Cool, creamy, and packed with 8+ grams of protein, this Dairy-Free Protein ice Cream is your new favorite summer treat. Made with frozen bananas, vegan protein powder, and a rich chocolate swirl, this chunky monkey ice cream is the perfect pick-me-up
"Served this as a dessert for date night. The ice cream was creamy, not overly sweet, and the swirls of chocolate are so delish!" - Amelia
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 40 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 4
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 250 kcals and 8 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Frozen Bananas, vanilla protein powder, cacao powder, almond butter, and mini chocolate chips.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and grain-free.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Creamy, chocolatey, and naturally sweet, this grain-free, paleo-friendly protein ice cream turns your post-workout treat into pure bliss!
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Craving something sweet but trying to stay on track? This vegan protein ice cream lets you have both: an indulgent treat that actually works for your goals. Though this recipe isn't featured, this is the premise behind my Strong and Sweet Protein Guide because it shows how ice cream with protein can fit seamlessly into a high-protein diet.
The frozen banana base gives it that classic chunky monkey creaminess, while chopped pecans and a swirl of homemade chocolate sauce take it over the top. It’s the kind of dessert you’ll find yourself eating straight from the blender, especially if you already love my protein ice cream bars. And if you’re new to high-protein eating, check out this guide on how to increase protein intake to see how simple it can be with recipes like this one.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Allergy-friendly: The chocolate protein nice cream is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. It can be made paleo as well depending on your protein powder.
Easy to make: You don't need an ice cream maker for the recipe to come together (no churning!).
Delicious: The chunky monkey flavor is rich and indulgent but not too sweet. Plus, you can enjoy the protein powder ice cream as soft serve or traditional, compact ice cream in a cone.
Ingredients and Substitutions
If you have a well-stocked gluten-free pantry and basic food staples for a high-protein diet, you probably already have everything you need! One of the perks of this chunky monkey protein ice cream is that it comes together so easily.
- Frozen bananas: Make sure your bananas are frozen, as this is what gives the ice cream its creamy texture (just like in this Whole30 ice cream recipe). Peel them before popping them in the freezer.
- Protein powder: The kind of protein powder you choose will affect both the flavor and texture of the ice cream. Vegan protein powder will create a thicker ice cream. If you're using a healthy beef protein powder (which is what I have personally switched to), you may need to add a touch more.
- Dairy-free yogurt: Regular (non-Greek) yogurt works best with a vegan protein powder. However, Greek yogurt (even dairy-free Greek yogurt) would be better with a beef-based protein powder.
- Cacao powder: Not to be confused with cocoa powder (learn the difference between cacao powder and cocoa), this is the base of the chocolate swirl. And bonus points that it’s also loaded with nutrients!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Of course, this high-protein vegan ice cream refreshing delicious as-is just like this protein watermelon smoothie, but there are a few fun flavor swaps you can make if you want to change the taste.
- Protein powder: I use a vanilla vegan protein powder for the recipe, but changing to a chocolate, espresso, or cinnamon protein powder from Equip would be absolutely amazing.
- Nuts: In place of pecans, use hazelnuts, toasted pistachios, or even toasted coconut for texture.
- Caramel: Drizzle some dairy-free coconut caramel sauce on top to amp up the indulgence.
How To Make Dairy-Free Protein Ice Cream
Step 1: Slice the frozen bananas and add them, with the other ice cream ingredients to a high-powered blender or processor.
Step 2: Process until combined and semi-smooth. You will need a tamper and to scrape down the sides
Step 3: Whip together the ingredients for the homemade chocolate sauce.
Step 4: Portion the ice cream mixture into a silicone loaf pan.
Step 5:Swirl the chocolate sauce into the protein powder ice cream.
Step 6: Sprinkle on the pecans and let sit in the freezer to firm up.
Expert Tips
Bananas don’t freeze fully solid, kind of like mangos, in the base of this frozen mango protein smoothie. To help out your blender, slice them into chunks before blending. It will be easier to process them this way!
You will have to stop and scrape down the sides while blending or use a food processor as the protein ice cream mixture is THICK.
Make sure to use fresh nut butter. The hard part at the bottom of a jar will not blend into the chocolate sauce.
The ice cream with protein firms up after about 45 minutes in the freezer enough that you can use an ice cream scoop it into gluten-free ice cream cones! If you want soft serve, only freeze for 20-30 minutes and serve in bowls.
Do not add unsweetened almond milk to help process the bananas. Adding almond milk (or any liquid) will turn this into more of a smoothie and less of a creamy, protein ice cream.
How To Store It
The vegan protein cream is best eaten the day of making it. That's how you can enjoy the ultra-soft and creamy texture.
However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the freezer. It will last roughly 4 weeks.
To enjoy it again, you'll have to let it thaw on the counter for 5-10 minutes before scooping, and it’s best served in a bowl (over protein brownies!). Not as creamy, but harder.
Likewise, you could also let it thaw for 5 minutes and then re-blend it to recreate the soft-serve texture.
Dairy-Free Protein Ice Cream FAQs
While you may be able to, it hasn’t been tested. Whey protein absorbs liquid differently than vegan protein powder, so the ice cream may not be as thick.If you try it, reduce the amount of yogurt.
Of course! Chocolate protein (or caramel protein) tastes delicious in protein ice cream and is a great way to switch up flavors.
Store the protein ice cream in the freezer. If you want, you can thaw it briefly on the counter and scoop it into bowls to eat. However, it also makes an INDULGENT smoothie base! Blend it with some fruit add more liquid for a thick, creamy smoothie.
More High-Protein Snack Ideas
If you tried this Dairy-Free Protein Ice Cream Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream (Dairy-Free)
Video
Equipment
- Silicone baking loaf mold
Ingredients
For the ice cream
- 4 Bananas frozen
- ¼ cup Vanilla Protein Powder
- 3 tbs Dairy-free yogurt
For the chocolate sauce
- 1 teaspoon Cacao powder
- 1 tbs Almond butter
- 1.5 tbs Maple syrup
Toppings
- 1 tbs Mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup Chopped nuts
Instructions
- Slice the frozen bananas.
- Place the yogurt, protein, and bananas in a blender in that order as it helps the blender not have to work as hard.
- Process until smooth, use a tamper and scrape the sides as needed.
- Portion into 8x3 baking loaf pan and mix in the nuts and chocolate chips.
- In small bowl whisk chocolate sauce ingredients.
- Swirl the chocolate into the ice cream and smooth out.
- Pop in the freezer for 30-45 minutes to firm up.
- Scoop and enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Amelia says
Served this as a dessert for date night. The ice cream was creamy, not overly sweet, and the swirls of chocolate are so delish!
fitasamamabear says
So happy you liked it!
Emily says
The banana base was creamy and had just the right amount of sweetness. And the pecans added a satisfying crunch.
fitasamamabear says
I love the pecans! My favorite part- and wicked when toasted.
Hannah says
I love a dessert thats healthy. Guilt free and don't have to think twice about having seconds. I love the frozen banana base, chocolate swirls! Delicious!
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hyacinth says
This tastes really goood, definitely rich, and just has that perfect amount of sweetness. 🙂 The fact that it is high in protein is what I like the most!
fitasamamabear says
Glad you loved it!
Bean says
Love love love this! I can't believe this is really a protein ice cream. It tastes just as creamy and yummy as the store-bought ones. Definitely making this again.
fitasamamabear says
Haha it's SO creamy!
jennifer says
8g of protein in ice cream, I knew I had to make it right away. And, honestly with that amazing ingredient list .... I would totally eat for breakfast on my way out the door for a yum! Kinda like a thicker smoothie IMO, yah know LOL
fitasamamabear says
Haha it's the bets of both worlds!
Joan says
I love making banana ice cream for a sweet treat during the week. The chunky monkey flavor was just what I needed to change up my regular pb topping. I'll be making this again!
fitasamamabear says
It makes it so easy to whip up when you want it!
Glenda says
Delicious! I only had cashew butter and it was extraordinary! It was so simple to make and you can be I'll be making more.
Jill says
I love this flavor so much! There's so much goodness going on in each bite but the almond butter is my favorite part - had to add a touch more than called for! 😉
fitasamamabear says
Almond butter makes everything better lol
Lena says
I love simple, flavorful, and family-friendly recipes like this! My whole family loved this ice-cream, it tasted amazing!
fitasamamabear says
Isn't it awesome when it's fam approved?