Simple 2-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

This recipe yields a healthy, delicious, and naturally sweet “ice cream” that’s perfect for a quick dessert or snack.

Yields: 1-2 servings Prep time: 5 minutes (plus at least 4 hours freezing time for bananas)

Ingredients:

• 2-3 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
• 1-2 tablespoons of liquid (water, plant-based milk like almond milk or soy milk, or regular milk – optional, only if needed for blending)

Equipment:

• Blender or Food Processor (a high-speed blender or a powerful food processor works best for the creamiest result)
• Freezer-safe container (for freezing banana slices)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare and Freeze Bananas

1. Peel and Slice: Peel the ripe bananas and slice them into roughly 1-inch thick rounds. The riper the bananas, the sweeter your ice cream will be. Look for bananas with some brown spots.
2. Arrange for Freezing: Lay the banana slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, or in a freezer-safe container. Avoid clumping them together, as this will make them harder to blend.
3. Freeze Solid: Place the baking sheet or container in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until the banana slices are completely solid. Freezing overnight is ideal.

Step 2: Blend the Frozen Bananas

1. Add to Blender/Food Processor: Transfer the frozen banana slices to your blender or food processor.
2. Start Blending: Begin blending. At first, the bananas will look crumbly, like frozen chunks.
3. Scrape and Blend: You’ll need to stop frequently, scrape down the sides of the blender/food processor with a spatula, and continue blending.
4. Add Liquid (if needed): If the mixture is too thick and your blender is struggling, add 1 tablespoon of liquid (water, milk, or plant-based milk) at a time, very sparingly. Add just enough to get the mixture moving. The less liquid you add, the creamier and more ice-cream-like the consistency will be.
5. Continue Blending to Creamy Consistency: Keep blending and scraping until the mixture transforms into a smooth, creamy, soft-serve consistency. It will look like soft-serve ice cream. This can take a few minutes, depending on your blender. Don’t overblend, or it will become too liquidy.

Step 3: Serve Immediately or Freeze Further

1. Soft-Serve Style: For a soft-serve consistency, serve immediately in a bowl, cone, or a glass like the one in your image.
2. Firmer Ice Cream: If you prefer a firmer, scoopable ice cream, transfer the “nice cream” to a freezer-safe container, cover it, and freeze for another 30-60 minutes. Before serving, you might need to let it sit out for a few minutes to soften slightly.

Tips for Success:

• Ripe Bananas are Key: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your “nice cream” will be.
• Don’t Rush Freezing: Ensure the bananas are completely frozen solid for the best texture.
• Use a Powerful Blender: A high-speed blender or a good food processor will yield the smoothest results with less effort.
• Patience While Blending: It takes a few minutes for the frozen bananas to break down and become creamy. Keep scraping!
• Adjust Liquid: Only add liquid if absolutely necessary to get the mixture moving.
• Experiment with Add-ins: This is where the fun begins!

Variations and Add-ins:

Here are some popular ways to customize your banana ice cream:

• Chocolate Banana Ice Cream: Add 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder during blending. You can also add chocolate chips.
• Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream: Add 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter (or almond butter, cashew butter) during blending.
• Berry Banana Ice Cream: Add 1/2 cup of frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) along with the bananas.
• Vanilla Banana Ice Cream: Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract during blending.
• Matcha Banana Ice Cream: Add 1 teaspoon of matcha powder for an earthy flavor and green color.
• Spices: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice can be a great addition.
• Other Fruits: Add a handful of other frozen fruits like mango chunks or pineapple chunks for different flavor profiles.
• Protein Boost: Add 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder (plain or vanilla works well).
• Sweeteners (if desired): While ripe bananas are usually sweet enough, if you prefer it sweeter, you can add a drizzle of maple syrup, agave nectar, or a few dates during blending.

Enjoy your homemade, healthy, and delicious banana ice cream!