We love the idea of homemade ice cream. But when most recipes call for special machinery and lots of heavy cream, it’s easy to give up and Google the nearest fro-yo shop. Before you fill up on the next-best thing, take a peek at these 9 healthy, five-ingredient scoops that leave the endless churning to the pros.
9 easy ice cream recipes for a quick-fix cold treat
- Vanilla cherry banana ice cream
- Coconut lemon ice cream
- No-churn vegan chocolate ice cream
- Mango coconut ice cream
- Chocolate avocado ice cream
- Raspberry coconut ice cream
- Peanut butter banana ice cream
- Raw vegan chocolate ice cream
- Blueberry lavender ice cream
1. Vanilla cherry banana ice cream
We’ll let you in on a secret: Cherry flavor gets approximately 200% more exciting with the addition of vanilla — that’s just simple math. Top with halved cherries and ready your spoon. If you can’t get your hands on a whole vanilla bean, vanilla extract works just as well.
Get the vanilla cherry banana ice cream recipe.
2. Coconut lemon ice cream
Make a thick ice cream base by cooking down coconut milk and honey until slightly golden. Then pat yourself on the back: You just made healthier sweetened condensed milk. Offset the rich coconut milk with tart lemon juice and whip with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Be sure to taste test before freezing.
Get the coconut lemon ice cream recipe.
3. No-churn vegan chocolate ice cream
That can of coconut cream in your pantry has been waiting for this moment. First, chill it in the fridge overnight. Then blend it up with dates for sweetness, cocoa powder for chocolatey richness, and a little almond milk for consistency. Congrats! You’ve just created the stuff of vegan dessert dreams (all without hauling out the ice cream maker).
Get the no-churn vegan chocolate ice cream recipe.
4. Mango coconut ice cream
A few bites into this mango coconut ice cream and you may mistake your kitchen for a tropical island. Blend the coconut milk and frozen mango until smooth or leave in a few solid fruit pieces for some texture. We think serving with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of shredded coconut makes it even better.
Get the mango coconut ice cream recipe.
5. Chocolate avocado ice cream
Chocolate ice cream you can eat for breakfast? Sign us up. This maple-sweetened mixture of frozen banana and avocado is a sweet way to snack after a workout or even before a long workday (who are we to judge?). It makes a great after-dinner treat too.
Get the chocolate avocado ice cream recipe.
6. Raspberry coconut ice cream
Not only is this raspberry ice cream a delightful shade of pink, the recipe also calls for a big splash of electrolyte powerhouse coconut water. The best part: There’s no additional freezing required, so this dish is ready in 5 minutes.
Get the raspberry coconut ice cream recipe.
7. Peanut butter banana ice cream
Peanut butter and banana might seem a better combo than PB&J after a few bites of this ice cream. Freeze banana slices, then blend with peanut butter in a powerful blender or food processor. Soft-serve lovers will want to dive in immediately, but this ice cream can be frozen for optimal scooping.
Get the peanut butter banana ice cream recipe.
8. Raw vegan chocolate ice cream
Calling all chocoholics! You wouldn’t know from the way it looks, but this rich ice cream gets its silkiness from coconut milk and a ripe avocado. It’s sweetened with banana and a touch of agave (swap the latter for maple syrup if you’re not a fan). Mix up the the ice cream base, then stick it in the freezer for a good few hours to firm up.
Get the raw vegan chocolate ice cream recipe.
9. Blueberry lavender ice cream
No-churn doesn’t mean less fancy. Join the finer things club with this dreamy blueberry ice cream.
Dairy- and refined sugar-free, this dessert is a result of creamy cashews and plump dates blended with fresh blueberries. The lavender can easily be omitted if you can’t find culinary-grade flowers — don’t worry, the ice cream will be just as refreshing without.
Sure, an ice cream maker can be a useful kitchen accessory if you’re regularly churning out frozen desserts.
But if you don’t happen to have one (or just don’t feel like waiting for its hour-long cycle before you dig into something cold and sweet), give these 9 recipes a whirl… or a blend… or a process. You’ll land yourself with faster, easier ice cream access — and, if you ask us, that’s never a bad thing.
