Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream: Your Easiest Guilt-Free Frozen Dessert
Dive into the luscious world of homemade frozen treats with this incredibly easy and healthy Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream recipe. Forget the heavy cream, excessive sugar, and complicated machinery – all you need are a few simple ingredients and a blender to create a rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying dessert. This delightful “nice cream” offers the indulgent texture of traditional ice cream but without the guilt, making it a perfect low-fat, dairy-free alternative that’s kind to your waistline and your taste buds. Whether you’re a seasoned healthy eater or just looking for a quick and delicious way to use up those ripe bananas, this recipe is a game-changer. It’s an ideal choice for anyone seeking a wholesome, refreshing treat that’s ready in minutes, proving that healthy can indeed be incredibly delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream
In this healthy Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream recipe, frozen bananas take the place of whipping cream or heavy cream, providing a naturally sweet, creamy base for the rich peanut butter. This clever substitution makes it a much healthier alternative to traditional ice cream, offering all the satisfaction without the excess fats and sugars. While ripe bananas are inherently sweet, a touch of vanilla and powdered sugar can be added to enhance the flavor, though you can easily adjust the sweetness to your personal preference. This recipe is not only simple to make but also incredibly versatile, catering to various dietary needs including vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. It’s the perfect treat for a hot summer day, a satisfying post-workout snack, or a guilt-free dessert any time of year.
The combination of bananas and peanut butter is truly a match made in heaven. If you grew up in America, you likely have fond memories of peanut butter and banana sandwiches, making this ice cream a nostalgic trip down memory lane. This recipe captures that beloved flavor combination in a cool, refreshing, and creamy format that you’re sure to adore.
More Frozen Treats to Explore
If you’re a fan of this banana nice cream with peanut butter, I’m sure you’ll love these other delicious ice cream recipes. They offer a range of flavors and textures, perfect for any frozen dessert enthusiast:
- Ice Cream Cake Roll
- Homemade Cinnamon Vanilla Ice Cream
- Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream
Ingredients for Banana Nice Cream Recipe
Creating this delightful Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream requires just a handful of straightforward ingredients. The key is using ripe, frozen bananas as your base, which provides the natural sweetness and creamy texture without the need for dairy or an ice cream maker.
- Bananas: The star of our nice cream! I used really ripe bananas, sliced. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots on the peel; these are packed with natural sugars and break down beautifully when frozen and blended. Green or under-ripe bananas won’t offer the same sweetness or smooth consistency. For the best results, slice your ripe bananas before freezing them in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioner’s sugar. While ripe bananas are naturally sweet, a touch of powdered sugar helps elevate the flavor profile and ensures a silky-smooth finish. Powdered sugar dissolves seamlessly into the cold mixture, preventing any grainy texture. You can taste test and adjust the amount to your liking. For those avoiding refined sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or agave nectar are excellent natural alternatives.
- Milk: I added a touch of milk to help thin out the bananas and achieve a perfectly smooth, creamy consistency. You can use any kind of milk you like – cow’s milk, unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk will all work well. If you choose a plant-based milk, make sure it is unsweetened to control the sugar content of your nice cream. Coconut milk can also be used for a slightly tropical flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: I prefer to use real vanilla extract. A dash of pure vanilla enhances the natural sweetness of the bananas and adds a depth of flavor that rounds out the entire dessert. It brings a subtle warmth and aromatic quality that can’t be beaten.
- Peanut Butter: The creamy, nutty element that makes this nice cream irresistible. I added natural peanut butter without added sugars or oils. The ingredient list should ideally just be ‘peanuts’ (and maybe a little salt). Both chunky peanut butter (for added texture) and smooth peanut butter (for a super silky finish) work wonderfully.
How to Make This Frozen Banana Ice Cream Recipe
Making this healthy frozen banana ice cream is incredibly simple and requires no special equipment beyond a good blender. Follow these steps for a perfect batch every time:
First: Prepare the Bananas. Cut your ripe bananas into slices, about ½-inch thick. Arrange these slices on a plate or baking sheet in a single layer. This prevents them from freezing into a solid block, making them easier to blend later.
Second: Freeze the Bananas. Cover the plate with plastic wrap or transfer the banana slices to an airtight freezer bag. Place the banana slices in the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until completely solid. For the best creamy texture, freezing them overnight is ideal.
Third: Blend the Base. Remove the frozen banana slices from the freezer and place them into a high-speed blender, a regular powerful blender, or a food processor. Add the milk and vanilla extract. Begin blending on a low speed, gradually increasing to high. You will need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender occasionally with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are incorporated and blend evenly. The mixture will go through several stages: from crumbly, to thick and paste-like, and finally to a smooth, soft-serve consistency. Be patient, as this process can take a few minutes. If your blender struggles, add a tiny bit more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until it blends smoothly. Avoid adding too much liquid, or your nice cream will be too thin.
Fourth: Add Peanut Butter. Once your banana base is perfectly creamy, add the peanut butter to the blender. Blend again briefly, just until the peanut butter is fully combined and creates a marbled effect or a uniform peanut butter banana flavor. Be careful not to over-blend at this stage to maintain the thick, ice cream-like consistency.
Fifth: Enjoy or Freeze. Your Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream is ready to eat right away, offering a delightful soft-serve texture. If you prefer a denser, more scoopable hard ice cream consistency, transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container, cover it, and place it back in the freezer for an additional 1-2 hours. This brief extra freezing time will allow it to firm up perfectly.
Serving & Storage Tips
Once your delightful Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream is ready, the fun truly begins with serving! Enjoy it plain for a pure, unadulterated taste, or get creative with a variety of toppings. A sprinkle of mini chocolate chips, a drizzle of extra peanut butter (perhaps warmed slightly for an easier pour), chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, fresh banana slices, or even a dusting of cocoa powder can elevate your treat. Serve it in chilled bowls, waffle cones, or even layered in a parfait glass with granola for a more substantial dessert or breakfast option. While freshly made nice cream is always best, you can easily store any leftovers. Transfer the nice cream to an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before scooping. If it has frozen solid, you might need to blend it again with a splash of milk to restore its creamy texture, making it just as delicious as when it was first made.
Love it? Pin it!
If you love this easy banana nice cream recipe, make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go so you can easily find it whenever a craving strikes!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Nice Cream
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Does banana and peanut butter go well together? Absolutely! Banana and peanut butter are an iconic, favorite flavor combination that complements each other perfectly. The sweet creaminess of banana is beautifully balanced by the rich, savory notes of peanut butter, creating a harmonious and addictive taste experience loved by many.
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Is peanut butter and banana a thing? Yes, it’s definitely ‘a thing’ and a beloved culinary pairing! From simple sandwiches to smoothies, desserts, and even savory dishes, the combination of peanut butter and banana has garnered a huge following due to its delicious taste and nutritional benefits.
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Who makes Chubby Elvis ice cream? Chubby Elvis ice cream, known for its banana, peanut butter, and often chocolate flavors, is a tribute to Elvis Presley’s favorite sandwich. While many artisan ice cream makers create variations, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream is one notable brand that produces a popular version of Chubby Elvis ice cream.
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Is eating a banana with peanut butter good for you? Yes, when chosen wisely, a banana with peanut butter can be an incredibly healthy and satisfying snack or meal component. Bananas provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, while natural peanut butter offers healthy fats and protein, keeping you feeling full and energized. To maximize health benefits, always opt for natural peanut butter with minimal ingredients – ideally just peanuts and salt, free from added sugars or hydrogenated oils.
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Why is my banana nice cream bitter? A bitter taste in your banana nice cream is almost always a sign that your bananas were not ripe enough. The ideal bananas for nice cream should have numerous brown spots on their peel, indicating that their starches have fully converted to sugars. Green or yellowish bananas lack this essential sweetness, resulting in a bland or even slightly bitter flavor. Always wait for your bananas to be beautifully speckled before freezing them for nice cream.
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Does banana nice cream taste like bananas? Yes, banana nice cream definitely retains the delicious, natural flavor of bananas. The bananas form the base of the ‘ice cream,’ so their taste is prominent. However, when combined with other ingredients like peanut butter, vanilla, and various mix-ins, the banana flavor becomes a delightful backdrop, allowing other elements to shine through while still providing that signature fruity essence.
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Is peanut butter and banana a healthy snack? Indeed, it is! A snack of peanut butter and banana is widely considered healthy, provided you make smart choices. It offers a balanced mix of carbohydrates (from the banana for quick energy), protein, and healthy fats (from the peanut butter for satiety). As mentioned, the key is to select natural peanut butter without any unnecessary additives, sugars, or unhealthy oils to ensure you’re getting the purest and most beneficial nutrition from this classic combination.
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What is ‘nice cream’ and how is it different from regular ice cream? Nice cream is a dairy-free, healthier alternative to traditional ice cream, made primarily from blended frozen bananas. Unlike regular ice cream, it typically contains no added dairy, heavy cream, or refined sugars (unless optionally added). It achieves a creamy, soft-serve texture solely through the blending of frozen fruit, making it a naturally vegan, often lower-calorie, and more nutrient-dense dessert.
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Can I make nice cream without a high-speed blender? Yes, you can! While a high-speed blender makes the process quicker and yields the smoothest result, a regular blender or even a good food processor can also be used. You might need to add a tiny bit more liquid (milk) and stop more frequently to scrape down the sides, pulsing until the desired smooth consistency is achieved. Patience is key!
Substitutions and Variations
This Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it with various substitutions and additions to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Get creative and make it your own!
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Change up the Nut Butter: Instead of peanut butter, try almond butter, cashew butter, or even a blend for a different nutty flavor. If you need to make a nut-free ice cream due to allergies, use tahini (sesame seed paste), sunflower seed butter, or pumpkin seed butter for a safe and delicious alternative. Each will bring its unique flavor profile.
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Add a Touch of Spice: Mix in a touch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg. These warm spices pair beautifully with both banana and peanut butter, adding a cozy, aromatic depth to your nice cream.
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Chocolate Lover’s Dream: For an indulgent treat, throw in chocolate chips – dark chocolate, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate will all taste great. For a healthier crunch and intense cocoa flavor, cacao nibs are an excellent choice. You could also blend in a tablespoon or two of unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate-flavored banana ice cream.
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Alternative Sweeteners: Substitute maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey (if not strictly vegan) for the powdered sugar. These liquid sweeteners can sometimes help with the blending process and provide a different nuanced sweetness.
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Textural Mix-Ins: For added crunch and flavor, mix in coconut flakes (toasted or untoasted), bits of chopped peanuts, or other chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans. A sprinkle of sea salt can also enhance the flavors, especially the peanut butter.
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Fruity Boost: While bananas are the base, you can incorporate other frozen fruits for new flavor combinations. Try adding a handful of frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) for a fruity kick, or frozen mango for a tropical twist.
How to Freeze Ripe Bananas for Perfect Nice Cream
Don’t throw away those bananas when they are getting too ripe — toss them in the freezer! Freezing ripe bananas correctly is the secret to making perfect nice cream. The ideal bananas for freezing should have plenty of brown spots, indicating maximum sweetness. To freeze them, simply peel the ripe bananas and slice them into ½-inch thick rounds. Lay the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet to prevent them from sticking together. Once frozen solid (after about 2 hours or overnight), transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for longer storage. Here you will find several detailed ways to freeze ripe bananas, and of course, many other delicious recipes that use ripe bananas.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Nice Cream
Achieving the perfect Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream is easy with a few simple tips and tricks:
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Always Have a Banana Stash: Peel whole ripe bananas and keep a stash of sliced, frozen bananas in your freezer. This way, you can whip up this nice cream recipe any time a craving hits, instead of waiting for bananas to ripen or saving them just for banana bread. It makes spontaneous dessert-making a breeze!
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Adjust for Texture: If you prefer hard ice cream as opposed to the texture of soft-serve ice cream, simply place the freshly blended nice cream mixture in a loaf pan or an airtight freezer-safe container. Cover it with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the freezer for a couple of hours until it reaches your desired firm texture. Remember to let it sit out for 5-10 minutes before scooping if it becomes too hard.
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Easy Scooping Method: To make portioning the frozen nice cream easier, run your ice cream scoop under hot water for a few seconds before each scoop. The warmth helps glide through the frozen mixture effortlessly, creating perfect scoops.
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Ensure Vegan-Friendly: For a completely vegan ice cream, always use a non-dairy milk alternative (such as almond, oat, or soy milk) and ensure any additional mix-ins like chocolate chips are also certified vegan.
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Peanut Butter Drizzle Perfection: For an extra boost of flavor and a beautiful presentation, melt a tablespoon of natural peanut butter with a tiny bit of coconut oil until it’s smooth and pourable. Drizzle this rich peanut butter sauce over your healthy banana ice cream just before serving.
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Storage Savvy: Leftover nice cream will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply let it soften at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. If it has frozen solid, you can re-blend it with a splash of milk to restore its creamy texture.
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Flavor Enhancers: A tiny pinch of sea salt can go a long way in enhancing the flavors of both the banana and peanut butter, creating a more complex and satisfying taste experience.
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Kid-Friendly Fun: Get the kids involved in making their own nice cream! It’s a fun, healthy activity, and they’ll love customizing their dessert with their favorite mix-ins and toppings.
More Banana Recipes to Love:
If you’re a fan of bananas, you’re in for a treat! We have a plethora of delicious recipes that highlight this versatile fruit. I recently posted this recipe for Easy Banana Pecan Rolls and they are absolutely yummy! Plus, I have lots of Banana Bread recipes to enjoy, each offering a unique twist: The Best Banana Bread, a delightful Chocolate Orange Banana Bread, a comforting Banana Bread Coffee Cake, and this decadent Chocolate Banana Cake is delicious, too!
Love Ice Cream? Us too!
For all you ice cream aficionados, we’ve got you covered with more fantastic frozen dessert recipes. Make sure to check these out for your next sweet craving: Homemade Cinnamon Vanilla Ice Cream, the decadent Reese’s Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake, a unique Fried Ice Cream Pie, the classic Grape Nut Ice Cream, and a zesty Lemon Ice Cream, too. There’s an ice cream for every taste and occasion!
Experience the luscious creaminess of ice cream, without the added sugar or the guilt. Make this Peanut Butter & Banana “Nice Cream” today and enjoy a truly decadent yet healthy dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth in the most wholesome way possible. It’s an effortless, customizable, and utterly delicious treat that you’ll want to make again and again!
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Print Recipe
Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream (Nice Cream)
Equipment
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12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
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Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender
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Nutribullet Personal Blender
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas sliced
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 teaspoons peanut butter
- optional 1/2-1 teaspoon milk
Instructions
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Cover a plate in plastic wrap, place sliced bananas on the plate in a single layer. Freeze for about 2 hours.
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Place frozen bananas in a blender, add milk and vanilla and blend until creamy. Add peanut butter and blend until combined.
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You can eat right away, or a freeze a bit more like I did, to make it a little denser.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on August 7, 2015. It has been updated to improve user experience and re-shared on May 30, 2023.
adapted from allrecipes.com