With temperatures on the rise, it’s time to break out the summertime treats: watermelon, paletas, frozen margaritas, and, of course, ice cream! Ice cream is a fun treat to share with your dog, but it does contain a lot of fat and sugar, which can upset sensitive tummies. Some ice creams even have ingredients that are highly toxic to dogs, like xylitol (AKA birch sugar). I wanted to create a homemade dog ice cream recipe that was simple, easy to make, and healthy for your dog to enjoy.
Enter this non dairy dog ice cream recipe that uses just two ingredients! It’s made without dairy products or added sugar, and it’s low fat to boot! In short, it’s the perfect frozen dog treat for your furry friend, and it just so happens to be delicious for humans, too. I love a good shareable treat, don’t you? 🙂
If you enjoy making this doggie ice cream, be sure to check out my other dog treat recipes!
Why This is the Best Dog Ice Cream Recipe
This simple dog ice cream recipe is just two ingredients at its base: bananas and non dairy milk. You can even use water in a pinch if you don’t have non dairy milk. Another reason why I love this recipe is that it helps prevent food waste. Overripe bananas are ideal for this non dairy dog ice cream, and I always have an overripe banana or two lying around at the end of the week.
Because this recipe doesn’t use common dog ice cream ingredients like plain greek yogurt or goat milk as a base, it actually ends up making a pretty healthy dog ice cream that is dairy free, low fat, and contains no refined or added sugar. It’s also allergy friendly!
Lastly, this dog safe ice cream does not require specialized equipment like an ice cream maker. All you need is a blender or a food processor, and a freezer of course!
Dog Ice Cream Ingredients
According to Dogs Naturally, bananas provide numerous benefits for dogs including:
- Maintaining healthy blood pressure
- Strengthening muscles
- Increasing bone strength
- Improving brain function
- Supercharging immunity
- Improving digestive health
They are packed with potassium and vitamin C, and they provide vitamin B6, manganese, biotin, and copper. And, as you might guess, all of these things are good for humans, too. That said, like with most foods, moderation is key. Bananas are also high in sugar and starch, which can contribute to weight gain and upset tummies when fed in excess!
The amount of non-dairy milk used is so small that it really doesn’t contribute much in terms of health. Be sure to select something that is unsweetened and unflavored, and always double check the ingredients to ensure they are non-toxic. I used Califia Farms almond milk, but a plain coconut milk would work, too. Soy is another option that is dog safe, but soy is also one of the top food allergens for dogs, so it isn’t a great option for everyone.
For my batch of dog friendly ice cream, I decided to add fresh strawberries, which are full of antioxidants, fiber, and more vitamin C. However, the possibilities for this diy dog ice cream recipe really are endless! Think natural unsweetened peanut butter, other types of fresh fruit, or go crazy with a little maple bacon. You could even add some carob powder, which is similar to chocolate except that it isn’t toxic for dogs (check out my recipe for Red Velvet Pupcakes to read more about how carob powder can benefit your dog). Alternatively, you could just leave it plain, because it’s pretty dang good on its own.
How to Make Dog Ice Cream
Of all the ice cream recipes, this one has got to be the easiest. Simply chop up your bananas and freeze. Then, blend the frozen bananas with a little non-dairy milk until it is a smooth consistency. At this stage, you can add in other ingredients like fresh fruit or peanut butter. Either blend, or mix in manually. You can serve this as is, but the texture will be similar to a soft serve. If you prefer a more traditional ice cream type texture, pour into a bread pan to harden for about an hour. If you leave it in the freezer too long, that’s fine too! You’ll just need to let it thaw a little on the counter prior to serving.
Simple, right?
Super Simple Dog Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- High speed blender or food processor
- Bread pan (optional)
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas (the riper the bananas, the sweeter the ice cream)
- 1/4 cup non-dairy milk, unsweetened and unflavored (you can also use raw goat's milk or kefir if you are making a batch just for your dog)
Add on Ideas
- 1-2 tbsp peanut butter
- 2-4 tbsp carob powder
- 1/2 cup frozen fruit like strawberries or blueberries
Instructions
- Peel your ripe bananas, chop them into 1-inch pieces, and freeze until firm.
- Blend in your food processor or high speed blender until smooth, adding up to 1/4 cup of the non-dairy milk as needed.
- Add mix-ins, if desired. You can blend these in (like carob powder) or mix in with a spoon (like frozen fruit).
- Serve immediately for a "soft serve" type texture, or put in a bread pan and freeze for another hour. This will create a more traditional ice cream texture.
- Freeze leftovers for up to a month! Just thaw for a little bit at room temperature before serving.
- Pro tip: serve with a slice of Canine Carrot Cake for the ultimate treat!
Pin This Easy Recipe for NonDairy Dog Ice Cream
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