Cookies and Cream Nice Cream

Name: Cookies and Cream Nice Cream
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 12 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 frozen banana, broken into chunks; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk; 2-4 Oreo or chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed

by Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition on Aug 13, 2021 (updated: 10/4/21)

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Get ready for a delicious treat! This recipe for Cookies and Cream Nice Cream is a vegan and dairy-free homemade version of an American classic. It takes less than 15 minutes to make this yummy frozen dessert.

Who doesn’t love ice cream? It’s cold, sweet, and evokes childhood memories for many of us. This version is made using frozen bananas instead of dairy.

When frozen bananas are pureed, they turn into vegan ice cream or “nice cream”. It’s the perfect compromise for a delicious but healthier version of ice cream.

Contents hide

1 Why You Need This Recipe

2 Key Ingredients

3 Recipe Steps

4 Recipe Tips & Substitutions

5 FAQs

6 Other Ice Cream Recipes You Might Like

7 Cookies and Cream Nice Cream

Why You Need This Recipe

It’s vegan and dairy-free. In case you’re wondering, yes Oreos are vegan! And, for my celiac friends, they recently came out with gluten-free Oreos that taste just like the real deal!
Although this nice cream recipe does contain prepared chocolate sandwich cookies (guilty!), it is much healthier than regular cookies and cream ice cream. Bananas are a great source of fiber, minerals, and have almost no fat.
It’s so easy to make. Just blend everything together and then enjoy.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for cookies and cream nice cream

Frozen bananas are cut into chunks and then blended to make nice cream. The smaller the chunks the easier it is to blend. Make sure to use ripe bananas so the ice cream is nice and sweet.

Vanilla extract enhances all the flavors in this recipe.

Unsweetened almond milk will help the frozen bananas blend into a creamy ice cream. You can use any plant milk in this recipe including oat milk. Coconut milk would add even more richness.

Oreos or chocolate sandwich cookies are what give this banana nice cream its cookies and cream flavor. You can buy unbranded sandwich cookies at the grocery store; just be sure to read the ingredient label to make sure it is vegan.

Recipe Steps

Step One

Place the frozen bananas, almond milk, and vanilla inside a food processor fitted with the S blade.

how to make cookies and cream nice cream

Step Two

Turn on high and let the food processor run for 3 to 5 minutes or until the bananas are smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape the sides of the food processor with a spatula.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Three

Stop the food processor and add the crushed Oreos. Pulse until the cookies are incorporated into the ice cream well.

Step Four

Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

To freeze your bananas, let them get ripe and spotted. Break them or slice them into chunks and freeze flat in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then, transfer the frozen banana slices to a ziptop bag for storage or use them right away. See my full guide for how to freeze bananas.
This ice cream is best served right after making it. You can freeze it up to 1-2 hours to get a firmer texture, but it will freeze very hard if left in the freezer longer than that. If that happens, let the ice cream sit on the countertop for a few minutes to soften.
You can make this recipe in a blender, but you will need one fitted with a tamper to help push the frozen banana chunks into the blade.
Want an even more indulgent recipe?

FAQs

What if my nice cream is too soft?

You can freeze it for up to two hours until you reach the consistency you like. After that it will become too hard and you will need to let it sit out for 20 minutes before scooping.

What other flavors can I make this nice cream into?

You could add cocoa powder to the mixture and make it into chocolate Oreo nice cream or even peanut butter. You could also add sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts, or any mix-in you like!

Can I make this recipe in an ice cream maker?

You don’t need to! This recipe is best made in a food processor and served immediately.

Do you need to add any sweetener to this recipe?

Nope! Maple syrup would likely make it too sweet.

Other Ice Cream Recipes You Might Like

Or, see my full round-up of the best vegan ice cream recipes.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!