Oops! Did you forget to eat the bananas, again?
If you are anything like me, you either wish you had a couple more at the end of the week, or you are tossing that last sad, mushy banana in the freezer. Sometimes those frozen bananas get put to good use in baked goods. Other times, they hang out in the back of the freezer for a few months before ultimately being thrown away.
In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply. While banana bread can be a great way to use overripe bananas and reduce food waste, you may be looking for something a little different during the hot days of summer.
Hello, banana "ice cream"! The easiest thing since sliced banana bread. The recipe is so simple, and the results are creamy, delicious, and good for your health.
While there are banana "ice cream" recipes all over the internet, you can feel confident that this recipe has been tested, perfected, and is both adult- and child-approved. The next time you are looking for a dairy-free alternative to ice cream, a fun snack activity for the children in your life, or just an easy way to use up those bananas in the back of your freezer, give banana "ice cream" a try.
Yummy Choco-Banana "Ice Cream"
- 1 frozen peeled banana, cut into chunks
- 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional)
Directions:
- Wash hands with soap and water. Place banana chunks into a small food processor or blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
- Add cocoa powder and peanut butter, if desired. Continue to blend until mixed. Enjoy immediately.
- This “ice cream” is best eaten right away, but you can store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
- Calories: 140
- Total Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Iron: 6%
- Potassium: 10%
Source:
Food Waste FAQs, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
This newsletter was updated in 2026.