Homemade banana ice cream with condensed milk

How to make the best homemade banana ice cream, one of my family's favorite ice cream maker recipes. Easy to make and perfect for an ice cream social.

Homemade ice cream was always a special treat growing up in my family. We made ice cream for any type of get together in the summertime, and church ice cream socials in our little country church were a big event back then.

I remember my dad and my grandpa making ice cream at the same time, competing to see whose ice cream was better.

Grandpa had the old hand crank ice cream maker, and somehow I always got stuck turning that crank. “Goofball, get to work!” Grandpa would say.

While I love every flavor, including strawberry ice cream, homemade vanilla ice cream, and cookies and cream ice cream, there was something special about my dad’s homemade banana ice cream.

While amounts may differ just a bit, this banana ice cream recipe tastes just like Dad's. My boys give it a thumbs up too; that’s when I really know it’s good.

Why Make Banana Ice Cream from Scratch

• It's creamy and full of banana flavor. Banana is my absolute favorite flavor of homemade ice cream; while just plain frozen bananas do taste like ice cream, this mixture tastes so much more magnificent.
• It is a churning recipe, but it's an easy recipe to follow and make.
• It's refreshing on a hot summer day. Your family will love it.

Ingredient and Substitution Notes

• Eggs – While some do prefer to heat the eggs with the evaporated milk on low heat to ensure the safety of the eggs, we have never done this. However, that is an option that makes a delicious frozen custard.
• Vanilla Extract – I prefer to use real Mexican vanilla over imitation vanilla.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk – This makes a delicious homemade banana ice cream with condensed milk.
• Evaporated Milk – If you prefer, you can substitute regular milk.
• Bananas – I recommend using ripe bananas with no green on them. You do not have to freeze the bananas beforehand; just peel, smash, and mix.
• Whole Milk – The more fat in your milk, the creamier your mixture will be. I know some prefer to sub in 1/2 heavy whipping cream and the rest whole milk.

How to Make Homemade Banana Ice Cream

Homemade banana ice cream with condensed milk (and whole milk) is pretty simple. In fact, you probably have most of the ingredients on hand.

We always use a mixer to mix the ingredients together. You can also use a food processor or a blender.

To prep before you start mixing, you'll want to peel and smash the bananas and set them to the side for when you'll need them.

1. The first step is to cream the eggs* and the sugar together. Then add in the vanilla.
2. Mix in the sweetened condensed milk.
3. Then mix in the evaporated milk, a good-sized dash of salt, and the smashed bananas.
4. Pour the mixture into the metal canister of your ice cream freezer. Finish topping it off with whole milk, making sure to fill it about 3/4 of the way full, leaving room for expansion as it freezes.

Let's Talk about the Evaporated Milk

Making ice cream is one instance when my mom and dad have always used a brand name product, or they used to anyway; it’s been awhile since we’ve made this all together.

Mom (and Grandma) always insisted on Eagle Brand and Milnot. In fact, when I wrote this recipe down, I was told that if you’re using Milnot evaporated milk, only use 2 cans; if you’re using a generic brand, use 3 cans.

Milnot may have a richer flavor than generic brands. We usually just use generic because Milnot can be a little harder to find.

How to Freeze Homemade Ice Cream

Freezing the ice cream mixture is fairly easy, especially once you get it going. You will need to stay with it so you can monitor if it needs more ice or rock salt, or needs unplugged when done.

While I always advise you to follow manufacturer instructions for your specific ice cream maker, here are a few tips. You can also read our old-fashioned ice cream maker guide for more tips and suggestions.

1. Put the lid on, and place the metal canister down into the bucket of your ice cream maker.
2. Crush a big bag of ice, gradually pouring ice around the canister. Tip: You can add up to a gallon of water if needed, as well. We sometimes do this because our motor will seize up. Adding a bit of water will help it keep turning.
3. Add 2-3 cups of rock salt as you add the ice, making sure to top it off with rock salt.
4. Let the motor run until it stops; it may take between 20-40 minutes to freeze banana ice cream. Once the ice cream is frozen, the motor on your ice cream maker will stop churning. Unplug it immediately. This should signal that the ice cream is completely frozen. Wipe any excess ice or rock salt off the lid and out from around the top of the canister. Then remove the lid and the churning paddle, and serve immediately.

If you’re not ready to serve it up just yet, you can always remove the motor but leave the lid on, top it off with ice, and place a towel or two over it to kind of insulate it and keep it cold.

Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ's

Where can I find rock salt?While you can find rock salt online and smaller bags or boxes at the grocery store, sometimes you can get a bigger and less expensive bag at a hardware store or feed store.

Can you make banana ice cream dairy-free?

Yes, you can. You'd have to substitute a milk alternative for the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. One option is coconut milk; and I have actually seen a dairy-free alternative for sweetened condensed milk at my local grocery store.

How do you store banana ice cream?

You'll need to keep the ice cream in the freezer. I'm a big fan of these small, rectangular ice cream storage tubs. Their size and shape can easily fit into most freezer spaces.

What does condensed milk do in ice cream?

What is the ice cream with bananas called?

Why is my banana ice cream bitter?

What does evaporated milk do for ice cream?