Make healthy chocolate banana ice cream with frozen bananas, cacao powder, almond milk and almond butter. It’s absolutely delicious, healthy, dairy-free and doesn’t require an ice cream maker!
Throughout the summer months I seem to crave ice cream. Maybe it’s childhood memories of chocolate and strawberry cones from Carl’s Ice Cream, the best soft-serve ice cream shop ever. Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s blazing hot outside and I need something to cool down. Either way, I could eat ice cream every day. It’s always been my favorite dessert so when I found out you could make banana ice cream from ONE ingredient (frozen bananas) I was in heaven.
I actually have to thank my mother-in-law for the idea because she was the first person to introduce me to it. This was years ago — way before the land of Pinterest. Now everyone knows about frozen banana ice cream, which is awesome!! I’m just waiting for someone to open a shop with healthy fruit-based ice creams here in Richmond.
Anyhow, this summer I’ve been on a banana ice cream bender… again. I’ve been making a bunch of different combos and have found a new favorite.
Here’s What You Need:
frozen bananas – I recommend peeling and chopping your bananas before freezing so they’re easier to blend! Check out my how to freeze bananas guide for tips and tricks!
almond milk – I used unsweetened chocolate almond milk for more chocolate flavor without adding sugar and it was delicious! Unsweetened vanilla almond milk works great too.
almond butter – any brand of almond butter works – just make sure the only ingredients are almonds and salt! I like the Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s brands.
cacao powder – or cocoa powder works!
cacao nibs or chocolate chips – optional but I love the texture it adds. If you use chocolate chips, I recommend Lily’s chocolate chips as there is no added sugar.
We all know banana and chocolate go well together, but you introduce a little almond butter to the mix and things get real. Chocolate, banana and almond butter = the trifecta.
Of all my years buying Almond Breeze this was my first time buying the unsweetened chocolate. Crazy, right? I’m excited I finally decided to try it because I can definitely see myself buying it again. I’ve actually been using it as creamer for my iced cold brew coffee and it’s quite delicious. Like a mocha iced latte. 🙂
See how smooth and creamy it turns out?!?
Get Creative!
I added in a few cacao nibs for a little crunch, but they’re totally optional. Isaac hates crunchy things like nuts and chocolate chips in his ice cream (or brownies) so I get that some people won’t be a fan.
Nibs or no nibs, this healthy ice cream is soooo good and incredibly easy to make! Ready for the recipe?
½Tablespoonscacao nibs or chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
Place bananas, almond milk, almond butter and cocoa powder into a food processor or high speed blender.
Pulse/process until smooth and creamy. You may need to turn off the motor and stir the mixture a couple times while processing.
Add in cacao nibs or chocolate chips (if using) and pulse once more. Spoon ice cream in to a bowl and enjoy! If you want to be able to scoop the ice cream you can place it in the freezer for 2 hours so it’s solid enough to scoop.
Thanks for the recipe! I make it all the time now and experiment with different mix-ins. It’s even creamer if you use coconut milk or coconut cream instead of almond milk.
Very tasty recipe. I added some vanilla essence and then mixed cacao nibs through the finished mixture. Also, I substituted the almond butter for natural peanut butter, Delicious.
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We love this recipe. So easy and delicious!
Yay! I am happy that you are loving this recipe, Jo. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!
Thanks for the recipe! I make it all the time now and experiment with different mix-ins. It’s even creamer if you use coconut milk or coconut cream instead of almond milk.
Oh, coconut cream is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing and leaving a review, I appreciate it so much, Lauren!
excellent post thank you for sharing
Looks delicious
Very tasty recipe. I added some vanilla essence and then mixed cacao nibs through the finished mixture. Also, I substituted the almond butter for natural peanut butter, Delicious.
Happy to hear this ice cream was a hit, Charlene! Thanks so much for trying it out and coming back to leave a review. It means so much to me!