Save I stumbled onto this entirely by accident during a summer when my freezer was basically a banana graveyard. Id buy bunches with the best intentions, forget about them, and eventually resign myself to peeling and freezing the speckled remains. One evening after a long run, I was too lazy to make an actual protein shake but wanted something cold and substantial, so I threw the frozen bananas, yogurt, and protein powder into the blender. What came out was so outrageously creamy that I laughed out loud. Now its my go-to when I want dessert that actually feels like a treat instead of a punishment.
Last summer my neighbor came over mid-afternoon when I was testing yet another variation, this time with frozen mango instead of banana. She looked mildly skeptical until I handed her a spoon. Five minutes later we were sitting on the kitchen floor, both eating straight from the blender jar, talking about how gym culture had convinced us that dessert and protein had to be enemies. Now she texts me photos of her own concoctions, usually with way more chocolate chips than I would ever suggest.
Ingredients
- Frozen banana: The secret to that creamy ice cream texture without any dairy or artificial thickeners
- Protein shake: Use whatever brand you actually like drinking, the flavor comes through strongly
- Greek yogurt: Adds tang and protein while keeping everything smooth and scoopable
- Honey or maple syrup: Skip if your protein shake is already sweet, but a little goes a long way
Instructions
- Blend the base:
- Toss your frozen banana slices, protein shake, yogurt, and sweetener into a high-speed blender and let it run for about a minute, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Check the consistency:
- If its too thick to blend smoothly, add just a splash more protein shake and blend again until it looks like soft serve.
- Portion into bowls:
- Pour the mixture into two bowls, scraping every last bit out with a spatula because this is the good stuff.
- Add your toppings:
- Go wild with granola, chia seeds, fresh berries, or a dollop of nut butter whatever makes you feel like youre eating something truly indulgent.
- Freeze briefly or enjoy immediately:
- For firmer ice cream, pop the bowls in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes, or just dive in right now as soft serve.
Save My sister caught me eating this for breakfast once and looked at me like I had three heads. Then she tried it and texted me two days later confessing shed eaten protein ice cream three days in a row for morning meals. Theres something deeply satisfying about telling people its actually healthy while watching their face register total disbelief.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of this recipe is how easily it adapts to whatever youre craving or whatever needs using up in your kitchen. Frozen mango makes for an incredible tropical version, and frozen berries turn it into something that feels decidedly fancy and elegant. Ive even used frozen cauliflower in a chocolate version and nobody noticed.
Texture Secrets
The difference between decent and incredible comes down to the freezing time. Too long in the freezer and youll be hacking away at a solid block, not long enough and youre basically drinking soup. Thirty minutes is usually the sweet spot for that perfect soft serve consistency. If you do forget it and it freezes solid, just let it sit on the counter for ten minutes before serving.
Topping Combinations That Work
Think of toppings as the outfit that completes the outfit. Some combinations just work better than others, and a little thought here transforms this from a snack into a legitimate dessert experience.
- Chocolate protein base with peanut butter and cacao nibs
- Vanilla base with fresh strawberries and crushed graham crackers
- Any base with toasted coconut flakes and dark chocolate chips
Save Every time I make this now I think about how much money I spent on fro-yo in college when I could have been making this in my dorm room with a cheap blender and a freezer. The version is better, obviously.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use plant-based protein for this dish?
Yes, using a plant-based protein shake and dairy-free yogurt works well and maintains a creamy texture.
- → How can I make the texture firmer?
Place the blended mixture in the freezer for 30-60 minutes to achieve a firmer, scoopable consistency.
- → What are some topping suggestions?
Granola, chia seeds, fresh berries, and nut butters add crunch, flavor, and extra nutrition.
- → Can I substitute banana with other fruits?
Frozen mango or berries can replace banana for a different flavor while keeping the creamy base.
- → Is this suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Use gluten-free granola or omit granola toppings to ensure it's gluten-free.
- → How long does preparation take?
The active preparation takes about 10 minutes, with freezing optional for added firmness.