Five-Minute (Healthy) Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

If you haven't splurged and bought your ice cream maker yet, then today is your lucky day.  Here is a perfectly delicious ice cream recipe that does not use an ice cream machine, and instead uses a blender or food processor (whichever you have on hand).  Or, maybe you are on a strict dairy-free diet and haven't found an ideal alternative to dairy-loaded ice cream.  This is the one!   It also takes just minutes to prepare, and you can indulge right away instead of waiting for it to harden in the freezer.

I don't know about you, but I never go through my bananas quickly enough before they ripen too much.  Once they do ripen, I cut the tips off and store them in a zipper locked bag in the freezer until I'm ready to make banana bread.  I also keep an eye on my banana bunches and predict whether or not I'll go through them all.  If I know that I'll have plenty left over, then I'll take a couple before they are completely ripened, peel them, dice them, and throw them in the freezer.  The same thing happens to the banana segments leftover from Judah's breakfasts. These frozen banana pieces are later used for this Chunky Monkey Ice Cream.

You'll be astonished at how much frozen bananas taste like ice cream when they are pureed.  The consistency is dead-on and your kids will definitely be fooled by this healthy after-school snack.  Mix in walnuts and chocolate chunks to re-create one of Ben & Jerry's favorite ice cream blends with less calories.  Swirl in peanut butter, or Nutella, for the ultimate version!

This is the last ice cream recipe I'm sharing this month for National Ice Cream Month, but it is definitely not the last of the summer.  If you could see my photo collection, I could prove it to you.  But, you'll just have to wait for them these next couple of months.  (Don't forget that most of September is still considered summer!)   🙂

Five-Minute Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

Printable Recipe

3 peeled and chopped, then frozen, bananas
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
Handful of chocolate chunks
2 Tablespoons peanut butter or Nutella (optional)

Puree the bananas in a food processor or blender until smooth.  Add the walnuts and chocolate chunks and pulse until mixed in.  Stir in the peanut butter or Nutella, if desired.  Serve immediately or freeze for later consumption.

Source: Adapted from Kitchen Simplicity