Banana Nice Cream
Banana ice cream, often called “Nice Cream” is a delicious and nutritious alternative to ice cream with only 2 ingredients and no added sugars! Bananas are a great source of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fiber - making them a very nutritious food for kids (click here to read more on bananas). One serving of Nice Cream contains 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein and is naturally gluten- and dairy-free.
This recipe combines bananas with a fat (nut/seed butter) which helps stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent big variations that can cause fatigue and/or behavioral upticks in some children.
This recipe can be as simple as 2 ingredients, but can also be highly customizable with a variety of add-ins to cater to your child’s sensory preferences and nutritional needs. You can also choose to double or triple the recipe and freeze for later!
Ingredients
2 large frozen ripe bananas, cut into slices (4 cups)
Pro tip: freeze banana slices in one layer on a cooking sheet covered in parchment paper to prevent them from all sticking together
2 tbsp nut or seed butter (peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc)
Optional add-ins:
1-2 tbsp organic cacao powder
1/2-1 tbsp maple syrup (can sub coconut sugar or 1-2 Medjool dates)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 scoop collagen powder or other protein powder
Certain supplements may be able to mix in smoothies, though be cautious as mixing a supplement in a highly nutritious food could cause a picky eater to lose the food/lose trust if it changes the taste drastically. Try it yourself before serving to your child and start with an extremely small amount and work your way up.
My preferred method to get kids to take supplements is the syringe method
Flavor variations
Vanilla: add 1 tsp vanilla extract
Strawberry banana: add 1/2 cup frozen strawberries and 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
Double chocolate: add 2 tablespoons cacao powder + 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup + mini chocolate chips
Chocolate peanut butter: add 2 tablespoons cacao powder + 2 tbsp nut or seed butter + 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup
Note: Most ingredients above are linked to items at Thrive Market for your convenience. Sign up with this link to get 30% off your first order.
Materials
Food processor or a high-powered blender like a Vitamix
A note on ingredient quality: If possible, choose ingredients that are organic and non-GMO. Stores such as Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods, and other health food stores can help finding higher-quality ingredients. If access to higher quality ingredients isn't an option for you, choose the best option that is available to you locally.
Directions
Place frozen banana slices and nut/seed butter into a food processor with an S-blade or a high-speed blender
Process on high for 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides every 30 seconds to encourage blending
Note: if the mixture is too thick and not blending after 2 minutes, add a splash of milk (or nut milk if dairy-free)
Once the mixture is smooth throughout, add any additional ingredients like cacao powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, etc. to taste
Enjoy immediately or transfer to a parchment-lined bread pan to freeze. If consuming from frozen, let thaw for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient facts are calculated from plain nice cream, made with bananas and peanut butter.
Makes 2 Servings
Calories: 205 | Protein: 5 grams | Fiber: 4 grams | Carbohydrates: 30 grams | Fat: 8 grams | Total Sugar: 16 grams | Added Sugar: 0 grams
