Spoon on into this WATERMELON GELATO: it’s easy, healthy, and refreshingly delicious.
Now, it’s no secret that ice cream is one of my favorite foods. I’ve posted a few times about that.
Gelato, on the other hand, not always my sweet spot.
When a gelateria has dairy-free options, I can’t seem to find a happy medium. There are 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 fruit-based gelato: pear, mango, strawberry, melon. I sometimes like the mango, or the melon, but most often they are very sickly sweet.
What’s a girl to do?
Make her own!
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, use it for smoothies for the kids.
A couple days later it was stinking hot here, and I thought I’d whip them up a watermelon smoothie. Then I thought:
WATEMELON GELATO!
It was easy, it was delightful!
Unlike gelateria melon sorbet, 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).
A few of tips before you get started:
- Cube the watermelon and freeze on a baking sheet, as per recipe directions.
- 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.
- This watermelon gelato is best enjoyed immedieately, or after setting in freezer for just an hour or so.
- It’s amazing. Refreshing. Delightful! If the watermelon gelato freezes longer, it’s still fine! It’s just the texture becomes a little more watery when it need to thaw slightly. In theory, you could break it up and puree again, but good gawd the dishes, who needs that???
- 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.
Ok, ready? WATERMELON GELATO awaits!
Share your thoughts below… x Dreena
2-Ingredient Watermelon Gelato
Watermelon gets even better when frozen and churned into this refreshing, sugar-free, dairy-free gelato. It's magical!
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!
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.
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Nancy
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
Oh, wonderful! I hope you love it as much as we do, thanks Nancy.
Allison
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
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
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
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Susan Bishop
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
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
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
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
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
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
This looks so refreshing, I cant wait to try it this summer!
Jules Shepard
As a lover of watermelon and gelato I’m sold!
D
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
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
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
good treat, Dreena
Veronica Doyle
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
I can’t wait, I need to try this!! Thank you!!
Dreena
Awesome, thanks – and enjoy.
Marina
This is my kind of recipe! Simple, and beautiful. This sounds super delicious!!
Strength and Sunshine
A summer must before watermelon season is sadly gone!
Dreena
I think I cry just a bit every year when summer is done!
George Milliken
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
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
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
I am trying this tonight!
Thank you.
Jaye
Dreena
terrific! Hope you enjoy it
Scottie draper
I have been on a watermelon kick lately. Thanks for sharing!
Dreena
Thanks Scottie, hope you enjoy it, then!
Linda from Veganosity
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
Ditto, Linda! I get it for the kids, and enjoy a little of theirs – then done. Thanks for the note.
Sarah Newman, Vegan Chickpea
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
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
Morning! I am allergic to bananas and was wondering if you have any thoughts about a substitute? Thanks so much!
Dreena
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!