OK, I know “Chunky Monkey” did not get its name from its power to pack on the pounds. But I also know that the delicious combination of banana ice cream, fudge chunks and walnuts is very hard to resist — and downing a pint is not exactly a ticket to Skinnyville.

But, it is one of my favorite flavors — so I was pretty excited when I heard about this magic banana “ice cream” phenomenon. If you haven’t tried it, you are going to freak out. Seriously.

All you have to do is buy some bananas, then, once they’re ripe, cut them up, put them in a plastic bag and freeze them. Later, you just throw them in a food processor or Vitamix and blend, and they will transform into the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. No cream, no sugar, no eggs. Just bananas.

If you don’t have a Vitamix or a food processor, I think you may still be able to do this with a regular blender — but you’ll have to add a little milk or almond milk to the bananas to get it to blend. Some people say that if you put a little bit of vanilla extract in the mix, it makes it taste like vanilla soft serve. I don’t really believe that, though, and I’m happy with the banana flavor. But I think the dark chocolate chips and walnuts make banana ice cream (or “ice cream”) even better. Plus, dark chocolate and walnuts = antioxidants and healthy fat, y’all!

It’s quick, easy, delicious and guilt free. What are you waiting for?

Not-so-Chunky Monkey
Bananas, sliced and frozen
Dark chocolate chips
Walnuts (toasted or raw)

Slice and freeze ripe bananas. Once bananas are frozen, place in a food processor or high-powered blender and blend until they are the consistency of soft-serve ice cream (you may have to stop the machine and use a spoon to stir it up a bit in the process — and if you have a regular blender you’ll probably have to add a little milk or almond milk).

Once the bananas are the right consistency, add some dark chocolate chips and walnuts and blend or pulse on low speed for a few seconds. Serve immediately.