If you’ve been dreaming of a luscious dessert that combines indulgence with wholesome ingredients, then this Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe is exactly what you need. It brings together ripe bananas’ natural sweetness and creamy texture with delightful bits of almond flour cookie dough, giving you a treat that not only tastes incredible but also feels good to enjoy. Perfect for anyone who loves the classic fun of cookie dough but wants to keep things nourishing and guilt-free, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for warm days, cozy nights, or whenever a little sweetness calls your name.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe relies on a handful of simple, quality ingredients that each play a vital role. From the creaminess of frozen bananas to the crumbly texture of cookie dough balls, these components combine to create a perfectly balanced dessert full of texture and flavor.
- 4 large ripe bananas (frozen): The natural sweetness and creamy base for your ice cream, bananas also provide a smooth texture without any added sugar.
- ¼ cup full-fat canned coconut milk (optional): Adds a tropical richness and helps blend the bananas more easily for that ultra-creamy consistency.
- ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract (optional): Enhances the overall flavor with warm, inviting notes that complement the cookie dough perfectly.
- 1 cup finely ground almond flour: Forms the base of the edible cookie dough, giving a nutty flavor and tender crumbly texture.
- 4 to 5 Tbsp melted coconut oil: Brings moisture and richness to the cookie dough, binding the ingredients together beautifully.
- ¼ tsp sea salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors in both the cookie dough and ice cream.
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips: Adds delightful bursts of chocolatey goodness mimicking the classic cookie dough experience.
How to Make Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Freeze Bananas for a Creamy Base
Start by peeling your ripe bananas and breaking them into smaller pieces or slices for easier blending. Pop them into a freezer bag and freeze for at least 4 hours until completely solid. These frozen bananas will give your ice cream a naturally creamy texture without any dairy or added sugar.
Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Mix together the almond flour, melted coconut oil, sea salt, and mini chocolate chips in a small bowl until it forms a dough. If the mixture feels overly crumbly, add an extra tablespoon of coconut oil to bring it together. Don’t worry if it looks a little greasy — this means your cookie dough will be perfectly moist and flavorful.
Step 3: Form and Chill Cookie Dough Balls
Shape the cookie dough into small bite-sized balls and arrange them on a plate. Freeze these balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up. This step is key for that irresistible texture contrast in your ice cream—chewy bits amidst smooth creaminess.
Step 4: Blend Frozen Bananas into Ice Cream
Transfer your frozen banana pieces to a high-speed blender and start blending on low. Gradually increase speed, using a tamper if you have one, to press bananas down toward the blades. Blend until you get a thick and creamy ice cream consistency, which might take a little bit of patience. If your blender struggles, stir in ¼ to ⅓ cup of coconut milk for easier blending without watering down the flavor.
Step 5: Combine and Freeze
Once your banana ice cream base is smooth, gently fold in the frozen cookie dough balls. You can either enjoy the mixture right away for a soft serve experience or transfer everything to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 2 hours until solid for a scoopable classic texture.
Step 6: Serving Your Ice Cream
When ready to enjoy, let your ice cream thaw at room temperature for a few minutes to make scooping easier. Scoop into bowls and get ready to savor a dreamy dessert that is both healthy and indulgent.
How to Serve Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
Top your ice cream with a sprinkle of extra mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for added crunch. A drizzle of warm almond butter or a handful of fresh berries can also bring delightful flavor contrasts and make your dessert look irresistible on the plate.
Side Dishes
Pair this Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe with fresh fruit salad, a crisp green salad, or even a simple homemade almond flour cookie to complement the natural nuttiness and keep things light yet satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your ice cream in small mason jars layered with granola or crushed nuts for a parfait twist. You can also stuff it into whole-wheat waffle cones or use cookie dough balls as edible “sprinkles” on top of other desserts like brownies or banana bread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer. This keeps the flavor fresh and the texture preserved, ensuring you can enjoy this healthy treat any time you crave it without any loss of quality.
Freezing
To maintain the best texture, freeze the ice cream in a shallow, freezer-safe container. Cover it tightly with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. The cookie dough bits will stay deliciously soft inside while the ice cream firm up to the perfect spoonable state within a couple of hours.
Reheating
Ice cream is best enjoyed chilled or frozen, so reheating is not recommended. Instead, allow it to sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping to soften it just enough for easy serving.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! This Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe is naturally dairy-free since it uses frozen bananas and coconut milk instead of cream or milk. It’s perfect for those avoiding dairy but still craving a creamy dessert.
Is it necessary to freeze the cookie dough balls before mixing?
Yes, freezing the cookie dough balls helps them hold their shape and provides that delightful texture contrast in the ice cream. If you skip this step, the dough may melt into the ice cream instead of giving you satisfying chewy bites.
Can I substitute almond flour with another type of flour?
Almond flour gives a lovely nutty flavor and tender crumb to the cookie dough. If you need to substitute, finely ground oat flour or cashew flour can work, but the texture and taste might vary slightly.
How sweet is this ice cream compared to traditional versions?
This recipe relies on the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and just a hint of chocolate chips, so it’s less sweet than classic ice cream loaded with sugar. If you prefer a sweeter version, you can add a touch of maple syrup or honey during blending.
Can I add other mix-ins to the ice cream?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in nuts, dried fruit, or even swirls of nut butter to customize your Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe to your liking. Just be mindful of the extra textures so they don’t overpower the creamy base.
Final Thoughts
This Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe is one of those magical desserts that feels indulgent while nourishing your body with real, wholesome ingredients. Whether you enjoy it as a guilt-free treat on a hot summer day or a cozy nighttime indulgence, it’s sure to bring joy and smiles every time. So grab those bananas, get your cookie dough ready, and dive into a creamy, dreamy scoop of healthful happiness—you won’t regret it!
PrintHealthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream Recipe
This Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream is a creamy, dairy-free treat made from naturally sweet frozen bananas blended into a smooth ice cream base and mixed with scrumptious almond flour-based edible cookie dough bites. It’s a guilt-free dessert that’s easy to prepare, vegan, gluten-free, and requires no added refined sugars.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 4 large ripe bananas (frozen)
- ¼ cup full-fat canned coconut milk (optional)
- ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
Cookie Dough Bites
- 1 cup finely ground almond flour
- 4 to 5 Tbsp melted coconut oil
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Freeze the Bananas: Peel four large overripe bananas and place them in a large freezer bag. Break bananas in half or slice into small pieces if using a food processor to ease blending. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until completely frozen.
- Make Cookie Dough Dough: In a small bowl, mix together the almond flour, melted coconut oil, sea salt, and mini chocolate chips until combined. If mixture is too crumbly, add an extra tablespoon of coconut oil. It’s normal if the mixture appears greasy.
- Form and Freeze Cookie Dough Balls: Shape small balls from the cookie dough mixture and place them on a plate. Freeze for at least 30 minutes. For longer storage, keep them in an airtight container in the freezer.
- Blend the Bananas: Transfer frozen bananas to a high-speed blender. Start blending on low speed, gradually increasing to high speed. Use the tamper to press bananas toward the blade until the mixture is smooth and creamy, resembling soft serve ice cream. This may take some time and effort initially.
- Add Coconut Milk if Needed: If blending is difficult, add ¼ to ⅓ cup full-fat coconut milk to help achieve a smoother texture. Vanilla extract can be added optionally.
- Serve Soft Serve or Prepare for Freezing: For soft serve, serve immediately with cookie dough pieces mixed in. For firmer ice cream, stir in cookie dough balls into the banana ice cream base.
- Freeze the Ice Cream: Transfer the mixture with cookie dough bites into a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 2 hours until firm.
- Serve: Allow ice cream to thaw for a few minutes at room temperature before scooping and serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for natural sweetness and creamier texture.
- Freezing bananas fully is essential for smooth blending.
- You can adjust coconut oil in cookie dough for desired consistency.
- Coconut milk is optional but helps with blending and richness.
- Cookie dough mixture is safe to eat raw as it contains no eggs.
- For best texture, blend bananas until creamy, adjusting speed gradually.
- This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
- Store cookie dough balls and ice cream in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
