Okay, so this isn’t really ice cream, but I think that a lot of people know by now that you can make an extremely suitable ice cream-like substitute out of frozen bananas.
The kids… They had no idea it wasn’t real, the texture is spot on. There are a couple different ways you can make this: a high-powered blender (like a Blendtec with the Twister Jar, or a Vitamix) or in a food processor. I don’t have a Twister Jar on my Blendtec (yet) so I opted to go the food processor route. It can be a time consuming process, but watching the bananas turn from, well, bananas into ice cream is pretty neat.
You can see how irresistible this stuff is because I couldn’t even take 3 pictures before tiny little hands started reaching for the spoon. I seriously have 3 pictures that are good, and about 12 with a hand grabbing the spoon. Every time I put the spoon back, she was grabbing it again. So I gave up. Luckily, she’s got a cute little hand.
Banana Chocolate Almond Butter Ice Cream
Chocolate ice cream that has no cream and sugar and the kids still love? It does exist and it's easy.
Ingredients
- 4 Bananas, peeled, frozen, and sliced
- 1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 1/4 cup Almond Butter
Instructions
- Place the frozen banana slices in the food processor or blender. Process until fluffy, creamy and smooth. You will probably have to keep scraping the sides and pushing the bananas down occasionally until the ice cream texture is achieved.
- Once the bananas are the texture of ice cream, add the cocoa powder and almond butter to the bananas and process again until well combined.
- Serve right away. If you choose to freeze it after making it or because you have leftovers, let thaw on the counter about 10 minutes before scooping so it's not so rock hard.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5Amount Per Serving: Calories: 165Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 4gSugar: 12gProtein: 4g
15 comments
This is good! Thanks for sharing!
Is it ok with coconut butter
You could add any butter, it’s is just for flavor, or you could leave it out altogether. If you add the coconut butter, it will just taste more coconutty 🙂
I am new to this, but understanding is that Peanuts are Legumes….so isn’t peanut butter a no no?
Yes, peanut are a legume and are not paleo, which is why I mention that in the post. We are not 100% paleo (closer to 80%), and you can certainly sub almond or any other nut butter in this recipe with equally delicious results.
I should have read more! Thanks for sharing. I like your site a lot!
Not a problem. I’m guilty of being a post-skimmer at times too 🙂 Glad you like the site!
Have you tried this without the nut butter? I am not a fan of chocolate & peanut butter, I would rather the chocolate be left alone 🙂
You can certainly leave out the nut butter. I’ve done it both ways, but I’m a PB junkie. It’s my weakness 😉
Just wondering could I use a blender? Since I don’t have a food processor or a ice cream machine?
I imagine you could, especially in one like a Blendtec or a Ninja. It just needs to be blended down smooth, so a high-powered blender should make it easy.
This ice cream was creamy and delicious and sweet. And quick enough to make right when needed. It gave me hope for a life with fun food while eating healthy and staying in shape.
Thank you!
Could I add one egg?
This is not a custard-based ice cream, it doesn’t get cooked, so I wouldn’t suggest or recommend adding eggs to it.
When freezing bananas do you put the whole banana in the freezer or do you peel them first?