Craving something sweet and chocolatey that you can feel good about? This Healthy Chocolate Banana "Ice Cream" is a dream come true! It’s a simple, homemade treat that’s creamy, delicious, and made with just 4 wholesome ingredients.
When those chocolate cravings hit hard, this Healthy Chocolate Banana Ice Cream is the perfect guilt-free treat! Unlike traditional ice cream that’s made with cream and lots of added sugar, this indulgent dessert is made with pureed bananas.
This banana-based ice cream is often called "nice cream," because its made from wholesome, plant-based ingredients and is a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream. The bananas give it a creamy texture and natural sweetness, so no additional sweetener is needed.
This healthy chocolate banana nice cream recipe so easy to whip up at home with just 4 simple ingredients. And you don't even need an ice cream maker! The combination of chocolate and peanut butter tastes like a Snickers bar.
If you love chocolate as much as I do, you’ll also want to check out my Chocolate Protein Yogurt Bowl, Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Cakes, and Healthy Chocolate Smoothie for more healthy snack ideas.
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Why You'll Love This Dish
- Naturally Sweetened: This healthy ice cream has no added sugar, just the natural sweetness from ripe bananas.
- Nutrient-Packed: Bananas are rich in fiber and potassium, while cocoa powder and peanut butter add healthy fats and antioxidants.
- Quick & Easy: You only need a few simple ingredients and a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Vegan: This vegan ice cream is made with plant-based ingredients.
- Kid-Friendly: A healthier dessert option that even the pickiest eaters will love. Check out my post on healthy snacks for kids.
- Customizable: Add your favorite toppings or mix-ins for endless flavor combinations!
How to Ripen Bananas Fast:
If you don’t have any ripe bananas, you can ripen them quickly in the oven or air fryer! Then they’ll be perfectly soft and ready to stir into the batter. Read my post on How To Quickly Ripen Bananas in the Oven or Air Fryer.
Doctor’s Tips
- As a doctor and a chef, I’m always looking for healthy alternatives that still satisfy my sweet tooth.
- Bananas are rich in potassium and fiber, while cocoa powder adds a dose of antioxidants, which are important for fighting inflammation and protecting cells from damage. Combining these with a little peanut butter gives you healthy fats that help keep you full.
- This dessert is a great way to enjoy something sweet without the added sugars found in traditional ice cream.
- For an added nutritional boost, you can even mix in some flax seeds or chia seeds to up the fiber and omega-3 content!
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at the end of the post for full ingredient list.
- Bananas- the main ingredient in this nice cream; use the ripest bananas you have because they are the sweetest. Peel and slice the bananas and freeze them on a sheet pan until firm.
- Cocoa powder- I use unsweetened cocoa powder; you can substitute cacao powder.
- Peanut butter- I use creamy peanut butter, which adds rich flavor and keeps the ice cream creamy. You can substitute almond butter.
- Milk- you just need a splash of milk to get the food processor going. You can use dairy milk or plant-based milk like almond milk to keep the recipe vegan.
- Optional Toppings: peanut butter, crushed peanuts, chocolate chips
How To Make Chocolate Banana "Ice Cream"Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Step 1- In a high-speed blender or food processor, add the frozen sliced bananas, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and milk.
- Step 2- Blend on the highest speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This should take about 1-2 minutes. Stop to scrape down the sides occasionally as needed. At this point, it will have the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.
You can enjoy the ice cream immediately or if you prefer a firmer texture, transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for a couple of hours before serving. Scoop into a bowl or cone and top with your favorite toppings like peanut butter, crushed peanuts or chocolate chips.
Chef’s Tips
- For the creamiest texture, peel and slice the bananas before freezing them. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, about 3-4 hours or overnight. This prevents them from clumping together.
- Use the ripest bananas you have because they will be the sweetest. Don't have any ripe bananas? Read my post on how to ripen bananas quickly in the oven or air fryer.
- A powerful, high-speed blender or food processor will give you the best, smoothest texture.
- You may need to turn off your food processor or blender and stir the mixture a few times so that it blends evenly.
- Feel free to swap peanut butter for almond butter, or use dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor. You can also stir in nuts or dried fruit like cherries. You can also add other flavorings like a bit of vanilla extract, cinnamon, or sea salt.
- Check out my One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream post to get more flavor ideas.
Recipe FAQs
A regular blender can work, but you may need to blend for a bit longer or stop to stir the mixture occasionally to get it smooth.
Store any leftover banana chocolate ice cream in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften up before scooping.
Any type of milk will work including dairy milk or plant-based milk like almond milk.
Get creative! Fresh berries, cacao nibs, caramel sauce, or a drizzle of maple syrup are all great options.
Absolutely! Almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter would be delicious alternatives.
More Tasty Frozen Treats
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Recipe
Healthy Chocolate Banana "Ice Cream"
Ingredients
- 4 bananas cut into slices and frozen until firm
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons milk any type
- Optional toppings:
- Peanut butter, crushed peanuts, chocolate chips
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients together in a high-speed food processor or blender until smooth. This will take a good minute or two.
- When it’s done, it will be smooth and creamy, just like soft serve ice cream. Serve right away or, for a firmer texture, pop it in the freezer for a few hours. Top with your favorite toppings!
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