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Home » Recipes » Dessert » Ice Cream + Ice Pops » Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Banana Nice Cream (+Video)

Aug 5, 2012(updated October 31, 2022)

Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Banana Nice Cream (+Video)

4.68 from 43 votes
By Dani Spies
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links.

This mint chocolate chip nice cream (made with frozen banana) is a healthy twist on traditional ice cream. Ready within 5 minutes, and using just 5 simple ingredients, it’s a refreshing vegan ice cream that’s easy to make in a food processor or high-powered blender!

bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream topped with chocolate chip

I love ice cream! It’s always been my first choice when it comes to dessert which is why, as a Certified Health & Weight Loss Coach, I am such a huge fan of healthy frozen banana ice-cream recipes!

Mint chocolate chip banana nice cream is such a great treat with the incredible taste of mint and chocolate chips. This recipe is a hit in my family! We make it all the time and ‘try’ to keep it stocked in the freezer all year round.

It’s super easy to make this healthy ice cream and is a more nutritious alternative to high calorie, sugar-packed classic ice cream. Also, there is no need to worry about an ice cream maker and you won’t have to throw out any more over-ripe bananas. Check out all of our healthy dessert recipes and grab my guide for how to start eating healthier!

Ingredients needed

This easy spinach ice cream recipe has a short list of ingredients consisting of many things you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s the lineup:

  • Bananas. For convenience, we recommend slicing ripe bananas in 1/2-inch coins and then freezing in an airtight baggie. The riper the banana, the sweeter the ice cream!
  • Baby spinach. Adds a boost of nutrients and you won’t even be able to taste it.
  • Milk. We typically use unsweetened almond milk in this recipe, but feel free to use any milk you prefer.
  • Mint leaves. 8 to 10 fresh mint leaves gives this ‘nice’ cream a wonderful refreshing flavor. Sub with 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, if you’d like.
  • Mini chocolate chips. For the added crunch and chocolate-y deliciousness.
  • Sea salt. To balance out the sweetness and bring the flavors together.
Ingredients needed to make mint chocolate chip banana nice cream divided into bowls.

How to make this recipe

This dairy-free banana ice cream recipe is incredibly easy to whip up. Grab your blender or food processor, and let’s go! Here’s the simple process:

For full, printable instructions, see the recipe card.

  1. Pop everything except chocolate chips into a high-speed blender or food processor.
  2. Blend back and forth until you have a nice, thick, creamy ice cream consistency.
  3. Add chocolate chips and blend for another few seconds. Serve and enjoy!
Spinach and frozen banana slices in a food processor.
Spinach ice cream in a food processor.

Expert tips

This recipe is simple and straightforward, but here are some tips for perfect nice cream!

  • Use ripe, spotty bananas for the best flavor and sweetness.
  • Peel and slice the bananas into 1/2-inch ‘coins’ instead of large chunks, as chunks can be more difficult to blend.
  • If you’re having trouble blending the bananas, let them thaw for a few minutes. This will allow the slices to soften and become easier to blend.
  • When blending, you may need to add a bit more milk (1 tablespoon at a time) to reach your desired consistency.

Frequently asked questions

How to make healthy ice cream?

This ice cream recipe is made healthier by using a lineup of nutritious ingredients and fruit as the natural sweetener. Simply add them all to a blender or food processor and blend! Bananas, spinach, fresh mint and almond milk contain essential vitamins and minerals to do your body good!

What is nice cream?

‘Nice’ cream is the term used for simple banana ice cream made by food processing a frozen banana until it resembled a creamy soft serve. These healthy ice creams are typically plant-based, dairy free, made without any added sugars and don’t require an ice cream maker.

Mint chip banana nice cream in a white bowl.

More healthy frozen desserts

  • Best Banana Ice Cream 
  • Dairy-free Watermelon Ice Cream
  • Healthier Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream

If you make and enjoy this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and ★ rating below letting me know how they turned out. Your feedback is so helpful for me and our Clean & Delicious community (thank you!).

Mint chip ice cream in a white bowl.
Print Recipe
4.68 from 43 votes

Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Banana Nice Cream (+Video)

Course: DESSERT, DIET, ice cream + ice pops
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Author: Dani Spies
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 148kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 large overripe, frozen bananas sliced
  • small handful baby spinach (30 grams)
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk or any milk you love
  • 8-10 fresh mint leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract)
  • 1-2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
  • tiny pinch sea salt

Instructions

  • Pop everything except chocolate chips into a high-speed blender or food processor.
    Spinach and frozen sliced bananas in a food processor.
  • Blend back and forth until you have a nice, thick, creamy ice-cream consistency. Add chocolate chips and blend for another few seconds. Serve and enjoy!
    Spinach banana nice cream in a food processor.

Notes

  • Use ripe, spotty bananas for best flavor and sweetness.
  • Peel and slice the bananas into 1/2-inch ‘coins’ instead of large chunks, as chunks can be more difficult to blend.
  • If you’re having trouble blending the bananas, let them thaw for a few minutes. This will allow the slices to soften and become easier to blend.
  • When blending, you may need to add a bit more milk (1 tablespoon at a time) to reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5recipe | Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 445mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Gluten Free, Ice Cream + Ice Pops, Recipes, Vegetarian, Video

About Dani Spies

Dani Spies is the founder and host of Clean & Delicious; a weekly cooking show on YouTube and a healthy eating blog that celebrates real, whole foods! She takes a holistic approach to health and wellness and is loved for her approachable, down to earth style both in and out of the kitchen.

Learn MoreWork With Me

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




    Comments

  1. Daniel says

    August 6, 2012 at 5:11 am

    5 stars
    While it’s not too creative, and slightly time consuming, I once made 3 batches of banana ice cream – one with an added teaspoon of vanilla extract, one with a few tablespoons of cocoa powder, and one with a few frozen strawberries. Then I placed them into a container side by side and let them freeze together and the next morning I had neapolitan ice cream.

    I also made lemon poppyseed banana soft serve with a few tablespoons of lemon juice and poppyseeds (added sweetener is recommended depending on how much or little you like lemon flavor and tanginess). Again, nothing groundbreakingly innovative, but fun and tasty nonetheless.

    Reply
    • Dani says

      August 6, 2012 at 7:38 am

      5 stars
      Daniel – They may not be ground breaking in your book but they have definitely excited me! Love both of the ideas and will surely give them a try! Thanks for sharing;)

      Reply
  2. Susan says

    August 6, 2012 at 6:45 am

    5 stars
    Hi Dani–can’t wait to try this, looks amazing–thanks! I’m confused about one thing though–your video says a 1/4 TEASPOON of mint extract, but your written recipe says 1/4-1/2 tbsp [TABLESPOON] of mint. That’s a big difference, please let me know which is correct? Thanks! xo

    Reply
    • Dani says

      August 6, 2012 at 7:37 am

      5 stars
      Hi Susan – It is suppose to be 1/4-1/2 TEASPOON – not tablespoon! Sorry for the confusion, I just adjusted the recipe.

      Reply
  3. Karina says

    August 6, 2012 at 8:16 am

    5 stars
    lol @ “Kariner” ;-P

    Also, if you add the tiniest bit of salt into the blender (you really don’t need much– just grab a pinch), it helps break the water barrier/cell walls in the spinach and it’ll break down a lot better so you don’t have any spinach bits.

    Glad you guys enjoyed it! It’s definitely a hit at our place. I’ve learned not to tell people what’s in it until they try it!! hahaha

    Thanks for sharing the video! 😀

    Reply
  4. Annie says

    August 6, 2012 at 10:08 am

    5 stars
    Thanks Dani (once again) for posting such a good idea. This will be on the menu at grandma’s house on Wednesday when my precious granddaughter comes to spend the day. Thanks to Karina too for her salt tip–will do.

    I have found when making smoothie-type things using frozen bananas, that it really helps the blending if you cut the bananas into 1-inch chunks, laying them out on a sheet pan until mostly frozen (like you would in freezing strawberries) and then storing them in the freezer in bags. They blend up faster and smoother this way. Hope this idea helps

    Dani, you are awesome!!

    Reply
  5. Penelope says

    August 6, 2012 at 11:32 am

    5 stars
    Yummy! Can’t wait to try this myself! Can I use frozen spinach?

    Reply
  6. Rona says

    August 6, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. Used kale instead of spinach and a five or six mint leaves instead of extract , it’s my new favorite dessert!!

    Reply
  7. LP says

    August 6, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    5 stars
    umm helloooo… how about using fresh mint leaves?!? :)))

    Reply
  8. Debbie Lale says

    August 7, 2012 at 5:48 am

    5 stars
    What a great idea! Love the banana ice cream. I never would have thought of this combination. This sounds delicious and I am definitely going to try this.
    Thanks for all the great recipes!

    Reply
  9. Kat says

    August 8, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    This looks amazing! I recently discovered banana ice cream and it’s so great. I like putting in some peanut butter (or PB2) and dark chocolate chips. Then topping with a few more chocolate chips and raspberries!

    Reply
  10. Amy says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    5 stars
    I used frozen chopped spinach, as I did not have any fresh on hand – worked great.
    Kids thought this was an awesome after school snack….and they didn’t say yuck when the spinach was going in!
    Thank you Annie for the cut up banana trick…would make this so much easier. (I just slightly defrosted my bananas that I freeze whole when they start turning brown).

    Reply
  11. Karen says

    May 5, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Dani,
    I especially enjoy your bloopers! Anyway, I just tried the spinach/banana mint ice cream. Very yummy, however, the color of mine is as dark as the spinach is…your video shows it as the same green as the actual ice cream?

    Reply
  12. kiki de says

    September 20, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    5 stars
    Loved ur spinach recipe! We used kale (fresh from our garden) and ice to substitute for the bananas/spinach…..

    very delicious and very healthy!

    Reply
  13. Katy says

    March 5, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    This needs a photo so I can pin it! 🙂

    Reply
    • Dani says

      March 5, 2015 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Katy! I just added a photo for you! Please feel free to PIN away!

      Reply
  14. Clare says

    May 7, 2015 at 8:07 am

    5 stars
    Hi – can you tell me please if fresh banana and spinach can be used and THEN frozen as icecream? If I make the ice cream from frozen bananas, and frozen spinach, then I can’t re freeze them again can I? Same if I used frozen spinach and frozen banana – would I be able to refreeze? Can someone answer this please, as am dying to try it out – and want to make sure I do the right thing when it comes to freezing, don’t want any “tummy troubles!” Thanks – great idea by the way 😀

    Reply
    • Dani says

      May 7, 2015 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      This recipe only works with the frozen bananas and then really needs to be eaten right away. It’s like instant-gratification ice cream. IF you freeze it after you make it, it turns really hard – but when eaten fresh its like soft serve!

      Reply
  15. Clare says

    May 7, 2015 at 11:22 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for getting back Dani – will try it with the frozen bananas.. Can I used frozen (slightly thawed) spinach too? 🙂

    Reply
  16. Inna says

    February 7, 2016 at 6:32 pm

    5 stars
    Dani,
    Thank you for the recipe, I wish I discovered it earlier as I love ice cream and was looking for a healthier but still tasty version. I made this ice cream yesterday and am making it today again but this time with fresh mint. I also discovered the site with a few other flavours, may be you know this site already, here is a link in case you or anybody else is interested: https://thedomesticgeek.com/?s=Ice+cream
    Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Dani says

      February 8, 2016 at 5:49 pm

      5 stars
      This is by far my favorite way to eat ice cream:) SO glade you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  17. Ghazaal says

    August 28, 2016 at 11:55 am

    5 stars
    Just found you Dani, via youtube, you are amazing, as are your recipes and your advice videos ! Going into the kitchen to make this now !

    Reply
    • Dani says

      September 10, 2016 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      Awe, thanks!! I hope you enjoy the recipe.

      Reply
  18. Lori says

    April 18, 2018 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars
    Dani
    Can this be made in my regular blender? I’m anxious to try this.

    Reply
  19. Muki says

    May 21, 2018 at 11:47 pm

    5 stars
    I just came across your blog today and made this nice cream immediately. Thank you very much for the recipe. It turned out wonderful.

    Reply
    • Dani says

      May 22, 2018 at 9:40 am

      5 stars
      So glad you liked it!!

      Reply
  20. Rhonda Manning says

    January 14, 2019 at 8:20 am

    5 stars
    I just found you on you tube and Pinterest. Love your easy and delicious recipes.

    Reply
    • Dani says

      January 14, 2019 at 11:22 am

      5 stars
      Welcome and thank you! So happy to have you here.

      Reply
  21. Patricia says

    June 11, 2019 at 10:17 pm

    5 stars
    I added waaaaay too much mint. I used peppermint essential oil (labeled for cooking and consumption). Now I need to figure out how to counter the mint.

    Reply
    • Dani says

      June 12, 2019 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars
      You may just need to double or triple the recipe to try to balance that out!

      Reply
  22. Christine says

    June 29, 2022 at 2:45 pm

    Are you using a Vitamix? If so, is there a particular model you recommend?

    Reply
    • Dani Spies says

      June 30, 2022 at 10:16 am

      I have the Vitamix 5200 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Dani.

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