Watermelon desserts are one of the best desserts, and this watermelon gelato is proof of that. It’s so easy to make, and no ice cream maker is required. This watermelon recipe is dairy-free, sugar-free, fat-free, and vegan. The best part? It only requires 2 ingredients to make it!
I posted this Watermelon Gelato recipe a few years back. Since it isn’t in one of my current books and is consistently a top recipe on Pinterest, I’m updating it for you with new photos. (As a side, I have included this recipe in Dreena’s Kind Kitchen, which is now on sale for just over $15)!
I have always loved ice cream. And dairy-free ice creams have come a long way.
But when we go out for gelato, I don’t care for most of the flavors.
When a gelateria has dairy-free options, they are most often the tart-fruit sorbets: lemon, grapefruit, lime, sometimes the berry blends. Too sour, not enjoyable for me. I won’t even bother.
Then there are the sweeter dairy-free gelato: pear, mango, strawberry, melon. I sometimes like the mango, or the melon, but most often they are too sweet.
What’s a girl to do?
Make her own!
What to Make with Watermelons: Dairy-Free Gelato!
Hubby bought a couple of gorgeous watermelons, and I didn’t want to just wedge them up for snacking. I figured I’d freeze some, and use it for smoothies for the kids.
A couple of days later it was stinking hot here, and I thought I’d whip them up a watermelon smoothie. Then I thought: Watermelon Gelato
It was easy, it was delightful!
Unlike a store-bought dairy-free gelato, this watermelon gelato isn’t sickly sweet, and it’s a touch creamier thanks to the addition of ripe banana.
That’s the trick, the addition of the banana makes it so slightly creamy, and the banana flavor doesn’t come through (if you’re not a huge fan of bananas or nice cream).
How to Make Watermelon Gelato
A few of tips before you get started:
- Cube the watermelon and freeze on a baking sheet.
Note: I rarely do this day to day for food preparation. I’m too food-rushed to bother!
Most times I just chuck fruit (sliced bananas, berries) in a ziploc bag. If they stick together, I whack that bag on the counter until it yields. Anger management. 🤪
Yeah, you could do this here too, but it’s easier to freeze in cubes beforehand.
The watermelon freezes quickly, and you can then pop into a ziploc bag or container until ready to make the watermelon gelato.
- Don’t add liquid to the puree!
The watermelon is already so moisture-rich. Let it do its thing, and the watermelon gelato will be perfecto! Food processor is easiest, but a rambo blender will also work.
- Make it creamier!
If you want to add something for additional creaminess, try adding 1-2 tbsp of raw cashew butter. I wouldn’t use roasted nut butter or almond butter, it isn’t as mellow in flavor. You could also add 1-2 tbsp of coconut cream.
- This watermelon gelato is best enjoyed immediately, or after setting in freezer for just an hour or so.
If the watermelon gelato freezes longer, it’s still fine! It’s just that the texture becomes a little more watery when it needs to thaw out.
- Sweetener is truly optional. I tested adding 1/2 – 1 tbsp of coconut nectar or cassava syrup (new sweetener for me). Use only if your banana isn’t really overripe or you think the sweetness is not quite to your liking.
Ready? WATERMELON GELATO awaits!
Share your thoughts below… x Dreena
Love vegan ice cream too? Here are a few vegan ice cream recipes I’ve shared in the past:
- Chocolate Gelato
- Homemade Pineapple Whip
- Chai Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Vegan Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
- Chai Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Cardamom-Scented Peach Ice Cream
Vegan Watermelon Gelato (Only 2 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 5 cups frozen cubed watermelon see note
- 1 cup sliced overripe banana (frozen or room temp) see note
- 1/2 – 1 tbsp coconut nectar or cassava syrup OPTIONAL (see note)
- 1-2 tbsp raw cashew butter, OPTIONAL (see note)
Instructions
- Add watermelon and banana to a food processor (if you prefer to use a blender, it must be high-speed for this recipe). Pulse to first mince the frozen fruit, and then once in slivers or small pieces, switch to puree.
- Puree until smooth, stopping to scrape down food processor once or twice. Taste, and if you’d like it a little sweeter, add the sweetener to taste. Serve, or transfer to the freezer for an hour or more for a firmer set gelato.
Notes
- Sweetener is truly optional, there is usually enough natural sweetness in the watermelon and ripe banana.
- For additional ‘creaminess’, add 1-2 tbsp raw cashew butter.
Food photos by Angela MacNeil
This post was originally published August, 2017 and has been updated for July, 2022.
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Lucia says
HELP: I mistakenly thought my VitaMix 5200 would be “rambo” enough (as you say) to process this. By design, I learned, the VitaMix needs some added liquid to help draw frozen chunks/dice through the blades. The machine struggled ominously, I was afraid the motor would fail.
The gelato is delicious, a huge hit with us. I look forward to making it again *** with your advice re machine.
Would a mid-range horsepower food processor (perhaps a Cuisinart 14-cup) be narly adequate enough to do the job? Thank you.
Gs says
!!!!One thing thats super important is to wash your water melon before you cut in to it , Beacause of Listeria and other bacteria.!!!
Love this recipe but did not have cashew so i had to freeze the fruits and make later when i find the thickener to use There are some nut allergy here so iam going to make it so everyone can eat it . Thank you so much for sharing
Dreena Burton says
Yes, I wash ALL my produce, great to mention that – thanks.
Nancy says
OMG…this is sooooo delicious. I meant to try it when I saw it in your cookbook, and the reminder made it happen. Especially since I had watermelon cubes in the freezer. We loved it and so easy peasy! Thank you Dreena.
Marianne says
Loved this! Watermelons are in season and huge here in Greece so freezing a portion works for me. I put the leftover gelato in small popsicle molds. Perfect for a quick and small treat without having to wait for it to thaw a little.
Will be trying your pineapple whip next.
Julie says
Delicious with a teaspoon of honey.
Karen says
We just put some frozen watermelon cubes in our snow cone machine and what came out was delicious! Looking forward to trying this recipe too!
Dreena says
That sounds fun too, Karen – thanks, and enjoy!
Sam says
How many 1/2 cup servings do you think this recipe makes?
Dreena says
Hi Sam, it makes about (roughly) 5 cups total.
Peg says
Our mini-fridge we use for beverages runs cold and we ran out of space in the main fridge. So we put the watermelon in it, not thinking and it froze!! Looking for recipes that used frozen watermelon and cane upon this one. Can’t wait to try!
Dreena says
Hi Peg, well I’m glad you can make use of the frozen watermelon! Hope it works for you. 🙂
Nancy says
I can’t wait to try this! We just finished a small watermelon so will have to send hubby to the store for another.
Thanks for the other tips, also, for variety’s sake. You’re the best!!
Dreena says
Oh, wonderful! I hope you love it as much as we do, thanks Nancy.
Allison says
I rarely take the time to go back and comment on recipes I’ve made from Pinterest but this was warranted the time- YUMO! Perfect summer treat! Easy and amazingly delicious! And it’s fruit – so healthy- win win! I’m dairy free so will definitely be adding this into the rotation!
Dreena says
Hi Allison, well I sure appreciate that you took the time to leave a note and review. Thank you very much, and I hope you enjoy the recipe all through summer!
Maddy L says
Just made this and it was great! I added a couple of mint leaves because I love watermelon and mint together and it was delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Susan Bishop says
It is so delicious! I froze two bags of about sux cups of watermelon each, so I made a little more melon than the recipe called for i used two bananas and more than a tablespoon of honey.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great way to use up the other half of a watermelon & store it for later! Sometimes they are too big & it’s hard to get through the whole thing!
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great way to use up the other half of a watermelon & store it for later! Sometimes they are too big & it’s hard to get through the whole thing!
claire says
I found this watermelon ice cream really delicious and creamy. I did a smaller batch but it still turned out really good – would definitely recommend. I found that my watermelon and banana was a bit too frozen for the blender so I would leave it to thaw a bit before blending.
Jackie says
Love the easy process and of course the list of ingredients. I’m a Ice Cream lover but after bariatric surgery it’s out of my league. I has try sugar free gelato out there and is not my taste. Thanks for this options!!!
Alisa says
This looks good 🙂 I haven’t tried nice cream with watermelon yet. I just made some with cantaloupe though yesterday and the flavor combo was pretty good!
Celeste says
This looks so refreshing, I cant wait to try it this summer!
Jules Shepard says
As a lover of watermelon and gelato I’m sold!
D says
I tweaked it myself with half a ripe banana instead of whole, and then 2 teaspoons of condensed milk and a tablespoon of coconut milk from a can. You wouldn’t believe how incredible it was! My kids loved it.
Tina MARIE says
I look forward to trying this and it doesnt have to be summer either let me find a watermelon a nd thats all she wrote. Lol. Thanks so much, Tina Marie:)
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yum! As a passionate lover of watermelon and ice cream, this is my perfect treat! Too bad that I have to wait until the next summer to prepare it, Deena!
kim says
good treat, Dreena
Veronica Doyle says
I bought a seedless watermelon and froze chunks in a glass container. i just wondered how about those white random seeds? How about the random black ones? Thanks!
Mafe says
I can’t wait, I need to try this!! Thank you!!
Dreena says
Awesome, thanks – and enjoy.
Marina says
This is my kind of recipe! Simple, and beautiful. This sounds super delicious!!
Strength and Sunshine says
A summer must before watermelon season is sadly gone!
Dreena says
I think I cry just a bit every year when summer is done!
George Milliken says
This isn’t really a gelato. It is really a Watermelon smoothie with banana and then frozen. A froothie. Having said that, this is a ingenious way to use watermelon as a frozen desert. I admire people that can get this creative and develop a wonderful tasty desert. Kudos to the chef..
Elena says
This watermelon sorbet sounds yummy! I’m going to make some tonight, in fact!
However, I’m with George, it is not gelato. Gelato is Italian ice cream – made with dairy and sugar. Sorbet is dairy free, and usually made with fruit. With that said, I can’t wait to use up all the watermelon in my fridge with this recipe! I can’t have gelato or ice cream because of the dairy, so this will hit the spot!
Katy says
I say she can call it gelato if she wants! 🙂 That’s what she’s using it to replace in her diet. That’s what it reminded her of. She’s using the banana for the creaminess factor that reminds her of gelato. That’s the freedom of vegan cooking. We don’t stick with the traditional ingredients to get the flavors and textures we want. It’s all about breaking the rules and breaking with tradition! 🙂
DONALD BARR says
I am trying this tonight!
Thank you.
Jaye
Dreena says
terrific! Hope you enjoy it
Scottie draper says
I have been on a watermelon kick lately. Thanks for sharing!
Dreena says
Thanks Scottie, hope you enjoy it, then!
Linda from Veganosity says
I hear ya on the sickeningly sweet store bought gelato. Two bites is the most I can handle. Yours sounds like I would be able to eat a huge bowl and then want more. 🙂
Dreena says
Ditto, Linda! I get it for the kids, and enjoy a little of theirs – then done. Thanks for the note.
Sarah Newman, Vegan Chickpea says
Totally agree about not enjoying the dairy free options for gelato that exist out there! I’ve never made my own but this sounds spectacular, especially for summer!
Dreena says
Thanks Sarah! I feel like we’re in a time where dairy-free ice cream options should just BE. Or, just because I should have it. 🙂
Angie says
Morning! I am allergic to bananas and was wondering if you have any thoughts about a substitute? Thanks so much!
Dreena says
Hi Angie, yep, I have 2 ideas. First, you can just go straight up watermelon, and maybe add just a tbsp of coconut cream/milk (the thick cream from a can) for extra creaminess. Or, try subbing frozen mango, if you think you’d like the mango/watermelon combo. Mango lends some creaminess, but might not be as sweet so you could add that touch of sweetener. Good luck!