Easy Banana Ice Cream

This banana ice cream is one ingredient and tastes like a dream! Here’s how to make it: no ice cream maker required.

You’ve probably heard about one ingredient banana ice cream: and we’re here to tell you it’s worth the hype! Imagine: creamy, tropical-scented ice cream that requires no ice cream maker or ingredients other than the blackening fruit on your countertop. When you’ve got ripe bananas, this is one of the best ways to use them! It’s a fun recipe for kids that doubles as a grown up treat (especially with mix-ins). Here’s how to make this simple and wholesome banana ice cream recipe!

How to make easy banana ice cream

The traditional way to make homemade ice cream is to heat heavy cream and sugar on the stovetop to make a custard, then chill the custard and churn it in an ice cream maker. But this banana ice cream hack has been internet-famous for a while: it’s “ice cream” that’s made by blending frozen bananas (also called “nice cream”).

Can it truly be as good as it sounds? We thought we’d put it to the test. Turns out, it actually comes out sweet, frosty, and creamy: the very best one ingredient hack we know! Here’s how to make banana ice cream:

• Start with very ripe bananas. That’s right, the ones that are turning brown on the counter. The browner the better! Avoid perfectly yellow bananas: the ice cream won’t be sweet enough.
• Slice the bananas into 1/2-inch rounds, then freeze for 2 hours. Place them on a baking sheet so they don’t freeze into a solid block. The 1/2-inch size makes them easier to blend than larger pieces.
• Use a food processor to blend until smooth, or a high speed blender. We prefer the food processor because it’s easier to blend and comes together quickly: it takes about 1 minute. A high speed blender works, but it takes longer, with more times to stop and scrape down the bowl. You’ll likely have to use the tamper, which can be tricky if you’re not used to using one.
• For hard ice cream texture, freeze for 2 hours. You can eat it right away for soft serve texture, and depending on your bananas it might be fairly thick right away. It’s easier to form into scoops after freezing (this is called “ripening” with a standard ice cream).

Tips and tricks

This banana ice cream recipe is not like a standard ice cream made with dairy: there are a few downsides and things to know about this recipe hack! Here are the most important things to keep in mind:

• Blending can take a while: be patient. It will take several minutes to bring the frozen bananas to an ice cream-like texture. It’s helpful to add 1 tablespoon milk of choice, which makes it easier to blend.
• Taste and adjust flavors as necessary. If you’d like, you can add a little sugar or honey to make it slightly sweeter.
• Freezing overnight makes it become very hard and icy. The texture becomes like a block of ice. It’s best served the day it’s made.
• If too hard, allow to sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. This applies to when you’ve stored it for a few hours in the freezer.

Mix-ins and variations for banana ice cream

This banana ice cream recipe is so easy that it’s fun to try different variations! Here are a few ideas for ways to change up the base recipe, and some mix-ins to make it chunky:

• Chocolate banana: Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and additional honey, maple syrup or sugar to taste if necessary
• Peanut butter banana: Add 2 tablespoons peanut butter to the base, or swirl it in
• Chocolate chips or chunks: Add 1 handful chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, or chocolate chunks
• Chocolate ribbon: Stir in a half recipe of the chocolate from this Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream
• Nutella: Swirl in a spoonful of Nutella
• Cookie dough: Add small balls of dough from this Cookie Dough Ice Cream

What else would you add to this banana ice cream recipe? We would love to know your suggestions.

More ice cream recipes

This banana ice cream recipe is by far the simplest ice cream recipe we know! Here are a few more classic ice creams you’ll love:

• Make classic Chocolate Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream, or Vanilla Ice Cream
• Try classic Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream or Coffee Ice Cream
• Get fancy with Rocky Road Ice Cream, Cookie Dough, or Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
• Skip the dairy with Vegan Ice Cream

01

Rocky Road Ice Cream

02

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

03

Coffee Ice Cream

04

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

This banana ice cream recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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