This 3-ingredient banana chocolate ice cream is one of those magical recipes that feels too good to be true. I make this recipe on repeat all Summer. I basically buy lots of bananas and wait for them to ripe a lot so I can make this recipe! It’s creamy, rich, and smooth—just like proper gelato—but made entirely with wholesome ingredients you probably already have at home. It’s naturally sweet, packed with fibre and potassium from the banana, and has a good dose of healthy fats from the nut butter, making it a much better option than shop-bought ice cream. Plus, there’s no added sugar if your bananas are super ripe! I always keep overripe bananas in the freezer, just for this. It’s our go-to when we want something sweet after dinner but still nourishing—and it’s ready in minutes.
To elevate the flavour, try adding a pinch of salt, which perfectly balances the sweetness. Toppings like cacao nibs and chopped pistachios add a delightful crunch, but feel free to get creative! Whether as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a quick dessert, this chocolate banana ice cream is bound to become a freezer staple in your kitchen too!
Tips
- Use overripe bananas – the riper they are, the sweeter and more flavourful your ice cream will be.
- Don’t add liquid – it’s tempting, but the texture will be creamier if you let the food processor do the work. Shop the food processor a few time so you can scrape the edges of the bowl with a spatula. Repeat this step a few times and you’ll end up with the most amazing creamy texture that really looks like real gelato!
- Add a pinch of salt – it really brings out the chocolate flavour and balances the sweetness.
- Let it sit for 1–2 minutes before scooping if it’s too firm straight from the freezer.
- Toppings: be creative with your toppings! I love to add pistachio and cacao nibs but you can pick your favourites!
- Cone: I found the cones at the supermarket and while this is only optional I think they really elevate your ice-cream experience, it really looks like a proper gelato!
Swaps
3-Ingredient Salted Caramel Cottage Cheese Ice CreamBanana: no other fruit will recreate the amazing creamy texture that banana has, if you like to experiment different fruits try my other recipes: Cottage Cheese Blueberry Icecream or
Nut butter: Use peanut, almond, or cashew butter—or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
Cacao powder: You could swap with peanut butter powder for a nuttier flavour.
Toppings: Try chopped nuts, seeds, granola, or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate.
Storage
Freezer: Best eaten fresh for the creamiest texture, but you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Let it thaw slightly before scooping.
Fridge: Not suitable—it will melt and lose the ice cream texture.
More Summer Desserts
- Fruit Ice Lollies
- 3-Ingredient Healthy Banana Ice Lollies
- 4 Ingredients Frozen Mango & Coconut Bites
- Watermelon Sorbet
Healthy 3 Ingredients Chocolate Ice cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 tbsp nut butter
- 1 tbsp cacao
- Optional salt, nuts, cacao nibs
Instructions
- Add everything to a food processor and blitz until smooth.
- Don’t be tempt to add any liquid and just wait for the food processor to do its I use @magimix and it great, it’s ready in 2 minutes. I always had a bit of salt which I think level it up. thing, it might take a few minutes, depending on the power or your machine.