Healthy and refreshing this vegan banana ice cream recipe is the perfect dessert! This vegan "nice cream" is easy to make, creamy and rich. No ice cream maker needed to whip up this homemade banana ice cream which makes it a simple dessert in a pinch.
Is Banana Ice Cream Healthier Than Regular Ice Cream?
What Is Nice Cream?
Do I Need A Vitamix For The Recipe?
Technically no, but it does make it easier!
All you need for this vegan banana ice cream recipe is a strong food processor.
I personally have a Vitamix (and couldn't live without it!) and find that it makes the process faster. However, as you can see in the video I've also made this ice cream recipe with my mini food processor!
The difference is just that it takes a bit longer, a bit more scraping of the sides, and doesn't hold as much. But definitely still doable!
How Do I Thicken Nice Cream?
Vegan banana ice cream is thickened by adding more frozen banana and eliminating any liquids. Frozen bananas (and mangos) give an ultra-thick and creamy texture when blended (though they taste delicious just frozen too. Like in these chocolate-covered banana bites).
However, when you begin adding liquids (like almond milk etc) it will both melt and thin the bananas.
Thus making is more smoothie-like than ice cream.
Texture Of The Ice Cream
Silky, creamy, delicious.
This homemade ice cream can be enjoyed as soft serve ice cream or a more traditional hard texture.
If you're looking for the ultra fluffy, soft serve version, serve immediately or chill for a brief period of time (30 minutes).
If you're looking to place this ice cream in a cone or like your ice cream more firm, place in the freezer t set for a few hours instead.
Two options, both delicious.
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Ingredients
- 4 bananas, frozen and sliced
- 10 blackberries
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Kitchen Tools
How To Make It
In a powerful blender or food processor add in the chopped bananas. 
Add in the blackberries and vanilla. Process until combined. You will need to use a tamper to ensure it blends evenly or a silicone spatula to scrape the sides. 
Makes 1.5-2 cups
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3 Ingredient Banana Blackberry Ice Cream
Equipment
- High powered blender
Ingredients
- 4 bananas frozen and sliced
- 10 blackberries
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a powerful blender or food processor add in the chopped bananas. Addin the blackberries and vanilla. Processuntil combined.
- You will need to use a tamper to ensure it blends evenly or a silicone spatula to scrape the sides.
- This can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes.
- Enjoy immediately as soft-serv ice cream (or place into a lined dish and freeze for thirty minutes.). Or, place in the freezer for 4-5 hours for a firmer ice cream consistency.
Notes
- You can easily sub in frozen blackberries for the fresh.
- However, you may need to pause and scrape down the sides a bit more depending on what machine you're using!
- To make it easier on your blender, chop the frozen bananas into chunks before using them. Likewise, make sure the bananas are completely frozen before using them.
- Failure to do this will result in smoothie-like consistency and not ice cream.
- Do not add liquid to make the process faster. This will ruin the consistency. Be patient, scape down the sides frequently, and keep going. Depending on your machine it can take anywhere from 3-10 minutes of scraping and blending.
- Makes 1.5-2 cups
Nutrition
linda spiker
I am loving the nice cream trend! Such a great option for those wanting to avoid the sugar!
fitasamamabear
Yes!! And it's still creamy and delicious! This kind of ice cream is all my daughter knows 😀
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
So yummy! My youngest would LOVE this! Blackberries are her favorite, she has memories of picking them every summer where we used to live.
fitasamamabear
Aw that's cute! My daughter loves this ice cream. Mainly because bananas and berries are pretty much her favorite thing of life haha and she gets "treats" like this for special occasions so she gets all excited.
Renee
Nice cream is my absolute favorite!! I haven't tried blackberry though!! Yummy!
fitasamamabear
Mmm I love blackberries! They're oddly refreshing!
thatssodarling
Going to have to try this with the kiddos, looks yummy.
-Ashley
fitasamamabear
My 2yo definitely loves it as her "treat" 😀
Cristine
Such a great idea. The consistency is like ice cream but without all the sugar and extra calories. People can have something that satisfies the craving without over doing it
Carol Little R.H.
I'm excited about this one! My niece is now 'dairy free' and loves desserts.
Can't wait to make this for her!!! Thank you!
fitasamamabear
Ohh I have so many yummy things coming for you then!!
Joleen Pete
YUM! This looks and sounds like a terrific and healthy treat. I am anxious to try it. Pinning to try!!
fitasamamabear
It's really refreshing- not overly sweet but delicious!
Amy Poulton - Page Traveller
This looks delicious! Great recipe for trying to be good over Christmas. Thanks for sharing!
fitasamamabear
Anytime! It definitely gives your body a break from all the heavy meals!
Nicole Helgason
I have both in my freezer! Need to try this it looks delicious.
fitasamamabear
Isn't it awesome when you already have the ingredients?!
Bar
ummm wow! I really need to try this! Healthful ice cream, sign me up!
fitasamamabear
There's a crazy chocolate peanut butter one coming soon also so stay tuned 😉
Cori - Sweet Coralice
Oh how delicious! I haven't made a treat like this in ages. We had an ice cream machine and my kids would come up with all sorts of fruit combinations for it. This looks easy enough for a nice summertime treat, which here in Texas, is all the time, lol.
fitasamamabear
Ugh jealous of your perma summer haha. I actually have an ice cream machine too! That said, I don't use it often. Making super healthy ice cream in the ice cream maker is actually somewhat difficult lol that, and I have ice cream addictions so it's all I'd eat 😀
jill conyers
Nice cream is one of the best recipes ever! I've never tried making it with blackberries. Yum!
fitasamamabear
Blackberries are sooo refreshing!
EM Fisher
How many cups of bananas would you start with? My bananas are frozen in chunks.
fitasamamabear
Hey There! That's a tricky one. I'd probably start with 3 ish cups if they're in chunks! I LOVE that you freeze them too! I do this to make smoothies and whatnot later (though I freeze mine in halves, chunks is smart).