Banana ice cream offers a healthier alternative to one of the most popular desserts out there. Whether you enjoy a plain ice cream or prefer a few toppings, these recipes offer something for everyone. They include fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate, all of which have many health benefits.
Bananas, for instance, contain potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, and copper. They also help balance blood sugar due to high levels of pectin and resistant starch. Furthermore, bananas improve digestion because of their fiber content and have high antioxidant levels. Antioxidants help reduce the risk of heart disease and other degenerative illnesses.
One of the recipes includes strawberries as well, so we’ll discuss some of their health benefits. Strawberries have tons of Vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and folate. They also reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve heart health, and lower blood sugar levels. Because of their antioxidant content, berries such as strawberries have also been linked to a lower risk of cancer.
Some of the recipes call for almonds and pistachios, both of which are loaded with nutrients.
Here are the stats on these nutty additions to the banana ice cream.
A one-ounce serving of pistachios contains the following:
• Calories: 159
• Carbs: 8 grams
• Fiber: 3 grams
• Protein: 6 grams
• Fat: 13 grams (90% are unsaturated fats)
• Potassium: 6% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
• Phosphorus: 11% of the RDI
• Vitamin B6: 28% of the RDI
• Thiamine: 21% of the RDI
• Copper: 41% of the RDI
• Manganese: 15% of the RDI
A one-ounce serving of almonds offers these nutrients:
• Fiber: 3.5 grams
• Protein: 6 grams
• Fat: 14 grams (9 of which are monounsaturated)
• Vitamin E: 37% of the RDI
• Manganese: 32% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 20% of the RDI
• They also contain a decent amount of copper, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and phosphorus
Both almonds and pistachios contain tons of antioxidants and help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well.
Dark chocolate
Finally, dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) is also a powerhouse of nutrients, with a 100-gram bar containing the following:
• 11 grams of fiber
• 67% of the RDI for iron
• 58% of the RDI for magnesium
• 89% of the RDI for copper
• 98% of the RDI for manganese
• It also has lots of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium
Additionally, dark chocolate may reduce the risk of heart disease due to high antioxidant levels. The most prevalent antioxidants include polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins, among others. One study actually showed that cocoa and dark chocolate had more antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavanols than any other fruits. Researchers tested many others in the study, including blueberries and acai berries known for their antioxidant content.
Now that you know a little about the ingredients’ health benefits let’s get to the recipes!
Here are four delicious homemade banana ice cream recipes:
You will love these treats.
For each recipe, you’ll need an ice cream dish for serving, as well as a container or pan for leftovers. You also need a food processor to blend the ingredients and give the ice cream a smooth consistency. Finally, it would be best to have a knife, cutting board, and ice cream scoop handy.
1. Banana honey ice cream
Ingredients
• 2 medium bananas
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup almond milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
To make this delicious ice cream, chop up two bananas and freeze them overnight. Then, blend the bananas, honey, and milk in a food processor until fully combined. It should have a creamy, thick consistency, just like ice cream out of a tub.
2. Strawberry-banana vanilla ice cream
Ingredients
• 2 cups strawberries
• 2 medium bananas
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla powder
For this one, you’ll want to freeze the strawberries and bananas overnight as well. Please put them in a food processor the following day and the almond milk and vanilla powder. Blend until thick and creamy.
3. Chocolate peanut butter almond ice cream
Ingredients
• 2 medium bananas
• 1 bar of dark chocolate
• Handful of almonds
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1/2 cup almond milk
You know the drill. Freeze the banana overnight, so they’re ready for the food processor. The following day, blend them with peanut butter and almond milk until you get a thick, smooth texture. Then, chop up the dark chocolate bar and a handful of almonds into small pieces. Add them into the food processor, and blend completely.
4. Pistachio mint banana ice cream
Ingredients
• 2 medium bananas
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup pistachios
• 1/2 cup almond milk
First, take the shells of the pistachios so you can blend them in the processor. Then, put the frozen bananas, mint leaves, and almond milk into the food processor. Add the pistachios, and blend until smooth.
Final Thoughts: Storing the banana ice cream
If you are serving multiple guests, you may want to invest in ice cream pans. You’ve probably seen them in your local ice cream or gelato shop. If you can’t find these in stores, you can keep the leftovers in a large casserole dish.
Fold three sheets of aluminum foil into a rectangle to use as dividers. Then, place each ice cream in its own slot so you can serve it or store the leftovers. Freeze the ice cream for at least six hours before serving.
Feel free to add any toppings you’d like, such as strawberries, chopped nuts, or chocolate. After all that hard work, you can finally enjoy your delicious, healthy dessert!
Final thoughts: You won’t miss dessert with these four banana ice cream recipes
Forget all those high-sugar ice creams loaded with fake ingredients. You won’t miss them once you try these banana ice cream recipes; they have all the flavor without the guilt. You can try all of them in one day or make one at a time. Either way, you and your loved ones won’t be disappointed with this delicious treat.
Since bananas still have a decent amount of sugar, they make a nice ice cream base. They also have a thick, rich texture which adds creaminess to the dish. We hope you enjoy these banana ice cream recipes! Let us know how you like them in the comments.
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