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Did you know you can make the BEST healthy ice cream with just two ingredients? All you need is peanut butter and some ripe bananas. There’s no added sugar and no heavy cream required. Yet, it tastes incredibly decadent!
This is one of those “you’re just going to have to try it to believe me” situations.
It you’ve already tried regular banana ice cream, the peanut butter takes it one step further. First of all, I think adding nut butter helps to hide the “banana” flavor. But it also makes the ice cream creamier and downright scoop-able if you store this in the fridge.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“This ice cream is a new family favorite! The consistency is very close to the real deal, and the flavor came out just perfect. It went down well with my husband toddlers as well. Detoxinista is my go-to for healthy baking, and I’ve been wanting to make this ice cream for a while now. I’m glad I tried it because it comes together so quickly and is absolutely delicious! This will probably be a staple in my freezer from here on out.” – Lindsay
Banana Ice Cream Ingredients
• Frozen Bananas. This recipe is fast to prepare if you keep peeled bananas stored in to your freezer. (Here’s how to freeze bananas without them turning brown if you want my tutorial.) If you don’t keep frozen bananas on hand, you’ll either have to wait 24 hours to make this, or check out the note below.
• Peanut Butter. I use all-natural peanut butter, which has to be stirred when you first open the jar. I think this type of peanut butter gives you maximum flavor! However, any other peanut butter or nut butter you keep on hand should work for this.
• Vanilla and Salt. Adding these is optional, but it can help boost the flavor a bit.
Note: If you don’t keep frozen bananas on hand, try my Peanut Butter Banana Popsicles or Ninja Creami Banana Ice Cream, which starts with fresh bananas instead.
How to Make Banana Ice Cream
Step 1:
Once you have 3 large frozen bananas on hand, carefully cut them into coins or chunks so they will break down faster. Add the sliced bananas to a food processor fitted with an “S” blade, along with the 3 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Secure the lid and start processing.
Note: If you have a 12-cup food processor like the one I’m using in these photos, you’ll need a minimum of 3 large bananas to keep things moving. If you have a smaller food processor, you may be able to start with just 2.
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Step 2:
Continue processing the mixture until the bananas are totally smooth and creamy. It may take up to 2 or 3 minutes of processing, and occasionally scraping down the sides of the machine with a spatula, to achieve this texture.
When it’s done, the peanut butter banana ice cream should have the consistency of soft serve ice cream. You can serve this right away, or you can transfer the ice cream to a container to store in the freezer.
Serving Tips
If you let the banana ice cream sit in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours, it will become even more firm, and scoop-able. I don’t recommend letting it sit in the freezer for too long, however, or it will freeze too firmly and will be difficult to scoop.
See my storage notes below.
How to Store Banana Ice Cream
You can store banana ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Keep in mind that it will become very firm, and won’t be easy to scoop out of the container right away.
Let the banana ice cream sit on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes, so it can soften up. Then, use an ice cream scoop that has been dipped in hot water, to help it scoop more easily.
Alternatively, you can freeze the banana ice cream in smaller “scoops” on a baking sheet (like cookie dough mounds) or in an ice cube tray. When you’re ready to eat it, you can pop the smaller cubes into your food processor and process until it’s creamy and smooth again. Then, it’s ready to serve!
Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream (Dairy-Free)
Ingredients
- 3 frozen bananas (~12 ounces)
- 3 Tablespoons all-natural peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the frozen bananas into coins, so they will process faster. Then add them to the bowl of a large food processor fitted with an "S" blade. Add in the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt, too.
- Secure the lid and process until the bananas are smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a spatula, as needed. It is ready to serve when it has a soft-serve consistency, which can take 2 to 3 minutes of processing. Add a tablespoon of water or almond milk, if you want to speed the process, but keep in mind that might make your ice cream more runny in texture.
- Serve immediately for a soft-serve style dessert, or transfer to a sealed container and store in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours for a firmer, scoop-able ice cream. Banana ice cream can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks without the flavor being affected, but see the notes in this post about making it scoop-able again.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- Peanut Butter Eggs
- Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
If you try this Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how you like it! And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too.
Am i missing it? How much Peanut Butter?
Hi! This recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of peanut butter. You can see the full measurements in the printable recipe card (just press the “jump to recipe” button at the top to get there quickly). Hope you enjoy it!
Very good dessert
I taste before freezer and is deliciosos
I got only two bananas and is more
Liquid and almond butter
Taste very good
I will freezer now
Thank you for
The recipes
Very helpful ,
Best regards.
Always like your recipe
Sometime made and always are delicious
I’m vegetarian for 31 years now
And always be happy to introduce new
In my diet
Thank you thank you very much!
Thank you!! Amazing 😻
That was really tasty – much better than I expected. I just tried it to use up two ripe bananas, but it has become a staple dessert for me.
Super yummy!
I don’t have a food processor . . . Would this work in a nutribulett?
This is delicious! I make it for my 2 year old grandson who doesn’t care for protein but he loves bananas and doesn’t seem to notice the peanut butter in this. I really enjoy it too and sometimes add a few graham crackers or animal crackers for some crunch.
So yummy! I had to add some water because the bananas were gumming up the food processor. Added cacao powder and it was like a frosty!
Just prepared it and licked my fingers after replacing it in the freezer. Tastes super yummy exactly like Sneaker