This Post Will Change Your Life.
One of the challenges I enjoy most–both as a coach and with friends–is persuading newcomers to raw foods that there is a divine-tasting natural equivalent for for every man made concoction on earth. For every bottle of Gatorade there is a cup of young coconut water; for every dab of cream cheese there is a smear of avocado and salt; for every glass of chocolate milk there is a cup of carrot-romaine juice; for every muffin or cookie there is a soft, satisfying bite of baked kabocha squash (HEAB, I know you’re grinning right now).
To me, nothing embodies this truth more than the following recipe. I hesitate to call it a recipe, even, because it’s so damn simple.
Back in my pre-vegan days, I, like so many girls, was obsessed with “healthy” soft-serve ice creams – Tasti-D-Lite, Crema Lita, etc. (I’m sure that if I would have loooved Pinkberry, too, but it appeared on the scene long after I went vegan!) If my friends and clients are any indication, the stuff is like crack for many NYC ladies! And that’s OK: it’s definitely a healthy upgrade from, say, Haagen-Daaz. But it’s still not necessarily the best or most natural snack option out there—especially since lots of women tend to eat it as a meal in and of itself! (Note to my sistas everywhere: a cup of froyo is not nourishing enough for a meal!)
Well, if you’re into the pinkberry or Red Mango, boy, do I have a treat for you. It’s the best soft serve ice cream you’ll ever taste, but it’s 100% raw, 100% vegan, 100% unprocessed, and 100% delicious. It’s also kid-friendly and ridiculously simple to make.
Friends, behold banana soft serve.
That’s right. Who knew that frozen bananas could, if given a spin in the food processor, rival the best fro-yo in town? Well believe me, they do. Once you try this recipe, I guarantee you’ll crave it instead of your usual ice cream—at least some of the time.
It couldn’t be more simple. Take 2-3 frozen bananas (you can freeze them in ziplock bags or in tupperware), like so (this was about 2 and a half):
And throw them in your food processor (I’ve tried this in a Vitamix, but the results weren’t great — you could also use certain juicers). Then turn the processor on and let it run for about five minutes, stopping every now and then to scrape it down. The bananas should get increasingly light, fluffy, and smooth. By the time you’re done, they’ll resemble a creamy bowl of soft serve, like so:
Scoop them into a bowl and prepare to marvel!
If you’re really feeling decadent, make some raw chocolate “syrup” by combining 2 tablespoons of agave nectar with 1 tablespoon raw or dark cocoa powder:
Drizzle it on top of the frozen bananas, and voila:
It’s a dessert or afternoon treat to rival the best sundaes and scoops out there. Really, I can’t begin to do justice to how delicious this is! Even if you don’t eat a lot of fruit, it’s worth treating yourself to this one every now and then. Trust me. It’s also a sweet treat you can feel great feeding your kids. Dairy and soy and preservative free ice cream? Yes please!!
So what are you waiting for? Stop reading, and start freezing those bananas you’ve got sitting on the counter.
You guys can thank me later 
Have a beautiful, sunny Saturday.
xo
602 Responses to “This Post Will Change Your Life.”
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–Lyn D., MarylandBefore I started working with Gena, I wasn’t sure whether it would be worth it, since I knew what I “should” be doing. Her counseling, however, turned out to be a key factor in my success.
Not only does she have great advice when I am struggling, but her realistic approach helped me make major changes despite having no time and limited funds. Her recipes and ideas are for real people with lives beyond their diets, and they are great. Gena is down to earth and non-judgmental. She strikes a great balance between encouraging me to go a little father but to keep things in perspective and have fun with the process.
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So where do you get your protein?Ah, the million dollar question. I know that my fellow raw foodists are uttering a collective sigh of frustration with me. But it’s inevitable, so here goes:
I get my protein from a wide array of vegetables, sea vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes. The notion that we need to supplement our diet with large amounts of protein, especially in the form of animal products, is mistaken: our bodies are capable of assembling amino acids from all of the foods we eat and building the “complete proteins” that we’ve all been told we need to get in a single sitting.
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Juicer (average $50.00 - $500.00)If you’re like me, and juicing is a crucial part of your lifestyle, then the cost of a juicer will absolutely be worth it! It will buy itself back again and again and again. The juicer I recommend is the Breville Two-Speed Juice Fountain Plus. It’s the only juicer I’ve ever owned, and it has never let me down. I recommend you invest in a juicer that has at least this level of performance in order to juice leafy greens.
Some of you have asked me whether it’s wiser to buy a juicer or a Vitamix.
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This was really amazing! Thank you for this inspired bit of goodness.
I’m surprised by all the comments. I didn’t think this was anything new.
This is sort of an obnoxious comment. I don’t think everyone thought it was new: I think people were excited to see it presented to them with enthusiasm. Have a nice day.
Your candor is refreshing Gena.
It was new to me!
It was new to me too. Many thanks, Gena:-)
New to me too! Looks fantastic (*runs to put bananas in freezer).
New to me as well! I made it this weekend and absolutely loved it. Delicious.
I must be doing something wrong because mine didn’t work. My bananas just hung out on the side of the food processor no matter how many times I scraped it down. Any ideas?
How odd! Try to break the bananas apart before you dump them in the processor: don’t have them all in a giant frozen mass.
add a splash of almond milk!
oh my goodness. I have bananas that need to be frozen, so I know what I will be doing
Made it last night. Loved it – it is crazy good!
YUM! Banana milkshakes are a family favorite but so loaded with calories we don’t have them often. This was just as good! Thanks for the great idea- we’ll be having these all the time now!
I am making this ASAP. Sounds delicious!!
<3 jess
Gena,
Should I let the bananas thaw a bit before putting them in the processor? The last time I tried putting frozen stuff in the processor (bananas & strawberries), i thought it was going to jump off the counter! Do I just need to wait it out?
Thanks!
Jess
I made this tonight, I added some cacoa powder, vanilla and agave and it made the best chocolate ice cream, thank you!!!
This looks awesome. I’ve tried this in my Vitamix and did not get great results. I will have to try it in my food processor now. Thanks for sharing.
I saw this over on Eating Bender and I’m glad I did! I’m going to put my bananas in the freezer tonight
I have a feeling that after I try this, I won’t need real ice cream anymore!
I tried this last night! I put my own spin on it, and posted the review in my blog – but I definitely intend on making it again. SOON!
I made it two times so far after reading about it on KERF’s site. It’s yummy indeed, and so simple. To mix it easier, the second time I added some liquid and the result was as great!
I just made this for the first time and love it! I was just wondering, would this work with any other kind of frozen fruit?
sometimes I add other types of fruit to my frozen bananas…the bananas make it creamy…if you just use berries it tends to be more like sorbet and you might need to re-freeze it.
I like frozen cherries and bananas…mmmmm
Looks delish. Dr Weil actually has a similar recipe this too. I believe he slices the banana though, puts on a plate to freeze for maybe 20 minutes, then froths it in the food processor. It was quite yummy too.
I can’t wait to try this. Can you do it in a high quality blender?
Wow!!! I had frozen some banana’s to munch on but never thought about making an ice cream. How creative and simple..thanks..can’t wait to try it.
Blessings and Joy,
Sid
omg, this was unbelievable! thanks so much for such an awesome idea.
I saw this over at Ashleys site (dancing through life) it sounds sooooo yummy, I have bananas in the freezer all of the time but usually just eat them … I am so going to be trying this…I have never thought about raw food until now. I must make more effort!
)
Tried it, loved it!! I just wish I had a better blender.
I started doing that when I first read Fit For Life, about 6 years ago. I also make a raspberry version, with frozen raspberries and just enough almond milk to make it creamy. Add a little bit of stevia or agave, and when I’m feeling decadent, some cocoa nibs. Yum!
This looks incredible – I’ve been on the fence about investing in a food processor, and will have to run out and buy one so that I can make this! I think you’re on to the next food blogger recipe with a cult following – a la Green Monster!
Just had to say thank you – I haven’t yet tried it as soft serve, as I am recovering from a broken jaw, but yesterday used this as the basis for a “banana bread shake” and it was amazing.
Yes, your banana soft serve has changed my life!
We all love it, but the toddler usually eats it fast enough to get the most… (I have only a mini food processor, so I can only make a little bit at a time, but I think it’s about time for a “real” food processor.)
Thanks for making summer so yummy!
I’ve been making banana “ice cream” for years! It’s my favorite summer dessert. I love sprinkling a little cinnamon and nutmeg on top. Last summer I found a place that actually sold banana ice cream. They make it right in front of you in the food processor as well. Pretty cool stuff! I also love to eat just the frozen banana as a “popsicle”.
I am so freezing bananas ASAP and making this. Great post!
I did it! Not only is this a great snack with a lot of possibilities to jazz it up, but I now have a perfect way to use bananas that are too mushy for my taste.
It’s in the freezer now and I can get a scoop out after my walk, toss on a few berries and cover the potassium and phytochemical requirements of my daily diet…genius
The banana recipe sounds yummy! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks,
Finally made this tonight for the first time for Hubby and me. Added a few drops of vanilla, about a tablespoon of rice milk and a few sprinkles of cinnamon to one very ripe and one just ripe frozen banana. YUM!!! Next time will not use an overly ripe banana, and may add coconut chips then sprinkle with crushed walnuts. Can see lots of possibilities with this as the base . . . oh, and my parrot absolutely loved it, too!
I just had to drop you a line and let you know how much I’ve been enjoying this treat. I serve it to my son almost daily. I mix it up with chocolate sauce or berries or peanut butter, and he devours it. Anytime you can get a two year old to eat fruits and veggies is a big plus, so thanks for this! I made it when he had a play group over last week and the kids ALL loved in, so much so that one mom called to ask specifically what kind of ice cream I fed the kids, because her child was refusing to eat any other kind.
So after the title of the post I had to try this recipe, and what can I say? It is a-freakin’-mazing!
The second time I made it I created an even more decadent treat by adding 1 or 2 teaspoons of raw cacao powder and a teaspoon of raw vanilla powder. It tasted just like soft-serve chocolate ice cream (but better, because it is raw and delish!) Thanks for the very simple, but wonderful recipe!
awesome!
did you make the chocolate syrup with the food processor too? because when i try to mix cocoa powder with agave, it doesn’t mix, it just becomes clumpy.
I am in charge of dinner at my parents place tomorrow night – I might just create this one for our dessert…
WOW! I’m so excited to try this!!!!!
This is delicious! I’ve been trying to find something that would satisfy my sweet tooth and not be bad for me, this is it! So tasty…
I do this with my juicer (champion juicer) and mix in frozen berries or fruits. Really goes well with frozen peaches or frozen strawberries mixed in.
Hi! I don’t have a food processor at the moment…would this work in a blender?
Thanks!
This is the easiest amazing ice cream recipe I’ve ever found. I made this twice today!
I know I am probably the millionth person to tell you this but I now OBSESSED with this for dessert
Especially with some peanut butter. You should get an award for this or something 
Oh my god – that’s it; those pictures have sold me. That looks AMAZING! I don’t own a food processor at my apartment yet, but I can’t wait to get up to my boyfriend’s and borrow his to whip up some ice-cream. He always freezes his bananas in case I want to make banana bread, and he has a couple that aren’t actually overripe. Thanks!
You aren’t kidding! I thought the title of this post was ballsy when I read it the first time, but now that I have my food processor and have given the banana thang a try, holy God. So nice I did it twice, the second time with unsweetened cocoa. Nom nom nom nom…
I’m officially on the banana boat.
Just made this and not only was it AMAZING, it was totally easy. I am a Fro-yo addict but this just may be the ticket to kick my bad habit. Thanks so much. Try my watermelon gazpacho recipe on my blog, I think you’ll like it
Can you use another fruit?
mango+avocado?
strawberry?
Devan,
Absolutely!
Gena
Just finally made this for the first time!! It was so fantastic and my friends were SHOCKED. Definitely going to try it with some flaked dark chocolate on top in the future.
This post DID change my life!! Friggin awesome!
I tried this at a raw-food restaurant once and I’ve been searching for the recipe ever since-so I can’t wait to try this! I just threw a couple of bananas in the freezer
yum
Did this last night with some cocoa powder and stevia. OMG… I think I have my everynight dessert! Ahhhhmazing!
I just tried your banana soft serve last night and am kicking myself for not making this months ago! So good! Do you think it would work with a single banana? I’m guess the food processor needs two to be effective, but I was left with more than I wanted to eat. I just popped it back in the freezer, and I’m hoping the texture will still be good if I let it thaw a bit.
Hey Shelly!
It would probably work, but sort of take a while in the processor.
Gena
Thanks for the reminder about frozen bananas…such a simple thing, it’s easy to forget about it! Definitely putting bananas on my shopping list, now.
You’re right – that post *did* change my life! I’ve been making this banana soft serve for weeks and I’m so in love with it! I even add frozen strawberries to mine (or other berries if I have them on hand). Our non-raw omni guests have fallen in LOVE with this dessert! Thank you!!!
Looks delicious! And I already freeze all my bananas if they are past their time, to use in banana pancakes… it is great to have another use for them. A yummy and healthy use!
WOW. Who knew! Perfect for late night snacking without morning-after-sugar-hangover! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Hi! I tried this because I had seen it on a few other blogs. It is delicious! I love mine with peanut butter–even my husband liked it! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
ive i have been seeing this around the blog lately and tried it for myself tonight and it was amazing!! thanks for sharing :]
This was absolutely AMAZING! Of course it was. You’re a genius, Gena. So simple, yet SO GOOD. I ate this as a snack this afternoon (right now, in fact) with some almond butter swirled in, and it really is incredible. Thanks for the idea!
This was a delicious alternative to icecream!
I made it tonight and sprinkled carob powder on top…it was sooo GOOD!
I just couldn’t believe how the consistency was so much like frozen yogurt. It was great!
I saw this over on KERF on Thursday. I immediately moved a couple of soggy bananas I was going to make bread with from the fridge to the freezer. I made this tonight and I’m speechless. So good. I can’t wait to make this for my son one day – (he’s only just started eating solid foods).
RIDICULOUSLY simple recipe…I must try it
Thanks!
thank you so much for this recipe, i loved it sooo much, i will definitely be making it again. my mom used to make something like this only she used the champion juicer, but this is easier to get out than the juicer. delicious!!!
You are right- it has changed my life. I totally plan on making this soon. But why doesn’t it work in a blender? I’d love to be able to use my blendtec on it.
Gena,
This recipe was passed on to me by my good friend, Ashley, and it has indeed changed my life!!!!
thanks for the inspiration — yummm!
Lindsay
Tried the Banana soft-serve……..outstanding but very strong banana flavor. Need to find something to even it out a bit.(Ripe plantains are good) Mango…. If you use non-fibrous mangoes like Keitt or Kent they are even better than banana….
BUT…if you are addicted (like I am) to the Oriental fruit, “Durian” , (look it up on Google–you won’t like it) It is even better than Mango… “Durian- lovers unite” (at the nearest Vietnamese market)….
Holy……wow….that’s crazy. I’m so gonna try that with my frozen bananas! Thank you…..I just found your website and the recipes all look great. I subscribed in my reader!
T.
This looks insanely good! I saw a similar recipe on another website and wanted to make it, this is now just the final sign!
I just made that, with the chocolate sauce and all. Absolutely amazing! How do you come up with these things? I’m going to blog about it tomorrow. Looking forward to trying your other recipes
I just found your blog and I have to say,
it is quite fabulous!
I find your eating style refreshing and I believe that somewhere down the road, you and all those healthy living bloggers out there will have a great impact on my young teenage life- and into the future.
Rock on!
I just made this banana recipe and it tasted amazing. Gena, you are really talented! Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try this with strawberry slices on top of the banana.
Oh my goodness!!!! My roommate and I (who both have lots of food restrictions) tried this last night and it was SOOOOO good! Thank you so much for sharing; I have been missing ice cream
Hmmmmmmm! love it!!!
I enjoy reading your blog!
Just to share from James Reno piece for
Raw-Food-Repair.com called
Raw Food Diet Made Easy! You might be interested on it…Check it out and enjoy!
LOVE THIS RECIPIE!! My only advice is to add the bananas a few at a time to the food processor, otherwise the weight of the banana on the blade makes it go too slow. I can’t believe how easy (and delicious!) this is. What else can we make into “ice cream”?
This is truly the best dessert I ever have. Thank you SO MUCH! I am addicted now!!
this post really changed my life
) first times i couldn’t blend it well and tried adding water, but then i found out how to make it (I guess my blender is not so powerful and is not always managing with my tasks 
) and it is really perfect!
Thank you, your site is gorgeous, I’m as addicted to trying new stuff
)
I am a college student living on a budget, is there any way I can make something just as delicious with my blender? Suggestions?
I haven’t tried the syrup you described, but I did this to a lot of bananas when I was a kid- its a nice sometimes substitute for ice cream.
Hello! My blog is about nutrition…classic style. And I’m doing an experiment where I go raw for one week (simply out of curiosity). Do you have any tips to offer?
oh my goodness. this post has changed my life. that was soo sosososososoososooo soooo soo SOOO good.
LOVE! I did make it in a blender, and a rather crummy blender at that. I made sure the banana pieces were fairly small, and I added about 1/4 c of soy milk. I had to stop/start the blender about 25 times to break up the banana block with a wooden spoon (I’m not kidding, 25 times), but it was worth it — this is delicious.
Hello! Kath treated me to this AMAZING treat a few weeks ago! I am currently working with the school district as part of my dietetic internship and I am hoping to get them to start selling this tasty treat to the kids instead of pop tarts, ice cream, and sugary yogurt! It is FANTASTIC! Thanks!
its great i took it to my site – is it ok ? i put a link to you ?
its really simple but it turned out a little sour- i guess i should have waited more for the bananas to get ripe – do you wait until they are covered in black spots ?
do you think it can work with other fruits – or this is solo a banana quality ?
Yuval – yes, it works with other fruits, too.
Try whizzing some frozen raspberries, adding some Icing Sugar* through the chute & a spoonful of cream. Or strawberries, (which shouldn’t need the sweetening.) Or combine some berries with the bananas. Just don’t process it too long, as it will easily turn too liquidy…
* This may be known as powdered sugar where you live?
Try adding frozen fruit to breakfast smoothies, too – it makes a huge difference to the taste, & on a hot summer morning it is quite fabulous!
I was wondering what your experience was with making this recipe with your vitamix. I often throw frozen bananas and then a handful of either frozen berries, peaches, mango, etc. and 1 cup almond milk in the Vitamix. I love, love this!! I’m going to try your recipe in my food processor tomorrow. It looks amazing!
Hey Kelly,
I don’t mind doing it this way, but then I consider the result a smoothie, not a soft serve! The whole point of this recipe is to recreate the thickness of soft serve.
Gena
I’ve had good luck making it in my vitamix, but I only use about 1/4 cup of liquid just to get it going. I like to add frozen pineapple and a touch of coconut extract.
WOAH I tried it last night and it was amazing! Today I made another two bowls… yum yum. The concept seems simple but I’ve never thought of it myself.
I changed the recipe a bit to fit my own taste though. The banana paste alone is way too sweet for me, so I added the Silk brand Vanilla Soy Milk to even out the sweetness. The final product is more a smoothie than a froyo, so I’m still experimenting, hoping to get back the froyo texture. but either way, it’s unbelievably good… i also sprinkle on almonds and roasted black sesame, both crushed.
to sum it up, this is amazing and THANK YOU. I finally found a dessert that is delicious and healthy, it’ll stick
I make banana pops in a similar way; take banana chunks, put in a popsicle stick. Dip in agave-cocoa or agave-carob. Then in crushed nuts, if you can eat nuts. Freeze in those little fluted candy cups. Make a really fun raw dessert or decadent snack.
I am not raw, (allergic to nuts) not vegan, (I love cheese) and 10 years old, but this sounds really appealing to me! I would make this if we had a food processor. (sigh)
I’m not vegan but this will be my replacement for ice cream. Had it for the first time with my Aunt this weekend in her juicer, so I did found your blog looking for alternatives in preparing because I don’t have/won’t buy a juicer right now (no counter space, small small house).
She used a similar agave/coco powder syrup and it was delicious as well.
Even my non-vegan husband is looking forward to trying this new ‘ice cream’!
Thanks for sharing, beautiful pictures too!
There is a new business in Rehoboth Beach DE that exclusively serves this treat–they put frozen banannas thru a juicer and serve various toppings. The place is called Annie Bannanie. My favorite topping is the “Key Lime Pie”.
I made the dish myself, at home with a food processor and it was just as good–I added a small dab of whipped cream on the top! Better than any ice cream around!
This is SO DELICIOUS! I’ve been bitter since moving out of NYC to a tasti d-lite-less fro yo wasteland and this is my savior. I added some peanut butter…sooooo goood!
I make this all the time, except sadly I am without a blender at the moment.
This is making me want it
Thanks for the reminder
Hey Gena, I just wanted to let you know that this inspired me to create ‘mango sorbet’ by whirling some frozen mangoes in the food processor. And that led me to create a Mango Lassi Parfait. Here’s the link if you’re interested! http://amourpetitgateau.blogspot.com/2010/06/mango-lassi-parfait.html
Thanks for the inspiration!
Looks amazing! Do you think this would work in a mini Cuisinart or would I break it? I’ve been trying to make an approximation using bananas and unsweetened almond milk in my regular ol’ blender but it’s more like a milkshake. A tasty, tasty milkshake, but still… I’d love to try some actual banana soft serve!
Alas, a mini cuisinart ain’t gonna do it. Sorry! I HIGHLY recommend investing in a full size Cuisinart — they’re my most essential kitchen purchase. But otherwise, you can try with a blender and some liquid, but it’ll be more smoothie-ish than ice cream-ish
I actually tried it with my mini-cuisinart…I just let the bananas soften realllyyyy quickly before I blended them up and it worked great.
I have a mini-food processor and it seems to work fine! just add a splash of liquid.
The solution of not having a large food processor is pretty simple… just chop the bananas up into small pieces before freezing it. I chopped three bananas up almost into mush and then was easily able to blend them in a Magic Bullet. Just to see how it worked the other way, I blended 2 large bananas and 2 big strawberries last night and set them in the freezer
I heard about this ‘ice cream’ a while ago, but was skeptical. I just tried it and really don’t see what the big deal is. Not that great, a bit gross actually. I’d rather have real ice cream, and I wouldn’t feel one bit guilty about it.
Melissa,
Thank you for expressing your opinion of the recipe so ungraciously. It would seem that real ice cream is doing marvelous things for your tact.
Gena
hhahaha omg. I love you, Gena.
Gena,
I like your replies to all of the haters. You’re ha-larious! Rock on.
yee !
like it or not, you have a cult classic on your blog… (I had never heard of this either, before reading about it here).
haters schmaters, lets go freeze some naners!
what if one hates bananas? Any thoughts?
Loved the recent comments on this and your responses Gena:) Wondering if you’ve ever added nut milk to BSS? My mom was just talking about a dairy queen Banana Blizzard and I wanted to challenge her with a vegan version.
I’m pretty excited to try this tonight! Thanks for the recipe
Lay the smack down, Gena! Hahaha.
For the record, this was a new idea for me when I first came across this post – and I’m a better person for trying it! Banana soft serve rules. I think animal products make people cranky…
Can you use a blender to make this? and if you can what button would you press?
I just found this amazing “recipe” a few days ago and I made it last night (and today) and prob will everyday for the rest of my life haha. This is unbelievably amazing!! I made everyone in my family try it, and I sent it to a few close friends. Thank you for posting this!!
It’s neat to know that there are others out there making such an effort to convert to veganism. I’ve been trying to do the whole shaband in less than a year, and I think my biggest struggle is the cost. I like this post, thanks for the ideas and encouragement.
-Camille
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