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I see those ripe bananas on your counter, and I raise you a scoop of homemade Banana Ice Cream. Actually, make that two scoops—no way are you going to want to stop at just one serving of this creamy, dreamy summer bliss!

A bowl of homemade banana ice cream with milk

What we have today is a real-deal, from-scratch, old-fashioned banana ice cream recipe with milk, cream, eggs, and should you desire, bonus add-in flavors like peanut butter and/or chocolate chips.

I know that one-ingredient banana “nice cream” (the one that caused me to burn out my mini blender) is social media famous, and I do still enjoy it from time to time when I need a healthy dessert fix.

But—and I think we should all be honest about this for a moment—it’s not real ice cream.

Sure, frozen bananas taste like ice cream (a little), but it’s not the same as having a bowl of truly spectacular, real-deal ice cream.

If you want luscious, creamy banana ice cream the way your grandmother would have done it—with real cream, eggs, and a touch of sugar—THIS IS THAT RECIPE.

Real-deal ice cream is one of summer’s greatest joys. It’s actually surprisingly easy and fun to make ice cream from scratch!

Fruit and custard in a blender

If at this point you are wondering, Why would I make ice cream when I can just buy it, let me share my top two reasons.

  1. Flip that store-bought ice cream container around and look at the back. That ingredient is list LONG, and I can barely pronounce most of it.

Now, compare that list to this simple banana ice cream recipe. Milk. Cream. Banana. Eggs. Vanilla.

That is pretty much it. In comparison, the first container of store-bought ice cream I checked at the grocery store contained well over 15 ingredients.

  1. It is tremendously fun and deliciously rewarding.

The joy of watching custard you conjured from eggs and milk transform into a bowl of sweet, creamy summer bliss cannot be oversold.

A pan of healthy banana ice cream with chocolate

5 Star Review

“This is some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. I don’t love bananas, and even I couldn’t get enough of this. It was so creamy!”

— Sarah —

How to Make Banana Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream is easy to make, even for a novice cook, and its flavor is so superior to the mass-produced stuff, you’ll be gleefully ruined for life.

Just make sure to choose each ingredient carefully, as its taste will shine.

Chocolate being chopped on a cutting board next to fruit and egg yolks

The Ingredients

  • Bananas. The riper, spottier, and uglier, the better. A deeply ripe banana will give you the best natural sweetness, creaminess, and banana flavor. Going bananas for desserts? Check out Banana Bread Brownies.

What About Frozen Bananas?

Frozen banana is good with ice cream too. Let the bananas thaw overnight, pat away excess moisture, then use in the recipe as directed.

  • Eggs. I like to use cage-free eggs. The shells are sturdier, the yolks are more vibrantly colored, and the flavor is purer.
  • Whole Milk + Heavy Cream. This is not the place to count banana ice cream calories. If you try to swap skim (or any other milk), the ice cream will be more icy than soft. Conversely, I don’t think you need entirely heavy cream, as this ice cream is already quite rich. The ratio of 1 cup milk to 2 cups heavy cream is the right one for us.
  • Rum. Since homemade ice cream is made without additives, it freezes harder than mass-produced ice cream. Because alcohol doesn’t freeze, a splash of rum keeps the ice cream softer.

Substitution Tip

You can also use vodka in this recipe.

If you prefer not to include alcohol, you can omit it and set the ice cream out 15 minutes prior to serving to give it additional time to soften.

  • Sugar. Just 2/3 cup makes this ice cream taste like a treat, without stealing the spotlight from the banana’s natural fruity sweetness.

The Directions

  1. Make the egg, milk, cream, and sugar custard base.
  2. Cook the custard until it easily coats the back of a spatula or wooden spoon.
  3. Blend the bananas with half of the custard.
  4. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for several hours.
  5. Freeze the ice cream in your ice cream maker, adding the chocolate during the last five minutes. Transfer to an airtight freezer-safe storage container. DIG IN!
A saucepan of custard and custard on a blue spatula

Special Banana Ice Cream Flavors

As written, this recipe makes an outstanding banana ice cream. It is simple and sublime. If you’d like to gussy it up, here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Banana Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips. Chocolate banana ice cream is my go-to! Toward the end of the ice cream maker’s cycle, slowly add 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks. I like to chop up a good-quality dark chocolate bar. We’re making ice cream from scratch. No skimping!
  • Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream. Toward the end of the ice cream maker’s cycle, slowly add 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter.
  • Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream. Combine both of the above! Toward the end of the ice cream maker’s cycle, slowly add 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter and 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips.
  • Ultimate Reeses Banana Ice Cream. Another way to peanut butter! Toward the end of the ice cream maker’s cycle, slowly add 1/2 cup chopped peanut butter cup candies.
  • Banana Walnut Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream. Toward the end of the ice cream maker’s cycle, slowly add 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts (or pecans) and 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate.
A scoop and container of creamy banana ice creem

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Freeze ice cream in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.

Leftover Ideas

For a fun treat, turn leftover ice cream into a delicious ice cream sandwich. Use Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies or graham crackers as the “buns.”

A bowl of homemade Banana Ice Cream

What to Serve with Banana Ice Cream

For a dessert spread everyone can get behind, pair this ice cream with an array of other delicious ice cream flavors!

Stop wondering where to buy banana ice cream, and start treating yourself to this homemade, healthy banana ice cream instead!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Dairy Free Banana Ice Cream?

I’ve only tested this recipe as a homemade banana ice cream with milk, so I can’t say for certain. However, if you need a dairy-free recipe, I’d recommend checking out my Oat Milk Ice Cream instead.

Is Banana Ice Cream Good for Health?

Compared to the store-bought kind (like banana ice cream Nestle), this ice cream is good for you (as far as ice creams go, at least). This recipe is made of only a handful of simple ingredients and garners health benefits from the bananas.

Can I Make Ice Cream without an Ice Cream Maker?

While I’ve never tried to make banana ice cream without machine help, this article provides some tips that might be helpful.

Why is My Homemade Ice Cream Hard?

Store bought ice cream contains filler ingredients designed to keep it soft directly from the freezer—it’s convenient but not natural. Simple homemade ice cream freezers harder because it is made without these. Set your homemade ice cream out on the counter 15 minutes prior to serving to allow it to soften and become scoopable.

Banana Ice Cream

4.77 From 100 reviews . Help us out! Review HERE.Help out & review HERE

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 9 hours

Servings: 8 servings (1 quart)
Homemade Banana Ice Cream. TO DIE FOR. Rich, creamy, and studded with big chunks of dark chocolate. Simple, from-scratch recipe that anyone can make!

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 5 large egg yolks save the whites for another use
  • 1 cup whole milk yes, it must be WHOLE milk!
  • cup sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 large very ripe bananas (or 4 medium) the more brown, the better
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon dark rum or vodka*
  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate roughly chopped (about 2/3 cup)

Instructions
 

  • Prep your workstation: Create an ice bath by placing a moderate amount of ice and water in a large bowl. Set an empty, medium bowl in the larger one on top of the ice. Pour the heavy cream into the medium bowl and set a strainer on top. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until well combined.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together the milk, sugar, and salt until small bubbles form along the edges and the sugar has dissolved. Do not let boil.
  • Gradually pour some of the milk into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking constantly as you pour (I like to use a ladle for this). Once you've poured in some of the milk, return the saucepan to the stove over low heat. Slowly pour the yolks into the saucepan, stirring constantly. This process is called tempering and will keep the eggs from scrambling.
  • Continue cooking the egg-milk mixture (also called custard) over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the saucepan with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spatula. Strain the custard into the bowl with the heavy cream.
  • Place half of the custard into a blender or food processor with the bananas. Puree until smooth, then pour it back into the bowl with the rest of the custard. Stir in the vanilla extract and rum. Cover, pressing a piece of plastic wrap against the surface, then chill thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or, if time allows, overnight.
  • Freeze the ice cream in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, adding the chocolate during the last 5 minutes of churning. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze 3 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

  • *The addition of hard alcohol helps keep the ice cream softer and creamier. If you like the flavor of rum, it’s delicious in this recipe. If not, vodka is a flavorless addition that will still keep the ice cream creamy. If you prefer not to use alcohol, it can be omitted completely, though the ice cream will freezer slightly harder.
  • TO STORE: Freeze ice cream in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 8), about 0.5 cupCalories: 455kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 6gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 186mgPotassium: 380mgFiber: 2gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 1117IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 102mgIron: 1mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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  1. YES! Finally a banana ice cream that ISN’T “nice-cream”. Not that I have anything against the healthier mostly banana version, but sometimes a girl just wants the REAL DEAL you know? So much better than store bought, too. Those ingredient lists are TERRIFYING! Can’t wait to get this into my ice cream maker ASAP :)5 stars

  2. This looks so delicious Erin!! I love banana anything and I have to admit, my ice cream maker has been in the freezer forever. Looks like I’ll need to break it out!

    1. Hi Carole! You could try experimenting with full fat coconut milk, though I’ve never tried it this way. I’m sorry I can’t give you specific directions! I developed the recipe to be made with classic dairy ingredients, so that’s how it is written.

    1. Hi Donna! Honestly, I’ve never tried. However, I think you could follow any method you find online for making ice cream without a machine. Here is one I found (though again, I haven’t tried it, so I can’t personally vouch for the results): http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/.

      1. Hi Nicola! While I have not tried making it without one, another reader has reported success with using this method (though again, I haven’t tried it, so I can’t personally vouch for the results): http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/. If you decide to experiment with it, I’d love to hear how it goes!

    1. WHOOO HOOO! I am so happy to hear that Sarah. Thanks for letting me know and for leaving this wonderful rating. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate it.

  3. Really enjoyed your recipe ?? and thanku for sharing…. I wanted to know what are the methods to prevent crystals in ice cream??? 5 stars

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Ice crystals can be tricky to avoid in homemade ice cream, but keeping everything (containers included) super cold and putting the ice cream immediately in the coldest part of the freezer after churning it can help too!

  4. I made this ice cream and it is fabulous. Love the fresh fruit. I’m always looking for ways to eat my sweets without all the “fake” additives and preservatives. Luv it! 5 stars

  5. Made this and absolutely loved it. I’m now using the exact same recipe and adding one cup of strawberries for strawberry banana custard.  Also, everyone loves this. I use my kitchenaid standmixer ice cream attachment. Also, I replace chocolate chips with almond slivers.5 stars

  6. I got a new electric ice cream maker for Mother’s Day and I can’t wait to try this recipe. I LOVE banana ice cream — and  I mean the real thing, not that healthy all-banana stuff. This sounds perfect. I will add some chopped, toasted walnuts, because that’s my favorite with banana ice cream, and I’ll probably leave out the chocolate, since my husband is allergic to it, but thanks so much for providing the basic recipe. 

  7. Erin, I make homemade ice cream every 4th of July but had to try this  Banana Ice Cream with Chocolate Chunks immediately. There are going to be some lucky Fathers enjoying this treat tomorrow!
    The Cuisinart Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Maker is just too easy! THIS IS THE PERFECT SCOOP!5 stars

  8. Going away for a girls weekend, am planning to make the custard, take it down chilled, set the whole thing up for fresh ice cream a night later! Haven’t used my ice cream maker in two years – it’s begging to see daylight from my freezer. Thanks for this – fresh ice cream *does* ruin you for storebought, but banana ice cream is my favorite and it’s hard to find others than B&Js!

  9. This is my third batch and my partner and I are officially addicted. Best combo I’ve found so far: Nutella ripple. Don’t look back!5 stars

  10. This is the best banana ice cream out there! My kids go nuts when I make it now. And another option for using old bananas than banana bread. The rum addition gives it a luxurious flavor, not alcohol flavor–my kids didn’t even notice it.5 stars

  11. as the others have said…. it is absolutely delicious! There’s a video on YouTube I found helpful for any new cooks needing to understand tempering / once I understood what the reason was for the “bowl inside of a bowl” And that it was for slowly raising temperature,  it helped me to understand and follow the recipe better. I struggle with adhd and the recipe didn’t make sense at first. 
    ❤️ The Excellent ice cream!  thank you! 5 stars

  12. Looks wonderful, but do I really need to strain it? Is it for custard chunks or banana chunks?
    Also please explain why I need to have the cream bowl on ice. I understand tempering to avoid getting scrambled eggs. thanks in advance

    1. Hi Kathy! You’ll want to strain the custard to remove any chunks that form, and the ice bath is important so egg bits don’t form. I hope this helps!

    1. Hi Ken! The video will appear in the blog post itself and then move to the right sidebar as you scroll down the screen. You can also find the video on Pinterest here. I hope this helps!

    1. Hi Marci! It can vary, but I would say about 5 minutes or so. For custard, I’d suggest going off of the consistency instead of the time. I hope this helps!

  13. I made this! 

    A few comments: 

    1. I don’t have an ice cream maker so followed the recommendation here: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/ — the gist of it is, keep breaking up and re-stirring the ice cream as it’s freezing. — it works!! 

    2. I didn’t have heavy cream on hand so made my own using butter and milk (this was the most difficult part – if you’re doing this, make sure the butter and milk both reach room temperature before mixing to avoid the pain I experienced).
     
    3. The final ice cream tasted great!! I think the final product was slightly too sweet (would reduce the sugar amount in here if your bananas are ripened sufficiently) and had slightly too much vanilla extract. Otherwise – very pleasantly surprised!! Very yummy! 5 stars

    1. Thank you for trying the recipe and for sharing your adaptations, Anna! I’m happy you enjoyed it!

  14. Just made the custard and it is absolutely delicious. I was wondering if I could store the custard in the fridge for a couple of days ? Since my ice cream churner broke and I’m trying to fix it. 5 stars

    1. Hi Fran! I’ve never tried storing it for more than a few hours, so I’m not sure how long it can be kept and stay fresh. You may want to check out this recipe for making ice cream without an ice cream maker for now (I haven’t tried it, so I can’t personally vouch for the results): http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/. I’m happy you’ve enjoyed it so far!

    1. Hi Lisa! You may want to check out this recipe for making ice cream without an ice cream maker for now (I haven’t tried it, so I can’t personally vouch for the results): http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/. I hope this helps!

  15. Excellent! I don’t care for regular chocolate chips in ice cream, because they get as hard as pea gravel when frozen. So I melted some bittersweet chocolate chips and mixed in some rum simple syrup left over from another recipe (just eyeballed it). I spread out the mixture, refrigerated it until it was firm, and then cut it into small pieces. These “adjusted” chocolate chips stayed softer in the frozen ice cream, and my dental work survived the eating experience. So, thanks for the tip about alcohol keeping ice cream softer. The rum in the syrup also enhanced the rum flavor of the ice cream.5 stars

    1. Delicious ice cream! My tips: I used brown sugar to get a more rich “bananas foster” flavor.

      For the chocolate chips, here is my tip: melt 1/4 cup of the chips with a tablespoon of coconut oil, microwave for 30 seconds, and stir til smooth. Drizzle in the liquid chocolate once the ice cream is nearly churned and it immediately freezes into little slivers and chunks, like strachiatella. Very satisfying to find one and crunch into it without it being rock hard!5 stars

  16. 1. Is it ok to use the entire egg instead of just the yolk? What is the effect on the final ice cream? On other recipies I found, they use the entire egg…..

    2. What is the purpose of the ice bath for the bowl of heavy cream? What will happen if there is no ice bath, but just strain & mix the custard into the heavy cream? I’m based in Manila. The warm weather here melts the bowl of ice quickly in just seconds. …

    My first time to do something like this in the kitchen :) Usually, it’s my wife in the kitchen. Am using K-tel Quick Chill Ice Cream maker (with built in coolant). I love Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey which is not available locally…… So am trying out your recipe.

    Thanks for sharing……

    1. Hi Don! I’ve found that using egg yolks gives the custard a richer flavor and better consistency. Also, the ice bath is important so egg bits don’t start to form. I hope this is helpful and that you enjoy the recipe if you try it!

  17. I’m so excited to try this recipe! I was curious, can you use this custard recipe and make other custards/ice-creams with it? 

    1. Hi Karin! I haven’t tried this myself, but other readers have reported success with it. If you decide to play around with it, I’d love to hear how it goes!

  18. Made this recipe for the first time two nights ago. This was a gift for my daughter in law who loves ice cream, and especially pistachio or banana. Pistachio was more steps, and I am allergic to nuts and since I had to eat a bunch while I was making it, I went with the banana. I added chocolate chunks that I made by chopping up a Giardelli chocolate bar. This is such a delicious recipe and makes more than I thought it would. Had to churn/freeze three batches in my ice cream machine for the double batch.
    The recipient messaged me right after she had eaten some, saying it was outstanding. Thank you for this recipe!!
    (Note it did take me maybe 15 minutes of constant stirring to thicken the custard, not the 5 minutes projected.)5 stars

    1. Hi Mark! You could try experimenting with full-fat coconut milk, though I’ve never tried it this way. I’m sorry I can’t give you specific directions! I developed the recipe to be made with classic dairy ingredients, so that’s how it is written.

  19. I’ve made this once before and it is the best.   Getting ready to do it again and the banana is delicious, I was just curious if  This custard base will work with other fruit or does it have to have the bananas?

    1. I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed the recipe, Joe! While I haven’t tried it with other fruits, another reader has reported success with it. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!

    1. Hi Ana! I’m not sure if I understand your question (?). You need to use 2 bowls so that the custard doesn’t mix into the ice water—you just want to cool it down quickly. I hope that helps!

  20. Possibly a silly question but I’m on the hunt for a banana ice cream recipe for my daughter who has had me in the hunt. I found this & all seemed perfect until I read about the vodka or rum…

    If kids are eating, I obviously have to leave this out… yes? Is there something else I can use so it doesn’t set rock hard?

    Or do I make it with & not let her have any… ??????

    1. Hi Melissa! You can leave it out if you aren’t comfortable with any amount of alcohol; just know the ice cream will freeze much harder, so you’ll want to allow time for it to rest at room temp before serving so it’s scoopable. I hope you all love it!

  21. Making it tonight for the second time- added peanut butter in the mix
    The first time I had most of it with choc chips, had a bit left over before placing in cuisinart so added peanut butter. Both delicious. So creamy, smooth tasty no icicles love it. Didnt last long.5 stars

  22. So excited to try this! I just wanted to ask, what can i used instead of Vodka? What does this do to the recipe? Will await your reply before i get mixing!

    1. Hi Steph! If you prefer not to include alcohol, you can omit it and set the ice cream out 15 minutes prior to serving to give it additional time to soften. I hope you enjoy it!

  23. This is some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. My fiancé requested banana ice cream and absolutely loved this. I don’t love bananas, and even I couldn’t get enough of this. It was so creamy!5 stars

  24. Just made this for the first time today — coincidentally, I’m pairing it with David Lebovitz’s Devil’s Food Chocolate Ice Cream for a party tomorrow (it’s like a frozen chocolate truffle…so good!). This banana ice cream is perfect on it’s own, though. I have no doubt my guests will love it!5 stars

  25. I want to make this but I don’t have an ice cream maker. Is there any other way I can make this?

    1. Hi Bela! I’ve only made this recipe with an ice cream maker, so I am not able to tell you any other way. If you decided to try it out, let me know how it goes!

  26. Hey I am going to be making this recipe tomorrow. Is it alright if I use Everclear instead of vodka? It’s the 151 proof one.

  27. Instructions are too verbose and don’t contain the summary of ingredients, and the measurements for each. It’s almost like she is forcing us to read all of her words.

    1. There is a recipe card in the post that has all of the instructions. There is also a “jump to recipe” button right at the top of the page on the right hand side to help you get there faster. Hope this helps!

  28. Really good recipe. There were 2 things I did differently 1) I threw an extra yolk in just because I like a richer custard and 2) I used banana liqueur which I had left over from my Bananas Foster days.

  29. This is a wonderful recipe. I had trouble with the custard the first time I made it because I’d never made custard before. I slightly scrambled the eggs and had to start that part over wasting the eggs, milk and cream. Not being much of a cook I felt I needed an extra hand for that part and now I get by husband to help. He does so gladly knowing what the end result will be. I put dark rum and chocolate into it.

  30. Hi Erin

    Where is the video on how to make this ice cream. I’m struggling to find it. There are a lot of ads on your page?

    1. Hi Melissa! The video is located under the first photo 2-3 paragraphs down. I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience the ads caused you! I will certainly keep paying close attention to the number of ads and how they load, as I never want them to hinder your ability to view the recipe or the blog post. I do truly appreciate your feedback and apologize again for the inconvenience! Also there is a quick and convenient “jump to recipe” button that will help you get to the recipe faster plus a print button so you can have the recipe quickly at your fingertips. Hope this helps!

      1. Thank you so much Erin for your reply. I was able to finally locate the video. I saw the recipe as well but I’m more of a visually learner LoL. I made this last night and I’m currently waiting until I get off work, get comfortable, skip dinner and head straight for the ice cream! The sample that I tried was out of this world. I added caramel, chocolate chips and graham cracker pieces Eeeekk!!5 stars

  31. i dont meed your your life atlry, what i do need is amd i gredients list with quantities clearly defined. Try again

    1. Hi Roxanne, I’m confused because I see it on my end. The full recipe with the measurements was right in the recipe card above the area where you commented. There is also a “jump to recipe” button at the top of the page as well to help get you to the recipe card faster. Can you please double check? Thanks!

  32. This is a fantastic recipe! We have made it several times, and the last one I added some cinnamon. Perfect to serve in a waffle bowl for a little extra to the presentation!5 stars

  33. Question: If I use vanilla extract instead of rum/vodka, will that work? The vanilla is homemade so it’s been sitting in vodka anyway.

    1. Hi Matt, since the recipe already calls for vanilla extract, I’m not sure it would be necessary to double that amount. I haven’t tried it myself with 2 tablespoons of extract, so if you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!

  34. Hi Erin,

    I can’t wait to try this. I always like to watch the recipe video first and can’t find the video.
    The post says that it is right above the recipe, but it isn’t there. Could you please sent it to me?
    My family loves your recipes!

    Heidi

    1. Hi Heidi! If you scroll down the blog post a bit, you’ll see the video pop up right below the paragraph starting with, “I know that one-ingredient…” I hope this helps!

  35. This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you! It turned out perfectly, I wouldn’t change a thing.5 stars

  36. Banana ice cream is my favorite flavor and hard to find in the USA.;) I grew up in Germany and we just enjoyed enormous amounts while vacationing there a few weeks ago.

    This recipe is top notch and tastes even better than in the Eisdiele. ;)

    I didn’t add the alcohol because I didn’t have any and because my kids are enjoying this with me.5 stars

  37. My husband requested a “banana pudding” ice cream. I decided to give this recipe a try, swapping cool whip and vanilla wafers for the mix ins. It was delicious. It has since been requested for several family events and bbqs. I’m looking forward to making it again with the chocolate. Love this ice cream! Great recipe5 stars

  38. I have bananas growing in my yard in Hawaii. The batter tasted great – except there is too much rum. I obliterates the banana flavor. And it’s a waste of good chocolate.4 stars

  39. I had trouble getting the custard to thicken. I read a few other custard recipes, then added another egg yoke, which didn’t help, then I mixed one heaping tablespoon of cornstarch with an added 1/4 cup of milk that did the trick. It’s in the refrigerator now but I plan to make it into ice cream tomorrow. Should be delicious.4 stars

    1. In general, custard thickens once it has cooled. Initially, it will never be very thick when you finish cooking it. For this recipe, it does not need to be too thick; it is the flavour that you want.

  40. Made this with my 5 year old grandson, we went full chunky monkey style, no rum, big hit with everyone. Thank you so much for the recipe.5 stars

  41. This was the first custard ice cream I’ve made in my ice cream maker & it came out delicious!! Followed everything single step & it was perfect. Everyone loved it & I will be making again. Thanks Erin :)5 stars

  42. The banana ice cream base is delicious, but the chocolate chunks were too large IMO. Since chocolate is solid at room temp, it gets very hard and flavorless when mixed in ice cream. I’m going to try this recipe again with a chocolate ripple that is liquid at room temp and meant for mixing into ice cream.4 stars

  43. I made this the other day and let it sit overnight and when I got it out to put in my ice cream maker it was pretty thick, and I felt confident. Let it spin for a couple of hours and it got thinner. No thickening happened so I put it in a container and popped it in the freezer. Check back on it tonight but it definitely bummed me out that it didn’t thicken up. Flavor seems good.

    1. I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe, Michelle. I’m unsure as to why it wouldn’t thicken for you other than there may have been an issue during the cooking of the custard.

    1. Hi Cheryl! Unfortunately the sugar is really essential to this recipe, not only for flavor but for texture in the custard. If you don’t mind your desserts on the less sweet side, you could experiment by using 3/4 the amount called for in the recipe. I hope you love it!

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  1. YES! Finally a banana ice cream that ISN’T “nice-cream”. Not that I have anything against the healthier mostly banana version, but sometimes a girl just wants the REAL DEAL you know? So much better than store bought, too. Those ingredient lists are TERRIFYING! Can’t wait to get this into my ice cream maker ASAP :)5 stars

  2. This looks so delicious Erin!! I love banana anything and I have to admit, my ice cream maker has been in the freezer forever. Looks like I’ll need to break it out!

    1. Hi Carole! You could try experimenting with full fat coconut milk, though I’ve never tried it this way. I’m sorry I can’t give you specific directions! I developed the recipe to be made with classic dairy ingredients, so that’s how it is written.

    1. Hi Donna! Honestly, I’ve never tried. However, I think you could follow any method you find online for making ice cream without a machine. Here is one I found (though again, I haven’t tried it, so I can’t personally vouch for the results): http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/.

      1. Hi Nicola! While I have not tried making it without one, another reader has reported success with using this method (though again, I haven’t tried it, so I can’t personally vouch for the results): http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/. If you decide to experiment with it, I’d love to hear how it goes!

    1. WHOOO HOOO! I am so happy to hear that Sarah. Thanks for letting me know and for leaving this wonderful rating. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate it.

  3. Really enjoyed your recipe ?? and thanku for sharing…. I wanted to know what are the methods to prevent crystals in ice cream??? 5 stars

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Ice crystals can be tricky to avoid in homemade ice cream, but keeping everything (containers included) super cold and putting the ice cream immediately in the coldest part of the freezer after churning it can help too!

  4. I made this ice cream and it is fabulous. Love the fresh fruit. I’m always looking for ways to eat my sweets without all the “fake” additives and preservatives. Luv it! 5 stars

  5. Made this and absolutely loved it. I’m now using the exact same recipe and adding one cup of strawberries for strawberry banana custard.  Also, everyone loves this. I use my kitchenaid standmixer ice cream attachment. Also, I replace chocolate chips with almond slivers.5 stars

  6. I got a new electric ice cream maker for Mother’s Day and I can’t wait to try this recipe. I LOVE banana ice cream — and  I mean the real thing, not that healthy all-banana stuff. This sounds perfect. I will add some chopped, toasted walnuts, because that’s my favorite with banana ice cream, and I’ll probably leave out the chocolate, since my husband is allergic to it, but thanks so much for providing the basic recipe. 

  7. Erin, I make homemade ice cream every 4th of July but had to try this  Banana Ice Cream with Chocolate Chunks immediately. There are going to be some lucky Fathers enjoying this treat tomorrow!
    The Cuisinart Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Maker is just too easy! THIS IS THE PERFECT SCOOP!5 stars

  8. Going away for a girls weekend, am planning to make the custard, take it down chilled, set the whole thing up for fresh ice cream a night later! Haven’t used my ice cream maker in two years – it’s begging to see daylight from my freezer. Thanks for this – fresh ice cream *does* ruin you for storebought, but banana ice cream is my favorite and it’s hard to find others than B&Js!

  9. This is my third batch and my partner and I are officially addicted. Best combo I’ve found so far: Nutella ripple. Don’t look back!5 stars

  10. This is the best banana ice cream out there! My kids go nuts when I make it now. And another option for using old bananas than banana bread. The rum addition gives it a luxurious flavor, not alcohol flavor–my kids didn’t even notice it.5 stars

  11. as the others have said…. it is absolutely delicious! There’s a video on YouTube I found helpful for any new cooks needing to understand tempering / once I understood what the reason was for the “bowl inside of a bowl” And that it was for slowly raising temperature,  it helped me to understand and follow the recipe better. I struggle with adhd and the recipe didn’t make sense at first. 
    ❤️ The Excellent ice cream!  thank you! 5 stars

  12. Looks wonderful, but do I really need to strain it? Is it for custard chunks or banana chunks?
    Also please explain why I need to have the cream bowl on ice. I understand tempering to avoid getting scrambled eggs. thanks in advance

    1. Hi Kathy! You’ll want to strain the custard to remove any chunks that form, and the ice bath is important so egg bits don’t form. I hope this helps!

    1. Hi Ken! The video will appear in the blog post itself and then move to the right sidebar as you scroll down the screen. You can also find the video on Pinterest here. I hope this helps!

    1. Hi Marci! It can vary, but I would say about 5 minutes or so. For custard, I’d suggest going off of the consistency instead of the time. I hope this helps!

  13. I made this! 

    A few comments: 

    1. I don’t have an ice cream maker so followed the recommendation here: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/ — the gist of it is, keep breaking up and re-stirring the ice cream as it’s freezing. — it works!! 

    2. I didn’t have heavy cream on hand so made my own using butter and milk (this was the most difficult part – if you’re doing this, make sure the butter and milk both reach room temperature before mixing to avoid the pain I experienced).
     
    3. The final ice cream tasted great!! I think the final product was slightly too sweet (would reduce the sugar amount in here if your bananas are ripened sufficiently) and had slightly too much vanilla extract. Otherwise – very pleasantly surprised!! Very yummy! 5 stars

    1. Thank you for trying the recipe and for sharing your adaptations, Anna! I’m happy you enjoyed it!

  14. Just made the custard and it is absolutely delicious. I was wondering if I could store the custard in the fridge for a couple of days ? Since my ice cream churner broke and I’m trying to fix it. 5 stars

    1. Hi Fran! I’ve never tried storing it for more than a few hours, so I’m not sure how long it can be kept and stay fresh. You may want to check out this recipe for making ice cream without an ice cream maker for now (I haven’t tried it, so I can’t personally vouch for the results): http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/. I’m happy you’ve enjoyed it so far!

    1. Hi Lisa! You may want to check out this recipe for making ice cream without an ice cream maker for now (I haven’t tried it, so I can’t personally vouch for the results): http://www.davidlebovitz.com/making-ice-crea-1/. I hope this helps!

  15. Excellent! I don’t care for regular chocolate chips in ice cream, because they get as hard as pea gravel when frozen. So I melted some bittersweet chocolate chips and mixed in some rum simple syrup left over from another recipe (just eyeballed it). I spread out the mixture, refrigerated it until it was firm, and then cut it into small pieces. These “adjusted” chocolate chips stayed softer in the frozen ice cream, and my dental work survived the eating experience. So, thanks for the tip about alcohol keeping ice cream softer. The rum in the syrup also enhanced the rum flavor of the ice cream.5 stars

    1. Delicious ice cream! My tips: I used brown sugar to get a more rich “bananas foster” flavor.

      For the chocolate chips, here is my tip: melt 1/4 cup of the chips with a tablespoon of coconut oil, microwave for 30 seconds, and stir til smooth. Drizzle in the liquid chocolate once the ice cream is nearly churned and it immediately freezes into little slivers and chunks, like strachiatella. Very satisfying to find one and crunch into it without it being rock hard!5 stars

  16. 1. Is it ok to use the entire egg instead of just the yolk? What is the effect on the final ice cream? On other recipies I found, they use the entire egg…..

    2. What is the purpose of the ice bath for the bowl of heavy cream? What will happen if there is no ice bath, but just strain & mix the custard into the heavy cream? I’m based in Manila. The warm weather here melts the bowl of ice quickly in just seconds. …

    My first time to do something like this in the kitchen :) Usually, it’s my wife in the kitchen. Am using K-tel Quick Chill Ice Cream maker (with built in coolant). I love Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey which is not available locally…… So am trying out your recipe.

    Thanks for sharing……

    1. Hi Don! I’ve found that using egg yolks gives the custard a richer flavor and better consistency. Also, the ice bath is important so egg bits don’t start to form. I hope this is helpful and that you enjoy the recipe if you try it!

  17. I’m so excited to try this recipe! I was curious, can you use this custard recipe and make other custards/ice-creams with it? 

    1. Hi Karin! I haven’t tried this myself, but other readers have reported success with it. If you decide to play around with it, I’d love to hear how it goes!

  18. Made this recipe for the first time two nights ago. This was a gift for my daughter in law who loves ice cream, and especially pistachio or banana. Pistachio was more steps, and I am allergic to nuts and since I had to eat a bunch while I was making it, I went with the banana. I added chocolate chunks that I made by chopping up a Giardelli chocolate bar. This is such a delicious recipe and makes more than I thought it would. Had to churn/freeze three batches in my ice cream machine for the double batch.
    The recipient messaged me right after she had eaten some, saying it was outstanding. Thank you for this recipe!!
    (Note it did take me maybe 15 minutes of constant stirring to thicken the custard, not the 5 minutes projected.)5 stars

    1. Hi Mark! You could try experimenting with full-fat coconut milk, though I’ve never tried it this way. I’m sorry I can’t give you specific directions! I developed the recipe to be made with classic dairy ingredients, so that’s how it is written.

  19. I’ve made this once before and it is the best.   Getting ready to do it again and the banana is delicious, I was just curious if  This custard base will work with other fruit or does it have to have the bananas?

    1. I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed the recipe, Joe! While I haven’t tried it with other fruits, another reader has reported success with it. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!

    1. Hi Ana! I’m not sure if I understand your question (?). You need to use 2 bowls so that the custard doesn’t mix into the ice water—you just want to cool it down quickly. I hope that helps!

  20. Possibly a silly question but I’m on the hunt for a banana ice cream recipe for my daughter who has had me in the hunt. I found this & all seemed perfect until I read about the vodka or rum…

    If kids are eating, I obviously have to leave this out… yes? Is there something else I can use so it doesn’t set rock hard?

    Or do I make it with & not let her have any… ??????

    1. Hi Melissa! You can leave it out if you aren’t comfortable with any amount of alcohol; just know the ice cream will freeze much harder, so you’ll want to allow time for it to rest at room temp before serving so it’s scoopable. I hope you all love it!

  21. Making it tonight for the second time- added peanut butter in the mix
    The first time I had most of it with choc chips, had a bit left over before placing in cuisinart so added peanut butter. Both delicious. So creamy, smooth tasty no icicles love it. Didnt last long.5 stars

  22. So excited to try this! I just wanted to ask, what can i used instead of Vodka? What does this do to the recipe? Will await your reply before i get mixing!

    1. Hi Steph! If you prefer not to include alcohol, you can omit it and set the ice cream out 15 minutes prior to serving to give it additional time to soften. I hope you enjoy it!

  23. This is some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. My fiancé requested banana ice cream and absolutely loved this. I don’t love bananas, and even I couldn’t get enough of this. It was so creamy!5 stars

  24. Just made this for the first time today — coincidentally, I’m pairing it with David Lebovitz’s Devil’s Food Chocolate Ice Cream for a party tomorrow (it’s like a frozen chocolate truffle…so good!). This banana ice cream is perfect on it’s own, though. I have no doubt my guests will love it!5 stars

  25. I want to make this but I don’t have an ice cream maker. Is there any other way I can make this?

    1. Hi Bela! I’ve only made this recipe with an ice cream maker, so I am not able to tell you any other way. If you decided to try it out, let me know how it goes!

  26. Hey I am going to be making this recipe tomorrow. Is it alright if I use Everclear instead of vodka? It’s the 151 proof one.

  27. Instructions are too verbose and don’t contain the summary of ingredients, and the measurements for each. It’s almost like she is forcing us to read all of her words.

    1. There is a recipe card in the post that has all of the instructions. There is also a “jump to recipe” button right at the top of the page on the right hand side to help you get there faster. Hope this helps!

  28. Really good recipe. There were 2 things I did differently 1) I threw an extra yolk in just because I like a richer custard and 2) I used banana liqueur which I had left over from my Bananas Foster days.

  29. This is a wonderful recipe. I had trouble with the custard the first time I made it because I’d never made custard before. I slightly scrambled the eggs and had to start that part over wasting the eggs, milk and cream. Not being much of a cook I felt I needed an extra hand for that part and now I get by husband to help. He does so gladly knowing what the end result will be. I put dark rum and chocolate into it.

  30. Hi Erin

    Where is the video on how to make this ice cream. I’m struggling to find it. There are a lot of ads on your page?

    1. Hi Melissa! The video is located under the first photo 2-3 paragraphs down. I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience the ads caused you! I will certainly keep paying close attention to the number of ads and how they load, as I never want them to hinder your ability to view the recipe or the blog post. I do truly appreciate your feedback and apologize again for the inconvenience! Also there is a quick and convenient “jump to recipe” button that will help you get to the recipe faster plus a print button so you can have the recipe quickly at your fingertips. Hope this helps!

      1. Thank you so much Erin for your reply. I was able to finally locate the video. I saw the recipe as well but I’m more of a visually learner LoL. I made this last night and I’m currently waiting until I get off work, get comfortable, skip dinner and head straight for the ice cream! The sample that I tried was out of this world. I added caramel, chocolate chips and graham cracker pieces Eeeekk!!5 stars

  31. i dont meed your your life atlry, what i do need is amd i gredients list with quantities clearly defined. Try again

    1. Hi Roxanne, I’m confused because I see it on my end. The full recipe with the measurements was right in the recipe card above the area where you commented. There is also a “jump to recipe” button at the top of the page as well to help get you to the recipe card faster. Can you please double check? Thanks!

  32. This is a fantastic recipe! We have made it several times, and the last one I added some cinnamon. Perfect to serve in a waffle bowl for a little extra to the presentation!5 stars

  33. Question: If I use vanilla extract instead of rum/vodka, will that work? The vanilla is homemade so it’s been sitting in vodka anyway.

    1. Hi Matt, since the recipe already calls for vanilla extract, I’m not sure it would be necessary to double that amount. I haven’t tried it myself with 2 tablespoons of extract, so if you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!

  34. Hi Erin,

    I can’t wait to try this. I always like to watch the recipe video first and can’t find the video.
    The post says that it is right above the recipe, but it isn’t there. Could you please sent it to me?
    My family loves your recipes!

    Heidi

    1. Hi Heidi! If you scroll down the blog post a bit, you’ll see the video pop up right below the paragraph starting with, “I know that one-ingredient…” I hope this helps!

  35. This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you! It turned out perfectly, I wouldn’t change a thing.5 stars

  36. Banana ice cream is my favorite flavor and hard to find in the USA.;) I grew up in Germany and we just enjoyed enormous amounts while vacationing there a few weeks ago.

    This recipe is top notch and tastes even better than in the Eisdiele. ;)

    I didn’t add the alcohol because I didn’t have any and because my kids are enjoying this with me.5 stars

  37. My husband requested a “banana pudding” ice cream. I decided to give this recipe a try, swapping cool whip and vanilla wafers for the mix ins. It was delicious. It has since been requested for several family events and bbqs. I’m looking forward to making it again with the chocolate. Love this ice cream! Great recipe5 stars

  38. I have bananas growing in my yard in Hawaii. The batter tasted great – except there is too much rum. I obliterates the banana flavor. And it’s a waste of good chocolate.4 stars

  39. I had trouble getting the custard to thicken. I read a few other custard recipes, then added another egg yoke, which didn’t help, then I mixed one heaping tablespoon of cornstarch with an added 1/4 cup of milk that did the trick. It’s in the refrigerator now but I plan to make it into ice cream tomorrow. Should be delicious.4 stars

    1. In general, custard thickens once it has cooled. Initially, it will never be very thick when you finish cooking it. For this recipe, it does not need to be too thick; it is the flavour that you want.

  40. Made this with my 5 year old grandson, we went full chunky monkey style, no rum, big hit with everyone. Thank you so much for the recipe.5 stars

  41. This was the first custard ice cream I’ve made in my ice cream maker & it came out delicious!! Followed everything single step & it was perfect. Everyone loved it & I will be making again. Thanks Erin :)5 stars

  42. The banana ice cream base is delicious, but the chocolate chunks were too large IMO. Since chocolate is solid at room temp, it gets very hard and flavorless when mixed in ice cream. I’m going to try this recipe again with a chocolate ripple that is liquid at room temp and meant for mixing into ice cream.4 stars

  43. I made this the other day and let it sit overnight and when I got it out to put in my ice cream maker it was pretty thick, and I felt confident. Let it spin for a couple of hours and it got thinner. No thickening happened so I put it in a container and popped it in the freezer. Check back on it tonight but it definitely bummed me out that it didn’t thicken up. Flavor seems good.

    1. I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe, Michelle. I’m unsure as to why it wouldn’t thicken for you other than there may have been an issue during the cooking of the custard.

    1. Hi Cheryl! Unfortunately the sugar is really essential to this recipe, not only for flavor but for texture in the custard. If you don’t mind your desserts on the less sweet side, you could experiment by using 3/4 the amount called for in the recipe. I hope you love it!