Sinfully rich, indulgently dark, and secretly healthy chocolate ice cream!
This no-churn, creamy chocolate nice cream has a secret:
A full 1/3 cup of cocoa powder is packed into the recipe, for the ultimate richness.
So if you’ve tried healthy ice cream recipes before and not been blown away, definitely give this one a shot, because you might be surprised.
It’s the perfect healthy frozen treat for any dark chocolate lover, and every time I make this chocolatey nice cream, I can’t stop eating it from the blender!
Also be sure to try this Vegan Chocolate Cake
The new-and-improved recipe is adapted from the chocolate version of my original Banana Ice Cream Recipe, and it uses only natural ingredients, without any additional sweeteners.
If you’re not a dark chocolate fan, you can of course add a little stevia or pure maple syrup or your favorite sweetener if you wish.
But it is not required for the recipe, especially if you start with ripened bananas, often referred to as “nature’s candy” because of their ability to sweeten recipes naturally without having to add extra sugar.
For those of you who don’t want a banana flavor, the extra cocoa added in this healthy ice cream does a great job masking the banana, and opting to use the nut butter (or your favorite nut-free alternative) masks it even more.
I honestly could not taste any banana at all. Then again, I love bananas so I might not be the best person to ask.
*For a banana-free version, try this Almond Milk Ice Cream.
Healthy Chocolate Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 3 frozen bananas (a banana-free version is linked above)
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2-3 tbsp peanut or almond butter, optional
- pinch salt
- broken-up dark chocolate bar or chips, optional
Instructions
- *Make sure bananas are at least partially brown before peeling, chopping, and then freezing.Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor—you can add the optional chocolate and the brownie bites before or after blending. Process until completely smooth, adding a little milk of choice if it’s too thick for your blender to process. Either serve immediately as soft serve, or freeze for about an hour and then scoop out with an ice cream scoop. Although nice cream tastes the best the day it’s made, you can technically freeze for up to a few weeks and thaw before eating.View Nutrition Facts
Notes
More Healthy Chocolate Desserts
I love peanut butter cookie but the cherry chocolate bites sound amazing. Making this ice cream tonight!
Although I enjoy making homemade “LAR” bars (my initials), Larabars are indeed a staple for this now-preggo woman. I have to say, I haven’t seen but would love to try hazelnut cacao. Generally I’d say my current fave is chocolate chip cookie dough.
My favorite is the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip! I would love to try the Superfoods one!
Would absolutely love to try the Mint Chocolate! Been a huge Lara bar fan for a long time and so excited about the new flavours!!
i don’t think i ever had any so would loveblueberry muffin flavo
This looks delicious!
My grandsons got me hooked on Larabars last month when I visited my daughter in Maryland. My daughter is a super nutrition-focused mom and she packs Larabars in the the boys school lunchbags just about every day. They actually check their lunch bags on the way out the door in the morning and if she forgets to pack a Larabar then she hears about it: “Mom, you forgot my Larabar!” I figured they were on to something so I started looking through the cupboard. Oh my. About 10 boxes of Larabars, all kinds of flavors. I went for the Larabar Banana Chocolate Chip. Now there are a few boxes of Larabars in my cupboard! Call me crazy but I would love to see a Larabar somehow incorporate persimmon into one of their bars. I grew up in Florida with a persimmon tree in the backyard and Dad would pick them just at the right time and all of us kids would feast on the delicious fruit. Anytime I get my hands on one now, (rarely) it brings back such good childhood memories.
PEANUT BUTTER OF COURSE!!!!! Sheri
The pineapple upside down cake bar for sure!!! It’s a Whole Foods exclusive and it’s sooooooo good??? if you haven’t then tried it you need to omggg
What is the serving size based on your nutritional facts.
I calculate it to be 8 smart points Is this for the whole recipe.
Thanks
Love your blog and recipes,
George
It is based on 2 servings. Bananas are a free food 😉
I love Peanut Butter Cookie! I make sure it is always in the house. Thank you for the giveaway, Katie.
My favorite is the chocolate coconut Larabar. I look forward to trying the Larabar bites and the fruit + greens!
I LOOVVE larabars, as do my kids! Sometimes I’ll buy some uncommon flavors and have a taste test 🙂
My favorites are probably those that have chocolate. The lemon bar is pretty divine as well!
In case it matters for the contest, I put the wrong email here. I’ll repost my comment with a working address ?
I would love to try the Chocolate Brownie Larabar Bites, so I can make this recipe!
I LOOVVE larabars, as do my kids! Sometimes I’ll buy some uncommon flavors and have a taste test ?
My favorites are probably those that have chocolate. The lemon bar is pretty divine as well!
Chocolate chip cookie dough and blueberry!!! Love them ❤