One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

Make this healthy and delicious ice cream with only one ingredient: bananas. It’s fruity, creamy, and so summery that it will keep you scooping for more! Enjoy it as a guilt-free treat, a cold dessert, or a dollop over a brownie.

Peel Back The Banana History

Banana ice cream is a popular treat worldwide. The simplicity of banana ice cream, especially the one-ingredient version, makes it a global favorite, particularly among those seeking dairy-free or vegan dessert options. Bananas are grown in tropical regions, including parts of Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, where they are used in various traditional dishes and desserts.

Ingredients for Banana Ice Cream Recipe

• 4 large ripe bananas (544 grams)

Recommended Equipment

• Food Processor or High-Speed Blender: To blend the bananas into a creamy texture.
• Baking Sheet or Tray: Ensure it fits flat in your freezer.

How to Make One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream

Freeze Bananas: Peel the bananas and cut them into 1/2-inch slices. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, optionally lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 2 hours or until completely frozen.

Blend: Transfer the frozen banana slices to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend the bananas until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. This may take a few minutes and require some patience, but keep blending until you reach an ice cream-like consistency.

Tip: Frozen banana slices thaw more quickly than whole bananas, so it’s best to keep them frozen until ready to blend.

Serve or Freeze: For a soft-serve texture, you can enjoy the banana ice cream right away. For a firmer texture, transfer the blended bananas to an airtight container and freeze for an additional 1-2 hours before scooping and serving.

Scoop and Garnish: Enjoy the ice cream as a dessert on its own, as a topping for brownies, or alongside a slice of cake or pie. Mix in or top with your favorite fruits, a sprinkle of nuts, chocolate chips, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup or warm caramel.

Storing & Serving

Make-Ahead: Prepare banana ice cream in a large batch and divide it into smaller containers for convenient single servings.

Storage: Store blended ice cream in an airtight container. Cover the top with a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container. This helps to minimize ice crystallization and keeps it fresher. Banana ice cream is best enjoyed within 1-2 weeks.

Serving: For the best texture, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before scooping.

Yields: 2 ½ cups / 544 grams in total
Servings: 4 servings of ½-cup / 136 grams

You May Also Like…

• Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream Recipe (2 Ingredients)