunky or too liquid. I am using a ninja food processor. Do you have any recommendations?
Kendra Benson
Thursday 23rd of June 2022
Thank you! I have only ever made this in a food processor, and scrape the sides frequently to be sure all the chunks and pieces get processed smoothly. If you have a food processor, I’d suggest trying it in there to see if you get different results.
Diane
Friday 14th of June 2019
When freezing bananas do you put the whole banana in the freezer or do you peel them first?
Suzanne Johnson
Thursday 27th of January 2022
@Diane, I just made this and froze them sliced… as I was making it, I wondered to myself if I could have just frozen them whole peeled too. I don’t think it would have made any difference. Slicing a frozen banana can’t be too difficult. I used a food processor and getting creamy took longer than I suspected. It definitely requires lots of scraping. A powerful blender may have been the better tool to use here. It turned out ok. Not as sweet as I had hoped so I added a glob of honey and a splash of vanilla… then a small handful of chocolate chips. Baby steps for me.
Mayana Amlung
Thursday 17th of January 2019
Could I add one egg?
Kendra Benson
Thursday 17th of January 2019
This is not a custard-based ice cream, it doesn't get cooked, so I wouldn't suggest or recommend adding eggs to it.
Kaat
Thursday 28th of June 2018
This ice cream was creamy and delicious and sweet. And quick enough to make right when needed. It gave me hope for a life with fun food while eating healthy and staying in shape. Thank you!
Theresa Muhvich-Bertuleit
Sunday 7th of January 2018
Just wondering could I use a blender? Since I don't have a food processor or a ice cream machine?
Kendra Benson
Sunday 7th of January 2018
I imagine you could, especially in one like a Blendtec or a Ninja. It just needs to be blended down smooth, so a high-powered blender should make it easy.