You can make this creamy healthy chocolate nice cream recipe without bananas!
What is nice cream?
Nice cream is a healthier or “nicer” alternative to ice cream, traditionally made with no refined sugar, no heavy cream or eggs, and often no dairy.
It has a creamy soft serve texture and is usually made in a blender.
Banana is the most common base for nice cream but you can also make it with other fruits, including mango, strawberry, or pineapple.
Or for a rich and decadent chocolate nice cream with no fruit required, roasted sweet potato makes up the base of the recipe below.
Also be sure to try this Dole Whip Recipe
Nice cream without bananas
In general, I do love banana nice cream. However, banana is such a strong flavor and sometimes I do not want my ice cream to taste like bananas.
This is especially true with chocolate ice cream, which is why the more neutral flavor of cooked sweet potato works so well as a substitution.
If you are allergic or do not like the taste of banana, or if you are like me and simply want a chocolate ice cream that tastes like chocolate, be sure to give this banana free nice cream recipe a try!
* For low carb, make Homemade Frozen Yogurt or Chocolate Frozen Yogurt.
Chocolate nice cream ingredients
To prepare the easy recipe, you will need roasted mashed sweet potato, milk of choice, cocoa powder, sweetener, and a pinch of salt.
For an almost instant treat whenever a craving hits, roast the sweet potato ahead of time, discard the skin, and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
I have tried substituting canned pumpkin for the sweet potato in the past and was not a fan. So I do not recommend this swap unless you really like the taste of pumpkin. If your heart is set on pumpkin, try canned pumpkin pie filling instead.
Choose canned coconut milk or dairy free creamer for the richest taste. Or go with almond milk or oat milk for a low fat and low calorie nice cream with no sugar added.
I like Dutch cocoa powder because it adds a deeper chocolate flavor. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder will also work here, as will hot chocolate powder. Or use your favorite chocolate protein powder for a high protein nice cream.
Just like with banana based nice cream recipes, this one does taste like a light and healthy dessert. To turn it into a more decadent treat with a texture more similar to premium ice cream, add a spoonful of almond butter or peanut butter.
My favorite way to sweeten the healthy chocolate dessert is with pure maple syrup. You may use granulated sugar, honey, erythritol or monk fruit, or a ripe frozen banana.
This recipe can be refined sugar free, gluten free, cholesterol free, and vegan.
While the cocoa is out, make Chocolate Sorbet
Step by step recipe video
Above, watch the video showing how to make sweet potato nice cream
How to make healthy nice cream
Start by roasting your sweet potatoes, then let them cool. This step can be done days or even weeks in advance.
Discard the peel, and whisk the mashed sweet potato with the cocoa powder, milk or creamer, salt, and sweetener. If using nut butter, add it now as well.
If you have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into the machine and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions for your brand and model.
Or if you do not own an ice cream machine and do not wish to buy one, you can easily still make the recipe!
Divide the chocolate sweet potato mixture into ice cube trays or a few shallow containers. Freeze until solid. This can also be done in advance.
Pop the frozen chocolate ice cubes into a high speed blender. Or let them thaw enough for a regular blender to be able to process until smooth and creamy, with a soft serve texture.
Either enjoy the soft serve right away, or freeze for about a half hour and scoop out with an ice cream scoop.
I also love this Piña Colada Smoothie
Topping and flavor ideas
Add a fourth teaspoon of pure peppermint extract and mini chocolate chips for mint chocolate chip nice cream.
Or stir in a pinch of matcha powder, orange zest, pumpkin pie spice, freeze dried berries, or instant coffee granules before churning.
If you prefer vanilla nice cream, simply leave out the cocoa powder or replace it with your favorite flavored protein powder or carob powder.
For a cookie dough version, add bite size pieces of Chickpea Cookie Dough.
Serve in bowls, or scoop into cake or waffle cones.
Garnish your dessert with toasted shredded coconut, rainbow sprinkles, shaved dark chocolate, fresh blueberries.
Or make it into a healthy dessert sundae by adding caramel sauce or hot fudge sauce, whipped topping, and a maraschino cherry.
I topped mine with chocolate syrup and Coconut Whipped Cream.
Nice Cream With No Bananas
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed sweet potato (Here's how to cook sweet potatoes)
- 2/3 cup milk of choice
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup or sweetener of choice (or 1 banana)
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp almond butter (optional)
Instructions
- *As with banana nice cream recipes, this one will be richer and more ice cream like if you use canned coconut milk or include the optional almond butter. Or for a treat that those used to healthy desserts will enjoy, you may use any milk.To make the recipe, whisk all ingredients together. If you have an ice cream machine, process according to manufacturer's instructions for your model. Otherwise, pour the mixture into ice cube trays or a few shallow containers and freeze. (This can be done days or weeks in advance.) Once frozen, pop out the mixture and blend in a high speed blender. Or let thaw until soft enough for a regular blender to process until smooth and creamy like soft serve. Enjoy immediately, or freeze for a half hour if you want more of an ice cream texture.View Nutrition Facts
Notes
Have you made this recipe?
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More Healthy Frozen Desserts
Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream
Laurie says
Hello,
Related to the blog post but not a recipe question – Do you know if a Ninja Creami can soften and whip store bought ice cream to make it softer? – I would like to make some ice cream sandwiches with homemade cookies but don’t want to make all of the ice cream. Thank you for your help related to this product that your blog posts are convincing me to buy!
CCK Media Team says
Hi, unfortunately we have never tried that ice cream maker, although we’ve heard good things.
Vivian Knight says
This was surprisingly easy and delicious! I used my kitchenaid ice cream attachment and had ice cream in less than 20 minutes.
CCK Media Team says
Thank you so much for making it!
Lauren says
Hi Katie! True to form, this, too, was another excellent recipe, and one I feel great about giving to my sweet almost 20-month-old, Penelope, who asks for “i-cream.” To your recipe, I added 1/4 tsp instant espresso to enhance the chocolate flavor, as you suggested, 1/4 tsp cinnamon because I like chocolate and cinnamon together, and a heaping tsp of pure vanilla extract. I churned it in my ice cream maker and am storing it in our freezer for whenever Penelope needs a little bit of “i-cream.” Thank you for this wonderful recipe. (Also, the mixture, prior to churning, was very good and I considered not churning it and having it as a pudding! Roasted sweet potato chocolate pudding!) –Lauren
Robert Eats Everything says
As a fan of sweet potato as a base for almost anything, this is a must-try recipe. HOWEVER, Katie, I have a challenge for you.
For me, the potato skin is a neglected, nutritious ingredient. I’m looking forward to what magic you create with otherwise discarded sweet potato skins!
C says
Katie thank you so much! This actually tastes like icecream. I have Crohns so I’m not able to have real icecream, with cream or sugar and this is just the next best thing! It’s so good!!!! I can’t thank you enough!