If you’re craving a guilt-free, refreshing treat that tastes like a dream come true, this Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe is exactly what you need. It takes simple, wholesome ingredients—frozen bananas, fresh mint, cocoa, and just the right touch of natural sweetness—and transforms them into a creamy, dairy-free dessert that’s both vibrant and indulgent. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll keep coming back for more, especially when that minty-chocolate combo hits just right!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but absolutely essential to nailing the perfect balance of creaminess, freshness, and rich chocolate flavor in your Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe. Each one brings something special to the bowl, whether it’s texture, flavor, or a bit of green color pop from the mint.
- Frozen Bananas: The creamy base with natural sweetness and smooth texture that mimics ice cream.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Bright and refreshing, they give the ice cream that unmistakable minty zip.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa adds deep chocolate notes without extra fat or sugar.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: Adjust sweetness naturally while complementing the mint and chocolate flavors.
- Almond Milk (or any plant-based milk): Helps blend everything smoothly into a luscious, scoopable consistency.
- Dairy-free Chocolate Chips: Tiny bursts of chocolate goodness for that classic mint chocolate chip texture.
How to Make Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Frozen Bananas
Start by peeling, slicing, and freezing your bananas for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step transforms them into a naturally creamy base that’s perfect for blending into nice cream, creating the luscious texture we all love without any dairy.
Step 2: Rinse and Prep Fresh Mint Leaves
Wash your mint leaves well and remove the stems. Fresh mint is key to giving this recipe its invigorating flavor, so using good quality, vibrant leaves will make a noticeable difference.
Step 3: Blend the Frozen Bananas
Add the prepared frozen banana slices to your blender. This will form the thick, smooth foundation of your nice cream once blended properly.
Step 4: Add Fresh Mint Leaves
Next, toss the mint leaves in with the bananas. Blending them together releases the essential oils in the mint, infusing the entire batch with that lovely green freshness.
Step 5: Pour in the Cocoa Powder
Sprinkle in your cocoa powder for rich chocolate undertones. Unsweetened cocoa ensures that the chocolate flavor is intense without added sugars, balancing perfectly with the sweet banana and fresh mint.
Step 6: Sweeten with Maple Syrup or Honey
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey based on your preferred level of sweetness. This natural sweetener enhances the flavors without overpowering the mint and chocolate.
Step 7: Add Almond Milk
Pour in the unsweetened almond milk (or your favorite plant-based milk). This helps everything blend smoothly and creates the creamy consistency that makes this dessert feel so indulgent.
Step 8: Blend Until Smooth and Creamy
Turn your blender on high and mix until the ingredients come together into a thick, smooth, and creamy mixture. It should resemble soft serve ice cream before adding your chocolate chips.
Step 9: Mix in Chocolate Chips
Stir in the dairy-free chocolate chips by pulsing the blender a few times, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the nice cream without breaking down.
Step 10: Freeze to Firm Up
Transfer your mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 to 3 hours. This step helps the nice cream set to a scoopable consistency, making it perfect for serving.
Step 11: Serve and Enjoy
Before serving, let the nice cream sit at room temperature for a couple of minutes to soften slightly. Then scoop it out and get ready to dig into one of your healthiest and tastiest treats yet!
How to Serve Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the experience, garnish your nice cream with a few fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of cocoa powder. You could even sprinkle some extra dairy-free chocolate chips or chopped nuts on top for added texture and a pop of excitement in every bite.
Side Dishes
This nice cream pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries, which add a pleasant tartness. For something a bit more decadent, serve alongside vegan brownies or your favorite dairy-free cookies to make dessert feel like a real celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by serving the nice cream in elegant dessert glasses or hollowed-out mini watermelons or coconuts for a tropical flair. You could also layer it with crushed cookies and fruit for an easy parfait that wows.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (though it’s rare!), simply cover the container tightly and store the nice cream in the freezer. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to one week without losing its creamy texture.
Freezing
Freezing the nice cream is simple: just keep it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to indulge again, allow it to thaw for a few minutes at room temperature to soften before scooping.
Reheating
Since this is a frozen dessert, reheating is not recommended. Instead, just bring it out of the freezer about 5 to 10 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect scoopable texture.
FAQs
Can I use dried mint instead of fresh mint leaves?
While dried mint can add flavor, fresh mint leaves give the nicest, most vibrant taste and color. For the best results in this Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe, stick with fresh.
What can I substitute for bananas if I’m allergic?
Frozen bananas provide great creaminess, but if you need an alternative, frozen avocado or coconut cream can work well, though the flavor and texture will be a bit different.
Is this recipe truly dairy-free?
Absolutely! The use of almond milk and dairy-free chocolate chips ensures this recipe is perfect for those avoiding dairy while still delivering that creamy, satisfying ice cream experience.
How sweet is the nice cream? Can I adjust it?
It has a balanced natural sweetness thanks to the bananas and maple syrup or honey, but you can easily adjust the sweetener to suit your taste—just add a little at a time and blend.
Can I add other flavors to this recipe?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment by adding a splash of vanilla extract, a pinch of sea salt, or even a handful of spinach for extra color and nutrients without changing the mint chocolate chip essence.
Final Thoughts
Making this Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe is like giving yourself a little hug in a bowl—healthy, refreshing, and totally delicious. It’s simple enough for a cozy night in but impressive enough to serve guests. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy the magic of mint and chocolate combined in a creamy, dreamy treat!
Print
Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes prep + freezing time (approx. 6+ hours including freezing)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream is a refreshing, dairy-free frozen dessert made from frozen bananas, fresh mint leaves, cocoa powder, and dairy-free chocolate chips. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey, it’s a creamy, guilt-free treat perfect for warm days or as a healthy dessert alternative.
Ingredients
Fruits
- 3 medium Frozen Bananas (peeled, sliced, and frozen)
Herbs & Spices
- 1/4 cup Fresh Mint Leaves (washed and stems removed)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup Dairy-free Chocolate Chips
Liquids & Sweeteners
- 2–3 tablespoons Maple Syrup or Honey (adjust based on sweetness preference)
- 1/4 cup Almond Milk (unsweetened or any plant-based milk)
Instructions
- Prepare the bananas. Peel, slice, and freeze the bananas for at least 4 hours or overnight to ensure they are firm and ready for blending.
- Prepare the mint. Rinse fresh mint leaves thoroughly and remove the stems to retain only the flavorful leaves.
- Combine in blender. Place the frozen banana slices into a blender as the base for the nice cream.
- Add mint leaves. Add the fresh mint leaves to the blender for a cool, refreshing flavor.
- Add cocoa powder. Sprinkle in unsweetened cocoa powder to bring rich chocolate flavor to the mixture.
- Add sweetener. Pour in maple syrup or honey, adjusting the amount based on your preferred sweetness.
- Add almond milk. Pour in almond milk to aid blending and create a smooth texture.
- Blend. Blend all ingredients on high speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth, resembling traditional ice cream.
- Add chocolate chips. Add dairy-free chocolate chips and pulse a few times to evenly incorporate them without breaking them down too much.
- Freeze. Transfer the blended nice cream into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2-3 hours to set and firm up.
- Serve. Let the nice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping to soften slightly and enhance scooping ease.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for natural sweetness and the best creamy texture.
- Adjust the amount of maple syrup or honey to taste or skip sweetener if bananas are very ripe.
- This recipe is dairy-free and vegan if using maple syrup instead of honey.
- To speed up freezing, spread the mixture in a shallow container.
- For extra minty flavor, add a few drops of peppermint extract.
- Allow the nice cream to soften at room temperature before serving for best texture.
