Looking for a healthy and easy summer treat that’s quick to make? Try these Sugar-free Peanut Butter Banana Popsicles! With only 2 main ingredients and a simple recipe, this refreshing healthy snack is perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings. The combination of creamy peanut butter and frozen bananas creates a super creamy texture and extra-rich flavor that’s sure to impress. Plus, you can customize your popsicles with toppings like chocolate and roasted peanuts for an extra special touch. Read on for our step-by-step guide and tips of how to make this delicious and nutritious treat!
Ingredients
- Frozen bananas provide natural sweetness and a balanced taste to the ice cream. Optionally, you can add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey while blending if you prefer it sweeter.
- Peanut butter adds a creamy texture and rich nutty flavor to the ice cream. When choosing peanut butter, look for a natural, unsweetened version to keep the recipe as healthy as possible. If you or anyone you are serving has a peanut allergy, you can substitute it with almond butter or another nut or seed butter.
- Salt. Just a pinch of salt enhances the flavors and balances the taste of the ice cream. Don’t forget to add it!
How to Freeze Bananas
Having a container of frozen sliced bananas in your fridge can be a lifesaver, especially during the hot summer. You can use them to make a variety of delicious and refreshing desserts, such as smoothies (like this Creamy Mango Peanut Butter Smoothie recipe), nice cream, baking, and of course, popsicles or ice cream. Freezing ripe bananas is also a great way to prevent them from overripening and going bad.
Here is my favorite way to freeze bananas:
- Choose ripe bananas with brown spots on the skin, as they are sweeter and have a softer texture that is ideal for freezing.
- Peel the bananas and slice them into small pieces.
- Place the banana slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Make sure the slices are not touching each other, so they don’t stick together.
- Freeze the banana slices for 1-2 hours, or until they are completely frozen.
- Transfer the frozen banana slices into a ziplock bag or airtight container, and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Sugar-free and healthy. This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy a sweet treat without the added sugars. Made with bananas, natural peanut butter, and a pinch of salt, it is a healthy alternative to traditional ice cream.
- Easy to make. With just a few simple steps, you can make these delicious popsicles in no time, making it a perfect recipe for busy summer days.
- Versatile. This recipe is easily customizable, allowing you to add in your favorite flavors and mix-ins to make it your own. See some ideas on how to customize popsicles below.
- Great for breakfast. This recipe is not only a great dessert but can also be enjoyed as a healthy breakfast option. You can add a scoop of protein to get a balanced and nutritious breakfast that will refresh and energize you on a hot summer day.
- Refreshing and super delicious. With their rich and creamy texture, these popsicles are a refreshing treat that is perfect as a healthy snack in summer. The smooth and silky consistency of the banana and peanut butter mixture makes each bite feel indulgent and satisfying, while still being light and refreshing.
- Dairy-free. This recipe is a great dairy-free alternative to any ice cream, making it perfect for those who follow a vegan diet or have lactose intolerance.
How to Make Peanut Butter Banana Popsicles
- Transfer the frozen banana slices to a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add the peanut butter and a small pinch of salt to the food processor. Blend once again until fully incorporated.
- Pour the mixture into silicone ice cream bar molds, and add wooden popsicle sticks to each mold.
- Freeze for about 6 hours, or until completely solid.
- Remove the popsicles from the molds and enjoy your delicious homemade ice cream!
Customize Your Popsicles: Flavor Variations and Add-in Ideas
Based on this recipe you can create unique and very interesting versions of ice cream.
- Cappuccino Ice cream. Use cashew butter and coffee instead of peanut butter for coffee-flavored ice cream.
- Nutella Popsicles. Add hazelnut butter instead of peanut butter, and add 1-2 tbsp of cocoa powder to create Nutella-like popsicles. Additionally, you can coat it with chocolate and top with roasted hazelnuts.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Popsicles. Mix in some chocolate chips for a classic flavor combination.
- Almond Butter and Raspberry Swirl Popsicles. Use almond butter instead of peanut butter, and swirl in some raspberry puree for a delicious fruity twist.
- Mixed Berry Popsicles. Add frozen berries to the ice cream for a fruity twist.
- Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles. Add some diced strawberries and crumbled shortbread cookies for a fun take on the classic dessert.
- Caramel Ice Cream. You can add a caramel swirl to your peanut butter banana ice cream by making a homemade caramel sauce and swirling it into the ice cream mixture before freezing.
Be creative with your add-ins and toppings. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new flavors and combinations. And don’t forget to try the classic peanut butter version too, you really will be delighted! The combination of banana, peanuts, and a little bit of salt is a classic that never gets old. Amazingly good when topped with caramel!
Storage Tips
Once the popsicles are frozen, remove them from the molds and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. It’s important to keep them well-sealed to prevent freezer burn. Let them sit at room temperature for a couple of minutes before enjoying.
These Peanut Butter Banana Popsicles are a delicious and healthy summer treat that is perfect for anyone looking for a refreshing and easy-to-make dessert or snack. With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe provides a great alternative to traditional ice cream. So, go ahead and give this recipe a try, and enjoy a guilt-free indulgence on a hot summer day!
More Refreshing Desserts for Summer
- Vegan Blackberry Ice Cream
- Peach Vanilla Cheesecake Trifles
- Vegan Chocolate Peanut Cheesecake
- Strawberry Trifles (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
For the Popsicles:
- 2 large frozen bananas (about 10.5 oz or 300 g)
- ½ cup (130 g) peanut butter
- pinch of salt
For the Coating (optional):
- ½ cup (85 g) chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- peanuts, roasted and chopped
Instructions
- Place the frozen banana slices in a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the peanut butter and a small pinch of salt and blend once again.
- Pour the mixture into silicone popsicle molds. Add wooden popsicle sticks to each one. Send it back to the freezer and freeze until completely solid for about 6 hours.
- Remove popsicles from silicone molds.
- If you want to glaze them with chocolate, melt the chocolate and coconut oil over a double boiler (or you can microwave it, stirring after every 15 seconds). Dip each ice cream bar in chocolate glaze and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Serve and enjoy!
