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Vanilla Nice Cream

Plant-based | 3 ingredients | No-churn | Classic

Frozen bananas create the creamy base for this simple vanilla nice cream. Real vanilla bean seeds add authentic flavor and beautiful speckles. Serve immediately for soft-serve or freeze for scoopable ice cream.


IngredientAmountNotes
Vanilla bean1Split lengthwise
Bananas5 mediumPeeled, sliced, and frozen
Unsweetened plant-based milk¼-½ cupOat, almond, or soy

  1. Scrape seeds: Using small sharp knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean.

  2. Blend: In food processor, combine vanilla seeds, frozen bananas, and ¼ cup milk. Cover and process until smooth, adding remaining milk as needed.

  3. Serve: Immediately for soft-serve consistency, or transfer to freezer container and freeze at least 4 hours for scoopable ice cream.

  4. Store: In freezer up to 1 week.


Banana ripeness: Freeze bananas when very ripe for sweetest results

Texture: Don’t add too much milk—start with ¼ cup and add only as needed

Vanilla extract substitute: Use 1 tbsp vanilla extract if you don’t have vanilla bean

Ice crystals: To minimize, press plastic wrap directly onto surface of nice cream before freezing


Chocolate: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder with the bananas

Strawberry: Add 1 cup frozen strawberries

Peanut butter: Add 2 tbsp peanut butter


  • Calories: ~139
  • Protein: 2g
  • Carbs: 35g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Fat: 1g

Adapted from: Carla Christian / Forks Over Knives

Prep: 15 min | Ready: 30 min | Makes: 4½ cups