13 Easy Homemade Ice Cream Recipes For Kids Relish

Delicious ice creams for children can be made at home with easy-to-source and healthy ingredients.

Medically reviewed by Seeemaa Budhraja, DDHE & DNHE Seeemaa Budhraja Seeemaa BudhrajaDDHE & DNHE facebook_iconinsta_icon Specialty: Certified Dietitian and NutritionistExperience: 4 years
Written by Swati Patwal
Last Updated on

Many parents look for healthy ice cream recipes for kids since most children love ice cream. Although milk, fruits, and nuts are the main ingredients of this frozen dessert, commercially prepared ice cream may contain many additives such as artificial flavors, colors, stabilizers, and emulsifiers. They may also have high sugar and fat content.

Further, some parents restrict or prevent children from having ice cream due to health concerns. However, you could prepare ice cream easily with ingredients of your choice available at home. This way, you can regulate the contents of the ice cream and ensure no harmful additives are included.

Read on for 13 easy-to-make, healthy, and tasty ice cream recipes for kids.

13 Healthy And Delectable Ice Cream Recipes For Children

Below are some tasty and healthy ice cream recipes for children and teens to try.

1. Chocolate banana ice cream

Chocolate banana ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 4 mashed bananas (frozen) ripe
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
  • 2tbsp almond butter
  • 2tbsp walnut and fig (chopped)
  • 1tbsp jaggery powder

How to prepare:

  1. Blend mashed bananas, walnuts, figs, coconut milk, cocoa powder, and almond butter into a smooth, lump-free liquid.
  2. Pour the liquid into ice cream molds and freeze for six to eight hours until the ice cream sets.
  3. Serve with fresh seasonal fruits to make the recipe healthier, gluten-free and vegan.

2. Sunnyside lollies

Sunnyside lollies ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 2 cups fresh carrot juice
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup mango (chopped)

How to prepare:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and pour the mixture into a bowl. Freeze overnight.
  2. Once the ice cream sets, transfer some into a bowl and serve.
  3. You can add more seasonal fruits, such as peach, mango, kiwi, and dragon fruit, to this recipe.

3. Strawberry splash

Strawberry splash ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 1 cup frozen strawberry (mashed)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup fresh strawberries (finely chopped)
  • 2 frozen bananas (mashed)
  • 2tbsp dried fruits (chopped)
  • Handful of mint leaves and strawberries, for garnish

How to prepare:

  1. Put mashed bananas, mashed strawberry, and whole milk into the food processor and blend until the mixture turns into a lump-free, smooth-flowing liquid.
  2. Pour the mixture into a bowl and mix chopped strawberries and nuts into it. Freeze overnight. to firm it up.
  3. The next day, transfer some ice cream into a bowl and garnish with strawberries and mint. Serve right away.
  4. You can also add small amounts of freshly chopped fruits, such as mango and blueberries, to add flavor, health, nutrients to this recipe.

4. Avocado ice cream

Avocado ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 14oz. full-fat coconut milk (refrigerated overnight)
  • 2 ice cream cones
  • 2 ripe avocados (halved, pitted, and peeled)
  • 1 ripe frozen banana (chopped)
  • 3tbsp maple syrup
  • 2tbsp lemon juice

How to prepare:

  1. Put avocados into a blender and blend them into a lump-less, smooth paste.
  2. Add coconut milk, chopped banana, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Blend until the paste turns smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and freeze the mixture overnight.
  4. The next day, take some ice cream into a bowl and serve ten to 15 minutes after keeping the ice cream at room temperature.
  5. You can add finely chopped pistachio and pumpkin seed to add texture and flavor to the recipe. This ice cream is unique not only because of its color but also for good fats and zero cholesterol.

5. Strawberry and rhubarb ice cream

Strawberry and rhubarb ice cream recipes for kids
Image: IStock

You will need:

  • 250ml whole milk
  • 250g rhubarb (peeled and sliced)
  • 100g strawberries (quartered)
  • 4 ripe bananas (chopped)
  • 2tbsp dried fruits and nuts (chopped)
  • 1tbsp lemon juice
  • 1tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1tbsp jaggery powder
  • Pinch of salt

How to prepare:

  1. Put banana and strawberries pieces into a freezer bag and freeze them overnight.
  2. Put rhubarb, lemon juice, and salt into a saucepan and cook the mixture for about 15 minutes until the rhubarb turns mushy.
  3. Stir in vanilla bean paste and jaggery powder. Turn off the heat and set the saucepan aside to cool.
  4. Once the rhubarb mixture cools, pour it into a bowl and store it in the refrigerator overnight.
  5. The next day, blend frozen banana, strawberries, and rhubarb mixture into a smooth, lump-free paste.
  6. Pour the paste into an airtight container and freeze for about two hours.
  7. Scoop some ice cream into a bowl. Garnish with chopped nuts and dried fruits and serve.

6. Mango tango ice cream

Mango tango ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 200g fresh mango (mashed)
  • 200ml whole milk
  • 100g mango pieces (chopped)
  • 30g toasted almonds (chopped)
  • 30g pistachio (chopped)
  • 3tbsp desiccated coconut
  • 2 frozen bananas (chopped)
  • 2tbsp organic honey
  • 2-3 mint leaves, for garnish

How to prepare:

  1. Put mashed mango, frozen bananas, desiccated coconut, milk, and honey into a blender and blend until the mixture turns into a smooth, lump-free paste.
  2. Pour the paste into an airtight container and add almonds, pistachio, and mango pieces. Mix well and freeze the mixture for eight hours.
  3. After eight hours, take out the ice cream and transfer some into a serving bowl. Garnish with mint leaves and serve.

7. Mixed fruit ice cream

Mixed fruit ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • ¼ cup banana
  • ¼ cup kiwi
  • ¼ cup mandarin,
  • ½ cup strawberry and raspberry
  • ½ cup pineapple
  • 1½ cup whole milk

How to prepare:

  1. Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend until you get a smooth, lump-free paste.
  2. Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover the lid, and freeze for six to eight hours until the ice cream sets.
  3. Scoop out some ice cream in a bowl, let it soften for a while and then serve with fruit toppings.

8. Fruity delight ice cream

Fruity delight ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 2 lemons (juiced)
  • 2 oranges (juiced)
  • 2 bananas (mashed)
  • 4 cups half & half
  • 2 cups jaggery powder
  • 2tbsp toasted nuts and dried fruits (chopped)
  • Crushed ice
  • Rock salt

How to prepare:

  1. Blend ripe banana mash, lemon juice, orange juice, and jaggery into a smooth paste using a blender.
  2. Pour the paste into an ice cream maker canister and put the canister into the ice cream maker bucket.
  3. Fill the ice and rock salt inside the bucket and freeze as per the instructions. Usually, ice cream makers set the ice cream in about 20 minutes.
  4. Scoop out some ice cream into a bowl, sprinkle chopped nuts and dried fruits over the top, and serve.

9. Fig ice cream

Fig ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 1 cup figs
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1tbsp jaggery powder
  • 1tbsp dried figs (chopped)
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon powder

How to prepare:

  1. Put figs and almond milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for six to seven minutes while stirring occasionally. Set the mixture aside to cool.
  2. Once the mixture cools, blend it into a lump-free, semi-thick liquid using a food processor or blender. Add jaggery powder and cinnamon powder and blend again.
  3. Pour the mixture into an aluminum container and freeze the mixture with a covered lid for six hours. After six hours, re-blend the mixture into a fluffy, smooth paste.
  4. Pour the blended mixture again into the aluminum container, cover with aluminum foil, and freeze for about ten hours or until the ice cream sets.
  5. Once done, scoop some into a bowl and serve immediately.
  6. You can add chopped nuts and seasonal fruits to enhance the nutritional value of the recipe.

10. Blueberry merry

Blueberry merry ice cream recipes for kids
Image: IStock

You will need:

  • 1 ripe banana (peeled and chopped)
  • 2 cups frozen blueberries (chopped)
  • ¼ cup coconut milk or plain yogurt
  • 1tbsp maple syrup
  • 1tsp lemon juice

How to prepare:

  1. Place banana pieces into a plate and freeze overnight.
  2. The next day, blend the frozen banana slices, frozen berries, and coconut milk into a smooth, creamy paste using a blender or food processor. Ensure no lumps are present.
  3. Add maple syrup and lemon juice and blend again. Transfer the ice cream into a bowl and freeze for about two hours.
  4. Scoop out some ice cream into a bowl and serve right away.

11. Pumpkin pie ice cream

Pumpkin pie ice cream recipes for kids
Image: IStock

You will need:

  • 4 ripe bananas (frozen)
  • 15oz. unseasoned pumpkin puree (chilled)
  • 1¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 2tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1tbsp toasted pecans (chopped, for garnish)

How to prepare:

  1. Blend ripe bananas, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice into a smooth paste. Ensure no lumps are present.
  2. Pour the paste into a bowl, drizzle maple syrup, and garnish with pecans. Freeze for 30 minutes before serving.
  3. Transfer some into a feeding bowl and serve with slices of fresh fruits and chopped nuts to enhance the recipe’s nutritional value.

12. Hazelnut dark chocolate

Hazelnut dark chocolate ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • ½ cup hazelnuts (blanched)
  • ½ cup dates (pitted)
  • ½ tsp dark cocoa powder
  • 1 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
  • 2 cups coconut milk

How to prepare:

  1. Blend hazelnuts, dates, and cocoa powder into a lump-free paste using a blender. Add yogurt and chocolate milk. Blend again until the paste turns creamy.
  2. Pour the blended mixture into an aluminum tin and freeze for 30 minutes.
  3. After 30 minutes, scoop some ice cream into a serving bowl and serve.
  4. You can add chopped nuts and more seasonal fruits to enhance the recipe’s flavor and nutritional value.

13. Cinnamon roll ice cream

Cinnamon roll ice cream recipes for kids
Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

  • 1 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • ¼ cup oats flour
  • 1tsp vanilla-flavored stevia
  • 1tsp cinnamon powder

How to prepare:

  1. Blend all the ingredients using a mixer or food processor. Ensure no lumps are present.
  2. Transfer the mixture into silicone molds and freeze overnight until the ice cream sets into cubes.
  3. Put the frozen cubes into a food processor and process until a smooth, creamy ice cream forms.
  4. Transfer some to a serving bowl and serve with fresh, seasonal fruit slices and toasted nuts for additional flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When can children start eating ice cream?

Most ice creams are loaded with sugar and fat, so they are unhealthy for infants. You may introduce ice creams to your children after they turn one. However, ensure you offer ice creams occasionally as a treat and not regularly (1).

2. How can eating ice creams affect young children?

Ice creams may affect young children for the following reasons (1):

  • Milk and cream in the ice cream may cause digestive issues in children below one year.
  • Ice creams may have bacteria, which may be dangerous for infants as they have weaker immune systems.

3. What makes ice cream creamy for children?

Ice creams have a rich, creamy texture because of (2)

  • High-fat content (that comes from milk)
  • Use of stabilizers that prevent the formation of large ice crystals
  • Use of liquid nitrogen, which freezes the ice cream instantly

These homemade ice cream recipes for kids give a healthy twist to classic ice cream recipes. You can customize these recipes by experimenting with the ingredients. For example, adding fresh and dry fruits, nuts, seeds, chocolate, and some vegetables, such as pumpkin and carrot, to ice cream may enhance their flavor and nutritional quotient. These ice creams are suitable for children, but they should not replace whole fruits and vegetables in your child’s diet. Instead, you can occasionally give them to your children as part of a balanced diet.

Key Pointers

  • Homemade ice creams can protect your children from exposure to chemical flavors or colors in commercially made ice creams.
  • Chocolate banana, strawberry splash, mango tango ice cream, and several other healthy homemade recipes as you scroll through.

References

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Seeemaa Budhraja
Seeemaa BudhrajaDDHE & DNHE
Seeemaa Budhraja is a Delhi-based dietitian and nutritionist. She specializes in weight and lifestyle management. She is a healthy recipe designer, works as a health motivator and wellness coach as well. She has worked as a slimming head with one of the top organizations in India.

Read full bio of Seeemaa Budhraja
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