Creamy dragon fruit ice cream is covered in peanut butter magic shell and chunks of peanut butter cookie dough. Think, superfood PB&J! This nice cream is packed with antioxidants, protein, & fiber to keep blood sugar balanced and is vegan, gluten-free, & refined sugar-free.
Dragon Fruit Ice cream recipe video
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy – Can be made in a Ninja creami, ice cream maker, or just with a blender!
- Nutritious – This nice cream is packed with antioxidants and nutrients to help support overall wellness! It also contains protein, healthy fats, and fiber to help keep you satiated and your blood sugar balanced!
- Meal prep – meal prep a batch to have for the week, so that you have a healthy option ready to go!
How to make dragon fruit ice cream
Full recipe, measurements, & instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
Equipment
- Blender
- Ninja creami or ice cream machine (optional)
Ingredients
- Dragonfruit: I like to use the frozen Pitaya Foods Dragon Fruit packs! You can find them at most grocery stores (I purchase mine from Whole Foods!)
- Vanilla protein powder: I like to use Macro Mike Vanilla Buttercream protein! Their flavors are incredible (use my code: “amb-dani” for a discount).
- Maple syrup or honey: Monk fruit can be used for a lower sugar option.
- Plant-based milk or canned coconut milk: If you want a real ice cream-like texture, opt for canned coconut milk, however any plant-based or regular milk will work just fine!
- Raw cashews: Raw cashews act as the base of the ice cream and create an ultra creamy, thick consistency!
- Vanilla extract
Steps to make dragon fruit ice cream
There are three methods that work in making this ice cream! You can use a Ninja Creami, ice cream maker, or simply with a blender. The Ninja Creami creates the best ice cream-like consistency, however you don’t need any fancy equipment to make this!
- Add all of the ingredients to a high powered blender, blending until smooth.
- Ninja creami method: Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami Pint and place in the freezer overnight.
- Ice cream maker method: The night before making the ice cream, place the ice cream bowl of your machine in the freezer. Blend all the ingredients for the ice cream in a blender until smooth. Place the ice cream bowl on your machine and turn it on. Make the ice cream according to the instructions of your machine!
- Blend, freeze, blend method (no machines): Pour the blended mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight. When ready to enjoy, add the cubes to a blender with a splash of milk. Blend, stopping to scrape down the sides frequently, until you get a thick ice cream. This is easiest with a blender with a tamper, like a Vitamix. Be careful not to add too much liquid as this will create a smoothie-like consistency.
- Blend, freeze, blend method:
Ice cream variations
- Top with granola and fresh fruit.
- Drizzle over white chocolate or regular chocolate.
- Drizzle over plain peanut butter or other nut butter.
- Add sprinkles!
- Serve in a waffle cone or cake cone.
More healthy ice cream recipes to try
- Vegan pumpkin pie ice cream
- Vegan pistachio ice cream (ninja creami)
- Dairy-free homemade ice cream sandwiches
- Snickers ice cream cake
- Strawberry shortcake ice cream bars
- Healthy cookie dough ice cream/frozen yogurt
Dragon Fruit Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Magic Shell
Creamy dragonfruit ice cream is covered in peanut butter magic shell and chunks of peanut butter cookie dough. Think, superfood PB&J! This nice cream is packed with antioxidants, protein, & fiber to keep blood sugar balanced and is vegan, gluten-free, & refined sugar-free.
Ingredients
Dragon fruit ice cream
- 2 packs frozen Pitaya foods dragon fruit
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
- 1 1/2 cups milk, of choice
- 3-4 tbsp maple syrup *more as needed
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder *optional
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Peanut butter magic shell
- 2 tbsp creamy/runny peanut butter *or cashew or almond butter
- 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Peanut butter cookie dough balls
- 1/4 cup peanut butter *or cashew or almond butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp coconut flour
Instructions
Peanut butter cookie dough balls
- In a small bowl, combine all of the cookie dough ingredients. Mix well until a nice dough forms. Roll the dough into small balls and store in the freezer until ready to use.
Dragon fruit ice cream
Ninja creami method
- Combine all the ice cream ingredients in a high powered blender, blending until smooth. Taste & adjust as you'd like (more sweetener, etc).
- Pour the ice cream mixture into your Ninja Creami pint and place in the freezer overnight. When ready to make it, leave the pint out on the counter for 10 minutes or so. Then place it on the Ninja Creami and spin it using the "Lite Ice Cream" setting. After that first initial blend, re-spin it on the "lite ice cream" setting again.
Ice cream maker method
- The night before making the ice cream, place the ice cream bowl of your machine in the freezer.
- When ready to make, Combine all the ice cream ingredients in a high powered blender, blending until smooth. Taste & adjust as you'd like (more sweetener, etc). Turn your machine on and use it according to it's directions – usually you pour the ice cream mixture in while it's running!
Blend, freeze, blend method
- Combine all the ice cream ingredients in a high powered blender, blending until smooth. Taste & adjust as you'd like (more sweetener, etc). Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray. Place in the freezer overnight.
- When ready to enjoy, let the ice cube mold sit out at room temp for 10 minutes. Then place the cubes in a high powered blender (blenders with a tamp like a Vitamix work best!). You may need to stop and press the mixture into the blades, scrape down the sides as needed.
- If you need to, add a splash of milk to help things move along but be careful not to add too much or it'll turn into a smoothie! Enjoy!
Video
Notes
If you want a real ice cream-like texture, opt for canned coconut milk, however any plant-based or regular milk will work just fine!
