Here’s how to make banana nice cream easily with frozen bananas! It’s naturally sweet, dairy-free, and a wholesome alternative to traditional ice cream. Learn how to customize it with your favorite mix-ins and toppings to create different flavor variations like peanut butter banana ice cream, chocolate nice cream, and cookie n’ cream!
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I’ve come to realize bananas are magical. They’re so versatile and the perfect filler for anything. I love them in my smoothies, mixed into my cereal, and as my ice cream. Yes, you heard me right. Ice cream. It’s a dream come true. A healthy dessert, an oxymoron, is now becoming more common. And you don’t have to sacrifice the flavor you’ve come to expect from your sweets just because it’s deemed “healthy.” Plus: you don’t even need an ice cream maker!
This easy non-dairy treat made using nothing but bananas and no added sugar has quickly become my favorite way to satisfy my sweet tooth. You can customize banana nice cream with additional mix-ins to make the ultimate banana nice cream in minutes! See my favorite toppings and different flavors below.
What is banana nice cream?
Banana nice cream is a dairy-free, healthier alternative to traditional ice cream made primarily from frozen bananas. To prepare banana nice cream, ripe bananas are peeled, sliced, and then frozen. Once frozen, the bananas are blended until they reach a smooth, creamy consistency, resembling soft-serve ice cream.
The natural sugars in the bananas contribute to its sweetness, eliminating the need for added sugars. This versatile treat can be customized with various flavorings such as vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or other fruits, offering a delicious and guilt-free dessert option.
No bananas?
No problem! Any frozen fruit will work to create a delicious soft-serve, sorbet. I’ve tried it with frozen strawberries, mango, and cherries. You can even make ice cream with sweet potatoes, like this sweet potato ice cream.
Want more ideas? Check out this roundup of the best vegan banana nice cream recipes.
Ingredient Notes
- Frozen Bananas: Ensure the bananas are ripe (a little spotty) before freezing for a naturally sweet flavor. Super brown and spotty bananas are not ideal for nice cream because they tend to have a more intense, overly ripe flavor that can be too strong and may dominate the overall taste. Additionally, the texture of overly ripe bananas can become mushy and grainy, affecting the creamy consistency that is desired in nice cream. Optimal nice cream is typically made with ripe, but not overly ripe, bananas to achieve a balanced sweetness and a smoother texture.
- Non-Dairy Milk: Use a neutral-flavored non-dairy milk like almond, soy, or oat milk to achieve the desired consistency. Add gradually as needed during blending.
Optional Additions:
- Vanilla Extract – Enhance the flavor with a splash of vanilla extract.
- Ground Cinnamon – Add ground cinnamon to complement the banana’s natural sweetness.
- Pinch of Salt – A tiny pinch of salt can elevate the overall flavor profile by balancing the sweetness and enhancing other ingredients. It’s my secret ingredient to the best banana ice cream!
These are great to give the banana nice cream a bit more flavor if plain banana ain’t your jam. For even more flavor ideas, scroll down to the Flavor Variations section.
How to Make Banana Nice Cream
Step 1: Peel the ripe bananas and slice them into coins. Place the banana slices on a parchment paper-lined tray or plate in a single layer. Freeze the banana slices for at least 2-3 hours or until solid.
Step 2: Transfer the frozen banana slices to a high-speed blender or food processor. Add a tablespoon of non-dairy milk to help with blending as needed.
Step 3: Blend on high, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides, until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. If needed, add more non-dairy milk in small increments to achieve the desired consistency.
Optional Additions: At this time, add vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the blender or any other mix-ins you desire. Blend again until well combined.
Step 4: For a soft-serve texture, serve immediately. Scoop the banana nice cream into bowls or cones, add desired toppings and enjoy! If you prefer a firmer texture, transfer the nice cream to an airtight container and freeze for an additional 2 hours.
Step 5: Garnish with your favorite toppings such as sliced fruits, nuts, vegan chocolate chips, tahini caramel, or a drizzle of peanut butter sauce.
Feel free to customize the recipe by experimenting with different flavors and toppings to suit your taste preferences! See my below flavor variations for ideas.
Nice Cream Flavor Variations
Here are some additional flavor suggestions using 4 bananas:
- Chocolate Nice Cream – Add 2-4 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
- Almond Joy – Add ¼-1/2 teaspoon of almond extract, 1-3 tablespoons of chocolate chips, and 2-3 tablespoons of shredded coconut.
- Strawberry Nice Cream – Add 1 cup frozen strawberries or 1-2 tablespoons of strawberry syrup for a strawberry-banana flavor.
- Peanut Butter Nice Cream – Add 2-3 tablespoons of peanut or almond butter with 1 tablespoon maple syrup.
- Chocolate Chip Nice Cream – 1-3 tablespoons of dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Banana Nice Cream – 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract and 1-3 tablespoons of chocolate chips—can also add a spinach handful of spinach to give it a green color!
- Piña Colada – 1/2 cup frozen pineapple, 3-4 tablespoons of coconut milk or coconut cream, and pulse in shredded coconut if desired.
- Cookies’n Cream – Pulse in 1-2 crushed Oreos or similar sandwich cookies.
Which are your favorite flavors? Let me know in the comments below! For even more flavor ideas, check out this round-up of the best vegan ice cream recipes.
Tips
- Use ripe bananas with a few brown spots, but not overripe. Save those for this strawberry banana bread. Make sure to slice the bananas thinly to help them blend faster.
- If making a smaller batch with one or two servings, use a smaller food processor or blender. Larger food processors need a large volume of food to keep things moving.
- Transfer quickly to the freezer once blended to avoid it melting and creating ice crystals once frozen.
- If blending becomes challenging, allow the banana to thaw for a few minutes first. Another option is to gradually add 1 tablespoon of plant milk at a time to aid in the blending process. Just be careful as the nice cream can quickly turn into a runnier consistency if you add too much.
How To Store
If you prefer a firmer texture or want to make it in advance, you can transfer the blended nice cream into an airtight container and freeze it for an additional 1-2 hours. This will give it a more traditional ice cream consistency. Just keep in mind that when frozen, nice cream can become quite solid. To soften it before serving, you may need to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or briefly re-blend it in the food processor or blender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, nice cream does have a prominent banana flavor since it is primarily made from frozen bananas. The natural sweetness and creamy texture of bananas contribute to the delicious taste, making it a popular dairy-free alternative to traditional ice cream. However, you can always customize the flavor by adding other ingredients like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or fruits to create a variety of delicious nice cream flavors.
The term “nice cream” is a play on words, combining “nice” with “ice cream.” It refers to a healthier and dairy-free alternative to regular ice cream. The name reflects the positive attributes associated with this frozen treat, emphasizing that it is a “nice” or wholesome option compared to ice cream made with dairy and added sugars.
Nice cream is typically made from frozen bananas as the base, and it gained popularity as a guilt-free and nutritious dessert alternative. The simplicity of the recipe, along with the natural sweetness of bananas, makes it a “nice” option for those looking for a lighter and more health-conscious frozen treat.
More Cold Dairy-Free Treats
- This quite literally is the easiest no bake vegan cheesecake ever! These individually served mini cheesecakes are perfect for dinner parties or portion control!
- Sip into tropical bliss with these coconut milkshakes! It can be made with or without ice cream for a creamy cold beverage!
- For a healthy snack time hack, these peanut butter stuffed dates taste like a snickers candy bar but much healthier for you!
- For a sweet and refreshing treat, watermelon dessert pizza is a fun and delicious summer dessert that easily feeds a crowd!
If you’re looking for more easy, healthy recipes the Health My Lifestyle Meal Planner is full of them! You can easily narrow down exactly what you’re looking for with the extensive filtering options, plan out your week in seconds or grab a pre-made plan, track your calories and goals, and more! Try it for free! Check out the Meal Planner here.
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Banana Nice Cream Recipe
Method
- Food Processor or high-powered blender
Ingredients
- 6 ripe bananas peeled and sliced
Optional Mix-Ins
- dairy-free chocolate chips
- peanut butter
- chopped nuts
- ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Slice bananas up and place them in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag, and place in the freezer for at least two hours or until frozen solid.6 ripe bananas
- After bananas have been frozen, remove them from the freezer and place in a food processor. Blend until they become a creamy, soft serve consistency. If the consistency is too thick you can add 1 tablespoon of plant milk at a time to thin it out.
- If adding mix-ins, pulse in or blend them in until smooth, depending on your preference.
- Scoop into a bowl and enjoy immediately as soft serve or for firmer, scoopable ice cream, place in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for 2 hours before scooping.
Notes
Nutrition
This banana nice cream recipe was originally published on August 23, 2013, and was updated on January 26, 2024 with new photos and tips.
