Do you have to freeze bananas ....

[MelonManiac]

To make ice cream? If I were to use normal bananas and then put the finished product (pistachio ice cream) in the freezer would that be ok to?

[Pierre]

I haven't tried that, but I did once freeze a smoothie to take on a hike. It had long thin ice crystals, which isn't the same texture that you get by putting already frozen bananas in the blender.

[KellyL]

It may be harder than you want when you take it out to eat it but I don't see why you couldn't do it. The nice thing about making the ice cream out of the bananas frozen first is that blending the bananas make it the perfect consistency for scooping with a spoon.

[trinity082482]

I find the best way is to pre freeze them. Yes.

[Veganforlife]

I freeze my bananas with the peels on. Then to thaw I either place in cool water or run some lukewarm water on them for a couple seconds. The peels come right off and they bananas stay lighter in color - they don't brown like when you peel them and freeze.
Just an FYI...

[exurb]

The reason for that being the usual way to do it is that SAD ice cream has a lot of fat or other junk to keep it soft and pliable. most vegan ice creams would freeze solid as a rock if not beaten in a food processor or whatever. So if you freeze it afterward you may have something that's hard to even get a spoon into and lacks a creamy consistency. With it being frozen first then processed in whatever machine, then eaten, it is creamy and nice instead of an unpleasant block.

[Elizabeth]

I freeze my bananas with the peels on. Then to thaw I either place in cool water or run some lukewarm water on them for a couple seconds. The peels come right off and they bananas stay lighter in color - they don't brown like when you peel them and freeze.
Just an FYI...

I am going to try that!! :D Thanks for the tip..VFL!

[unbent]

Due to the unusually hot weather here in Michigan over the last few weeks I have been making more ice cream than usual and refreezing what I do not eat right away. I am making the initial batch using peeled then frozen bananas and refrigerated strawberries or whatever. I find, at least when using a blender that I have to add 2 - 3 ice cubes to get the consistancy that I want. Anyways, the extra ice cream I will put into another contain, usually empty yogurt containers, and put into the freezer to enjoy later. I have found that although it is fairly hard once removed from the freezer that if left out for approximately 10 minutes it is soft enough to each with a spoon and is about the consistancy of a sorbet. Hope this helps. I will have to try freezing with the skins on the bananas. Thanks for the tip.

Andy

[Ama]

I freeze my bananas with the peels on. Then to thaw I either place in cool water or run some lukewarm water on them for a couple seconds. The peels come right off and they bananas stay lighter in color - they don't brown like when you peel them and freeze.
Just an FYI...

Oh Lucy... I remember you saying this months ago and I still haven't tried it. We'll see how it goes - not much room in my freezer but it sure sounds easy!