Summer Recipes: 10 Healthy Ingredients For Easy Homemade Ice Creams

Packed with fibre, calcium, iron, vitamin C and other nutrients, these healthy ingredients for handmade ice creams are a great way to beat the heat.

27 May 2024

By Khushi Maheshwari

The summer season is here in all its glory, and as children’s holidays are about to begin, they will undoubtedly be seeking ways to pass the time while it’s not too hot outside. Making homemade ice cream using your child’s favourite ingredients can be a fun activity to do at home among the many kid-friendly things you can do with them. 

Here are some healthy ingredients to prepare ice creams: 

1. Greek Yogurt: A versatile and nutrient-dense ingredient that can make homemade ice cream healthier is Greek yogurt. Its flavourful and creamy texture makes it an ideal foundation for a variety of ice cream creations. You can increase your protein intake while lowering the calorie and fat content of traditional heavy cream or full-fat milk by replacing it with Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt also has probiotics, which help to maintain digestive health. Greek yogurt ice cream can be customised to your taste by adding nuts, fruits or natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. This makes it a delightful and guilt-free dessert alternative.

2. Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is a fantastic option for crafting healthy ice cream. Its rich, creamy texture lends itself well to frozen desserts while offering a range of health benefits. Unlike traditional dairy, coconut milk is lactose-free, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. It’s also naturally sweet and imparts a subtle coconut flavour, eliminating the need for excessive added sugars. Additionally, coconut milk is packed with essential nutrients like vitamins C, E and B, as well as minerals such as magnesium and potassium. By using coconut milk as a base, you can create indulgent ice cream treats that are both delicious and nutritious.

3. Avocado: A wonderful and unconventional addition to nutritious ice cream is avocado. It complements sweet items effectively because of its mild flavour and creamy texture. Avocado gives your frozen treat an added nutritional boost because it’s full of mineral and vitamin content and healthy fats. It’s a versatile option that adds creaminess without dominating other flavours.

4. Bananas: Bananas provide a creamy base and natural sweetener for low-fat ice cream substitutes. They have the same texture as regular ice cream when frozen and blended, but without the extra dairy or sugar. Bananas satisfy appetites for something sweet and refreshing while providing nutritional benefits due to their high potassium, fibre and vitamin content. For extra taste and nutrition, you can add different mix-ins to banana ice cream, such as chocolate powder, almonds or strawberries.

5. Berries: Berries (like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries) are small and delicious packets of antioxidants. Berries give an ice cream base a rich texture and a cool taste when combined in. Berries are a guilt-free option to enjoy creamy sweets while still getting the health benefits of these nutrient-dense fruits because of their high fibre and low calorie content.

6. Nut Butters: Nut butters like Peanut Butter and Almond Butter offer protein, healthy fats and vital elements along with a creamy texture and nutty flavour to ice creams. Additionally, nut butters aid in achieving a creamy texture without the use of dairy or excessive sugars. Their natural oils improve the ice cream’s texture, making it a delightful and satiating treat that is also healthy. They also provide a hint of decadence without sacrificing health.

7. Maple Syrup and/or Honey: Natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup can improve the health benefits of ice cream. Without using refined sugar, they provide sweetness to traditional desserts. Both of these sweeteners have unique aromas; honey has flowery overtones, and maple syrup has a rich, caramel-like flavour. They ensure a smooth texture when added to ice cream bases because of their liquid texture. They also have traces of minerals and antioxidants, making them a healthier substitute for processed sugars in homemade frozen desserts.

8. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: A guilt-free ingredient to healthy ice cream recipes is unsweetened cocoa powder. It adds a deep chocolate flavour without the additional sweets that come with store-bought chocolate. In addition to being high in antioxidants and minerals like iron and magnesium, cocoa powder is a wholesome option for satiating chocolate cravings without compromising health. 

9. Vanilla Extract: A flexible addition to healthy ice cream recipes is vanilla extract. It gives a little sweetness and a pleasant scent without adding more calories or sugar. Choosing genuine vanilla extract brings out the flavour without sacrificing health. Because of its adaptability, it may go well with a variety of flavour profiles, which makes it a basic ingredient in healthy frozen desserts.

10. Chia seeds: Chia seeds add fibre, a unique texture, and omega 3 and fatty acids to ice creams when they are soaked and combined.