Healthy 3 Ingredient Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
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Chocolate banana ice cream tastes EXACTLY like chocolate ice cream and is made with only 3 healthy ingredients. Our favorite way to eat it is as soft serve right out of the blender, but you can also freeze it so it's firm enough to scoop into ice cream cones! It's a healthier dessert that tastes just as creamy and indulgent as regular chocolate ice cream.
For another healthier banana-based treat, check out our banana nice cream recipe.
You know those moments when you're craving a little treat, but you also want something a bit lighter or healthier? Your healthy dessert dilemma is solved with this super easy and creamy chocolate banana ice cream recipe! It's made from just three simple, wholesome, and healthy ingredients, including frozen banana which blends up to a similar creamy consistency as ice cream. Throw in some natural almond butter and cocoa powder, and you've got yourself an indulgent scoop of goodness ā made without refined sugar!
You don't even need an ice cream maker for this banana and chocolate ice cream. There are two methods we've included for you below ā with a high-powered blender or a food processor.
Why you NEED this chocolate banana ice cream
- Sensational taste: It tastes EXACTLY like soft-serve chocolate ice cream.
- Simple ingredients: Banana and chocolate ice cream is really just that: frozen bananas, cocoa powder (the chocolate part), and some nut butter.
- Easy to make: You can whip this up in a total time of just five minutes ā and you don't need an ice cream maker!
- Versatility: It's super easy to switch things up and throw in an extra ingredient to alter the taste. Craving mint chocolate ice cream? Berries? Too easy!
- Stealthy healthy: Fussy kids? They won't even realize they're eating a healthier ice cream and getting their fruit intake!
Ingredients notes
Chocolate banana ice cream is every bit as refreshing and creamy as your favorite ice cream, but made with just three simple and healthy ingredients. No refined-sugars or hard to pronounce items here! This is all that you need:
- Ingredients: Frozen bananas, cocoa powder, and almond butter (you can also use any other nut butter you'd like).
- Optional: You can use your milk of choice if you're using a food processor ā use a milk alternative like almond milk if you want to keep it dairy-free or vegan. You can also sprinkle some chocolate chunks or chocolate chips on top!
How to make frozen banana chocolate ice cream in your food processor
If you are making chocolate and banana ice cream in your food processor, you just need to add a little liquid to help it blend. In this case, it's a 4-ingredient ice cream banana recipe! Just add a dash of your milk of choice. This is how it's done:
- Add ingredients: Put the bananas, cocoa powder, almond or peanut butter, and some milk (any kind!) in your food processor.
- Blend: Turn it on and hold on tight. It'll shake and rattle until the frozen bananas break down.
- Scrape: Scrape any mixture down the edges and keep processing the ice cream for about 3-4 minutes until it turns creamy and delicious. Enjoy!
How to make frozen banana ice cream in your blender
Friendly warning: Do NOT try to make this recipe in a regular blender. This method only works if you have a high-powered blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec). Frozen bananas are tough cookies and trying to turn them into ice cream will burn out the motor of even the most expensive regular blender. If you don't have a high-powered blender, use your food processor.
As Blendtec and Vitamix blenders are so powerful, you don't need to add any liquid to turn the bananas into ice cream, making it a little bit creamier in texture! This is how it's done:
- Throw ingredients in: Put the frozen banana slices, cocoa powder, and almond or peanut butter in your high-powered blender. Put the plunger in the lid.
- Blend and serve: Turn the machine on and quickly turn it to the highest setting. Blend, pushing the bananas down with the plunger, until the ice cream is smooth and creamy.
Note: Vitamix has a fan that cools the motor when it's run on the highest setting. Make sure to always use the highest speed (even if it's noisy) so that the fan is turned on.
Variations to try
This chocolate banana ice cream is luscious as it is, but it's also versatile, so you can play around with the flavor combinations and make it your own with some easy additions! Here are a few ideas:
- Mint chocolate ice cream:Ā Add a few drops of peppermint extract to create a mint chocolate version.
- Berries:Ā Fresh berries can add a sweet, fruity note: use cherries, strawberries, raspberries, or any other berry you can find! You can either add it at the start so it's smooth and consistent, or whip up your ice cream and blend it through the mix at the end so you have a few berry chunks.
- Sweeten it up: If your sweet tooth is calling, add some natural sweetness with maple syrup, honey, or a medjool date. You can also use vanilla extract.
- Toppings:Ā Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top for banana chocolate chip ice cream. Adding some fruit, like banana slices or a fruit puree is delicious! Or add some shredded coconut, sprinkles, or coconut whipped cream.
- Cookies and cream: Crush up some cookies or biscuits and stir the crumbs through. Oreos are the classic choice for this!
- Rum: For an adults only version, throw in a splash of rum (or vodka). Alcohol doesn't freeze, so a bit of rum will keep the ice cream that bit softer in the freezer, too.
- Crunch: Add a bit of crunch on top with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Peanut butter cup: Switch out the almond butter for all-natural peanut butter to make a peanut butter cup inspired ice cream.
- Ice cream sandwich: Add a scoop between cookies for an ice cream sandwich ā like these whole wheat peanut butter cookies.
Freezing your bananas
You'll want to start with ripe bananas. The riper the banana, the sweeter the ice cream. For this recipe, a banana with some brown or black spots is perfect! You'll want to make sure the bananas are frozen ā a normal banana won't give the creamy āice cream' texture.
To freeze the banana, get out a baking sheet and cut your banana into slices. Arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet before you pop them in the freezer, so they don't stick together. It usually takes around two hours for your banana bits to freeze up. Depending on the power of your blender, you can either throw them straight in or give them five minutes at room temperature, so they soften up just a bit.
Recipe FAQs
In the case of a nut allergy, can I substitute the nut butter?
If the person with a nut allergy is fine to eat seeds, you can use a seed butter such as Sunbutter tahini. It will have a slightly different taste, but will still be a delicious treat!
Can I freeze leftover chocolate banana ice cream?
This banana chocolate cream is best eaten immediately ā it'll be just like soft-serve ice cream if you enjoy it right from the food processor. If you want a harder texture so you can scoop it into bowls, you can put it in the freezer (in a freezer-safe container) for around 30 minutes. If you freeze it for longer than 3-4 hours, it'll harden up a lot more, which makes it a little tough to eat, but it is still tasty.
Is banana chocolate ice cream healthy?
This version of ice cream, made with natural ingredients and without refined sugars, is a healthier twist on traditional ice cream. Bananas are full of nutrients, fiber, and natural sugar. Cocoa powder contains antioxidants, while almond butter is a good source of healthy fat and protein.
Watch how to make chocolate banana ice cream
Chocolate Banana Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 frozen bananas (peeled)
- Ā¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons almond butter (can sub peanut butter)
- Ā¼ cup milk of choice (only use if you are making this in a food processor)
- Optional: chocolate chunks or chips (to sprinkle on the top)
Instructions
Chocolate Banana Ice Cream in your Blender:
- Place the frozen bananas, cocoa powder, and almond butter into your high-powered blender.4 frozen bananas, Ā¼ cup cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons almond butter
- Blend the bananas on high speed using the plunger to push the bananas down as needed. After 2-3 minutes the ice cream will run smoothly.
- Either eat right away or freeze for 2 hours so that it is hard enough to scoop into cones. Sprinkle with chocolate chunks, if you'd like.Optional: chocolate chunks or chips
Chocolate Banana Ice Cream in your Food Processor:
- Place the frozen bananas, cocoa powder, almond butter, and your choice of milk into your food processor. Pulse until the bananas are mostly broken down.4 frozen bananas, Ā¼ cup cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons almond butter, Ā¼ cup milk of choice
- Scrape the sides of the food processor then continue processing on high until the ice cream is smooth and creamy.
- Either eat right away or freeze for 2 hours so that it is hard enough to scoop into cones. If using, sprinkle with chocolate chunks.Optional: chocolate chunks or chips
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our dessert recipes!
Hello! Did you use unsweetened cocoa powder? Thanks!
Yes!
super simple and tastes delicious!
Thanks, Melissa!
What setting on the Vitamix do you? Frozen dessert setting or another?
I start it out on medium and work it up to the highest setting.
Can you post a pic of bananas before throwing in the freezer how ripe it should be?
There’s no hard and fast rule here. I’ve used bananas that are just barely ripe and bananas that are starting to brown.
Oh my goodness. Ā So easy to make and so good. Ā This could be a dangerous desert as I could eat it all by myself! Ā But I will share. Ā I used peanut butter instead of almond butter as I did not have almond butter made (I make my own). Ā Thanks for posting the recipe. Ā
You’re so welcome!
You do realize that there are 4 ingredients in this 3 ingredient recipe…
Only if you choose to use a food processor. š
So good!!!!
Yay!!
Should you add a sweetener like honey?
I find that the bananas add the perfect amount of sweetness. Once you blend them, you can taste it and add honey if you’d like it a little sweeter. š
Dying to try this but donāt have a strong blender or processor. Could this be made with unfrozen bananas and then just freeze the results?
I think it would work. Just be careful not to freeze it too long or it will be very solid. š
Just tasted like banana š used bananas that were not too ripe to try and help, but didnāt work.Ā
I’m sorry to hear that the recipe wasn’t a hit for you.
I find that when I use less ripe bananas in recipes, it turns out less sweet and more banana-y. On the flip side, I always freeze my bananas when they are basically to the point I would want them in banana bread–brown with a side of yellow. Whenever I use frozen bananas like that in a recipe, I can barely ever taste any banana.
This was amazing!
Yay! Thanks, Mckenna!
Excellent! I tried it before with chocolate chips I stead of cocoa powder and it was too sweet. This recipe was perfect. Give it a try!Ā
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that you loved the recipe!
Chocolate banana ice cream: can I use cacao nibs (Navitas Organic – no sugar or stevia added) instead of cacao powder? I ask because I’ve tried cacao nibs in other smoothies and it tastes bitter.
I suspect that they would make the ice cream bitter. You may need to add some sweetener if you opt for the nibs. š
Love this recipe. It cured my craving for ice cream. I substituted peanut butter for almond butter, because I love peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate combined. My son loved it, too. Thanks for the great recipe.
That’s so great to hear, Jane!
Very, very, very good! Good chocolat taste and so easy to do but I recommend to take out your bananas And let them thaw just a little bit it will be easier in the food processor.
Good tip, Josee!
It doesn’t taste EXACTLY like real chocolate ice cream but it’s pretty good.