Just 4 simple ingredients to make this:
Swirly chocolate soft-serve.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably seen the idea of whipping frozen banana in a vitamix or food processor until it resembles the exact texture of soft-serve ice cream. (If you add a fat source, like peanut butter, it tastes pretty similar to ice cream as well. Or leave the fat out for a refreshing sherbet-like taste.)
I first blogged about the idea back in 2009, and then again in the Vitamix ice cream post, and I’m sure others were making it even earlier than that. The best thing about the concept is its versatility; everyone gets to put his or her own spin on the basic recipe. One of my favorite variations: chocolate soft serve!
With sprinkles on top.
(Just in case you forgot whose blog you were reading.)
Chocolate Banana Soft Serve
(Serves 2-3)
Category: 50+ Healthy Banana Recipes
- 3 medium bananas, the riper the better (for substitutions, see nutrition link below)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/16 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder (15g)
- optional: sweetener of choice, depending on your tastebuds and ripeness of the bananas
- optional: 3-5 tbsp peanut butter or another nut butter of choice
Ahead of time: peel and slice the over-ripe bananas into chunks. Freeze in a Ziploc-type bag, then combine all ingredients in a Vita-Mix, food processor, or blender. (If not using a Vita-Mix, add 2-3 tsp milk of choice so it’ll blend more smoothly. You might also have to thaw the frozen bananas if your freezer is super-powerful.) If you want the look of ice cream, use an ice-cream scoop to serve! (If you scoop it all into a container and freeze about 10-15 minutes, the texture will also become a bit firmer like ice cream, as opposed to soft serve.) Don’t try to halve the recipe unless you have a tiny food processor, as it won’t blend as smoothly.
View Chocolate Banana Soft Serve Nutrition Facts
Have you ever tried banana “ice cream”?
Any favorite ways to eat it? I almost always add a ridiculous amount of peanut butter, even to this chocolate version. Peanut butter and banana belong together, and the added fat makes it taste more like ice cream than sherbet.
LINK OF THE DAY:
I love banana ice cream! I think frozen bananas blended up can be eaten plain! They are super good on their own. This chocolate version looks extra delicious! And pretty nail polish! 🙂
Banana ice cream is the best idea ever! Whoever figured it out is a genius! I love to add greek yogurt and amp up the protein. Sometimes I’ll freeze this concoction in popsicle molds for my daughter.
OMG love that idea!
I totally just made this like 3 hours ago….only I used the recipe from this (amazing just like yours) site: rawfoodlove.blogspot.com. Her version had a bunch of other stuff added, namely a lot for liquid (milk) and I think I prefer it your, more basic way. Also, I don’t think I really blended it well enough either so…
Love the blog, love the banana “ice cream” !
I love doing peanut butter and banana…but chocolate sometimes makes an appearance in my soft serve 😀
Have you tried putting coconut butter in it? So tasty!
I was afraid it would harden because the soft serve is frozen. Does it not?
Or maybe that would be good anyway… like coconut chips!
It does a little bit, but it is tasty! Kind of like how they make carmel swirl ice cream…this is coconut swirl ice cream!
Now that is an idea I must try!!
I’ve yet to try banana ice cream. I love banana chocolate milkshakes and this reminds me of them! I’m going to have to try this soon!
I like banana soft serve put through my Champion juicer (w/ the solid plate, not the screen).
I love banana soft serve! I haven’t tried any flavor variations yet, but chocolate and PB sure sounds good to me!
I love the way you painted your nails and the color. Anyways this is perfect for a healthy treat. Fun for the kids in a ice cream cone.
I’ve always been a huge fan of soft-serve, way before the frozen yogurt movement actually started! I’m not a fan of bananas (the texture especially but not really the flavor either) but I’ll have to try using unripe ones in this! Or maybe enough chocolate and peanut butter will downplay some of the banana flavor! Can’t wait to experiment!
I only like bananas 3 ways: in bread, in smoothies, and in this recipe!
Unfortunately, it is a bit of a strong flavor, although I actually don’t mind it. But definitely go a little less ripe I think. Also, my favorite recipe for this is the bananas and matcha (green tea) powder. Green tea ice cream! (with a less pronounced banana flavor)
I got my husband, who hates anything healthy, addicted to this. He likes the banana/Nutella combo. He says it reminds him of a choc. covered banana. I’m going to have to try this choc. version…YUM! And one of your commentors suggested banana and frozen raspberries. That sounds delish for a more summery fruity treat. I seem to always have frozen banana slices in my freezer now for those times we want some. Which seems to be almost every night 🙂
Ok, so I have a question!!! I hate bananas….and really shouldn’t eat them (kidney problems and bananas don’t mix). And I can’t find any “ice cream” recipes anywhere without bananas…..help! Anyone have suggestions??? I’m going to make this for my husband and boys (as they all love bananas and don’t have my issues). But then I don’t get yummy dessert. 🙁
Have you checked out her “Frozen treats”? There’s ice cream made with almond milk and a coconut milk version.
I think Katie has it listed as faux-yo in her recipe collection, but basically just blend a bunch of frozen fruits and a little bit of non-dairy milk and your fine (-;
You can use avocado and just add your choice of sweetener, I like brown rice syrup in mine!
I still have not tried this banana soft serve. You’ve convinced me with the CHOCOLATE! I’m doing it this week!! 😉
I was wondering when I would see a post about this! One of my favorite basic recipes. I love making peanut butter/chocolate ice cream and regular banana ice cream with a bit of peanut butter and chunks of walnuts inside, and serving with maple syrup on top. Delicious 😀
I wonder if avocados would work in place of the bananas?
I’ve been experimenting a bit in that department and I keep finding that the avocados have such a strong flavor, it really kind of hard to cover up (or it could just all be in my head, which I highly susect). I keep trying to make chocolate avocado pudding but it never turns out quite right (taste-wise).
Kali, google “chocomole,” and there is your answer. About a hundred variations, so one should work – though I don’t think any are frozen. It’s life-changing 🙂
That’s the sane basic thing I’ve been experimenting, but I will keep tweaking!
Try using 1 cup of frozen berries instead of the 2-3 bananas, you get the same effect.
I also then add 1/2 to 1 avocado If I feel like it. Can’t taste it, but get the creamy texture + the berries cover up the green of the avocado. Sorted.
I love this idea! I make a peanut butter/banana ice cream all the time-probably too often… And I always add a dash of cocoa powder. But I really like the idea of a real chocolatey peanut butter ice cream.
I love this! I make banana ice cream ALL THE TIME. I used to eat ice cream every day. Not kidding. But now I use bananas, and I that way I don’t feel guilty
My husband got me a Yonanos machine about a month ago because I was killing my blender making banana ice cream so often. You have to swirl in the pb or choc and vanilla after but we freeze other fruits, like raspberries and blueberries and add in between each frozen banana. I love it just plain but my favorite was when my son added dark choc in between the bananas to make choc chip. Thanks for the flavor ideas. I will be making some tonight!
And thanks for your blog, Katie! I have tried so many of your recipes and devour them all! I love when I see it come up on facebook…get excited to see what yumminess you have created. Must say our favorite so far is a non-choc recipe…the bread free vegan stuffing. I can’t make enough of it!