The sound of the ice-cream truck bell tinkling down the street probably makes many of us start salivating like Pavlov’s dog. Few foods inspire nostalgia for people quite like the thought of a sweet, creamy frozen treat on a hot day, whether it came from the neighborhood ice-cream truck, the local soft-serve shop, or a beloved scoop shop from your favorite vacation spot.
When you’re craving ice cream but are trying to watch your intake of fat and calories, one great alternative is whipping a batch of your own healthier version.
If you’ve never tried banana ice cream, you’re going to be impressed with how this “nice cream” version mimics regular ice cream. Frozen sliced bananas transform into an amazingly creamy texture in the food processor. We’ve whipped up three fun versions: a black cherry option with dark chocolate chips, a fruity mango version and a classic peanut butter and chocolate one. Once you have the basic method down, though, you can experiment with your favorite add-ins or flavor combinations.
Note: These recipes do contain a splash of skim milk or a small amount of yogurt to help with the consistency of the ice cream. If you’re vegan or dairy-free, you could leave it out or use a dairy-free option like almond milk or coconut milk in its place.
Black Cherry Chip Banana Ice Cream
(Downloadable/printable pdf version of this recipe)
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
2 sliced bananas, frozen
¼ cup frozen dark cherries
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon skim milk
1 Tablespoon mini dark chocolate chips
Directions:
In a food processor, combine frozen banana pieces, cherries and vanilla extract. Process until creamy, add the milk and chocolate chips and process for another 30 seconds. Serve immediately or for a firmer ice cream, store in the freezer in an air tight container for at least 1 hour.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING: 154 calories; 1 gram fat; <1 gram saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 11 mg sodium; 36 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 2 grams protein
Mango Banana Ice Cream
(Downloadable/printable pdf version of this recipe)
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
2 sliced bananas, frozen
½ cup frozen mango chunks
1 Tablespoon nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Directions:
In a food processor, combine frozen banana pieces and mango and process until creamy. Add the yogurt and process for another 30 seconds. Serve immediately or for a firmer ice cream, store in the freezer in an air tight container for at least 1 hour.NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING: 139 calories; <1 gram fat; 0 gram saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 11 mg sodium; 35 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 2 grams protein
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
(Downloadable/printable pdf version of this recipe)
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
2 chopped bananas, frozen
1 ½ Tablespoon cocoa powder
2 teaspoon powdered peanut butter
1 Tablespoon skim milk
Directions:
In a food processor, combine frozen banana pieces, cocoa powder and powdered peanut butter and process until creamy. Add the milk and pulse for another 30 seconds. Serve immediately or for a firmer ice cream, store in the freezer in an air tight container for at least 1 hour.NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING: 126 calories; 1 gram fat; 0 gram saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 21 mg sodium; 30 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 3 grams protein
Henry Ford LiveWell and Kroger have teamed up to assist you in your wellness journey! Learn how to shop and cook healthy by signing up for a grocery store tour hosted by a Henry Ford registered dietitian nutritionist at Kroger stores across southeast Michigan.
Looking for more info and want to make an appointment with a registered dietitian? Call 1-855-434-5483 or visit henryford.com.
