I almost always have a freezer full of bananas for smoothies, but in the summer I tend to use them more for making ice cream than anything else. My kids love banana ice cream and I have no problem with them eating as much of it as they want. Besides the fact that it is actually a nutritious treat, I can make it from start to finish faster than I can make a smoothie. Ice cream for breakfast anybody?
One ingredient for banana ice ice cream? Yes please!!!
To make basic the basic ice cream from bananas, you only need 1 ingredient...frozen bananas. Making flavored ice cream isn't much harder either! You simply make the banana ice cream base and add whatever flavorings you like. It's simple, no ice cream machine needed, no crazy additives, and its healthy. Winning!
Get your food processor ready, it's going to get a whole lot of use this summer.
Step 1: Peel, slice, and freeze the bananas.
- Although you can slice bananas that have been frozen whole I find that having a tray of sliced ones ensures that I keep all of my fingers on my hand. Seriously, slicing frozen bananas is scary for accident prone people like myself.
Step 2: Process the banana into soft serve ice cream.
- This can take a minute or so, but I promise it works. Simply place the frozen banana slices in the food processor and start processing.
- You will need to stop the processor a few times and scrape the sides, then continue to process.
- The bananas go from slices, to Dippin' Dots sized bits, to sometimes a mass of bananas rolling around like a rock, to all of the sudden soft serve. It's crazy and cool all at the same time!
See how easy that was?! Now, of course you can eat this as it is and enjoy some seriously tasty banana soft serve or you can use this as a base and add flavorings. I tend to like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry so I am sharing my go-to recipes for those below as well.
If you’ve tried this Banana Ice Cream Recipe, I would be so grateful if you would rate it. Let me know what you think in the comments below. I just love hearing from you, and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours!
PrintHow To Make Banana Ice Cream (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Don’t forget to rate the recipe, and let me know what you think about this Banana Ice Cream in the comments below. I just love hearing from you. Your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 2 sliced, frozen bananas
Instructions
- Place the frozen banana slices in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the "S" blade. Process until the bananas turn into smooth soft serve. Serve immediately or transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze until ready to serve.
Vanilla, Chocolate, & Strawberry Banana Ice Cream (Gluten Free, Vegan)
Don’t forget to rate the recipe, and let me know what you think about this Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry Banana Ice Cream in the comments below. I just love hearing from you. Your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 8 mins
- Total Time: 8 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
For vanilla banana ice cream
- 1 batch of banana ice cream base
- ½ of 1 vanilla bean, scraped and pod reserved for another use or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the chocolate banana ice cream
- 1 batch of banana ice cream base
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons almond or ten Free & Vegan)" href="https://thismessisours.com/make-cashew-milk-gluten-free-vegan/">cashew milk
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the strawberry banana ice cream
- 1 batch of banana ice cream base
- ½ cup roughly chopped, frozen strawberries
- 2 tablespoons almond or ten Free & Vegan)" href="https://thismessisours.com/make-cashew-milk-gluten-free-vegan/">cashew milk
Instructions
For all 3 flavors
- Make the banana ice cream base according to the directions. Once the bananas are the consistency of soft serve ice cream add the additional ingredients for whichever flavor you choose and blend until combined.
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What are the health benefits of bananas?
Bananas are known for their mineral content such as potassium and manganese of which many people do not get enough. These minerals are important for heart health, especially blood pressure control. Bananas also include several vitamins and nutrients that aid the body in overall health. The fiber helps to level out blood sugar levels and improve digestive health.
Click here for more information on the health benefits of bananas.
leon taylor says
take 2 large bananas , cut one in half, freeze one and half banana. couple hrs later throw in blender . unfrozen half banana helps the process. stop to scrape down sides several times.
Meg says
That is a great tip Leon!
tina says
Made the chocolate tonight- so yummy and satisfying!
Meg says
Yay Tina!! So glad you liked it:)
Kate @¡Hola! Jalapeño says
Whoa! That's magical. I think I have some frozen bananas calling my name!
Meg says
Seriously, you must try this! Soooo good.
Caitlin says
Does the chocolate recipe still have a strong banana taste?
Meg says
It actually doesn't have a strong banana flavor. The cocoa takes over and it tastes super chocolaty.
Nanda says
oh how i wish i had your phone number now! i'm trying to process the bananas and they just keep getting stuck over the blade, and the blade is just spinning without touching anything. I've scraped and scraped but it never engages anymore. all it ever did was get it to the dipping dots stage, and now that's what i have. 🙁
Meg says
I am so sorry you are having a problem Nanda! Hmmm...you should just be able to let it run a bit longer and it will eventually transform into soft serve. Sometimes the bananas need to melt a bit for the magic to happen. Also, if you are using a blender or a large processor you may need to add more banana to get those blades turning and free everything up a bit. If all else fails add a tablespoon or two of non-dairy milk or regular milk and try it again.
Vanesa says
Amazing recipies! thank you so much!!!
I made the chocolate today and although it was amazingly delicious the final consistency was not hard a all... i wonder if i processed it too long after i added the milk and cacao because previous to that it was quite hard...
do you have any recomendations?
thank you for you time
Meg says
Hey Vanesa, sometimes if I process them too long and they have passed the frozen yogurt stage I put them in the freezer for about 15 minutes. That should help the ice cream set up and you should be able to scoop it with an ice cream scoop.
Vanesa says
THANK YOU! 🙂
Gaby says
Looks delicious!! Wish I could share a bowl with you!
Meg says
Thanks Gaby! I will make a big bowl for you whenever you want.
Nanda says
would this work in a full-size food processor? i don't have a small mini-prep type like yours.
Meg says
Nanda, mine is a full size food processor I think the pictures just make it look smaller. 🙂
dixya@food, pleasure, and health says
i love banana icecream as well and will definitely have to try the strawberry version! so healthy and delicious.