Chocolate Chip Banana ‘Ice Cream’
This is easily the healthiest ‘ice cream’ recipe I know. I’ve made it a little more decadent here with the addition of dark chocolate chunks. But really it tastes far more indulgent than it actually is.
takes: 6 hours to freeze
makes: enough for 2
2 bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
handful dark chocolate
1. Peel and chop bananas and freeze overnight or for at least 6 hours.
2. When you’re ready to eat, pop the bananas in your food processor with vanilla (if using) and a few tablespoons water.
3. Chop chocolate into chunks or shavings – whatever you feel like.
4. Whizz banana until smooth and ‘ice creamy’.
5. Pulse in the chocolate and serve ASAP.
Prepare Ahead?
Best if freshly made.
Leftover Potential
Freeze leftovers in a small container. Pop back in the food processor to whizz again and get rid of any ice crystals before serving again.
Variations
vegan – make sure you’re using a chocolate without any milk solids.
double choc – add a few tablespoons cooca powder with the bananas.
honey – skip the chocolate and serve ice cream drizzled with a little honey instead.
budget – skip the chocolate and vanillla and serve the banana straight up.
short on time – serve fresh banana with chocolate chunks OR puree room temperature banana and serve as a ‘mousse’. Or use pre-frozen fruit instead.
Waste Avoidance Strategy
banana – freeze them . Its much easier if you peel them first.
vanilla & chocolate – pantry.
Problem Solving Guide
banana not whizzing – it can take a little while for the banana to melt enough to puree. Add a little more water and be patient.
bland – we’re relying on the bananas here. Next time use ripe bananas. For now a little more chocolate and vanilla can help.
short on time? – don’t be tempted to freeze the bananas without peeling them first – it’s far more difficult to chop and peel a frozen banana (although not impossible, I’ve learned from experience).
Serving Suggestions
Best in individual bowls served with teaspoons.
___________________________________________
Add to my Old Favourite Recipes
this looks great and I’m eager to try it. Just curious since there’s a bit of time-lapse in the video, about how long does it take in the food processor to get them to the right consistency?
I edited out most of the whizzing Ellie because it’s so noisy!
It depends on your food processor power (and how sharp your blades are) but it does take a good few minutes to get going.
JX
ps. I just got my food processor blades professionally sharpened and it’s making a HUGE difference. Kicking myself for not doing it sooner.
I will give it a try soon! I have my bananas in the freezer ready to go.
Awesome!
We made this tonight and it was quite good – even for someone who doesn’t like bananas or ice cream 😉
I made the mistake of freezing the bananas whole – being in a hurry and not paying attention to the whole recipe (didn’t you mention not to do that!?) It actually worked out fine to peel them with a vegetable peeler. They were then just warm enough that I could slice them with a super-sharp knife. I may not have frozen for the full 6 hours, though, either – it may have been more like 5.
I’m thinking blueberries will be a good addition next time. If I use chocolate, I will shave it because the chips I used were a bit too big and hard in the cold ice cream.
I was just thinking about it today, and I think the peeling trick worked because I rinsed off the bananas. That gave the skin enough friction so the peeler didn’t just slide right off.
Great idea Holly!