Jackfruit Ice Cream

Looking for a delicious and healthy dessert idea? Look no further than this simple and refreshing recipe for jackfruit ice cream with just three ingredients. Whether you follow a vegan or dairy-free diet, this recipe is perfect for everyone!

Are you interested to know about more tropical asian fruits? This is my top 13 asian fruits that you should try at least once in your life!

With the rising popularity of jackfruit as a versatile meat substitute, you may already be familiar with its unique taste and texture used as a vegan meat substitute, such as this popcorn chicken recipe (a vegan chicken recipe). But have you ever thought of using jackfruit in a dessert?

Another great simple and easy vegan and dairy free dessert idea is this vegan magnum copycat recipe!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This jackfruit ice cream is a delightful way to enjoy the natural sweetness of ripe jackfruit. The best part? You only need three ingredients to make this creamy treat: ripe jackfruit, 2 medium bananas and the juice of 3 free limes. You can also customise the sweetness to your taste by adding some honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar.

In just a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch of this delicious and tropical-flavoured ice cream that will leave your taste buds wanting more. So grab your blender and get ready to indulge in a guilt-free dessert that will satisfy your cravings and keep you cool all summer long.

What is Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia that has gained popularity in recent years for its versatility in cooking. Its unique flavour and meat-like texture make it an excellent plant-based substitute for meat in savoury dishes. However, its natural sweetness also makes it a perfect ingredient for desserts, like this jackfruit ice cream.

The young jackfruit is what is used as a meat substitute, whereas the ripe jackfruit is what you will commonly eat fresh. For this jackfruit ice cream recipe we will be using the ripe jackfruit, which is bright yellow in colour and has a sweet flavour and crunchy texture.

What Does Jackfruit Taste Like?

If you are are wondering what does jackfruit taste like? Then I'm assuming you mean what does ripe jackfruit taste like? Ripe jackfruit has a sweet and aromatic taste that pairs well with fresh lime juice, creating a deliciously tropical flavour profile. Whilst jackfruit is sweet, it also has a unique flavour that can make it polarising. The jackfruit comes from the same family of "smelly fruits" as the durian. The first time I smelt jackfruit I thought it was gross! My foreign nose had never smelt durian or jackfruit before and therefore I did not like it. However, after living in South East Asia for 7 years, I learnt to LOVE jackfruit and its unique sweet flavour.

The Three Ingredients Needed for Jackfruit Ice Cream

To make this jackfruit ice cream, you only need three simple ingredients:

1. Ripe Jackfruit: Look for ripe jackfruit that is golden yellow in color, with a strong sweet aroma. You can find fresh jackfruit at your local Asian grocery stores or opt for canned jackfruit if fresh is not available. Make sure to drain any excess liquid from canned jackfruit before using it in the recipe. Please note that young jackfruit is NOT the same and you CANNOT use young jackfruit for this recipe.
2. Bananas: Ripe bananas or overripe bananas work best for this recipe. The banana is needed achieve a creamy texture. If you don't have any bananas you can substitute the bananas for mangoes
3. Lime juice: Make sure to extract all of the juice from 3 limes
4. Sweetener: you may opt to add some sweetener such as maple syrup, agave, or honey. This is an optional step and the ice cream tastes delicious without it as well!

Step By Step Instructions For Jackfruit Ice Cream

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let's dive into the step-by-step process of making jackfruit ice cream:

1. Prepare the Jackfruit: Start by removing the seeds and tough core from the ripe jackfruit. Discard them and keep the soft flesh.
2. Blend the Jackfruit with the lime juice and banana (and sweetener if using). Blend until you have a smooth and creamy mixture. Make sure all the ingredients are well combined. Note that you can also use frozen fruit. If using frozen fruit, stop and start the blender as needed to get the mixture smooth.
3. Freeze the Mixture: Pour the jackfruit mixture into a shallow container and freeze for 1 to 2 hours (freeze for only 30 minutes if frozen fruit was used).
4. Serve the ice cream immediately. Freezing for more than 2 hours will make an icy mixture, but it is still scoop able and enjoyable.

Variations and Substitutions for This Jackfruit Ice Cream Recipe

Jackfruit ice cream is a versatile base that can be customised to suit your taste preferences or what is readily available to you. Here are a few variations and flavour combinations to try:

• Try adding a handful of shredded coconut to the jackfruit mixture for a delightful tropical texture
• Add some coconut cream or coconut milk for a creamier texture
• The ripe bananas or overripe bananas can be substituting for fresh mangoes. The banana is needed achieve a creamy texture but if you don't have any bananas or you prefer the taste of mango you can substitute the bananas for mangoes
• Adding additional sweetness is also an option. Try adding a few tablespoons of maple syrup, honey, or agave. The fruit alone is sweet enough but if you have a sweet tooth like I do then adding additional sweetness makes it that little bit yummier!