Most banana ice cream recipes skip the custard base and just blend frozen bananas. That is banana soft serve, not ice cream. This version cooks eggs, milk, and sugar into an actual custard, chills it, then adds heavy cream, mashed bananas, and vanilla. It churns in an ice cream maker with chocolate chips, walnuts, and shredded coconut folded in at the end. The kind of thing worth pulling out of the freezer at the end of a long weekend outside. This has become one of our go-to summer desserts for exactly that reason.
The lemon juice is there for colour. Without it, mashed banana in a wet custard turns grey-brown over the chilling hours. The ice cream tastes the same either way. It just looks better with the squirt of lemon.
Tips for Making Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream
Cook the custard slowly
Low heat, ten minutes, stirring constantly. The custard is ready when it coats the back of a wooden spoon and holds a line when you drag your finger through it. 
If you rush this step on higher heat, you get scrambled eggs in your ice cream base. There is no recovering from that.
Chill the base completely
The mixture needs to be refrigerated for several hours or overnight before it goes into the ice cream maker. Warm custard will not churn properly.
Add the mashed banana and cream after the custard has cooled, not while it is still hot.
Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Creamy banana custard ice cream with chocolate and walnut chunks. Sweet and incredibly satisfying!
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups (473 ml) milk
- 1 cup (237 ml) sugar
- 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4-6 bananas
- Squirt of lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, beat the eggs, milk, and sugar until well blended.
- Cook the egg mixture over low heat for roughly 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and it smoothly coats the back of a wooden spoon.
- Let the mixture cool.
- Add the heavy cream, mashed banana, and vanilla.
- If desired, add a squirt of lemon juice to help keep the bananas from discoloring.
- Stir until blended and refrigerate the mixture until it is completely chilled, for several hours or up to overnight.
- Following the instructions of your ice cream maker, pour the chilled mixture into your machine and stir until the ice cream forms.
- If you want firmer ice cream, transfer it to a sealed container once it reaches the soft-serve consistency and let it freeze for several hours until it hardens.
- Toward the end of churning the ice cream, stir in the walnut and chocolate chunks.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use ripe but firm bananas; overripe bananas can make the ice cream too sweet.
- To prevent ice crystals, ensure the custard is completely chilled before churning.
- Substitute pecans or macadamia nuts for walnuts, or add other mix-ins like peanut butter chips or pretzels.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 50
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 100
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to make a custard base instead of just blending frozen bananas?
The cooked custard with egg yolks, milk, and sugar creates a rich, creamy texture that blended frozen bananas cannot match. It churns smoothly and does not become icy in the freezer over time.
Can I skip the ice cream maker?
You can freeze the chilled mixture in a container and stir it with a fork every 30 minutes for about four hours. The texture will be less smooth than machine-churned, but it still works. Fold in the chocolate chips, walnuts, and coconut during the last stir.
What kind of bananas should I use?
Ripe but firm bananas work best. Overripe bananas are sweeter and mushier, which can make the ice cream too sweet. You want bananas that mash easily but still have some structure. Four to six depending on size.
