Fronanas: The One-ingredient Healthy “Ice Cream”

This one sounds too good to be true, but apparently freezing a banana and pureeing that bad boy creates a decadently delicious soft serve “ice cream.” Just banana + food processor = dairy free, fat-free, nut-free, sugar-free and totally guilt-free yumminess.

These fronanas are a family favorite of Barry’s Bootcamp co-founder Rachel Mumford and her family. The simplicity of this recipe makes it possible to create a base for unlimited add-ins to create infinite flavors and combinations.

Peanut butter, honey, shredded coconut, dark chocolate chips, berries, rum (for a frozen dessert that warms you, too) – just to suggest a few toppings – up the flavor and add nutrients and anti-oxidants to the party on your palate. Not only is it totally okay to have ice cream for breakfast, it’s even a superfood!

Although it seems slightly redundant to post a recipe for a ridiculously simple, one-ingredient ice cream, the devil can be in the details. So here goes:

INGREDIENTS

Bananas.

*Tip – Perfectly yellow to over ripe bananas taste best. Under ripe bananas have a “green” aftertaste and may need additional sweetener.

MATERIALS:

Food processor.

However, if you can’t get enough of kitchen gadgets and/or have counter real estate and $40 to spare you can get a fancy Yonanas banana ice cream maker.

STEP 1 – Prep

Peel bananas. Each medium sized banana yields approximately a ½ cup serving.

Cut banana into coins about half-inch to inch thick. Frozen banana chunks are handy to keep in the freezer in a ziplock bag for other uses like smoothies or banana breads. Otherwise, you can simply place them on a plate and stick in the freezer for at least two hours.

 Step 2

Put frozen banana chunks or coins into a food processor and pulse. Don’t be discouraged by the initial icy, crumbly texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary and keep at it.

Suddenly, all will be right with the world as those banana granules suddenly blend into the perfect, creamy texture. Blend until your bananas are the texture of silky, soft serve ice cream.

STEP 3

Eat and Enjoy!

OPTION STEP 4

The add-in options are only limited by your imagination and dietary preferences. You can top with anything you’d top frozen yogurt or ice cream with, or alternatively, you can add anything to the banana mixture and blend it together to create different flavors combinations. Pictured below are just a few yummy yet nutritious topping suggestions like chopped nuts (full of Omega-3 fatty acids) and antioxidant-rich shredded coconuts, dark chocolate and blackberries.

NUTRITIONAL INFO:

Every 1/2 cup serving has approximately 100 calories.

As if you needed more reason to love bananas, but here goes:

Bananas are full of potassium which contribute to muscle growth and brain function. The high levels of magnesium, tryptophan and B6 also help boost energy and mood levels. Much of the fiber in bananas are soluble so that means you can eat “ice cream” and lower your cholesterol levels.