Healthy Ice Cream Recipe (No Churn, Naturally Sweetened) – 5 Ingredients

balanced treats 0 Comments
Servings: 4 Total Time: 8 hrs 25 mins Difficulty: Beginner
Jump To Recipe Print Recipe Jump To Video
The Ultimate Guilt-Free Frozen Dessert Made With Wholesome Ingredients
pinit View Gallery 1 photo

This healthy ice cream recipe uses almonds, dates, and dark chocolate for a creamy, naturally sweetened frozen treat. No ice cream maker needed! Ready in just 25 minutes of prep, plus overnight freezing.

Print Recipe

Healthy Ice Cream Recipe (No Churn, Naturally Sweetened) – 5 Ingredients

Author: balanced treats
Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 25 mins Rest Time 8 hrs Total Time 8 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 10 Calories: 290
Best Season: Summer, Fall, Spring

Description

Craving ice cream but want to keep it healthy? This no-churn healthy ice cream is about to become your new favorite dessert! Made with just 7 simple, wholesome ingredients—almonds, cashews, oats, dates, and dark chocolate—this recipe delivers all the creamy, dreamy texture of traditional ice cream without refined sugar, heavy cream, or an ice cream maker.

What makes this healthy ice cream truly special is how incredibly simple it is to make. You soak nuts, dates, and chocolate in hot milk, blend everything until silky smooth, and freeze overnight. The result? A rich, decadent frozen treat that's packed with healthy fats, plant-based protein, fiber, and antioxidants.

Whether you're vegan, dairy-free, or simply looking for a nutritious dessert option, this recipe checks all the boxes. It's naturally sweetened with dates, loaded with heart-healthy nuts, and tastes absolutely incredible. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite toppings—think more chocolate chips, crushed nuts, or even a drizzle of almond butter!

This is the kind of dessert you can feel good about serving to your family or enjoying as a post-workout treat. No guilt, no compromise on flavor—just pure, creamy, chocolatey bliss.

Ingredients

Instructions

Video

  1. Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

    Pit your dates if they're not already pitted. Measure out all your nuts, oats, chocolate, and cocoa powder. Heat your milk until hot but not boiling (you can use a microwave or stovetop).

     

  1. Step 2: Soak the Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine the almonds, cashews, oats, pitted dates, dark chocolate, and cocoa powder. Pour the hot milk over the mixture, ensuring all ingredients are submerged. Let everything soak for 20 minutes. This softens the nuts and dates, making them easier to blend and enhancing the overall creaminess.

  1. Step 3: Remove Almond Skins

    After soaking, drain the mixture (reserve the milk). The almond skins should slip off easily now. Simply pinch each almond between your fingers, and the skin will pop right off. This step is optional but recommended for an ultra-smooth texture.

  1. Step 4: Blend Until Silky Smooth

    Return all ingredients (including the reserved milk) to a high-speed blender. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. You shouldn't see any chunks of nuts or dates. If your blender struggles, add a splash more milk.

  1. Step 5: Transfer and Top

    Pour the blended mixture into a freezer-safe container (a loaf pan or shallow dish works great). Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top for extra chocolatey goodness.

  1. Step 6: The Secret Trick - Prevent Ice Crystals

    Here's the game-changer: Press a piece of plastic wrap (or parchment paper) directly onto the surface of the ice cream mixture before covering with a lid. This prevents ice crystals from forming and locks in moisture, giving you that perfectly creamy texture.

  1. Step 7: Freeze Overnight

    Cover the container with a lid and freeze for at least 10-12 hours, or overnight. The mixture will firm up into a scoopable, creamy ice cream.

     

  1. Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

    Remove from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping (this makes it easier to serve). Scoop into bowls and enjoy your healthy, homemade ice cream!

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 290kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Sodium 25mg2%
Potassium 375mg11%
Total Carbohydrate 36g12%
Sugars 25g
Protein 8g16%
Calcium 120 mg
Iron 2 mg
Magnesium 90 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Milk Options:

  • For the creamiest texture, use full-fat coconut milk or oat milk
  • Almond milk works great for a lighter version
  • Dairy milk creates a richer, more traditional ice cream flavor
  • You can even use water if you want a more sorbet-like consistency

Sweetness Level:

  • If your dates are on the smaller side or you prefer sweeter ice cream, add 1-2 extra dates
  • For less sweet, reduce dates to 6

Texture Tips:

  • The longer you blend, the creamier your ice cream will be
  • For an even smoother texture, soak nuts for 4-6 hours or overnight before making the recipe
  • If the ice cream freezes too hard, let it thaw for 10-15 minutes before scooping

Storage:

  • Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 weeks
  • Always press plastic wrap directly on the surface before re-freezing to prevent ice crystals

Variations:

  • Peanut Butter Swirl: Add 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter before freezing
  • Mint Chocolate: Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • Coffee Chocolate: Add 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
  • Berry Swirl: Swirl in 1/4 cup berry puree before freezing
  • Chunky Monkey: Add chopped banana and walnuts

Make It Nut-Free: Replace almonds and cashews with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Keywords: healthy ice cream, no churn ice cream, date sweetened ice cream, vegan ice cream recipe, dairy free ice cream, naturally sweetened dessert, almond ice cream, cashew ice cream, chocolate ice cream healthy, clean eating dessert, guilt free ice cream, homemade healthy ice cream, no sugar added ice cream, plant based ice cream, easy healthy dessert

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:

Can I make this ice cream without an ice cream maker?

Yes! This is a no-churn recipe, so you don't need an ice cream maker at all. Just blend, freeze, and enjoy.

Is this ice cream really healthy?

Absolutely! This recipe contains no refined sugar, no heavy cream, and no artificial ingredients. It's naturally sweetened with dates and packed with nutrients from nuts, oats, and dark chocolate. You're getting healthy fats, fiber, protein, antioxidants, and essential minerals in every bite.

Can I use a regular blender instead of a high-speed blender?

Yes, but you may need to blend longer and scrape down the sides multiple times. A high-speed blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec) will give you the smoothest results. If your blender struggles, add a bit more hot milk to help it along.

Why do I need to remove the almond skins?

Removing almond skins creates a smoother, creamier texture and eliminates any slight bitterness. However, if you don't mind a slightly grainier texture, you can skip this step—the skins are nutritious!

How long does this healthy ice cream last in the freezer?

When stored properly in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed against the surface, this ice cream will last up to 2 weeks in the freezer. However, it's best enjoyed within the first week for optimal texture and flavor.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Simply use plant-based milk (almond, oat, coconut, or soy) instead of dairy milk. The recipe is already vegan-friendly as long as you choose a non-dairy milk option.

Is this ice cream dairy-free?

It can be! If you use a plant-based milk alternative (like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk), this recipe is completely dairy-free. Just make sure your chocolate chips are also dairy-free if needed.

Why is my ice cream too hard to scoop?

Because this recipe doesn't contain the same emulsifiers and stabilizers as store-bought ice cream, it may freeze harder. Simply let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping, and it will soften to the perfect consistency.

Can I reduce the sugar/sweetness in this recipe?

The only sweetness comes from the dates, which provide natural sugars along with fiber. You can reduce to 6 dates if you prefer less sweetness, but keep in mind that dates also contribute to the creamy texture.

What's the best type of dates to use?

Medjool dates work best because they're softer, sweeter, and blend more easily. If you only have Deglet Noor dates, they'll work too—just make sure they're fresh and soft. If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes before adding to the recipe.

Can I add protein powder to this recipe?

Yes! Add 1-2 scoops of your favorite protein powder (chocolate or vanilla work great) when blending. You may need to add a bit more milk to achieve the right consistency.

Why do I need to press plastic wrap directly onto the ice cream?

This prevents ice crystals from forming on the surface and locks in moisture, keeping your ice cream creamy and scoopable. It's a professional ice cream maker trick that makes a huge difference!

Can kids eat this healthy ice cream?

Absolutely! This is a great dessert option for kids because it's naturally sweetened and packed with nutrients. Just make sure to check for nut allergies. You can also make it nut-free by substituting seeds.

What does this ice cream taste like?

It tastes like rich, creamy chocolate ice cream with subtle nutty undertones. The dates add natural caramel-like sweetness, and the dark chocolate provides deep cocoa flavor. Most people can't believe it's made from such wholesome ingredients!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *