One Ingredient Ice Cream
Mystified. That was how I felt when I first learned of this recipe for ice cream that includes but only one ingredient, no ice cream machine, and is good for you. There is nothing more satisfying on a warming spring day then a spoonful of cool, creamy ice cream. I think it is even more satisfying if you know it took you just a few moments to make it from something that came from the earth.
So what is the one ingredient for this ice cream recipe? Bananas. I don’t know who discovered this but when you chop bananas up, freeze the pieces, then pulverize them with a food processor it results in the most creamy concoction ever, almost indistinguishable from real ice cream.
Now, don’t let your hopes fall if you think you don’t like the taste of bananas, because in all honesty the banana flavor isn’t that prominent. And, I’ve included with this post a list of add-ins, like at Cold Stone, that I think would enhance this ice cream further. Where you choose healthy add-ins, or indulgent ones is up to you, but they are all delicious.
Recipe Rundown
Taste: The taste of the bananas is more subtle the colder the ice cream is. I love that this can be enhanced with nearly anything you can think to add in.
Texture: Identical to creamy ice cream.
Ease: Couldn’t be more easy.
Appearance: It looks like regular ice cream, you can’t even tell it was made from bananas.
Expense: Bananas are cheap.
Pros: Super easy, delicious, and healthy.
Cons: There was a faint aftertaste with mine. I think my bananas were a little too ripe, which is an easy fix.
Would I make this again? Yes, I will try a handful of different variations with the add-ins.
One Ingredient Ice Cream
Adapted from The Kitchnn
- ripe bananas
1. Peel and chop the bananas up into bite-sized pieces.
2. Freeze the banana pieces in a single layer for 1-2 hours (or up to overnight, just let them defrost in the fridge or on the counter to be soft enough to pulverize in the food processor).
4. Place banana pieces in a bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse until the texture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides if necessary. If using, pulse or mix by hand desired add-ins.
5. Serve using an ice cream scoop. If using, top with add-ins. Store remaining ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer.
Add-in Ideas:
- blueberries
- caramel
- chocolate chips
- chocolate sauce
- sprinkle of cinnamon
- coconut flakes
- ginger
- candied ginger
- honey
- nutella
- macadamia nuts
- maple syrup
- oats
- peanut butter
- pecans (toasted, candied, salted)
- vanilla
- walnuts (toasted, candied, salted)
What other add-ins can you think of?
I made this recently, and it's so good!
I made this recently, and it's so good!
I'd heard of this, but never tried it. Very cool! Bananas aren't always my favourite, but that's really good to know that the ice cream isn't too banana-y! I'll have to try =D.
I make this all the time but always add a bit of Greek yoghurt, adds a bit of tang to it!
i love how you do recipe run-downs! so thoughtful and good for your readers
Oh I want the sprinkle of cinnamon and walnuts on this ice cream! I think that I am going to make this. It iwll be a perfect comfort food for a hot summer day. And you know, Bananas are healthy, they are rich in potassium- it is time to regulate our blood! Yihaaa!
I made this before. It's super easy and super tasty! I got it posted in my blog too~! Yay~
oh, I love the idea of adding the greek yogurt to it, and instant coffee would be good, with a touch of honey
YUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMYY!!!!
Oh my gosh, that is crazy. I've never heard of this before but it makes perfect sense, and I love some of your add-in ideas. Definitely gonna give this a try. Thanks!
This is a great, low fat “ice cream” recipe! It can be tricky to know when it's done; keep an eye on it in the blender and when it turns whitish, it's ready. Enjoy!
Ok, so I just made this and I gotta say- Unbelievable. Tasted just like soft-serve ice cream! No ice cream maker necessary, and no guilt about eating a humongous bowl of the stuff! I made mine with coconut milk (didn't have any coconut, plus I just love coconut milk) cinnamon, and toasted walnuts (added in a little vanilla halfway through the eating, too). Though I would not really recommend the coconut milk, as it formed icy crystals, the cinnamon and walnuts were very nice! I also just bought 5 lbs. of bananas, as I will definitely be making this again, and soon.
My name is Randy Spruill I was browsing internet and found your blog. The author did a great job. I will subscribe to your RSS feeds. Thank you for your contribution. I am a web designer myself. And here some examples of the websites that I designed for canadian payday loans online payday loans company.
I add one Tblspn of Cocoa powder per banana I do. Chocolate syrup is great but it adds refined sugar and crap to the mix that you are trying to get away from by using JUST bananas. I also bought some vanilla beans from Penzy's and add the seeds before I whisk it up and the flavor is AMAZING! I have not done the greek yogurt yet but I will this time!
This looks interesting but I have a question…is a food processor the same as a blender? Because I want to try this, but I don't want to go out and buy a new kitchen tool.
Aylae – A food processor is not the same as a blender but you could definitely use a blender in this recipe!
I gave a try and it taste amazing..! I found your blog via tumblr and this is a great discovery. My friends and family are crazy about this recipe, they love it too! I'll subcribe to ur blog
thanks for the recipe!
Made it and Pinned it. The kids loved it with chocolate chips. I loved it with fresh strawberry sauce. I bet it would be awesome with a little cinnamon and allspice (and a little rum caramel).
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hi there
Love this one!
I was just wondering what about adding some strawberries to the mixture? I mean,blend frozen bananas and strawberries together!
I've already froze the bananas,now gonna put them into the food processor,but have strawberries too,so I'll may try it
Thanks for the recipe
Oliver – Thanks for your comment! You can add strawberries but they may alter the consistency of the ice cream since they have so much water content. You might have better luck chopping up the strawberries and stirring them into the processed bananas. Let me know how it goes, hope that helped
Hi again girl!
Done it and went great,but of course,as you've said,it wasn't the same!
Results: really yummy but mousse alike!
Used strawberries once,and then tried again with kiwis. Twice delicious!
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I follow you and Driscolls on twitter now!
Thanks for the giveaway
bridgette.fultz {at} yahoo.com
bakingbridgette (twitter)
I already like both you and driscoll's on FB.
Thanks for the giveaway
bridgette.fultz {at} yahoo.com
This looks amazing!
And my dads a berry farmer so I like blueberries best for the first few weeks of blueberry season, and then when I get sick of them I like raspberries better, and vice versa in raspberry season.