Avocado nice cream is a rich and satisfying dairy free ice cream that's made without an ice cream maker. This healthy vegan ice cream recipe is also paleo and gluten free. And most importantly, it's delicious!
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I love experimenting with healthy, vegan versions of traditional ice cream recipes. If you haven't already, you really need to check out my healthy chickpea ice cream and my popular espresso hazelnut nice cream. But, if you're a fan of mint, chocolate chip ice cream (and who isn't?), this is going to be your new favorite dairy free ice cream recipe! Not only is it super easy to make, you don't even need an ice cream maker.
Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
✅It's vegan, paleo and gluten free.
✅It's much lower in fat than traditional ice creams that contain dairy.
✅It's free from refined sugars.
✅You don't need an ice cream maker, and it only takes a few minutes to make.
✅It's kid approved.
Ingredients
- Bananas: For avocado nice cream, or any nice cream recipe, you'll need frozen bananas. The riper the better. In fact, if your bananas are really ripe and sweet, you can even omit the maple syrup.
- Avocados: Two ripe avocados is what you'll need for this recipe. Choose avocados that are perfectly ripe, so not too squishy and dark, and definitely not under-ripe.
- Lemon Juice: A few teaspoons of fresh lemon juice will prevent your avocados from oxidizing and turning brown.
- Maple Syrup: As I mentioned above, you can omit the maple syrup if your bananas are super ripe. I recommend doing a taste test before adding your maple syrup into the food processor. If it's sweet enough for your tastes, you can omit
- Peppermint Extract: A little bit goes a long way here, which is why we'll only be using a half a teaspoon. You could also use fresh mint leaves if you prefer.
- Coconut Milk: You'll need coconut milk from a can, not a carton. Pop the whole can in the fridge and leave it overnight. The coconut cream will separate from the coconut water. We'll be scraping the cream off the top and saving the coconut water for a something like a smoothie recipe.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: These are optional, but I highly recommend adding a few teaspoons. If you're wondering which chocolate chips are dairy free, check out this big list of vegan chocolate chips with a comprehensive list of vegan chocolate chips.
How To Make Avocado Nice Cream
- Pop your loaf pan in the freezer to chill while you make your avocado nice cream. This will help with the overall consistency of the ice cream.
- Add your avocado to a blender or food processor. Squeeze two teaspoons of lemon juice over the top, and blitz until the avocado is smooth and creamy.
- Now add your maple syrup (if using), peppermint extract and the coconut cream you've scraped out of your can of coconut milk. Blend until everything is well combined.
- With the food processor or blender still running, drop your frozen banana pieces in and blend until there are no chunks.
- Take your loaf pan out of the freezer and tip your avocado nice cream into into it. If you'll be adding chocolate chips, stir those in now.
- Cover the pan with cling film and leave it to freeze for at least four hours.
Variations
- Want to make your avocado ice cream a brighter shade of green, whilst boosting its nutritional value? Add a teaspoon of spirulina powder.
- Add pistachios or slivered almonds to your nice cream before freezing.
- Substitute fresh mint leave for the peppermint extract.
- Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder for an extra chocolatey flavor.
Pro Tips For Nice Cream Success
- Cut your bananas into thin slices and freeze them on a parchment lined baking sheet evenly spaced (not touching). This will make it much easier for your food processor or blender to blend them to a smooth consistency.
- Nice cream gets much harder than traditional dairy ice cream does as it freezes. If your avocado nice cream has been in the freezer for a while, allow it to defrost on the countertop for 15-20 minutes before serving.
- To prevent discoloration of the avocado, wrap the loaf pan firmly in cling film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Store leftover nice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. It will get very hard as it freezes, so take it out and let it defrost for 15-20 minutes before serving.
No, whilst you can puree and freeze bananas, and use them in recipes like banana bread, I don't recommend doing this for nice cream. Your nice cream will come out too starchy and gooey. For creamy, frosty nice cream, freeze your bananas in slices.
I don't think so. Think of the bananas as a blank canvas to which you can add whatever ice cream flavors you most enjoy. The possibilities are endless.
Craving More Easy Vegan Desert Recipes?
After Eight Mint Patties - Dairy Free
Filipino Spanish Bread - Senorita Bread
Strawberry Palmiers From Puff Pastry
Recipe
Magic Avocado Nice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 avocados flesh removed and chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 14 ounces coconut milk refrigerated overnight
- 2 bananas frozen
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup *see note 1.
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Put your loaf pan in the freezer to chill while you make your avocado nice cream.
- Add your avocado to a blender or food processor. Squeeze two teaspoons of lemon juice over the top, and blitz until the avocado is smooth and creamy.
- Now add the maple syrup (if using) and peppermint extract. Scrape the creamy part of the coconut milk into the blender. Save the coconut water for another use. Blend until everything is well combined.
- With the food processor or blender still running, drop your frozen banana pieces in, and blend until there are no chunks.
- Take your loaf pan out of the freezer and tip your avocado nice cream into into it. If you'll be adding chocolate chips, stir those in now. Smooth the ice cream out with a spoon. You can eat your nice cream now as a soft serve, or freeze it for more scoopable ice cream.
- If freezing, cover the pan with cling film and leave it to freeze for at least four hours.
Notes
- If your bananas are extra ripe and sweet, it's possible to omit the maple syrup.
- Store leftover nice cream in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Nice cream gets very hard after it's been in the freezer for a while. This is normal. Simply let it defrost on the counter for 15-20 minutes before serving.
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