Frozen Mint Chocolate Chip Dessert
Looking for a healthier alternative to ice cream – that’s also dairy and egg free? One of the frozen dessert makers that are on the market might be just what you’re looking for. Check out our review for the” Yonanas”.
The two most popular of these pureed frozen fruit machines are the Swirlio and the Yonanas. Both take slightly thawed frozen fruit, and are inserted into the machines hopper. The rotary motor with superfine cutting blades, shaves the fruit into a creamy, pureed, ice cream-like texture. For around $50, if you’re looking for a healthier dessert options that has no preservatives, processed sugars, dairy or fats, then you may want to look at purchasing one of these types of gadgets.
Almost all the recipes that come in their recipe book include using a frozen banana. The bananas texture is really what adds the creamy velvety texture that is similar to ice cream.
The most common fruits that are used are; bananas, berries, peaches, pear, melons, pineapple and kiwi (make sure to remove any skins, pits, seeds or stems).
I tested the Yonanas machine, although I’m sure the Swirlio’s instructions would be similar, the main thing is to allow the frozen fruit to thaw for about 10-15 minutes on the counter. This softens them just a bit and makes it easier on the blades to cut through and create that creamy texture.
I’ve read several reviews online where people’s machines have broken after only a few uses. I can see how this can happen since the motors on these machines are not super strong – you have to keep in mind that these machines don’t have the motor of a Kitchen Aid mixer. As long as you gently push the fruit down through the hopper, pushing only as fast as the motor is working to churn out the puree, your machine should last just fine.
From the Yonana’s recipe book:
Insert 1 frozen banana
Add 1 oz mint chocolate chips
Insert another frozen banana
Stir in bowl to combine
(makes about 1 cup)
If you don’t have mint chocolate chips, use regular chocolate chips, and stir in a few drops of peppermint extract at the end. As well you can add a bit of vanilla extract and some green food coloring if you like.
Personally, I like the machine and would recommend it if you’re looking for healthier ways to make desserts (and don’t mind taking up your pantry space with another small appliance). You can also make frozen pies – spread puree into a cookie crust and freeze until firm, or Baked Alaska type desserts.
But the best part…my kids love it.
Would a food processor do the same thing?
The food processor (even on a slow setting), is going to take a bit to get the mixture lump free, and with all that friction its going to melt the mixture to a smoothie consistency (in comparison to the icy texture from one of these machines).
I was making these fruit creams with a food processor over 25 years ago.Food processors work just as well but you have to stop it a few times to scrape the sides so the Yonanas is probably just more convenient and easier to use..Do pay attention to letting the frozen bananas soften just a bit or you may burn out your motor on either machine faster.
My old Champion Juicer has an attachment that makes frozen bananas into frozen creamy dessert. The exact same thing as that $50 machine. I think I’ll save my money.
Sounds good I’ll have to look at my target to see if they have one of those never heard of them or seen them on TV but would love to have one to make my own fruit ice cream because I can’t have sugar I would use Stevia and do they have any vanilla recipes as I can’t have chocolate because of the caffeine thank you
I’ve seen this done with a juice extractor too. You could put anything you want in it. You could stir in maple flavoring & nuts, cherries & almond flavoring, real vanilla bean seeds… the combos would be endless!!
From Kristin via email:
“It’s not diary free, but you can also make ice cream like dessert from frozen fruit, a little sugar and heavy cream, by using a food processor!! I have done it a couple times with mangos and also with strawberries and my kids can’t tell the difference from regular ice cream! (I imagine you could also make without the cream if you substituted something with liquid for the heavy cream.) Just thought I’d pass this along. 🙂 Merry Christmas (early!).”