Who would have thought that ice cream can be so simple to make, taste so good, and actually be a healthy snack? Thank you, bananas!

This recipe is a refreshed version of one of our favorite old treats when craving something fresh and sweet, especially on hotter days. It's actually the perfect healthy, family food - as it is nutrient dense, refined sugar free and made of all-natural ingredients.

The secret of nice cream is in the bananas. There is some magic that happens when bananas are frozen. They become the perfect smooth and creamy base for ice cream, with endless possibilities to experiment with and refine. When ripe bananas are frozen, they act like a binding agent for our nice cream - so you don’t need any milk, cream, eggs, or sugar to make it. Just freeze plain old bananas, add your favorite flavor, and let them do their magic.

More tasty, simple ingredient desserts: Healthy Oatmeal Cookies - Simple Ingredients, Easy to Make

This recipe is so customizable and we have tried it in endless different variations. All kinds of frozen fruits turn out pretty delicious, like mango, pineapple, blueberries, and raspberries. Nut and seed butters are another option which actually adds more nutrition and makes it the perfect balanced and nutrient-dense snack. You can even add matcha powder and make a superfood nice cream! The recipe requires only 2 ingredients, so you can definitely play with mixing flavors. You can add both a powder or butter and something crunchy inside like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or cacao nibs.

Another fun part of this recipe are the toppings. Lots of possibilities here, as well. Try sliced fruit, seeds and nuts, bee pollen, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, and all kinds of powders and spices. Make your favorite version and let the people around you guess what’s in it. I bet they are going to gasp when you tell them it’s just 2 ingredients!

Type: Vegan, Dairy free, Snack, Dessert
Prep time: 3 hours (to freeze bananas)
Actual Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2 portions

Ingredients for version 1:

2 bananas
1 cup frozen strawberries
coconut flakes and mint leaves for decorating

Recipe:

1. Slice the bananas. Put them in a container or bag and freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight.
2. Slice the strawberries. Put them in a separate box and freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight.
3. Put the fruits in a food processor and blend until smooth.
4. Scrape down the sides 1-2 times and blend again.
5. Serve and sprinkle with coconut flakes and mint leaves.

Ingredients for version 2:

2 bananas
½ cup peanut butter
cacao nibs and hazelnuts for sprinkling

Recipe:

1. Slice the bananas. Put them in a container and freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight.
2. Put the frozen bananas in a food processor.
3. Add the peanut butter and blend until smooth.
4. Scrape down the sides 1-2 times and blend again.
5. Serve and sprinkle with some cacao nibs and chopped hazelnuts.

Notes: Substitute peanut butter with almond, walnut, hazelnut or sunflower seed butters for variety of flavors.