Mint Chocolate Chip Banana Ice cream

I LOVE ice cream. Jeni’s ice cream is my favorite but for a healthier version….try Banana “Ice Cream”! This recipe is dairy free and will give you a little carb boost without all the sugar overlaid of normal ice cream. There’s even some hidden spinach in here to make that pretty minty color!

It’s hard to have perfectly ripe bananas right when you need them for recipes! So, I like to buy extra bananas and let them turn nice and brown- the more ripe they get the sweeter they are! I break them into pieces and freeze them in a freezer ziplock bag for smoothies or baking. (just heat in the microwave for about a minute and use as a sweetener for muffins or banana bread!).

I highly encourage you to use some deliciously sweet frozen bananas to make “ice cream” next time you get a sweet tooth! It’s so easy and ready to eat immediately without needing an ice cream maker. All you need is a high powered blender. You can make so many different flavors, but I love to use spinach to make a mint chocolate chip version!

Start by blending a cup of spinach with 1/3 C of your favorite coffee creamer. I used a vanilla oat milk creamer to keep it dairy free. Just blend until you see a pretty bright green liquid.

Next, add 2-3 frozen bananas, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/8 tsp peppermint extract and blend! If peppermint isn’t your thing, try adding Peanut Butter Powder and chocolate chips for a Reece’s flavor. Or add strawberries and blueberries. Or raw cacao powder and some maple syrup, or a dash of sea salt and caramel syrup for a salted caramel- so many options!

Enjoy immediately or save in an airtight container in the freezer. It will be very hard and frozen so let it thaw for a bit before serving if you freeze it.

Mint Chocolate Chip Banana “Ice Cream”

*1 C spinach

*1/3 C vanilla oatmeal coffee creamer

*1 tsp vanilla extract

*2-3 frozen ripe bananas

-In a high powered blender, (Vitamix is my fave!), blend spinach and coffee creamer until you have a smooth bright green liquid.

-Add frozen bananas and vanilla

-Blend! Sprinkle chocolate chips on top!

Save leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer. When ready to enjoy again, let it sit out for a bit before serving as it will be very hard and frozen.

*Some other flavor ideas:

Peanut butter powder and chocolate chips

Almond butter

Berrries

Sea salt and caramel syrup

Raw Cacao powder and maple syrup