An Edible Mosaic™

Everyday Fare With Extraordinary Flair

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • about
    • contact
    • accessibility
    • privacy policy
    • terms and conditions
  • cookbooks
  • recipes
  • explore world cuisine
    • arabic and middle eastern
    • asian
    • british
    • buffalo foods
    • czech
    • dutch
    • ethiopian
    • french
    • german
    • greek
    • indian
    • irish
    • italian
    • jamaican
    • jewish
    • latin
    • polish
    • russian and ukrainian
    • tex mex
    • thai
  • web stories
  • my other blog

Home » Type » Desserts » Ice Cream Popsicles and Frozen Treats » Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve {Frozen Treat Week}

Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve {Frozen Treat Week}

July 24, 2013 by Faith 28 Comments

DSC_1572(small)

By now I’m sure most of you have heard of banana soft serve. (If not, you will absolutely die when you try it.)

Also called “yonanas”, banana soft serve is frozen banana blended with whatever flavorings (like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, espresso powder, etc.) or add-ins (like toasted almonds, coconut, chocolate chips, etc.) you like. The best part is that it has the same creamy texture as soft serve ice cream. (The first time I ever saw banana soft serve was on Gena’s brilliant blog, Choosing Raw.)

As you can imagine, this delicious treat is incredibly versatile and completely perfect for when you want ice cream but don’t want ice cream. (Ladies, you know what I mean.)

Frozen Treat Week

Even without anything added, banana soft serve is fantastic with its natural sweetness and super creamy consistency. This version with avocado combines that that super creamy consistency with a bit of added richness for an even more satiating treat.

The thing to remember about any kind of banana soft serve is to make it right before you want to eat it…it does not keep well, even in the freezer! But it is to die for when it’s first blended.

Spinach also adds vitamins, minerals, and fiber to this recipe, but truth be told, I used it mainly for natural green coloring. (Don’t worry, you can’t taste it!) I could see occasional tiny little flecks of green in my soft serve (along with some small specks of chocolate), which didn’t bother me at all; however, if it’s not your thing and you don’t mind your soft serve being a much lighter shade of green, just omit the spinach and the 2 tablespoons of water.

A big thank-you to Brandy and Katie for organizing this event, and another thank-you to KitchenAid and King Arthur Flour, the sponsors of today’s fabulous giveaway! (Take a look at the giveaway widget below for more giveaway details.)

Here are the other participating bloggers’ frozen treat posts today:

Rachel Cooks

Chocolate & Carrots

Sweet Remedy

Cooking with Books

Nutmeg Nanny

Eats Well With Others

Foodie with Family

Katie’s Cucina

Cook the Story

The Baker Chick

Damn Delicious

DSC_1586(small)

Print
Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve {Paleo}
Prep time:  3 mins
Total time:  3 mins
Yield: 2 servings
 
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup (1/4 oz/7 g) baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 medium avocado, pitted and skin removed
  • 1 packet (about ½ teaspoon powdered stevia) stevia (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon pure mint extract (adjust to taste)
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 1 very large banana, peeled, chopped into 8 pieces, and frozen
  • 3 tablespoons chopped good-quality dark chocolate (see Note)
Instructions
  1. Add the baby spinach and water to a food processor and pulse a few times.
  2. Add the avocado, stevia, vanilla extract, mint extract, and salt and process until nearly smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  3. Add the frozen banana and pulse a few times to break it up a bit, and then process until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  4. Add the chocolate chips and pulse 3 times.
  5. Serve immediately.
Notes
Chocolate: To keep this paleo and vegan, use dairy-free, stevia-sweetened dark chocolate.
3.5.3251

Kitchen Aid Blender with Ice Cream Attachment & King Arthur Flour Giveaway

Filed Under: Chocolate, Gluten Free, Ice Cream Popsicles and Frozen Treats, Paleo, Vegan Tagged: #FrozenTreatWeek, Almost Instant Desserts, Dairy-Free, Frozen Treat Week, Giveaways, Healthy, Naturally Sweetened, Paleo, Paleo Treats, Quick Desserts, Recipes, Vegan

Comments

  1. Suzanna says

    August 15, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    This was awesome! I served it up very casually to my eight year old son and 2 of his very picky friends and the devoured it…feeling lucky to have ice cream in the middle of a “regular” afternoon! Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  2. Terri says

    August 1, 2013 at 6:03 pm

    This looked amazing so I tried it. It had a wonderful mint aroma while preparing it but when finished, it tasted like guacamole with chocolate chips : (

    Reply
    • Faith says

      August 2, 2013 at 6:50 am

      Terri, Oh no, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it! I found the predominant flavor of this to be mint, banana, vanilla, and sweetener, which completely masked the flavor of avocado and spinach (especially since the recipe calls for so little spinach, and the spinach is optional anyway). It’s flavor didn’t remind me of guacamole at all, especially since it doesn’t have necessary ingredients that make guacamole taste like guacamole – such as garlic, cilantro, and/or lime juice…but the color is definitely similar to guac (especially if you leave out the spinach). That happens when you’re trying to avoid fake dyes though; colors are more natural, but definitely not the same shade that we might be used to. You could always increase the amount of mint, banana, vanilla, or sweetener if you want a sweeter treat. Or if the shade of green from the avocado is off-putting, you could make it with a reduced amount of avocado at first; maybe start with 1/4 of an avocado and work your way up until you get used to the color and consistency. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  3. Lori Lynn says

    July 27, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    Faith – this is so interesting. I will definitely try…
    I have an old {heavy} Champion juicer, my friend tells me to put frozen bananas through it. I haven’t tried but I am now convinced it will work.
    And heart healthy too. YAY. Great recipe.
    LL
    P.S. Thanks for the tweets…

    Reply
  4. Caroline @ chocolate & carrots says

    July 26, 2013 at 7:07 am

    Oh, how delicious!!!

    Reply
  5. Nutmeg Nanny says

    July 26, 2013 at 1:01 am

    I would totally take a bowl of this right now! I know when I put avocados in my smoothies I love the creaminess it’s brings. I imagine in ice cream it’s even better!

    Reply
  6. katie says

    July 25, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    I love the idea of make your own soft serve! Mint chocolate chip is my favorite ice cream flavor combo!

    Reply
  7. Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says

    July 25, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    This sounds amazing – I love mint chip and this is so easy! We have been doing a lot of homemade “quick” ice cream b/c my son seems to want nothing else lol. I will make him this one next :)

    Reply
  8. Katerina says

    July 25, 2013 at 8:53 am

    A very unusual combination of flavors Faith! Love it!

    Reply
  9. Ash- foodfashionparty says

    July 24, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    Wow, never had Banana soft serve, sound interesting.. This is so healthy and guilt free.

    Reply
  10. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    July 24, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    Love this healthy and swimsuit friendly treat!

    Reply
  11. Bread & Companatico says

    July 24, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    this looks like what I would want to dig in right now! lovely recipe. I would maybe omit the banana or substitute it with… some coconut maybe?

    Reply
  12. dixya| food, pleasure, and health says

    July 24, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    so many healthy ingredients in the form is dessert – yes please :)

    Reply
  13. Julia {The Roasted Root} says

    July 24, 2013 at 10:39 am

    I love this healthy soft serve recipe! Frozen treat week should turn into frozen treat month!

    Reply
  14. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says

    July 24, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Love this! I’m all for healthy desserts! I need a way to indulge that’s also skinny-jean friendly :)

    Reply
  15. Erica says

    July 24, 2013 at 8:59 am

    This looks absolutely amazinggggggg. I love mint chocolate anything. Good stuff

    Reply
  16. Audra | The Baker Chick says

    July 24, 2013 at 6:43 am

    Yes! There is a soft server fruit place here in NYC that I adore- and actually am basing Friday’s recipe off of a smoothie that I get there!

    This looks so healthy but also totally delicious- perfect for those hot days where something rich is overkill!

    Reply
  17. Joanne says

    July 24, 2013 at 6:37 am

    I feel like i always WANT ice cream but don’t WANT ice cream. It’s a very complicated emotion lol. The mint chocolate flavor is such a classic and a HUGE favorite in my apartment! Definitely need to try this healthier version!

    Reply
  18. Rosa says

    July 24, 2013 at 6:37 am

    That is an interesting combination! I’m intrigued.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  19. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    July 24, 2013 at 6:27 am

    This is such a cool idea!! Love it Faith!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Ice Cream Sundae with Roasted Cherries says:
    August 18, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    […] Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve from an Edible Mosaic […]

    Reply
  2. Nutmeg Nanny » Lavender Lemon Curd Frozen Yogurt {KitchenAid Mixer + King Arthur Flour Giveaway} says:
    July 24, 2013 at 8:02 am

    […] Sundae with Roasted Cherries from Cook the Story Coconut Hibiscus Granita from Cooking with Books Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve from an Edible Mosaic Raspberry and Riesling Sorbet Float from Sweet Remedy Homemade Cookies & […]

    Reply
  3. Sweet Remedy Raspberry Riesling Sorbet Float + KitchenAid Mixer and King Arthur Flour Giveaway » Sweet Remedy says:
    July 24, 2013 at 7:54 am

    […] Sundae with Roasted Cherries from Cook the Story Coconut Hibiscus Granita from Cooking with Books Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve from an Edible Mosaic Homemade Cookies & Cream Ice Cream from Chocolate & Carrots Andes […]

    Reply
  4. Coconut Hibiscus Granita - Cooking with Books says:
    July 24, 2013 at 6:40 am

    […] Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve from an Edible Mosaic […]

    Reply
  5. Homemade Cookies & Cream Ice Cream + Kitchen Aid Giveaway | chocolate & carrots says:
    July 24, 2013 at 5:33 am

    […] An Edible Mosaic – Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve […]

    Reply
  6. Elvis Frozen Bananas (with Chocolate, Peanuts, and Bacon!) + a GIVEAWAY says:
    July 24, 2013 at 5:02 am

    […] Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve from An Edible Mosaic […]

    Reply
  7. Sweet and Sour Cherry Yogurt Pops says:
    July 24, 2013 at 5:02 am

    […] Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve from an Edible Mosaic […]

    Reply
  8. Andes Mint Pudding Pops {giveaway!} - Rachel Cooks says:
    July 24, 2013 at 5:00 am

    […] Almost-Instant Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Serve from an Edible Mosaic […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Rate this recipe:  

Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

Affiliate Disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

meet faith

I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

an edible mosaic cookbook

affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

Home | About | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Contact

Copyright © 2023 | Faith Gorsky, An Edible Mosaic™ | All Rights Reserved