Turn your dessert into a healthier treat with these Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream Bowls!
It’s definitely safe to say that these banana ice cream bowls are an ode to a few of my favorite things (sing it, Julie Andrews). First, they’re refreshingly cold and have a perfectly creamy cure for the summer heat. They’re basically all I want to eat when the temp rises.
And second, there’s the peanut butter. I don’t know about y’all, but if I have a chance to mix frozen bananas, peanut butter, and gluten-free brownies into one bowl of deliciousness, I’m so there. Throw in a sprinkle of walnuts and peanuts for a little crunch, and I’m in dessert heaven.
These bowls are sweet and trick my brain into thinking I’m chowing on a bowl of honest-to-goodness ice cream! Your taste buds don’t know what hit them because there’s no dairy here, my lactose-sensitive friends. Whether you’re looking for a healthy dessert after roasting in the sun or just need a less decadent dessert for your next dinner party, this is it!
Are Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream Bowls Healthy?
If we’re comparing this recipe to something like Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey, then you bet it’s healthy. Instead of ice cream, I use frozen bananas—when puréed, they tastes deliciously close to the real stuff. Plus, you’re getting a good dose of potassium and fiber. And as long as you go with natural peanut butter, you’re keeping the core ingredients pretty clean. I guess the least healthy ingredient is the gluten-free brownie, but I think it’s well-earned!
The Creamy, Dreamy Power Of Frozen Bananas
I love bananas, but do you know what I love even more? Frozen, ripe bananas. The key word here is ripe. While naturally sweet, ripe bananas are even sweeter. When puréed this tropical fruit turns into the smoothest, silkiest base for your faux ice cream.
The trick is to take the puréeing process slow. You don’t want to rush and crank your blender to its highest speed right away. Set the blender to low, and trust the process. And by the way, you’re probably going to scrape down the sides of your blender a lot—like every few seconds a lot. Don’t let that stop you, though! The end result is worth it!
How To Make Ahead And Store
You can totally prep the recipe ahead! Blend the bananas like the instructions say, and store the faux ice cream in an airtight container. Store it in the freezer for a couple of days. When ready to serve, let it sit at room temp for about 5-10 minutes. It may take more or less time, so definitely eyeball it—the texture should be smooth and scoopable—is that a word?
Serving Suggestions
Chunky monkey banana ice cream bowls are great on their own, but why not pair them with other healthy treats? And we’re being honest here; I’ve for sure started my day with some banana ice cream. Why not? They’re pretty healthy! Speaking of breakfast, this Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Recipe goes really nicely with these bowls. Or just sprinkle some of this Coconut Granola over the ice cream for a dairy-free parfait vibe. Want to make them even more decadent? Drizzle some Dairy-Free Vegan Caramel Sauce over them!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons walnuts
- 2 tablespoons salted peanuts
- 2 large bananas cut into coins and frozen
- 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter plus additional for drizzling
- 2 gluten-free dark chocolate brownie bites chopped (or something similar)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread the walnuts and peanuts onto a small pan. Bake until lightly golden brown and toasted, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Place the frozen banana coins (cutting them into coins before freezing helps them blend smoother) and the peanut butter into a high-powered blender.
- Purée (or use the ice cream setting if you have one) until smooth and creamy. You may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides a few times.
- Divide the "ice cream" between two bowls, followed by the walnuts, peanuts, and chopped-up brownie bites.
- Drizzle with additional peanut butter and enjoy!
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Wow, amazing thanks for sharing. Would love to give this a trial. You know I only talk about keto at [blocked URL] not really into food recipes other than coffee and keto creamers. Thanks once again!