Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
This quick and healthy Chocolate Banana Ice Cream blends frozen bananas, cacao, and almond butter into a rich, creamy dessert that tastes indulgent but is completely dairy-free. Ready in minutes without an ice cream maker, it’s naturally sweet, fiber-rich, and made with simple whole-food ingredients.
Equipment
- 1 high-speed blender or food processor
- 1 rubber spatula
- 2 serving bowls
Ingredients
- 3 medium frozen bananas cut into chunks
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk chocolate or vanilla flavored
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- ½ – 1 tablespoon cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tablespoon cacao nibs or chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Bananas: Start by taking your frozen bananas out of the freezer. Make sure they are completely frozen for the creamiest texture. Peel them (if not already peeled) and cut each banana into 1–2 inch chunks. Smaller pieces will blend more easily and give your ice cream a smoother consistency. Place the banana chunks directly into the bowl of a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Measure and Add Almond Milk: Next, measure ¼ cup of unsweetened almond milk. You can choose chocolate-flavored for an extra chocolatey taste or vanilla-flavored for a subtle sweetness. Pour the almond milk over the frozen banana chunks in your blender. This liquid helps the mixture blend smoothly and creates that creamy ice cream texture without the need for dairy.
- Incorporate Almond Butter: Spoon in 1 tablespoon of almond butter. Almond butter adds natural healthy fats, a rich nutty flavor, and a slight creaminess that makes the ice cream feel indulgent. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down any almond butter that sticks to the sides, ensuring it mixes evenly with the bananas.
- Add the Cocoa Flavor: Measure ½ to 1 tablespoon of cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder, depending on how chocolatey you want your ice cream. Add it directly to the blender. Cacao not only gives the ice cream its deep chocolate flavor but also boosts it with antioxidants. Blend together with the bananas, almond milk, and almond butter until the mixture starts looking smooth.
- Blend to Perfection: Turn on your high-speed blender or food processor. Start pulsing gently, then gradually switch to a continuous blend. You may need to pause a few times to scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are incorporated. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, resembling traditional soft-serve ice cream.
- Fold in Optional Add-Ins: If you want some extra texture, add ½ tablespoon of cacao nibs or chocolate chips. Sprinkle them over the blended ice cream and pulse just once or twice to mix them evenly without fully breaking them down. This step adds a delightful crunch and a little extra chocolatey bite.
- Serve or Freeze: For immediate enjoyment, scoop the ice cream straight into bowls and serve. If you prefer a firmer, scoopable texture, transfer the ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Smooth the top with a spatula, cover it tightly, and freeze for 1–2 hours. This will make it more solid, similar to traditional ice cream, while maintaining its creamy taste.
- Enjoy Mindfully: Serve in your favorite bowls and savor every bite. This chocolate banana ice cream is naturally sweetened, nutrient-packed, and free from dairy or added sugar. It makes a perfect quick dessert, snack, or post-workout treat, and leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to a week.
Notes
- Use fully frozen bananas for the creamiest ice cream texture.
- Adjust cacao powder to taste—start with ½ tablespoon for mild chocolate, increase for a richer flavor.
- Almond butter can be substituted with peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
- Optional cacao nibs or chocolate chips add crunch but can be skipped for a smoother texture.
- This ice cream is naturally sweetened by bananas; avoid adding extra sugar unless desired.
- For a scoopable texture, freeze the mixture for 1–2 hours after blending.
- Always blend in short bursts if your blender struggles with frozen ingredients.
