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Banana Ice Cream (One Ingredient!)

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.

Vanilla banana ice cream in glass bowl with spoon

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!
Overhead view of bunch of ripe bananas on marble countertop

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!
Overhead view of banana ice cream in food processor bowl

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 ice cream in glass bowl with spoon

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 ice cream in glass bowl with spoon

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 banana ice cream in glass bowl with spoon

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 banana ice cream in glass bowl with spoon

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.

Banana Ice Cream

5 from 3 votes
A simple, one ingredient recipe for a silky smooth banana ice cream. This recipe can be modified with all sorts of flavors, but this is the classic recipe!
author: Alyssa
yield: 2 servings
Vanilla banana ice cream in glass bowl with spoon
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 frozen sliced bananas

topping ideas:

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

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 76IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
cuisine: American
course: Dessert

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