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    You are here: Home / Ice cream / Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

    Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

    Published: Sep 22, 2022 by Sarah Brooks

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    Three scoops of ice cream in a bowl garnished with walnuts and chocolate chunks with a spoon on the side, and text overlay chunky monkey ice cream.

    This homemade chunky monkey ice cream is full of creamy fresh banana, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chunks and toasty roasted walnuts, yum!

    Three scoops of ice cream in a bowl with a spoon and fresh bananas, walnuts and chocolate chunks on the side.
    Chunky monkey ice cream.
    Jump to:
    • Recipe tips and frequently asked questions
    • Ingredients
    • How to make chunky monkey ice cream
    • How to serve
    • How to store
    • Looking for more yummy dessert recipes?
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why did the monkey cross the road? To get to the chocolate chunky monkey ice cream!

    This chunky monkey banana ice cream has all the things you love about your favorite pint, but in an easy copycat recipe you can make at home. Luscious creamy banana ice cream with generous chunks of semi-sweet chocolate, finished with pieces of roasted walnuts.

    Unlike the original I have dialed up the banana flavor to let the banana shine. And added my homemade chocolate chunks that melt in your mouth and are a joy to eat. Finish it off with roasted walnut pieces and you have a flavor that will have your little monkeys asking for more!

    Looking for more fabulous banana desserts? Why not try making my classic banana split, frosty banana milkshake, luscious caramelized bananas or simple banana ice cream. It's just like chunky monkey, but without the chunks!

    Or if you're in the mood for more delectable ice cream check out my full collection of Cuisinart ice cream maker recipes (that work well in other brands ice cream makers too!).

    Recipe tips and frequently asked questions

    What is chunky monkey ice cream?

    Chunky monkey is banana ice cream with chunks of chocolate and walnuts. The story goes it was suggested by a college student to Ben and Jerry's in the late 1980s. Despite its iconic status this fan favorite can be hard to get hold of. But if you make your own with this copycat recipe you'll never have to miss out on your favorite pint ever again!

    Two scoops of ice cream in a cone, with bananas, walnuts and chocolate chunks in the background.
    Scoops of chunky monkey ice cream in a cone.

    Can I make this without walnuts?

    You sure can. This homemade ice cream would work well with other nuts such as creamy nuts such as almonds or pecans.

    Can I make a no-churn version of this?

    You sure can. To make this without an ice cream machine make the base as per the recipe until you get to the churning part. Put the ice cream into your chilled container and freeze for one hour. Working quickly remove the ice cream from the freezer and whisk it, taking care to scrape the edges which will start to freeze first.

    Return to the freezer for another hour. Remove and whisk again. Repeat for another two to three times or until the ice cream resembles soft-serve ice cream. Add the chocolate chunks and walnut pieces and gently fold through. Then allow it to continue freezing until firm.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients as per main body of text.

    Bananas: make sure your bananas are nice and ripe, the riper the better. Green bananas don't have enough sugars in them.

    Walnuts: are the traditional nut in chunky monkey. If you're not a fan of walnuts you could use something else such as almonds or pecans.

    Brown sugar: also called light brown sugar. The brown sugar gives a lovely caramel note to this recipe. You could experiment with dark brown sugar, or use white sugar but it won't have the same depth of flavor.

    Unsalted Butter (not pictured): because butter makes most things taste better. I use it here to fry the bananas in to caramelize them and make them extra tasty!

    Thickened cream: in Australia I use thickened cream, you could also use whipping cream or heavy whipping cream. Whatever you use needs to have about 35% fat.

    Full fat milk: needs to be full fat milk or around 3.5% fat.

    Vanilla essence: depending on your budget you could use real or imitation vanilla essence, or a scrapped out vanilla pod if prefer.

    Salt: a pinch of salt helps enhance the flavor of this ice cream.

    For the homemade chocolate chunks:

    Semi-sweet chocolate: I find gives the best balance of flavor and contrasts the sweetness of the surrounding banana ice cream. Look for one with about 45% cocoa. You could also try using white, milk or dark chocolate but each will make the ice cream sweeter or a little less sweet.

    Refined coconut oil - sometimes also called expeller-pressed coconut oil. Using refined coconut oil is important because the refining process removed the coconut flavor and smell, resulting in neutral oil.

    How to make chunky monkey ice cream

    See the full recipe card at the end of the post for ingredient amounts and instructions.

    First make the homemade chocolate chunks and roast your walnuts. (if you are using ready-made chocolate you can skip that step).

    Line a container with foil or baking paper. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl in the microwave or a double boiler. Add the coconut oil and mix well. Pour the chocolate mix into the container and put it in the fridge to set.

    Hot tip: the coconut oil lowers the melting temperature of the chocolate. It will be very melty and may even melt in your hands when handling. Try to minimize how much you handle the chips before adding them to the ice cream.

    Process shots: chopping chocolate, setting chocolate and coconut oil mix in foil-lined container, chopping walnuts, dry pan roasting walnuts.

    Chop the walnuts into chunk-sized pieces and dry roast in a frying pan until roasted. As soon as the nuts are done take them off the heat and transfer them to a heat-proof container as they can burn easily.

    Process shots: peeling and slicing bananas, pan frying bananas in butter, adding sugar, swirling pan to dissolve sugar.

    Slice the bananas in half lengthways. Melt the butter in a frying pan or skillet and add the bananas. Fry until starting to brown then carefully flip over. Sprinkle with sugar and gently swirl to dissolve some of the sugar. Cooke for another minute until the bananas are nice and soft and caramelized. Remove from the stove and allow to cool.

    Process shots: adding milk to cream in pot on stove, adding glucose syrup, adding diary to caramelized bananas, adding vanilla extract.

    In a small pot add the milk, cream and glucose syrup. Heat on warm until simmering and the glucose syrup is fully dissolved. All too cool. Put the bananas and dairy mix into a deep-sided jug you can use an immersion/stick blender in. Blend until smooth. Add the vanilla and salt and mix well. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

    Remove the chocolate from its container and chop into chocolate chunk-sized pieces. Put your ice cream storage container in the freezer to chill. If using a self-churning machine, turn it on about ten minutes before you churn your ice cream. Otherwise take the churning bowl out of the freezer right before churning.

    Process shot: blending mix with stick/immersion blending, chopping chocolate into chunks, adding walnuts then chocolate chunks to churning ice cream.

    Pour mix into the ice cream churner and churn. When the ice cream has nearly finished churning add the chocolate chunks and walnut pieces. The ice cream should be nice and thick but still moving around. Don't add the chunks too soon or they will stick in the machine and your ice cream won't churn properly.

    When it's finished churning transfer the ice cream to a chilled container and freeze until firm.

    How to serve

    Scooping ice cream from a pan, with bananas, walnuts and chocolate chunks on the side.
    Scooping chunky monkey ice cream.

    To serve this chunky monkey-flavored ice cream scoop into a bowl and enjoy. Fabulous on its own or with some extra chocolate chunks and roasted walnut pieces sprinkled over the top. Delicious!

    How to store

    You can store this ice cream in an air-tight container in the freezer for two up to weeks for the best texture. It will still taste good after this but may become icier over time.

    Have you made this recipe? Tell me how it went in the comments below and tag me on instagram so I can see your delicious creations! @keep_calm_and_eat_icecream

    Looking for more yummy dessert recipes?

    Why not try making

    • Banana Split
    • Easy Caramelized Bananas
    • Banana Milkshake
    • Banana Ice Cream
    • Peanut Butter Ice Cream

    Follow me on Facebook or Pinterest for many more delicious recipes.

    Three scoops of ice cream in a bowl with a spoon and fresh bananas, walnuts and chocolate chunks on the side.
    Chunky monkey ice cream in a bowl.

    📋 Recipe

    Close up of three scoops of ice cream in a bowl.

    Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

    Author: Sarah Brooks
    This homemade chunky monkey ice cream is full of creamy fresh banana, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chunks and toasty roasted walnuts, yum!
    5 from 8 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Plus chilling time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 serves (â…” cup each)
    Calories 662 kcal

    Equipment

    • ice cream machine/churner

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup (100gms) semi sweet chocolate
    • 2 & ½ teaspoons (10gms) refined coconut oil
    • 1 cup (100gms) walnut pieces
    • 1 tablespoon (20gms) unsalted butter
    • 4 small (500gms) ripe bananas
    • â…” cup (145gms) brown sugar
    • 1 cup (250mls) thickened cream
    • 1 cup (250mls) milk
    • (10gms) glucose syrup
    • 1 pinch salt
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Make the homemade chocolate chunks and roast your walnuts.
    • Line a container with foil or baking paper. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl in the microwave or a double boiler. Add coconut oil and mix well. Pour the into the lined container and put it in the fridge to set.
    • Chop the walnuts into chunk sized pices and dry roast in a frying pan. As soon as the nuts are done take them off the heat and transfer them to a heat-proof container as they can burn easily.
    • Slice the bananas in half lengthways. Melt the butter in a frying pan or skillet and add the bananas. Fry until starting to brown then carefully flip over. Sprinkle with sugar and gently swirl to dissolve some of the sugar.
    • Cooke for another minute until the bananas are nice and soft and caramelized. Remove from the stove and allow to cool.
    • In a small pot add the milk, cream and glucose syrup. Heat on warm until simmering and the glucose syrup is fully dissolved. Allow too cool.
    • Put the bananas and dairy mix into a deep-sided jug you can use an immersion/stick blender in. Blend until smooth. Add the vanilla and salt and mix well. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
    • Remove the chocolate from its container and chop into chocolate chunk-sized pieces. Put your ice cream storage container in the freezer to chill. If using a self-churning machine, turn it on about ten minutes before you churn your ice cream. Otherwise take the churning bowl out of the freezer right before churning.
    • Pour mix into the ice cream churner and churn. When the ice cream has nearly finished churning add the chocolate chunks and walnut pieces. The ice cream should be nice and thick but still moving around. Don't add the chunks too soon or they will stick in the machine and your ice cream won't churn properly.
    • When it's finished churning transfer the ice cream to a chilled container and freeze until firm.

    Notes

    • Homemade chocolate chunks make this ice cream a joy to eat, but if you are short on time you can use a chocolate bar instead.  
    • Glucose syrup is available from many supermarkets and specialty baking stores.  It greatly improves the texture and scoopability of the ice cream.  You can make the ice cream without it but the ice cream will set harder and you may need to put it in the fridge for five to fifteen minutes before serving to make it soft enough to scoop.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 662kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 20gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 42mgPotassium: 445mgFiber: 4gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 668IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate based on an online database. The nutritional content of ingredients may vary by brand. If you require accurate nutritional information, you should calculate this based on the specific brands and products you are using.

    Keywords: banana ice cream
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    Three scoops of ice cream in a bowl garnished with walnuts and chocolate chunks with a spoon on the side, and text overlay chunky monkey ice cream.

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    Two scoops of ice cream in a cone, with bananas, walnuts and chocolate chunks in the background.
    Chunky monkey banana ice cream.

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    Comments

      5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Audrey says

      October 15, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      5 stars
      My kids loved this ice cream

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks says

        October 17, 2022 at 11:04 am

        Mine to! My four year old also tried to pick out the chocolate to eat 😀

        Reply
    2. Giangi Townsend says

      October 15, 2022 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      What a fantastic ice cream!! Love the sweetness and the chunks. Super easy to make too, which is a plus in muy book. Thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks says

        October 17, 2022 at 11:03 am

        You're welcome Giangi, easy and chunky is a winning combo 🙂

        Reply
    3. Crystal says

      October 15, 2022 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, I didn't realize how easy it would be to make chunky monkey ice cream at home! Your instructions are easy to follow! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks says

        October 17, 2022 at 11:04 am

        Thanks Crystal. Yup chunkey monkey isn't always available, now you can whip it up at home instead 🙂

        Reply
    4. Judith says

      October 15, 2022 at 6:52 pm

      5 stars
      This ice cream combines some of my favourite ingredients. Perfect!

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks says

        October 17, 2022 at 11:06 am

        Thanks Judith, what's not to love about banana, chocolate and walnuts right? 🙂

        Reply
    5. Shelby says

      October 15, 2022 at 11:39 pm

      5 stars
      Chunky monkey is my love language, this ice cream is bliss!

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks says

        October 17, 2022 at 11:06 am

        Glade I speak your language Shelby, my family loved this one to!

        Reply
    6. nancy says

      October 16, 2022 at 12:58 am

      5 stars
      wow this banana and chocolate ice cream is so tasty and really satisfying.

      Reply
      • Sarah Brooks says

        October 17, 2022 at 11:05 am

        Thanks Nancy. Can't really go wrong with banana and chocolate can you? 🙂

        Reply
    Three scoops of ice cream in a bowl garnished with walnuts and chocolate chunks with a spoon on the side, and text overlay chunky monkey ice cream.
    Sarah and Damian eating ice cream
    Ice cream from my favorite ice cream shop on our wedding - we even gave the guests gift vouchers for ice cream!

    Hi I’m Sarah and welcome to Keep Calm and Eat Ice-cream.

    I’ll be sharing all the things I love about ice-cream, eating it, making it, reviewing it, bathing it in (kidding) and all the things in between. So sit back, grab a scoop and come on a delicious journey with me.

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