Vegan Roasted Banana Ice Cream

Luxuriously rich and creamy, roasted banana ice cream with a bit of chocolate, made with just 6 ingredients for a delicious homemade vegan and gluten-free ice cream treat.

This post is sponsored by Nielsen-Massey. I received product to create this recipe for you all as part of their #NielsenMasseyInspires Summer Campaign.

It’s National Ice Cream Month and with temperature heating up, what better way to cool down than with a bowl of refreshing homemade ice cream.🍦

Not only is this banana ice cream over-the-top delicious, it’s also naturally low in fat. The thick texture of the puréed bananas makes it incredibly rich and creamy without the addition of eggs or heavy cream. All the more reason to try it!

How To Make Banana Ice Cream [Video]

My son and I had fun shooting this little video for you on Tik Tok. As you can see, this ice cream is quite easy to make.

Recommended Ingredients & Equipment

You only need a few simple ingredients for roasted banana ice cream! Better yet, they are ingredients you likely have on hand.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Bananas (of course!) – I like using bananas that are a little overripe, meaning they already have a few brown spots on them.  They are sweeter and softer and richer in flavor. 
• Coconut Milk & Cream– Full fat coconut milk makes the perfect dairy-free base for homemade ice cream.  It’s rich and creamy and works with so many flavor combinations. This recipe calls for full-fat canned coconut milk & cream for the extra creamy texture. Using coconut milk from a carton will still taste delicious, it just won’t be as velvety.
• Cinnamon – Amping up the flavor with a little natural spice. 
• Chocolate chips (or cocoa nibs) – Brings added texture and flavor to our ice cream.  But you can use crushed raw chocolate or cacoa nibs if you prefer. 
• Vanilla Extract – Natural vanilla extract brings life to your ice cream and makes it extra delish!  I always use Nielsen-Massey for its quality of ingredients, rich flavor and it’s allergy-friendly too. 
• Liquid Sweetener- optional but a little drizzle of this on top of your finished ice cream just adds an extra “WOW” factor. I love date syrup, maple syrup or agave.

Recommended Equipment

Most importantly, you will need an ice cream maker . I love my ice cream maker which can also be used to make vegan yogurt. It’s simple to use and makes the perfect creamy ice cream every time! You should also have an ice cream scoop, an airtight reusable ice cream tub or containers like this .

Check out the full list of recommended tools & gadgets for all your baking needs.

How To Make Coconut Ice Cream

Step One – Roast Bananas

Slice bananas into slices, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake until brown and soft. (full instructions included in recipe below ⬇️). 

In a separate bowl, make a slurry with the cornstarch and the reserved coconut milk. Add it to the saucepan and cook, stirring frequently, until the ice cream base begins to thicken, fully coating the back of a wooden spoon.

Step Two – Blend

Transfer cooled, roasted bananas to a blender, along with coconut milk and vanilla then blend until smooth. Taste test to see if you need a little extra cinnamon or sweetener and add a touch if desired.  Stir in chocolate chips (or cacao nibs). 

Step Three – Churn the Ice Cream

Pour the blended banana mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ice cream will becomes thick and resemble soft serve. You can serve now or transfer it to loaf pan and store in the freezer until ready to serve. Allow 5-10 minutes to thaw when removing from the freezer.

Serving And Storing

Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. I store my ice cream in pint-sized ice cream tub (like this) to keep them fresh and avoid freezer burn. You can also use a freezer-safe container then cover and freeze. 

Serve your ice cream slightly thawed. Allow the roasted banana ice cream to thaw 10-15 minutes before scooping. Serve it in a bowl, in cones, or as use as a filling and make ice cream sandwiches.

Do I need an Ice Cream Maker?

While I highly recommend getting an ice cream maker, you can still make a creamy ice cream without a machine. Here are 2 options: 

1. Make your ice cream base as listed above then serve immediately.
2. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe bowl and freeze for 3 hours.  Just remember to stir the ice cream every 30 minutes during the freezing process to get a creamy, soft blend.

It won’t be quite as creamy, but it works in a pinch!

MORE BANANA RECIPES

Do you love bananas? Or have a ton of ripe bananas in the house? Give these vegan and gluten free recipes a try!

• Banana Donuts with Maple Glaze
• Banana Mocha Cupcakes
• Banana Blueberry Cake
• Banana Bundt Cake