12 Healthy Ice Cream Recipes Perfect for Summer
Ice cream photo by Mattie Hagedorn on Flickr/Creative Commons
Summer just isn’t summer without ice cream. We’d never dream of telling you to go all season without a few scoops of the real stuff, but let’s face it: You probably don’t need to down a pint of Chunky Monkey every time a craving hits. Here are 12 healthier ways to get your frozen fix.
1. Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
via Incredible Smoothies
The popular PB-and-chocolate combo may seem decadent, but the base of this dessert is actually bananas and almond milk. Plus, the peanut butter packs in extra protein and healthy fats.
2. Five Minute Creamy Mango Ice Cream
via Happy Healthy Mama
This dairy-free ice cream is a cinch to make. Simply toss a few frozen mango chunks, a cup of coconut milk, and a bit of agave nectar into a blender or food processor, and you’ve got yourself a fresh, summery treat.
3. Healthy Banana Nut Chip Ice Cream
via Crazy For Crust
If you’re a healthy foodie with a sweet tooth, bananas may be your new best friend. The fruit’s creamy consistency makes it a perfect base for smooth and flavorful blends, such as this nutty recipe.
4. Guilt-Free Blueberry Ice Cream
via Raw Food Recipes
Try this raw, vegan mix for a richly satisfying take on classic sorbet. A cashew base and added lime juice lend the blueberry flavor a bit of complexity.
5. Raw Vanilla Ice Cream
via Healthy Blender Recipes
This light dessert is all about the coconut. It uses two cups of coconut meat to replicate the classic flavor.
6. Vegan Chocolate-Avocado Ice Cream
via Jessica In The Kitchen
Is there anything avocados can’t do? This recipe uses the superfood as a creamy, vitamin-packed base for its dark chocolate accents. But don’t worry—your treat will still taste like dessert.
7. Homemade Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream
via Super Healthy Kids
You can’t go wrong with fresh oranges on a hot day. Bonus: This recipe is perfect for smoothies if you don’t want to wait for the finished product to fully freeze.
8. Roasted Peach Vegan Ice Cream
via Wonky Wonderful
This baked-peach recipe might require some extra time in the kitchen, but its silky texture and powerful taste makes it well worth the wait on a lazy summer afternoon.
9. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
via Raw Food Recipes
Getting fit doesn’t have to mean forgoing this classic option. Use frozen bananas, cocoa nibs, and a bit of peppermint extract for a similar flavor, minus the fats and artificial sugars.
10. Healthy 2-Ingredient Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream
via Babaganosh
Match is said to be energy-boosting, calorie-burning, and full of antioxidants. If that isn’t an excuse to eat ice cream, what is?
11. Vegan Coconut Rum Raisin Ice Cream
via Vegan Baking
This recipe uses arrowroot flour, a starch high in iron and vitamin B, to hold everything together. Sub in agave or maple syrup for sugar to make this recipe extra healthy.
12. 3-Ingredient Healthy Ice Cream
via The Kitchn
This recipe can be customized to include whichever fruit or veggie juice your heart desires. Other than that, all you need is coconut milk and corn starch.
