This banana ice cream is creamy, refreshing, naturally sweet, and made with just one ingredient. Also called nice cream, it takes about 15 minutes to blend once the bananas are frozen.
Banana ice cream is one of the easiest healthy desserts you can make at home. It is smooth, cold, naturally sweet, and surprisingly creamy, even though it contains no dairy, cream, or added sugar. All you need is frozen ripe bananas and a good blender or food processor.
This simple frozen banana dessert is often called nice cream because it has the texture of soft serve ice cream while being made entirely from fruit. It is a great option when you want something sweet and refreshing without using refined ingredients. Ripe bananas give the best flavor and texture, so choose bananas with plenty of brown spots before freezing them.
Another great thing about this banana ice cream recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can enjoy it plain for a light and naturally sweet treat, or add toppings to make it feel more like a classic dessert. Crushed nuts, chocolate chips, chopped vegan chocolate, nut butter, or a drizzle of coconut butter all work well.
This recipe is especially useful during warm weather, but it also makes a quick snack or dessert any time of year. Once your bananas are frozen, the ice cream comes together in minutes. Serve it right away for a soft, creamy texture, or freeze it a little longer if you prefer a firmer scoop.
How to make banana ice cream – Step by step
- Cut the bananas into 3 or 4 pieces, place them in an airtight container, and freeze overnight.
- Add the frozen bananas to a food processor or high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Scrape down the sides as needed and keep blending until the bananas turn into a soft, thick banana ice cream.
- Enjoy it immediately for a soft-serve texture, or freeze it until solid if you prefer scoopable ice cream.
- Serve your banana ice cream with your favorite toppings.
Pro tips
- Use ripe bananas for the sweetest flavor and creamiest texture.
- If your blender or food processor is not very powerful, slice the bananas into smaller coins before freezing.
- Be patient while blending. At first, the bananas may look crumbly, but they will become creamy as you continue processing.
- You can add a small splash of plant milk if the frozen bananas are difficult to blend.
- If you want a sweeter dessert, you may add a little sweetener, although ripe bananas are usually sweet enough on their own.
- For extra flavor, mix in cocoa powder, vanilla, nut butter, or chopped chocolate after the banana base becomes creamy.
How long will this banana ice cream keep?
Store banana ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. For the best texture, make sure the container is well sealed to help prevent freezer burn.
If the ice cream is too firm straight from the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes, or until it softens enough to scoop. The exact time will depend on how cold your freezer is and how long the ice cream has been stored.
How to serve banana ice cream
This one-ingredient banana ice cream is delicious on its own, but toppings can make it even better. Try it with chopped nuts, vegan chocolate, vegan white chocolate, chocolate chips, vegan Nutella, or your favorite nut butter.
You can also serve it in a bowl with fresh fruit, add it to a smoothie bowl, or use it as a lighter dessert after a meal. If you want a soft-serve style treat, eat it right after blending. If you prefer a firmer texture, transfer it to a container and freeze it before serving.
Is banana ice cream healthy?
Yes. This banana ice cream is made only with frozen bananas, so it contains no added sugar, no dairy, and no artificial ingredients. It is a simple fruit-based dessert that tastes creamy and sweet while staying naturally wholesome.
Because bananas are naturally sweet, you do not need to add sugar for this recipe to taste like dessert. The key is to use ripe bananas and freeze them properly before blending.
Looking for more vegan ice cream recipes?
- Vegan Ice Cream
- Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
Did you make this banana ice cream recipe?
If you try this banana ice cream, leave a comment below and share how it turned out. It is always helpful to know which toppings, mix-ins, or serving ideas you enjoyed most.
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Banana Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 3 large ripe bananas
Instructions
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Cut the bananas into 3 or 4 pieces. If your food processor or blender is not very powerful, slice them into coins instead. Place the banana pieces in an airtight container and freeze overnight.
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Add the frozen bananas to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, thick, and creamy. Stop to scrape down the sides when needed, and keep blending until the texture becomes soft and ice-cream-like.
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Serve immediately for a soft texture, or transfer the banana ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to scoop.
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If the ice cream is too hard after freezing, let it rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Customize this banana ice cream with your favorite toppings or mix-ins.
- Add sweetener only if you want a sweeter result; ripe bananas are usually sweet enough.
- If the bananas are difficult to blend, add a small splash of plant milk. Coconut milk, cashew milk, or almond milk can work well.
Nutrition
Calories: 121kcal |
Carbohydrates: 31.1g |
Protein: 1.5g |
Fat: 0.5g |
Saturated Fat: 0.2g |
Sodium: 1mg |
Fiber: 3.5g |
Sugar: 16.6g
Update Notes: This post was originally published in May of 2015 and was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in February of 2022.