Chocolate Banana Ice Cream – (Healthy Frozen Dessert!)

This healthy chocolate banana ice cream recipe is quick to make and so delicious. Plus, it’s completely dairy free, gluten free, and vegan!

What makes this the best chocolate banana ice cream?

• Easy to whip up at home. You need just 3 ingredients plus a pinch of salt.
• More chocolate. Most chocolate nice cream recipes call for a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder. This recipe uses an entire third cup, for extra chocolatey goodness.
• Ice cream shop taste. A direct quote from my mother, the first time I served the healthy dessert to my family: “It tastes like a dark chocolate covered banana!”
• High fiber. Just one serving of this decadent chocolate frozen treat gives you over twenty five percent of the daily value for fiber.
• No sugar added. Not even honey or maple syrup. Banana adds natural sweetness, so there’s no need to add any sugar or sweetener at all.

You may also love this Chocolate Banana Bread

Step by step recipe video

Healthy chocolate banana dessert

I’ve been making dark chocolate banana ice cream, or “nice cream,” for over a decade.

Any time I find myself with extra ripe bananas on the counter, I’ll throw them into the freezer to blend into a nutritious fruit sweetened dessert.

It’s cheaper and healthier than store bought chocolate ice cream, with much less saturated fat as well. And it easily satisfies even the most intense chocolate craving.

The best part is that you can customize the base by adding different mix ins to create endless flavors. It feels like Baskin-Robbins or Dairy Queen in my very own kitchen.

Yet at the same time, this homemade chocolate nice cream is low calorie, naturally sweetened, and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Key ingredients

Bananas – The recipe calls for three ripe bananas. You’ll know the fruit is ripe when the peels turn least partially brown and spotted. Fully brown bananas are great for nice cream too.

Cocoa Powder – Honestly, you can’t go wrong! Unsweetened cocoa powder is great, hot chocolate mix is great, Dutch cocoa powder is great. I also love using raw cacao powder. Or add chocolate protein powder for high protein chocolate banana ice cream.

Vanilla Extract – Pure vanilla extract enhances both the banana and chocolate flavors. For best results, do not substitute artificial or imitation vanilla.

Salt – Professional chefs know that adding just a pinch of salt to your chocolate desserts will deepen the rich chocolate taste.

Almond Butter – Optional almond butter gives the ice cream additional richness and creaminess. You can use any nut or seed butter. I especially love Homemade Nutella, or peanut butter, which tastes like a chocolate peanut butter cup in healthy ice cream form!

Toppings – Stir in or sprinkle on whatever your heart desires. For a decadent chocolate banana ice cream sundae, add mini chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, hot fudge sauce, or chopped caramels. Or go with a healthier option like sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, shredded coconut, walnuts, or pecans.

Key equipment

Freezer – You’ll need a freezer to freeze the bananas.

Blender – For the smoothest and creamiest results, use either a high speed blender, like a Vitamix, or a standard size food processor. I’ve also included a Ninja Creami option below.

The recipe does not require an ice cream maker. However, you can mash everything together and churn in an ice cream machine if you do wish to use one instead of a blender.

Ice cream scoop – This is not required, but it’s nice to have if you want that classic ice cream parlor look. Taste-wise, a spoon works just as well for scooping the ice cream from the blender.

Ice cream cones – Have cake cones, waffle cones, or bowls and spoons on hand for serving… unless you want to eat the ice cream straight from the blender. I am not going to judge you because I’ve definitely done this too.

How to make chocolate nice cream

1. Start by peeling the bananas, slicing them into large pieces, and freezing. You can do this step days or even weeks in advance, for an almost instant snack or dessert as soon as a craving hits.
2. Add the frozen bananas, cocoa powder or protein powder, pure vanilla extract, salt, and optional nut butter to a high speed blender or a food processor.
3. Blend until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the machine as needed. It should have a chocolate banana soft serve consistency after blending.
4. Use a spoon to stir in any mix ins or toppings you want at this time.
5. Enjoy right away, or transfer to a container and freeze for about thirty minutes if you prefer a firmer ice cream texture.
6. Store leftovers in a covered container in the freezer for up to three weeks. Thaw before scooping and serving so that the ice cream will not be rock hard.

The nice cream is delicious on top of Vegan Chocolate Cake

Chocolate banana ice cream health benefits

• High in iron, potassium, fiber, and magnesium.
• Low fat and very low in saturated fat.
• Each chocolatey serving packs in up to 16.5 grams of protein.
• Cholesterol free, trans fat free, and added sugar free.
• A much lower calorie alternative to popular premium ice cream brands like Haagen Dazs, Blue Bell, or Ben & Jerry’s.
• No gums, stabilizers, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners.

The recipe was adapted from my Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream and this Banana Ice Cream.

More chocolate banana recipes

Chocolate Banana Cake

Healthy Chocolate Fudge

Oatmeal Banana Bread

Chocolate Smoothie

Peanut Butter Popsicles

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Healthy Chocolate Cake