Banana Ice Cream

Jun 20, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

Two generous scoops of banana ice cream in a shallow ceramic bowl, softly melting at the edges

Creamy homemade banana ice cream with real bananas and pure vanilla for a smooth, rich flavor. Churned to a perfect scoopable texture.

Prep 30 min

Cook —

Cooling 6 hr

Total 6 hr 30 min

Servings 8

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)heavy cream
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)whole milk
¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
⅛ tsp (0.7 g)fine sea salt
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
1.0 cup (225.0 g)mashed ripe banana (about 2 medium bananas)

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and fine sea salt. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the mixture, then add the bean pod as well.
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot but not boiling, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep with the vanilla bean pod for 30 minutes.
Remove the vanilla bean pod and discard. Stir in the mashed ripe bananas until well incorporated.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator until completely cold, at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
Once chilled, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches soft-serve consistency, about 20-25 minutes.
Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4 hours until firm before serving.
Scoop and serve with optional toppings like sliced bananas or caramel sauce if desired.

Tips

For the best banana flavor, use very ripe bananas with brown spots.
Use a whole vanilla bean for a more intense natural vanilla flavor; scraping the seeds ensures even distribution in the ice cream base.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make banana ice cream?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep, plus 6 hours to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store banana ice cream?

Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Let soften at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping.

Can I make banana ice cream ahead?

The ice cream base can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days before churning.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Creamy homemade banana ice cream with real bananas and pure vanilla for a smooth, rich flavor. Churned to a perfect scoopable texture.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

318 Calories / serving

22.5g Fat

28.4g Carbs

2.7g Protein

25.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2544 cal · 180g fat · 227g carbs · 22g protein · 203g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 318 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 60 min·3.5 mi·~7000 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 43 min·2.2 mi·~4300 steps
Moderate cycling 32 min·6.4 mi
Swimming laps 45 min
Jogging 31 min·2.6 mi·~4950 steps
Stair climbing 29 min·~2600 steps
Dancing 52 min
Bodyweight circuit training 32 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 74 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.