The easiest ice cream you’ll ever make, this banana ice cream recipe requires only ONE ingredient and no churning either. Add your favorite toppings or flavors to make it your own.
I'm going to show you how to make the easiest ice cream of all time. No churning, no waiting, and no dairy and no added sugar either. (My Banana Milk recipe can be made dairy-free too!) This simple, one-ingredient banana ice cream will satisfy those ice cream cravings in a more wholesome way because it’s literally just made with bananas. Bananas!
Why You Need Banana Ice Cream in Your Life
If you are a banana lover, you will flip for this recipe. Banana ice cream is creamy, silky smooth, delicious and a cinch to make!
- No churning means no waiting. Unlike traditional ice cream recipes, this one does not require any churning. That means you can enjoy your homemade treat right away without having to wait for it to churn and then freeze.
- Dairy-free. If you are lactose intolerant or vegan, you’ll love that banana ice cream is completely dairy-free but still gives you that creamy texture of traditional ice cream.
- So many flavor options. While plain banana ice cream is delicious on its own, you can also get creative and add different mix-ins and toppings to switch things up. I share some ideas later in this post!
- Easy to make at home. You don't need any fancy equipment or ingredients to make this recipe, just bananas and a food processor!
What You’ll Need
Here’s the simple list of ingredients you’ll need to make banana ice cream. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Bananas – The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more banana-forward your ice cream will be. So, for example, if you want to make the vanilla variation listed below, you may want to use a banana that’s just beginning to ripen so more of the vanilla bean flavor shines through.
- Toppings – Sliced banana, peanut butter, chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, Coconut Whipped Cream, and anything else you like on your ice cream!
How To Make Banana Ice Cream
You only need two things to make banana ice cream: frozen bananas and a food processor or high-powered blender.
- Freeze your bananas. Make sure to peel and slice them before you freeze them so they are easier to blend!
- Process. Add the bananas to your food processor. I like using a food processor because I don't need to add any liquid to make it blend, so it stays creamier. But you can also do it in a blender; just make sure you have one that has a tamper so you can move the ice cream around.
- Serve. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
4 Banana Ice Cream Flavor Ideas
You can use this recipe as a base to make all kinds of different flavors. Here are 4 ideas to get you started!
Vanilla Banana
- 4 frozen bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 – 2 tablespoons liquid of choice
Add the bananas into your food processor and process until they start to get creamy. Add the rest of your ingredients and process again until smooth.
Strawberry Banana
- 2 frozen bananas
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 1 – 2 tablespoons liquid of choice
Add the bananas and strawberries into your food processor and process until they start to get creamy. Add the liquid and continue to process until smooth.
Chocolate Cherry
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- a whole avocado
- 2 – 3 tablespoons cacao powder
Add the bananas and cherries into your food processor and process until they start to get creamy. Add the avocado and cacao powder and continue to process until smooth.
Mint Chip
- 4 frozen bananas cut into chunks
- 1 avocado
- 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
- 2 – 3 tablespoons cacao nibs or chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon spirulina or matcha optional (for color)
Add all the ingredients to a food processor and process on high until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed. Serve with cacao nibs or chocolate chips on top!
How to Store
Banana ice cream is best enjoyed immediately, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften it up a bit.
More Ice Cream Recipes
Banana Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 frozen sliced bananas
topping ideas:
- sliced banana
- peanut butter drizzle
- chocolate chips
- chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Add the bananas to a food processor fit with the steel blade and process until the bananas have started to blend together and form an ice cream. Scrape down the sides as needed and continue to process until the bananas turn into a creamy, ice cream consistency.
- Top with you desired toppings and enjoy!
Nutrition
I got my inspiration from your recipe above, and had made it that way several times, so thank you.
We moved to Panama, and have banana trees all over property. I started using my blender, unsweetened almond milk, and vanilla extract (I’ve also used almond extract….also delicious), and blended them till they were whipped and fluffy. Poured into containers, but plastic wrap on top to keep from crystallizing, and freeze….delicious right out of the tub, or re blend to get smooth and fluffy.
Wow and wow!!! Thank you so much for this healthy dessert! Anytime!
The banana and vanilla recipe actually worked and was pleasant. For an internet recipe that’s a resounding win. I used really overripe bananas that no one wanted to eat (which give a better flavour in recipes anyway) so that saved waste as well.
I can’t believe I was last year years old when I discovered frozen bananas. I like them better frozen than not!!
I just tried your recipe and it was fantastic! I made triple berry “nice” cream using a blend of frozen raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Looking forward to making more flavors. Thank you for the recipe.
Of course! Thanks so much for the review!
Cheers to banana nice cream! Is the avocado necessary in the mint chip? Or could you suggest an alternative if it needs some sort of creamy ingredient? Sadly I am allergic to avocado :/ Thanks!
Not necessary – just use more bananas 🙂
We have tried all but the mint. They are our favorite summertime treat, so easy to make and delicious! We add a few favorite toppings and we are good to go. I freeze leftovers and it is delicious as well. Thank you so much for creating a recipe that is so healthy, tasty, and easy to prepare!
YAY! That makes me so happy 🙂 Let me know what other sort of flavors you end up trying!!
The mint Chocolate chip is our favorite. So good the second time I made it I double the recipe so we could have it a second night. Going to try the Strawberry today. Can your blend everything before you freeze the bananas and then freeze it in a container? Chocolate dipped banana Popsicle are great. Heat wave here in NJ buying large bunches of bananas. Not buying ice cream any more.
Yay I’m so glad! I love that one too 🙂
Can this be made ahead of time and placed in the freezer? Thanks so much!
Absolutely!!