When those ice cream cravings hit, but you want something a bit lighter, why not blend up a frozen banana and make yourself some Banana Nice Cream. A lower in calorie and fat alternative to ice cream, which kids love too. So many different ways to flavour it and the topping choices are almost endless. This frozen dessert can be ready in just 2 minutes.
Nice cream just sounds so, well, nice, doesn't it? It implies that ice cream isn't nice, which is of course it is, but if you are looking for a lower in fat and calories alternative then this frozen treat is nicer. This is also raw, vegan, gluten free, dairy free and with no added sugar.
It is basically a frozen banana that has been blended up to have an ice cream consistency. Yes, really! It's a great way to use up bananas that are going a bit brown, as super ripe bananas are best for this recipe.
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Why you will love it
- Just 133 calories for a big bowl
- Lower in fat than ice cream
- Lots of different ways to flavour it
- Vegan
- Kids love it
Ingredients needed
- Bananas - You need frozen bananas for this recipe. We always keep bananas in the freezer to use in either this, smoothies or our 5 minute healthy frozen yogurt. Make sure the bananas you freeze are really ripe.
- Cocoa powder - This is optional, if you want to make chocolate nice cream.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step by step
One: Put the frozen bananas in a food processor and blend for 2 minutes until an ice cream consistency. You will need to stop the food processor a couple of times to scrape the sides down and carry on blending. It will look like crumbs to begin with, but keep going as it will start to get creamy. If your blender is really having trouble with the frozen bananas, add a little milk to help it.
Two: Serve in glasses topped with chocolate chips and coconut (or toppings of choice).
Health benefits of bananas
Bananas are a great source of potassium, vitamin B6, fibre and carbohydrate, and some vitamin C too. They do have a lower water content than most fruit, so bananas typically have more calories as well as a higher sugar content compared to other non-tropical fruits. But, this is still a lighter version of ice cream.
Bananas full of potassium, which is one of the most important electrolytes in the body, helping to regulate heart function as well as fluid balance. It is a key factor in regulating blood pressure.
Flavour options
First I blended just a banana, to keep it simple and then I took it one step further. Oh yes - I live on the edge! I added cocoa powder and made chocolate ice cream. SO GOOD! The list is almost endless of the things you can add to make different flavours.
Some of the other ingredients we like to add instead of cocoa powder include frozen strawberries or cherries to make a berry ice cream, peanut butter to make a nutty ice cream or vanilla extract for something subtle. You could even add some orange zest to this chocolate version.
Basically, think of all your favourite ice cream flavours and you can probably recreate them with nice cream. Love mint choc chip? Mix in some peppermint extract and chocolate chips. Cookies and cream your favourite? Crush up an Oreo or two and stir it in.
Toppings
Ice cream is all about the toppings isn't it? We added some dark chocolate chips and coconut flakes, but you can go really crazy here. Kids love this recipe anyway (it is tried and tested on many, many kids), but what they will really love is adding the toppings themselves. Sprinkle, sauces, chopped nuts, chunks of fruit, anything goes here.
FAQs
If you don't like banana, then this isn't really for you because it does still have a banana flavour. But the creaminess of banana lends itself really well to an ice cream alternative when it is frozen.
Yes, this is naturally vegan. Just be mindful of what you mix in to it or what you add as toppings. If you want going to sweeten it, don't use honey if you want to keep this vegan.
If you don't want to have to blend up the bananas every time you want some of this, you could make a big batch and then keep it in the freezer like you would regular ice cream. You would need to let it soften a big before serving though.
Eating this straight from the blender it has a soft serve consistency. If you want a more solid ice cream, then put it in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour and it will be more scoop-able.
More dessert recipes
If you’ve tried this banana nice cream recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Healthy Chocolate Nice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 Banana - peeled and cut into slices that have been frozen for at least 4 hours
- 2 tablespoon Cocoa powder - (unsweetened)
Instructions
- Put the frozen banana slices into a food processor with the cocoa powder.
- Blend until it forms a creamy ice cream consistency. (see notes below)
Notes
- Nut butter (homemade peanut butter is my favourite)
- Vanilla
- Other frozen fruits (strawberries or pineapple work well)
- A tiny bit of orange juice, or orange zest
- Chilli flakes (yes, chilli flakes! Chilli chocolate is amazing!)
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
How delish!! What a great way to get ice cream without all the fat!
Amy Deverson
Oh my goodness I am DEFINITELY making these!! They look amazing and so quick too.
Tandy | Lavender and Lime
This is a great treat when you are watching what you are eating
WhatLauraLoves
I absolutely LOVE making banana ice cream. Will try with the cocoa powder as I tried using hot chocolate and it didnt really work for me- thanks for the tip xxx
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Gotta love frozen bananas. I can't freeze them fast enough!!
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
I'm glad you enjoyed the heat! I grew up with frozen banana ice cream (my Mum used to make it for us) and since going vegan it's been a regular staple of my summer times - I love how versatile it is. Chocolate is always a classic :)
Claire
Yum! Frozen bananas are such a godsend, aren't they?
Jo Wiggins
Oh my goodness! This looks amazing! I'll definitely be giving this a try X
Kelly
So glad you guys took the time out to enjoy the day. Ice cream is the perfect reward especially when it's healthy! It's been so hot here we can't get enough of banana ice cream too :) Love that you added chocolate!
Lara
Ice cream is my biggest weakness, and I can eat too much of it too. My daughter is allergic to banana though, but would this work with another fruit?
Carol
I wish I had bananas in the freezer to make this, but I will be making some tomorrow. Great idea Dannii!
Mary
Sounds like the perfect way to enjoy the sunny days we've had this week! I really, really miss living by the beach now that we live in Northamptonshire. Chips and ice cream are always a must when you head to the seaside! :)
Jess
Gotta love a day out in Blackpool, your fish & chips look amazing! I love banana "ice cream", totally agree that it doesn't even taste of banana really :)
Rhian Westbury
Wow so simple to make, I always forget how banana's can be used for ice cream and things like this. They look amazing x
Molly Kumar
I love that you made it so healthy yet simple. I'm always ready for 2 mins chocolate ice -creams :)
swayam
wow!! You sure had a good day. And seriously frozen banana and chocolate icecream?? Say that again pls!! LOVE it. My 4 yr old would love this so much.. Hope to make it real soon :)
Karina
Ah the simple pleasures are the best, love ur down to earth approach to living, good job guys!
Matt @ Plating Pixels
I've made a similar healthy pudding. Love that you can have sweet but natural and healthy foods!
Suchi @elegantmeraki
OMG!!! Healthy ice cream!!! is that even possible looks like it is after all... Love it! Bookmarking it.
J @Blessherheartyall
Okay, so chocolate ice cream is always a win, but then it's 2 minutes... and then you have me sold!