dairy-free choco-nana ice-creamy pudding

Whooo, that’s a mouthful!

Oh so smooth and creamy. Fiber? Check! (Nice to balance off the natural sugars.) Still contains a dessert-worthy number of calories but from fruit, not refined, processed sugar. So, yayah!

Let’s consider this a happy accident.

In attempting to make my friend Veronica a healthier substitute, to quell her mint chocolate chip ice cream obsession, I accidentally concocted this.

Oops.

I said, “Pretend I didn’t tell you it was supposed to be mint chocolate chip ice cream … Pretend I said it’s a flavor you’ve never heard of before. And if you don’t like it, you have to swear that you’ll tell me.” (We shake hands on that one.)

“Oooooh! I LOVE this!!!”

Oh wow, that was unexpected! So grateful she was able to put aside all expectations and step into the unknown.

This isn’t necessarily a low calorie treat but it is for sure healthier than most ice creams, especially if avoiding dairy or processed sugar is important to you.

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Dairy-free Choco-nana Ice-creamy Pudding Recipe (three ways)

Base One: Minty

• 2 bananas, sliced into 1″ pieces and frozen
• 1/2 tsp mint extract*

Base Two: Choco-Nana

• 2 bananas, sliced into 1″ pieces and frozen
• 1 tsp – 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp cashew butter (optional)
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)

Base Three: Choco-Nana-Split

• 2 bananas, sliced into 1″ pieces and frozen
• 5 frozen strawberries
• 1 tsp – 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp cashew butter (optional)
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)

The Chips (optional)

• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 1/2 tsp pure maple syrup

Let’s begin with the chips: Combine cocoa powder, coconut oil and maple syrup in bowl (heating slightly if oil is solid). Pour thin layer onto parchment-paper-lined plate and place in freezer to set.

Choose a base. Blend base ingredients in food processor, stopping to scrape down sides with spatula and move it to the middle, over and over, til smooth.**

Back to the chips: Break up frozen cocoa layer into small pieces, add to base mixture in food processor and pulse til it becomes nibs and disperses evenly through the base mixture.

Serve right away and enjoy!

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*Although originally mint was sorta the actual point of this whole thing, I really think you could nix it if y’don’t have it … This would be equally good without the mint. The second version tastes like a creamy banana split pudding. Yum!

This is equally creamy-licious without the chips. So many options!

***Tip: Blend quickly (scraping down sides often) for a frosty consistency or blend longer for a lighter, fluffier treat.