I can’t tell you how many blizzards I’ve had in my life. It’s an embarrassing amount. But what I can tell you is 99% of them have been banana cream pie (with peanut butter cups) and lotsa whipped cream.
Because, ‘Merica.
But, since dropping dairy I haven’t had been able to enjoy this creamy, dreamy treat for close to a year! And that’s a travesty, because in my books it isn’t summer until a frosty banana cream pie blizzard has crossed my lips.
Lucky for me, there are workarounds. And it starts with this 1-ingredient banana powder.
I had the idea to grind banana chips into a banana powder after watching the teenagers at Dairy Queen scoop a mysterious yellow powder into my blizzard. What is it? Nobody knows.
The important thing is it can be duped with ground banana chips. Naturally sweet, naturally delicious. Huzzah!
This blizzard is 100% naturally sweetened and requires just 7 ingredients.
Banana chips
Cashews
Non-dairy milk
Dates
Vanilla
Coconut oil
Banana
That’s it! These simple ingredients combine to create one seriously creamy banana cream pie treat that’s entirely dairy-free. Graham crackers (or another vegan-friendly cookie) are certainly optional but highly recommended for a true cream pie experience.
This blizzard is kind of amazing. It’s
Cold
Creamy
Smooth
Infused with banana TWICE
Perfectly sweet
Super satisfying
& Seriously close to the real thing
Make this blizzard and you’ll fall in love. And be sure to make our Chocolate Chocolate Chip version, too! Both delicious, both perfect for hot summer days.
Last but not least, to prove itself worthy of the “Blizzard” title, the upside down trick…Yep!
If you make this recipe, be sure to take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram. That way we can have an ice cream social online. It’s the best. Cheers!
Vegan Banana Cream Pie Blizzards
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for 6 hours or overnight then drained)
- 1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk (light or full fat)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 5-7 whole medjool dates (pitted // if dry, soak in hot water for 10 minutes then drain)
- 2 Tbsp banana powder (ground banana chips)
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil (melted)
- 1 just ripe banana (sliced)
- Crushed vegan-friendly cookies (such as Nabisco Original Graham Crackers // optional)
Instructions
- The night before, place your ice cream churning bowl in the freezer to properly chill. Also, make sure you soak your cashews overnight OR the next day for at least 6 hours. Be sure to drain thoroughly before adding to blender.
- Grind your banana chips in a coffee or spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. If using a spice grinder, not all of the chips will grind. Pick out parts that didn’t grind for other uses.
- Add all ice cream ingredients EXCEPT raw banana and cookies to blender and blend until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Use the “liquify” or “puree” setting if you have it to get it completely creamy and blended. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more banana powder or dates if desired.
- Chill mixture in the freezer for 2 hours, or in the fridge overnight. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, see notes.
- Add chilled mixture to ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions – about 45 minutes. It should look like soft serve.
- For a true blizzard experience, spoon directly into 2-3 serving glasses (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and layer with fresh sliced bananas and crushed vegan cookies. Optional, top with coconut whipped cream.
- Alternatively, transfer mixture to a freezer safe container, cover and freezer until firm – about 4-6 hours and scoop as ice cream.
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Elizabeth says
I really wanted to love this recipe, but the banana flavor was lacking and texture was like eating a bowl of nut butter. I will use it as a base to make a different ice cream.
Sorry you didn’t love it, Elizabeth! A more ripe banana would add more banana flavor.
Suzanne says
Thank you! I haven’t had a blizzard in 7 years and this was my absolute favorite kind! I look forward to tryging it with your vanilla wafers.
What a great idea, Suzanne! Hope you enjoy it!
Kristin says
woah, this looks SO good!
We hope you love the recipe!
Wendy says
I made this recipe, using the ice cube tray/blender method. For the most part, it ended up working great! Per the instructions, it does need added almond or coconut milk to get it Blizzard-y. Consequently, because of the added milk, I found it needed more banana powder and dates to keep the flavor and sweetness up. Hopefully, this helps!
nat says
My heart started racing when I read you were gonna flip it! (Oh no!! will it stay?!, the almighty test) Truly incredible as always (;
Fawn says
What nut would you sub for cashews? Got a tiny lady with an allergy. Think macadamia or almond would work?
Rebecca says
Why don’t you add raw banana to the blender? Wouldn’t it be a better/stronger banana flavor with… Real bananas, not just the chips?
Rebecca says
But you never say what to do with the banana?! When do we add the banana!
Rose says
When you say full-fat or light coconut milk, do you mean the kind from the can or like a coconut milk beverage that can be found where other alternative milks are? Also, do you use sweetened or unsweetened banana chips?
Thanks!!
Yes, the kind from the can. And I used unsweetened banana chips.
Lisa Donnelly says
I was starving for something like this. Your recipe stirred me into doing something about it. It turned out perfectly. I went so far as making a 2nd batch of banana mint chocolate chip. I am set for days of cravings. Thanks so much.
Maryjo says
Yummy is all I have to say! Thanks for sharing!
Tara says
Hi Minimalist Baker,
I absolutely LURVE your website! As a returning vegan, I wanted to ask you if there are any nut-free ingredients that can be used instead of almonds/almond milk, cashews, etc.? My son has a SEVERE nut allergy, and I would hate to leave him out of all the fun! He really wants me to make the banana cream pie blizzard and the coconut cream french toast.
Any feedback you (and/or other readers) can give is sooooooo greatly appreciated!
-T.
Leanna says
I realize this is old, but the mysterious yellow powder is banana pudding mix!
Amy says
I assumed I was the only one obsessssed with the Banana Cream Pie Blizzards. Entirely trying this, despite the whole 7 weeks until Christmas factor. x
Danielle says
this looks amazing but I don’t have any dates =[ any substitutions?! maple syrup or even just regular sugar?
Maple syrup should work!
Sherry says
Wonderful Recipe, I am going to try it this week, although I will probably just use frozen banana’s and blend it kind of like a milkshake.
Anonymous says
Hi Dana,
I have A TON of unsweetened banana chips in my pantry and have been trying to find a good use for them.
But here is my question, can I use unsweetened banana chips for this recipe or should I use the sweetened kind?
I love your recipes and they are helping me SLLLOOOOWWWWLY ease of meat and dairy (that’s the hard part!!!!).
Keep doing what you’re doing!!!!
Shruti says
hi, can you tell me what exactly is banana chips? are those the deep fried unsalted crisps? Also you mentioned “Add all ice cream ingredients”, which are these ingredients?
Dehydrated bananas!
Rachel Mmm says
Think it’ll be good still without the coconut oil? Making this tonight
Yep! Just slightly less creamy.
Tammy says
This was so amazing….thank you!
terya says
What would a suitable sub be for the dates?
Edy Alma says
I haven’t had a Blizzard since becoming vegan! I love finding those ‘replacements’ which are so much better and healthier, anyway. :) Looking forward to trying this out…
Kate @ ¡Hola! Jalapeño says
Oh my gosh you really ARE a genius! Ground banana chips are now going on everything I make! Looks delish!
Karen says
I discovered your website a few weeks ago and it has saved my sanity! Can’t have dairy, gluten or fructose and loving all the recipes!
This one was awesome!
Good Karen! So glad you found us and that our recipes are serving you well!
Michele @tworaspberries says
omg! i need to try this!!! i looovvveee blizzards but i to am trying to go vegan… im 100% vegetarian and have been for almost 9 years but i’m like 60% vegan (i just can’t kick all the dairy likeeee cheese pizza…) anyways i must try this blizzard it looks amazing!!! yum :-)
I struggled with that too. It was the unsettled stomach and bloating any cheese caused that made me to finally kick it to the curb. Do what’s best for you but I’ve found my diet to be just as delicious and satisfying without with a few workarounds (like coconut milk and cashews). Hope that helps!
Olivia says
Unreal! How do you come up with this stuff. That’s sounds ingenious!!
Gaby says
I want to dig in to that right now!!!
Lauren says
I think i’ll go buy an ice cream maker JUST to make this recipe! Looks so delicious!
Thanks for sharing!
Yeah! Hope you enjoy it, Lauren!
hippymomelizabeth says
Well that is creative banana powder kind of like drying out peanut butter… looks delicious.. Wheres the peanut butter cup on top and smooshed all the way through! Yumm
Tracy | Pale Yellow says
I want one now! Banana cream pie sounds so good!
The Vegan 8 says
These look so gorgeous!!! I have crumbled up dried strawberries before on top of cinnamon cake, but never done it with banana chips in a coffee grinder….great idea! I, unfortunately, am not a banana fan…I know, I know, weird, but my hubby and daughter are. I’ll have to try this sometime for them! Scary to think of what they use at DQ, huh?! Haha!
Lee says
Love the lat pic! That’s my fav when the DQ people flip it like that :D
Kate says
Oh dang! Those banana crumbles and upside-down shot have me seriously craving this creamy banana goodness.
Annie says
I made banana ice-cream many times but never worked with cashew and crackers as you did. I gotta try this time by following your recipe. It looks so delicious :)
Lisa | Mummy Made.It says
Genius! I never would have thought of blending up Banana Chips. I’m thinking of all the new things I could use it for…sprinkles, dusting, even in cookies!!!
Right? It’s kind of awesome. Not an identical match for the powdered stuff at DQ, but I’ll take it!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
wow.. these look incredible! love that they are vegan as well!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Oh. Yum!! This sounds so delicious! I love Blizzards, and this sounds much healthier ;) Thanks!
Kathy Mader says
My husband’s birthday is Thursday and I always make him banana cream pie…but not this year…he’s going to get this blizzard! Talk about perfect timing :)
I’m new working with cashews. I over soaked them the first time I tried your peanut better cheesecakes…they turned a dark, yucky color and I had to pitch them and start over. I began reading and found that cashews shouldn’t be soaked too long and I found that two hours soaking was fine for your cheesecake recipe. Any thoughts on this? Thank you!
I soak mine overnight and always have good results. But I’m sure a 2-hour soak would be fine. My concern is that they wouldn’t be as creamy. But if you have good results let me know! Happy birthday to your hubby!
Ashley says
OMG. That last photo! TO.DIE.FOR. Fab idea for making banana powder!
Thanks friend! It’s delicious! Give it a try :D
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
I used to say is there anything that cashews can’t do…. now I’m starting to think the same thing about bananas! I need this NOW! Banana powder is genius! Can’t wait to try it!
Mary Lou says
Wow…banana pudding is my favorite dessert! My grandmother created/made it; then my mom kept the “secret” recipe going; then I took over! But a couple yrs ago I went Vegan! So very sadly no more banana pudding!! :( I have been searching for a vegan recipe! Yours looks so yummy that I can’t wait to make it!
Hope you love it, Mary Lou!
Susan Gundlach says
Banana Pudding is super cinch to veganize! Mostly you just sub out the milk for your milk sub of choice. I don’t know what made your family’s “secret” receipe so special, but I LOVE the idea of the banana chip powder in this recipe! =D
Abbie @ Needs Salt says
These blizzards! They look so incredible. I was wondering if you were going to end up making a banana version after that instagram vote. (: I’m happy you did.
Haha, I couldn’t help but laugh at the mention of the mysterious yellow powder. Teenagers scooping unidentifiable substances into your blizzards sounds a bit unnerving and slightly disturbing.
These are gorgeous. Pinning!
Those teenagers…they hold the secret key to the DQ universe. Part of me doesn’t even want to know what’s in there. Glad I found a natural substitute anyway!
Mason says
This looks nothing short of amazing!! Pretty sure your banana shortbread would be far better than the graham crackers! Yum!
SMART!!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
We always have banana chips lying around. Maybe instead of eating them bags at a time, I’ll save them for this!
jenna @ just j.faye says
Oh, drool! This looks amazing!!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
I almost just LICKED my screen, lol!!! This looks divine. And I love the banana powder idea!!! Going dairy-free never looked so easy :)
haha, sorry to tempt, Kelly! But I hope you make these and MEGA enjoy them. Cheers!
Kati says
Wow. Just…THANK YOU!!
Alex @ nuttinbuttertodo says
I’ve never had a banana cream pie blizzard (I actually didn’t know they even had one???!!!!??) but I’ve gotta make this!! Ice cream+bananas=true love
OH man, it’s the best one they have!! Give this flavor a try!
Ali @ Farmers Market Vegan says
I have been craving EXACTLY this for weeks now, but haven’t found a recipe or vegan restaurant (and I live in NYC!) that satisfied my desires. So THANK YOU.
Liz S. says
WOWZA! This definitely beats a DQ Blizzard any day.
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
This looks incredible! Banana cream pie is one of my favorite desserts but I never have it. I may need to try your Blizzard to make up for lost time. :)
Danielle @ Chits and Chats and Chocolate says
Banana powder is absolutely genius! As is this blizzard!
Thanks Danielle! Hope you give it a try :D
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl says
Um… YES!!!!! Why have I never though about grind banana chips? So many uses! And I’ve been craving a Blizzard like crazy!