Now that the temps are hitting the 90’s here in Massachusetts, we are definitely enjoying the sunny days of summertime – especially with this strawberry banana ice cream treat to cool us off. This is a 3-ingredient, no-churn “nice cream” that comes together in about 5 minutes. No ice cream maker needed!
The dietitian in me loves this fruity frozen dessert since it has no added sugar (and I think you will too!). This is perfect for families, because your little ones are getting fresh fruit in a fun way. And for my fellow athletes? Um, hello awesome recovery treat after a hot outdoor run or ride! Eat this alongside a source of protein for a nice replenishing snack.
Note: This post was originally published in 2016, and has been updated in 2026. The recipe itself remains the same.
Ingredients
You only need 3 simple ingredients for this recipe: bananas, strawberries, and a splash of whatever milk you prefer (dairy-free or dairy, your call – obviously if you use dairy, this recipe would no longer be vegan).
How to Make Nice Cream with Bananas and Strawberries
The method for making this couldn’t be simpler:
- Freeze your fruit. Slice ripe bananas and strawberries and freeze them overnight (or at least until solid, about 4-6 hours). The fruit must be frozen for this recipe to work!
- Blend. Add the frozen fruit to a mini food processor or high-speed blender with a splash of milk of your choice.
- Process until smooth, pausing to scrape down the sides as needed, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- Scoop and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Modifications
Storage: This recipe is best made fresh and eaten right away. While you can store leftovers in the freezer, it will freeze into a solid block and you’ll then need to defrost slightly and try to reblend to create the right texture. Instead, just prep it when you want to eat it.
Smaller portions: Feel free to halve the recipe if you only need one serving.
Best milk to use: You can really use anything – almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc. You’re only using a splash of this to just loosen the ingredients enough so the food processor can work through the frozen fruit. As such, the type doesn’t make much of a difference. Note though that using coconut milk may impart a slight coconut flavor.
Troubleshooting texture and blending: The key to the soft-serve-like texture of this recipe is by using frozen fruit and using as little milk as possible to blend. If you use too much liquid, it will become more of a smoothie texture. Start with just a little milk, process/blend, then scrape down the sides. If it’s not coming together, try letting it sit for just a few minutes so the fruit thaws ever so slightly. This should help it blend together. I’ve found a mini food processor bowl or a high-powered blender works best; a less powerful blender may struggle with this recipe.
Flavor variations: Feel free to try other varieties of banana ice cream, like swapping in cocoa and peanut butter instead of strawberries, or using other fruit combos like banana mango, banana pineapple, or banana peach.
More Healthy Frozen Desserts
If you’re looking for some additional sweet treats for hot days – that are also somewhat nutritious! – try these options:
- Peach crisp popsicles
- PB&J frozen yogurt in a bag
- Frozen banana peanut butter chocolate bites
- Strawberry peach ice pops
- Peanut butter sweet potato greek yogurt bark
I hope you enjoy this banana strawberry nice cream recipe. If you get a chance to try it, feel free to leave a recipe rating or comment below.
Strawberry Banana Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 frozen sliced bananas
- ¾ cup frozen sliced strawberries
- ⅛ to ¼ cup milk alternative of your choice (almond milk, soy milk, etc – or dairy milk if you're not vegan)
Instructions
- Put frozen bananas and strawberries in the bowl of a mini food processor or in a high speed blender cup. Add ⅛ cup of your milk of choice, and process until smooth, like the consistency of soft serve ice cream. You may need to pause it a few times and scrape down the sides, then repeat. (Depending on the strength of your blender/processor, you may need to add a little extra milk to help).
Notes
- The texture of this recipe is best when you use as little milk as possible. If your food processor or blender is struggling, try letting the fruit defrost for just a few minutes before using them, or adding just a smidge more milk. Avoid adding too much, or the texture will become more smoothie-like than ice-cream-like. A mini food processor bowl works best, but a high powered blender cup will also work.
Nutrition
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I love homemade ice cream! I like being able to control what goes in it!
Exactly – complete control over the ingredients!
Um…heck yea I’m making this!! For me, for my twin toddlers, for my hubby…for us all ESPECIALLY today it is sooo super steamy out!
Haha! That’s the best part – it’s healthy and delicious for everyone.
I think this recipe would also make awesome popsicles too.. YuM!!! 😋
Totally agree – great idea! 🙂
Your son’s a cutie! I’d love to make “ice cream” like this but not sure my blender would cut it.
Aw, thank you Cassi! He’s pretty adorable, except when he’s throwing tantrums 😉 I used my new blender to make this but when I used my older not-so-good one, it worked fine too. Just took a little more time pureeing and scraping down the sides. Sometimes adding a little extra liquid helped.
I’ve got a not so great blender as well. Using the microwave, I defrost the frozen fruit a bit & then blend it.
Chrissy this looks delicious. Im a big fan of nice-cream. I didn’t have any strawberries so I made this with blueberries. I’ll probably make it again today 🙂
Aw, thank you Jill! The blueberry version sounds amazing too!
It is so hot in my apartment right now… I just want to dive into this!
Hahaha! It has been pretty steamy out lately. I’m thanking my lucky stars we have a good AC unit.
Simple and delicious! Love it!
Thanks Annmarie! 🙂
I need to hurry up and get a nice food processor…this ice cream looks so delicious!
Thanks Janelle! If you have a blender you could try it with that too 🙂
What adorable boys! And yes, I need that nice cream in my life!!!
Thank you! 🙂 I hope you get a chance to make it!
Friggin adore how simple and easy this is!!!! 😀
Thanks Gigi! Simple + easy = my kinda recipes!
This is truly such a healthy ice cream recipe! Looks sooooo good!
Thanks so much! I hope you get a chance to whip some up and enjoy it.
I was just saying last night that I had a craving for ice cream. AND I have all these ingredients right now! perfect!
YAY! I hope you loved it.
Your little boy is so adorable!!
And those ice cream.. yum!! I am going to have to try this. My husband keeps buying me So Delicious Ice cream bars thinking he’s doing something nice (which it is) but now I’m craving sugar at night.. ugh… Will have to try these.
Those ice cream bars really are SO DELICIOUS, hahaha. They are amazing. But I feel ya – not necessarily ideal if you’re trying to cut back on the sweets.
This looks delicious…and super easy to make! The latter is the most important to me, I’m so impatient in the kitchen!
Me too! That’s why I love this; it only takes a few minutes and it’s ready to devour.
i cant wait to try this soft serve a try..only 3 ingredients – bring it on 🙂
Hope you love it! 🙂
I just bought two huge containers of blueberries…I envision of BB version of this soon!!
Yes! Jill also mentioned she made a blueberry version so I’m sure it would be AWESOME with those!
I’ve seen this combo a few times. Yup, it’s delicious! We have a surplus of frozen bananas right now – our local store put about 8 pounds of organic bananas in what I like to call the “get it out of here before the health department shows up” bin – so I had no excuse to not try it.
My Cuisinart stick blender with the food processor attachment was up to the task – quick & easy, and less goes to waste than if I did it in the VitaMix.
With bananas as the base, the treat is only limited by your imagination: unsweetened plain cocoa, coconut milk, coffee – mix away and have fun!
Yes, so many fun combinations that you can make with it!! 🙂
This looks delicious!! I LOVE ice cream but have been looking for other alternatives that are mainly plant based. I will have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome Katie! I’m all about mixing in the healthy alternatives so you can still get a taste for what you’re craving in a more nutritious way 🙂 Let me know how you like it!
CAN You freeze it for
Or does it loose its delicious texture?
Hi Abigael! Sorry for taking a few days to respond – crazy week over here 🙂 You can freeze it after making it – I recommend freezing in single serving bags or containers that you can then pop out and microwave briefly before eating. When you freeze it, it does harden up, but it holds up pretty well otherwise – the quick zap in the microwave makes it softer to scoop and eat again.
This look so good! Can I use different fruit with the same base for other flavors?
The banana helps make it creamier compared to other fruits, but you can definitely swap out the strawberries for others like pineapple, mango, etc. You can also use just pineapple or mango and use a thicker coconut milk to create the same creaminess. Lastly, you can try swapping out the banana for frozen avocado when blending with other fruits to also elicit the creamy texture – but I’d recommend adding a little sweetener in that case.
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
I’d recommend enjoying the day you make it, as it can harden up in the freezer. That said, if you store in the freezer, it will keep for months but you’ll need to soften at room temp for about 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
Came out good. Tasted light and naturally sweet. Will make a bigger batch again.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Turned out perfect! My boys (4&7) scooped it up just like the real stuff. Thank you!
Awesome! Glad the kiddos enjoyed 🙂