Enjoy ice cream for breakfast with this deliciously healthy and customizable banana ice cream breakfast parfait! It’s gluten-free, vegan, refined-sugar-free, and straight up tastes like dessert.
I know what you’re thinking. How many different ways can this girl eat bananas and oats?!?
And the answer to that very legit question, my friends, is: a lot. A whoooooole lot of ways. In fact, I’ve made it my goal in life (one of them, anyway) to incorporate the banana oat combo into as many recipes as humanely possible, and I’m super excited to be sharing one of my current favourites with you today…
Granted, I don’t normally dress mine up all nice and fancy, but the idea is basically the same.
Cool and creamy banana ice cream paired with warm (or cold) oats… only instead of throwing it all in a bowl and calling it breakfast, we’ve layered it in a glass to make a banana ice cream breakfast parfait, because everybody loves parfaits!!
So let’s look a little closer at those layers, shall we?
Layers 1 & 4 – oats. Nothing too fancy here; pretty much just your standard run-of-the-mill batch of cooked oatmeal. The only thing worth noting is that you can either cook the oats the night before and let them sit in the fridge overnight so that you can have ’em cooled, doughy, and ready to go in the morning, OR you can cook them in the morning and only cool them slightly so that they make the ice cream all melty. It’s your call! I personally prefer the overnight method, but that’s mostly because I don’t like warm food. I know.
Layers 2 & 5 – banana ice cream. Here’s where things get good! I mean, a bunch of blended bananas obviously won’t taste exactly like ice cream in the traditional sense, but we call them that anyways because the texture is surprisingly similar. And ice cream sells.
It’s super easy to make, too. All you need is one medium-ripe frozen banana and a high-speed blender or food processor. Yes, you can make it in a regular blender, but there’s definitely a noticeable difference and you probably won’t end up with the same fluffy creaminess. I know high-speed blenders are a bit of an investment, but I’ve had mine for almost 10 years and it still works perfectly after all that daily use. There are certain things I’ll never skimp on, and toilet paper and blenders are among those things.
But back to the banana ice cream!
Aside from a high speed blender, you really want to make sure you freeze your bananas at the right time.
They shouldn’t have any green on them (or your ice cream won’t be very sweet), but they shouldn’t be too mushy with too many brown spots either. Freckles are good, but you do eventually reach the point of no return where the banana becomes too ripe and you end up with runny ice cream that tastes like sugar alcohols… and no one wants that.
What you do want is a creamy, fluffy ice cream that you can flavour any way you want. A spoonful of cocoa, a few strawberries, a glob of nut butter… or just keep things simple and let the bananas do their thing. Then, when you’ve got your oats and ice cream ready to go, all that’s left is layering them in a glass or jar along with some tasty add-ins like berries, cacao nibs, coconut flakes, granola, etc. (Layer 3), and voila! You’ve got yourself a healthy and delicious banana ice cream breakfast parfait.
Oh! And in case you’re wondering, I definitely recommend the chocolate raspberry combo.
I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, and subscribe to our mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!
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Banana Ice Cream Breakfast Parfait
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
For the oats:
- 1/2 cup (40 g) old-fashioned rolled oats*
- 1 cup (240 ml) liquid (water, milk, juice, etc.)
- pinch of salt
For the banana ice cream:
- 1 medium-size (100 g) ripe banana, frozen
- optional flavour add-ins, see notes**
For the parfait:
- a small handful of additional add-ins like berries, chocolate chips, cacao nibs, shredded coconut, etc.
Instructions
- For the oats: Prepare the oats according to package instructions. If you’re making them the night before, allow them to cool slightly before covering and placing in the fridge to sit overnight. If they’re too thick when you take them out in the morning, gradually add milk or water until you reach your desired consistency.
- For the ice cream: Add the banana (and any flavour mix-ins) to your blender or food processor and process on high until it breaks down into a smooth and creamy consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides of your blender, as necessary.
- To assemble: Spoon half of the oats into the bottom of a glass or jar. Top that with half of the banana ice cream plus any additional mix-ins you want to add (berries, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, etc.). Add the remaining oats and ice cream, sprinkle on any additional toppings, and enjoy!
Notes
* Feel free to use more or less oats according to your appetite. I put 1/2 cup in the recipe because that’s the standard serving size, but I normally use 1 cup (80 g). Also, be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if needed. ** Some of my favourite add-ins include: 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder OR 2-3 strawberries OR 1 tbsp nut butter OR 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon OR 1/4 tsp almond extract.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
Looking for more healthy breakfast recipes? Try one of these!
Banana Oat Baked French Toast
Chunky Monkey Breakfast Bake
Banana Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins
Banana Oat Greek Yogurt Pancakes
Blueberry Muffin Breakfast Smoothie
This looks AMAZING and the photography is beautiful!
I recommend the chocolate raspberry combo as well, mainly because raspberries are one of my favorites. 🙂
Gotta love layers.
BRILLIANCE. Banana “ice cream” is one of my favorite discoveries from healthy living blogs of all time. Having it with oats for breakfast though? Oh man. I’m so excited.
I usually don’t take TOO much time to make my food look pretty. Just as long as everything has relatively good #aesthetic in/on the dish. Lighting is key though!
This was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed it with some unsweetened cocoa powder, shredded coconut and cacao nibs! Maybe I will put some raspberries in there next time.
!!!!!!! I’m all about banana ice cream, but I’ve never tried it for breakfast.
My favorite banana ice cream add-ins are cinnamon and nut butter. Amazing!
I used to never eat banana ice cream with anything on it, but now I HATE to have an accompaniment like oatmeal or granola. The contrasting textures are just soooo good!
Ahhhh banana ice cream is the best. What a great idea. In terms of things I don’t skimp on, I’d have to say good eggs and meat are always important to have. The difference in quality is huge when I get things at a farmers market vs the grocery store!
I’ve totally been hitting the banana ice cream hard. This looks amazing! Definitely trying it! Two things I don’t skimp on are protein powder and soap.
OMG holy yum! I love your creative ideas Amanda, this looks great!
Thanks so much, Sarah!
It looks so fancy and beautiful, I was surprised to see so few ingredients! I’m almost embarrassed to admit Ive never made “nicecream!”
You should give it a try, Liora! It sounds so simple, but you won’t believe how good it is!
Ooh, the creaminess of that ‘nicecream’ looks just AMAZING. I need to take notes on creating parfaits from you. Sooo thankful that God made all these different colors that blend into one of those bee-yoo-ti-ful creations.
He really did give us so many amazing foods to enjoy 🙂
Oh good tip on the frozen bananas! I’ve definitely gotten to the point of sugar alcohols, OOOPS, ha.
This looks AMAZINGG, per the freaking usual. I thought I loved banana treats but man, you like REALLY do. Never change <3
Haha! I don’t think I will. Thanks, Ashley!
I love banana ice cream on oatmeal but i never thought of a parfait! Ill definitely give it a try.
I hope you like it, Molly!
I buy two bunches of bananas a week just so I can make sure my freezer is stocked! I can’t wait to try the ice cream and oats combo! Genius.
I’m constantly buying them as well! It makes it a lot easier to have ripe bananas on hand when they take their time to get out of the greenie stage.
I only make my meals look pretty if I’m taking pictures of them or serving them to others… both of which happen pretty frequently. That said, many of my meals are totally random and thrown together and they taste just as good. 🙂 This looks delicious!
Yummy!
oats and banana ice cream sound like a dream! This parfait is gorgeous!
Thanks Rachel!
This looks really delicious–ice cream for breakfast sounds like a great idea! I never skimp on peanut butter or nut butter in general.
I knew you had something dreamy coming up with that banana ice cream! This looks like the most incredible breakfast I could possibly imagine and it’s perfect for this heat wave we’re currently experiencing. I want to swan dive right into that cup!
p.s. you are the queen of the banana oat combo (insert two hand emoji here)
I really need to try out this banana madness you keep raving about. Soooooon.
We’ve been making homemade ice cream at my house and this looks really good. Fun fact about me, I’m not a huge chocolate ice cream fan. I love vanilla though!
I’m the same way! I usually find that chocolate ice cream isn’t chocolatey enough for me, and vanilla just goes so well with everything.
Ever since I started posting my breakfast on IG all my meals have become a big production. Even if I don’t plan to take pics of them, I always end up making them look camera/IG worth. It’s a part of me now LOL
p.s. Off to freeze bananas so I can make this ASAP 😀
That was one of the things I loved/hated about doing WIAW posts. I’m hoping I can fall back into the habit when I start sharing my meals more often, because none they just look laaaaazy.
I never skimp on ingredients. I try to buy all organic especially avoiding the dirty dozen. It makes all the difference how a meal is presented. Tastes better somehow. xo Lauren
Banana and oats are pretty much all I need in life (okay maybe broccoli and potatoes too). Loooove this hot cold combo – one of my fave breakfasts!! Never looks quite this pretty though hehe.
Your mention of broccoli and potatoes makes me want to add ketchup to the list. Or maybe that’s just me and my inability to go without it 😆
Lady, I so <3 that you can come up with a gazillion ways to eat oats and bananas! And seriously – just when I think you cannot beat what you have shared before, you go and top yourself! I adore me a good breakfast parfait – and this is no joke! I could eat this for breakfast, for a snack and then for lunch again! Thanks so much for sharing this and your banana oat love – such an inspiring recipe, my friend!
Aww thanks so much for our kind words, Shashi! It’s funny because sometimes I question whether or not to share a recipe since it seems so simple, so it’s nice to see it getting some love 🙂
Wow this is a serious game-changer in my summer breakfast plans! I love the idea of feeling like I’m eating a delicious dessert for breakfast! Thank you so much for sharing this. I try to take the time to make my meals looks nice. I believe we do eat with our eyes too! And I never skimp on the nut butter…it’s too good to miss out on!
You’re definitely right about eating with our eyes! I do notice that a well put together meal can be so much more satisfying… now if only I could make myself take the time to do it more often 😕
There are seriously so any ways you can eat the same foods, lol 🙂 This looks SOOO good! I definitely want to experiment with the banana ice cream.
I think my blender would handle making ice cream so i need to get on it! I actually never freeze my bananas?? I use frozen fruit in my smoothie so my banana doesn’t need to be frozen. But i need to freeze some so I can make this!
It seriously makes things so much creamier! I’ll use frozen ones even if I’m using other frozen fruit an I swear I notice a difference. I think 😆
These photos are beautiful! I’m glad we’re both on the same page in regards to banana ice cream. I need to start eating it for breakfast though! THAT is genius.
Thanks, lady! And yeah you do! It seriously never gets old.