Excellent!! I've got to try the cinnamon soon. I love adapting this recipe with whatever I have on hand, but one of my favorite variations is to add in chunks of frozen mango. They blend up really smoothly with the bananas and add a pretty powerful flavor.

Can you make banana popsicles in the same way? I noticed you have to freeze again after blending.

@vintagejenta, yes I think banana ice cream would be awesome poured into a banana mold! I've never done it but would love to hear how it works for you.

I've done the nutella banana version, with a few tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa thrown in...very good!

The banana ice cream is truly miraculous, but I noticed it's hard on the food processor. A little plastic part broke on mine after making it a lot. It still works, but is more challenging to operate.

Thanks for fixing the Nutella Recipe. I'm going to try it out this weekend and maybe add some cocoa. I also love the idea of mango and strawberry variations.

i love this! totally trying!

also, they all say "until they are the serving of soft serve ice cream." serving = consistency?

Having a go at turning the dark chocolate banana ice cream into popsicles this weekend!

I make the plain banana one with a pinch of salt and a dash of vanilla and then serve it over a carrot cake that I make in the microwave - for BREAKFAST! The kids love it and it takes me no longer than if I fried up an egg.

I've had mixed results with the banana ice cream. Sometimes the bananas are TOO frozen and I've had to add soy milk to the food processor to actually get it creamy. I'm thinking next time about bringing the bananas out of the freezer for 15 minutes or so before processing and/or adding some non-frozen bananas to the frozen ones.

Cocoa powder is good, and I've also added blueberry jam.

Mark Bittman's recipe with ginger beer. Just add a couple tablespoons of ginger beer as you are blending the bananas

Alton Brown has a version of this that you can do in an ice cream maker. (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/banana-ice-cream-recipe/index.html) He adds some sugar and heavy cream, but I'm sure you don't have to. I just find it easier to work with ice cream maker.

Oh wow! I LOVE the simplicity of these recipes and how healthy they are. And TWO chocolate ice creams to try!

YES!!! Thank you! :D

Seriously off the hook, delish ideas! I can't wait to try all of them!

Did you know there's a gadget that's specifically for making banana ice cream?! It's called Yonanas (www.yonanas.com). I actually bought one, convinced that I *needed* it...despite already owning a food processor AND a Vitamix...

I'm not sure whether it was worth the money, but it's still fun...let's just call it the margarita maker of the health food world ;)

I've done the banana ice cream, thanks to you guys--love it. But these variation are a must try! Thanks!

so what do you do if you are allergic to banana?

SIMPLE AND AMAZING. I just made a batch in my vitamix after reading this post. The ice cream is delicious, healthy and just as creamy any Dairy cream though i might add some unsweetened coconut milk next time. I made the PB and honey version. I am vegan so I subbed agave for the honey ( I actually don't think you need more sweetener). I would also suggest you triple the recipie if you are using the vitamix since you need some volume so the banana mixture doesnt get compact and stuck below the blades. but overall EXCELLENT recipie. THANK YOU,

Is there any reason not to use a blender instead of a food processor?

I screwed-up by using a blender rather than a food processor. The bananas are too solid to work in the blender without liquid. I salvaged the situation by adding a small container of almond milk to the 3 frozen bananas in my blender and ended up with an incredible guilt-free shake!

Pineapple ice cream (made the same way) is super delicious tool. In Hawaii we had a pineapple/banana ice cream like thing call a frosty made with just the frozen fruit. Only there they put it through a juicer!

I made the peanut honey, Nutella, and dark chocolate "ice creams" and I'm hear to tell you these all turned out FABULOUS, even the Nutella one that people are saying there's a problem with. No problem here with any of these recipes. These are FABULOUS substitutes for your traditional calorie-loaded bowl of real ice cream.

Cool, sweet and VERY satisfying! I blogged these recipes if your interested in seeing mine. Just follow the link in my profile! :D

Made the Nutella version (though with Justin's Hazelnut/Chocolate blend, which has waaaay less sugar and tastes sooo much better than Nutella), and it was a big hit with the adults and kids alike on Memorial Day. I'll definitely be making the other iterations! I would drecommend letting the bananas thaw slightly before processing them, or you'll just have banana crumbs (like I did, at first) instead of sof serve.

For the record, I never have any problems with completely frozen bananas. Whenever they start to get overripe, I just cut them up and put them in the freezer. I have a nice stash that I use to make this ice cream. I use a Cuisinart food processor, and they blend up beautifully. If you find that you get banana crumbs, just keep processing and it will work.

I made one not too long ago with toasted coconut and lemon zest. I also have some frozen coconut cream waiting to be used. I'm not vegan, but prefer this treat to be dairy free.

i guess technically they can call it 'ice cream' since there are two tablespoons of cream.. but really this is closer to a sorbet..

Well, if you're allergic to bananas, then you'll just have to wait outside. 8^p

What type of container is preferred to freeze it inside of?

I let my banana pieces sit in the food processor for about 30 minutes before blending...easier on the machine. I add about a teaspoon of vanilla extract for about four bananas.

I just scoop it out of the FP into a tupperware-like container and freeze.

No, a blender won't work for this, unfortunately.

I thoroughly recommend using a 'Bamix' to make ice cream or anything else that needs processing, grinding, grating, slicing etc etc. They are so easy to use and require less cleaning than a processor, just rinse under a tap, lightweight but robust and powerful and will last many many years. Swiss design. I regularly make ice cream using all sorts of frozen fruit straight from the freezer. Check out the web site
www.bamix.com

I use my blender all the time for this! Not sure why you guys think it won't work.

I like the Yonana machine, I've also used the food processor but ended up having to add almond milk to smooth it out...the yonana machine gives me a better texture.

If you want to save some fat and calories, PB2 (both the original version and the chocolate peanut butter version) are great additions instead of the real peanut butter!

I also like to make the plain banana ice cream then top it with some toasted coconut, toasted and chopped pistachios and a little honey that I had infused with coriander. It is a great dessert with Indian cuisine!

That should have said cardamom, not coriander!

mix with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate whey protein + splash of vanilla! it's actually my fave post-workout recovery food, and a good balance of protein & carbs :) sometimes i stir in peanut butter after having mixed. it's dannnngerously good.

I have a mini food processor, will that work?

I made this stuff for the first time a few days ago, bananas were fine straight out of the freezer, but I had sliced them up first. I threw in 4 tbs of cocoa for 3 bananas, might have been a dash of salt, but that was it! I think next time I'll throw some almond butter in, and/or some cinnamon...or maybe some frozen berries. I also have some rose hip butter that might be yummy in this...

I made this with Peanut Butter and Nutella, because there is no better combination on earth. Add a banana and it was heaven! Thanks for the great recipe! I also use my blender and it worked fine with a little maneuvering.

Thank you thank you!! I tried this recipe (http://fieldsprouts.com/2012/07/23/bananas-for-psychiatry/) and it turned out beautifully!!! you are an inspiration!!!

<3

I haven't tried the different varieties of banana 'ice cream' but I have tried it plain. It's awesome! The texture is so creamy and wonderful. I used a Ninja (the one where the motor sits on top of the container) and it blends beautifully. I can't wait to put some cocoa in it and some berries.

I thought this might be too good to be true, but nope. Actually awesome. Made mine with a dash of strong black coffee. Wow!

Pics here:

WOW!!! This is a great idea.! I tried the Nutella one which was amzing.

Being Canadian and loving Maple syrup I had to try one with two table spoons of Pure Maple Syrup. It was amazing.

Thanks again

You are missing the very best variations! Try Coconut liquor, or Pina Colada mix. Maybe a little pineapple snapps with toasted almond slices on top.

just finished whipping up a small batch in my blender. had to add a little cream to get it going, but other than that, i mixed in some chocolate malt powder and a little honey.....can't wait until its set so i can indulge....

I like to fold in the popular creamery toppings: pecans, Persian walnuts, almonds, black walnuts, chocolate/carob morsels. I'll have to try Gnutella next.

Has anyone tried making a two-flavor swirl, instead of a fully-blended treat?
... a swirl with Gnutella? or chocolate pudding?

I bought 10 lbs of ripe bananas for $1.19 - such a bargain! Now I needed a recipe that uses LOTS of them - not just one or 2 to make banana muffins. So I came across your recipe - GENIUS ! I used a large cookie cheet and froze the slices in batches and put them in ziplock bags frozen to make ice cream whenever the urge strikes -
Thanks for the great idea!

My favorite is to use agave, lemon juice & sprinkle in some brown sugar at the last moment.

Hey i'm gonna try the dark chocolate one! Thnx for posting!

will it still work if you blend the bananas first and then freeze it?

Yum! I used to get Dole Whip at Disney World, which was pineapple soft serve ice cream. It was incredibly delicious! Unfortunately I don't think they sell it any more. What ingredients and how much of each do you use in your pineapple ice cream? Thanks!

I just found out they do still sell Dole Whip at Disney World! :)