Thick, creamy, salty and sweet, your entire family will love this guilt-free vegan chocolate peanut butter ice cream. No Machine Required.
What would you say if I told you it was possible to make ice cream at home without a machine? What if I told you it was all natural with no added sugar, no dairy products and no saturated fat? If you’ve never made homemade vegan ice cream before, I’m about to blow your mind.
The secret? Frozen bananas!! Yes, my friends, it’s true: frozen bananas are the secret ingredient in my Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream. Before I continue, I must give credit to my girl MJ who first introduced me to machine-free, dairy-free ice cream over 3 years ago.
With two little ones, we always have bananas on hand. I love banana bread as much as the next gal but it’s bathing suit season and way too hot to turn on the oven so instead of baking I peel over-ripe bananas then wrap them in plastic wrap and pop them in the freezer. (You can also slice them then throw them in a plastic bag but I usually slice them before using them with a sharp knife.)
Most days we use frozen bananas for smoothies but now that summer has arrived and the heat is on, I crave ice cream almost daily. Since I’m still working on losing the baby weight, I love having a healthier, guilt-free version on hand. Not only is it easier on the waistline but my 2 year old can enjoy it and we get to skip the traditional ice cream induced post-sugar-buzz meltdown.
I am a sucker for chocolate and peanut butter but feel free to add in your favorite flavors. We recently went strawberry picking so a vegan strawberry ice cream is next on our list, soon to be followed by blueberries and peaches. If you are hosting a summer party and accommodating friends or family with dairy or gluten allergies, this dessert is a no brainer.
Cheers to summer and guilt-free ice cream!
Your spoon is waiting.
Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 large frozen bananas (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons creamy natural peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor and slowly pulse, 15 seconds at a time, until mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as you go. Note:This process may take a couple minutes so be patient.
- Serve immediately or freeze in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
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Nutrition:
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Amara
Can I substitute the frozen bananas for another fruit? I’m allergic to bananas but all the vegan ice cream recipes I’ve come across call for banana
Liz DellaCroce
I would look for one made with coconut milk or avocado but I’m afraid I don’t have one. :)
Diane Y
This satisfies my sweet tooth, and is a delicious substitute for chocolate ice cream! Easy to make and will definitely try with other fruits – strawberries, maybe raspberries or even blueberries. Thank you!
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you love it!
Leah Nichol
Hi I loved this recipie thanks so much! Can you make this with strawberries instead of bananas?
Liz DellaCroce
Absolutely!!! Use frozen!
Nikkolette Garno
I was looking for a quick easy guilt-free dessert and found this. Glad I did, it was yummy!! Next time I would use riper bananas for less of a banana flavor (which you suggested, but I happened to have two less ripe ones in my freezer). I topped with some almond milk whipped cream which added some sugar. I will be trying a similar recipe with berries in the future. Thank you!!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Sandy Smith
Five stars all the way! This was absolutely delicious.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed this!!! :)
Becky
What is a serving size of this recipe??
Liz DellaCroce
It’s about 1/2 a cup but depends a bit ultimately on the size banana. :) The best way to do it is to divide the bowl in four and then scoop!
Adonis
I tried the recipe because it looks good. I added a tablespoon of maple syrup and roasted pistachio nuts. Sweetie and I are ready to devour it now!
Liz DellaCroce
Wow I love your changes – sounds amazing!
Jeremy
Yummmmmmmmmmm!
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you liked it!
plasterers bristol
These sound gorgeous. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Simon
Liz DellaCroce
Enjoy!
Taji kommineni
I just made that recipe, and it is so good!
Liz DellaCroce
That makes me so happy!!
Madonna
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I made your concoction tonight and it turned out great. At first, I tried using a Nutribullet, but the blade was not powerful enough to mush the bananas into ice cream consistency. I transferred everything into a food processor and the bananas turned creamy like ice cream. Surprisingly, this vegan ice cream tastes so similar to soft serve ice cream from Wendy’s. I think yours is better, because I could taste the authenticity of the cacao powder and there’s peanut butter. Perhaps, the best part about this recipe is not adding sugar and still maintaining the flavor and texture of soft serve ice cream. Well done friend!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I totally agree – it reminds me of Wendy’s too! I hope you loved it! Thank you!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
This fell under the “You Might Also Like” section and I responded with “Why yes, yes I would like that!” ;-) You can never go wrong with peanut butter, chocolate, and banana. One of the flavors of my wedding cake was banana with peanut butter buttercream ;-) That flavor went FAST.
Liz DellaCroce
hahah!! Too funny!!
Robin
Omg! Topped it with thinly sliced, unblanched almonds for a bit of a crunch and it was almost too good to be true! Love it!
Liz DellaCroce
Ahhh that sounds like heaven!!!
Sophie Voigt
Looks amazing! Just wondering about something; You mean unsweetened cocoa powder, right? And what kind of vanilla do you use? Can I use vanilla essence? :)
Liz DellaCroce
YES! Unsweetened cocoa powder. :) Any vanilla works – just use your favorite! We buy a big bottle from Costco that works great. I’m not sure what vanilla essence is but you could even skip it!
Alpa
This turned out to be a wonderful and delicious dessert. Thank you for the recipe.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Julie
This is so good! I’m lactose intolerant and Mt daughter is a vegan so it’s perfect for both of us. So delicious!! Thank you
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so thrilled!!! Let me know what everyone thinks!
angie
danke für das tolle rezept!!! liebe grüße von angie aus deutschland
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
mg
Does it have any banana flavor? My fiance hates banana but I don’t mind it so I’d like to know whether to make a single or double batch. :-)
Liz DellaCroce
It does have a slight banana flavor, especially the riper the bananas. HOWEVER, you can take care of that by simply adding more peanut butter or cocoa powder (or any other flavors you’d like such as strawberries, cinnamon, etc.)
mg
Made it and it is delicious! Will see if my SO can taste the banana, but I love it! Can’t wait to try with berries.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Stephanie
Best. Thing. Ever. Especially with dark chocolate cocoa powder. Just wow!
Liz DellaCroce
I love using dark chocolate cocoa powder!!
Florence Signorini
Hi, just wondering if you could replace the peanut butter with anything else, for people who cannot eat peanuts?? Looks delicious, thank you!!
Liz DellaCroce
Absolutely!! You can use almond butter or sun butter or cashew butter!
Melissa @ Bless this Mess
Yum, yum, yum! I make something just like this and my kids don’t even know it’s good for them :) I like that!
Liz DellaCroce
My favorite kind of treat!!
ashley
Thanks for this great recipe! I added a lil greek coconut yogurt and nutella to mine. Any recommendations for a blender of food processor? Neither my blender or food processor could fully blend it to a creamy state.
Liz DellaCroce
What a great idea! I use a Blendtec blender and KitchenAid food processor – love them both!
Joanne
Mind = blown. Any treat that combines chocolate and peanut butter is a treat I want in my life!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you try this!! We are buying more bananas this week!
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa
mmmm….looks so yummy and creamy :) I love using bananas to make ice cream!
Liz DellaCroce
I need to do it more often!!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
This looks so amazingly creamy! You can never go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter!
Liz DellaCroce
You really can’t!! I need to make more!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
Chocolate and peanut butter are my weakness… ice cream too. So putting them together is pretty brilliant, my friend. <3
Liz DellaCroce
Mine too my friend!! Nothing better!
Beverley
I always have bananas in the freezer ready to go! I love the fact that you don’t need a nice cream maker either. Thank you xoxo
Liz DellaCroce
You and me both!!! I get worried when I don’t have them in there. :)
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Liz this looks awesome. 1st off, gorgeous pictures. I just want to lick that ice cream right off the scoop. Secondly, can believe that you know me that well to make a recipe soley for me. hehe. :) Peanut butter, chocolate, bananas, yup.. its a winner. Totally making this one soon.
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thank you so much Krista! Photographing ice cream is harder than I realized – melts so fast, haha! Enjoy!!
Kristen
I love Asher and this treat!
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thank you… he eats with gusto. ;)
eat good 4 life
This looks fantastic and creamy. Yummy!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much – I hope you try it!
Ashley M. | Our Full Table
My mind has been blown! This looks delicious!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know if you ever try it!!
Carrie @ poet in the pantry
Hehe. Frozen bananas…great minds think alike! Love that you turned it into chocolate peanut butter ice cream!
Liz DellaCroce
I love that we’re on the same page Carrie!
Derik
I haven’t been a huge fan of banana ice cream but definitely a huge fan of chocolate and peanut butter. The addition of cinnamon makes me want to try banana ice cream again though. It does look tasty.
Liz DellaCroce
Give it a shot! You can always add more peanut butter or cocoa powder to mask the banana flavor further.
Alison
This looks delicious! I was just wondering, is there a strong banana flavor to it?
Liz DellaCroce
It actually depends on how ripe your bananas are as well but you can also just add more peanut butter, protein powder, cocoa or cinnamon to help mask it further.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Please have an extra scoop for me!!! Sounds perfect!!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much Rachel!!
Zainab
I am a huge fan of banana in ice cream. I love the guilt-free nature of this and oh the indulgence that speaks through the screen. Yummm!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much!!
Meredith
Love this guilt-free summer treat!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks Meredith!
Gaby
This makes me want ice cream for breakfast!
Liz DellaCroce
Mission accomplished!
Camille
I LOVE making these frozen banana ice creams and recently added a half shot of espresso to mine to make a coffee flavored one. Why have I never thought of adding a nut butter?! That sounds awesome!
Liz DellaCroce
Oooo love the espresso idea!!!!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen
What a great idea, I have got to try this!!! Great photos, Liz!!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much Kelli! Chocolate and peanut butter for life!
Miss Polkadot
I’m a fan of banana softserve and this variation sounds awesome. Especially with the add-in of peanut butter and cinnamon. I wouldn’t have thought of that last little one though I’m sure it takes the flavour up a notch.
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much!!! The cinnamon really kicks it up a notch!
Rachel Cooks
Love ice cream made from bananas — such a fun and guilt-free treat! Gorgeous photo, too!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much!! Photographing ice cream is my least favorite thing in the world – haha!!
Charlize
Liz,
Mine came out kind of soupy… Any suggestions? Also, I followed it exactly, but it didn’t seem to make too much? I do love the flavor… Thank you!!
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Charlize – Soupy? Interesting – I’ve never encountered that before (and I literally made this just 2 days ago!) Were your bananas completely frozen? There’s no liquid so I can’t imagine how it would be come soupy. As for the quantity, I suppose that could vary a bit if you didn’t use two large bananas. Regardless, I hope you try again! We make it all the time and my boys love it!
Tapasmi
You can put it back in the freezer for ten-twenty minutes, giving it a stir in between so that it doesn’t freeze into a rock. Yours might have come out soupy because the mixture does warm up a little in the blender. :)
Liz DellaCroce
Great tip!!