No-Churn Banana Ice Cream Recipe

This no-churn banana ice cream is warmly spiced and creamy yet refreshing. It tastes just like banana bread in ice cream form. This recipe is perfect for using up ripe bananas, especially during the summertime. This nutritious treat is gluten free, refined sugar free, vegan, and paleo diet friendly.

What to serve with this no-churn banana ice cream

For an extra indulgent treat, make an ice cream sandwich using these coconut flour peanut butter cookies. They have a nice balance of sweet and salty flavors. Or these vegan almond butter cookies are another delicious option.

No-churn banana ice cream with walnuts sprinkled on top.

Main ingredients and substitutions

Ripe bananas work best in this recipe, so choose bananas with plenty of brown spots if possible. That will ensure a sweet end result. If your bananas aren’t overly ripe then you can still make the recipe but you may want to add a little extra maple syrup to sweeten it to your taste.

Smooth almond butter gives this no-churn banana ice cream a rich, creamy texture. You can substitute peanut butter or cashew butter if you prefer. Or for a nut-free version you can substitute pumpkin seed butter. Regardless of which nut or seed butter you use, choose a variety that doesn’t contain added sugar or salt.

I sweetened this ice cream with a bit of maple syrup but you can omit that if you prefer and don’t mind it a little less sweet. It still tastes sweet without the maple syrup but it does taste more like traditional ice cream if you include it.

To make this ice cream taste just like banana bread, I included the same spices that banana bread recipes typically call for, namely cinnamon, nutmeg, and pure vanilla extract. Those ingredients give the ice cream a warm, cozy, banana bread flavor.

How to make it

Start by breaking the ripe bananas into chunks, then add them to a food processor or blender. Add the smooth almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then blend until smooth.

Banana ice cream in a food processor.

Transfer that mixture to an airtight container, then freeze it for at least four hours before serving. Immediately before serving, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw slightly (just for a few minutes) at room temperature so that it is easily scoop-able.

Storage

Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months.

Optional toppings

To add an extra layer of flavor and texture to this no-churn banana ice cream, sprinkle on a few chopped walnuts, pecans, or dark chocolate chips before serving.

Ice cream with a spoon in a glass dish.

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No-Churn Banana Ice Cream Recipe

This no-churn banana ice cream is sweet, refreshing, and nutritious. It tastes just like banana bread in ice cream form.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Freezing time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 301kcal

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
  • Optional garnish: chopped walnuts or pecans.

Instructions

  • Break the bananas into large chunks and add them to a food processor or blender.
  • Add the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the food processor or blender.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Transfer the mixture to an airtight container, then freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.
  • Immediately before serving, remove the container of ice cream from the freezer and allow it to thaw slightly at room temperature (just for a few minutes) so that it is easily scoop-able.

Notes

  • Store this no-churn banana ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months.
  • Optional toppings include chopped walnuts, pecans, or dark chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 576mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 1mg

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