Vegan Crunch Ice Cream Bites with Walnuts
Healthy Ice Cream Bites – or known as “nice cream bites” – with walnuts are so yummy and such a wholesome alternative to dibs ice cream bites! They are easy to make, vegan-friendly, and have no sugar added!
Today is all about my vegan ice cream bites or “nice cream” bites!
Adding walnuts not only gives nice cream a nutty flavor, but they have so many health benefits! According to California Walnuts, “Walnuts are the only nut significantly high in omega-3 ALA. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids critical to various body processes.”
If you are like me and really like walnuts and all of their benefits, be sure to check out my Homemade Walnut Butter (so good on apples!), Creamy Walnut Vinaigrette, or my Apple Walnut Crisp!
Other Health Benefits from Walnuts
- 4g of protein per serving
- 2g of fiber per serving
- Excellent source of magnesium
- Certified by the AHA as a great source to improve overall diet quality
Why Do They Call It Nice Cream?
As mentioned, nice cream is a healthy alternative and vegan option when compared to store-bought ice cream. Nice cream is typically dairy-free,has no added sugar, and has a frozen fruit base. Some people also refer to nice cream as banana soft serve. When you eat it straight from a blender or food processor that is the kind of consistency it will have.
What’s in Vegan Crunch Ice Cream Bites?
Coconut oil – This is used to mix in with the chocolate for melting.
Chocolate Chips – you can also swap these for chocolate bars, use mild chocolate or dark chocolate! You can also use these no sugar added ones or vegan chocolate chips, too!
Bananas – When making nice cream balls, be sure to freeze your bananas ahead of time
Maple Syrup – This is totally optional, but if you want more sweetness, this is a great idea.
Salt
How To Make Copycat Dibs Ice Cream Bites
- Roughly chop your walnuts. Reserve 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, and pour the rest into a bowl and set aside.
- Blend frozen bananas until creamy. (Option to add in maple syrup if you want it sweeter).
- Pour the walnuts into the nice cream and stir until combined.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the freezer ~1 hour to ensure they keep their form.
- Melt chocolate + coconut oil in microwave or on stove. Careful not to burn the chocolate! Add the 1/4 cup walnuts to the chocolate and combine.
- Take nice cream bites out of the freezer. Re-shape them if needed. Dip them in the chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with sea salt. Place on a lined baking sheet and back into the freezer until you’re ready to eat!
How Do You Store Nice Cream?
Store in an airtight freezer container after making. Nice cream and ice cream bites, when stored correctly, last up to 3 months.
If you are freezing these copycat dibs ice cream bites, separate the layers with freezer paper or plastic wrap.
Can You Use Other Fruits for nice cream?
Absolutely! So bananas were the original fruit when the term “nice” cream was coined. While there are many options, not every fruit works the same. This is because of consistency issues or because of the natural sugar content. These fruits work the best!
- Cantaloupe
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Mangoes
- Honeydew
If you are thinking of trying other fruits, just be sure to peel and deseed/pit as necessary.
Serving Nice Cream
- If you want a soft-serve texture, but sure to eat it right after making.
- It’s more scoopable after the first 2-3 hours of freezing.
- After freezing, you will need to let it sit out up to 30 minutes before serving.
- To serve frozen Chocolate Banana Nice Cream Balls, be sure to set them out ahead of time just like regular nice cream.
These are so much fun to make! I can’t wait to see yours, so be sure to tag me on Instagram!
Vegan Crunch Ice Cream Bites with Walnuts
Ingredients
Ice Cream Balls
- 1 Cup Walnuts
- 3 Bananas, large Frozen
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup Optional
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Roughly chop your walnuts. Reserve 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, and pour the rest into a bowl and set aside.
- Blend frozen bananas until creamy. (Option to add in maple syrup if you want it sweeter).
- Pour the walnuts into the nice cream and stir until combined.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the freezer ~1 hour to ensure they keep their form.
- Melt chocolate + coconut oil in microwave or on stove. Careful not to burn the chocolate! Add the 1/4 cup walnuts to the chocolate and combine.
- Take nice cream bites out of the freezer. Re-shape them if needed. Dip them in the chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with sea salt. Place on a lined baking sheet and back into the freezer until you’re ready to eat!
