A Refreshing Summer Dessert: Banana Nut Affogato

Healthy Banana Nut Affogato: Your Next-Level Summer Dessert

Friends, we all know I’m a big fan of healthy desserts, and this healthy dairy-free affogato. Especially in summer, adding a healthy dessert to the end of your next BBQ or even just a casual weeknight dinner is a way to take it to the next level. This one is great for the hot summer months when all you want is something nice and refreshing to cool down with after dinner.

This healthy dairy-free affogato is one of my all time favorites, because it doubles as a great pick me up if you need a burst of energy! Affogato, if you are unfamiliar, is an Italian dessert that usually uses the pairing of vanilla gelato with a shot of hot espresso (for this I use Nespresso!), which gets poured over the top. You’re left with a hot-and-cold milkshake like drink to enjoy after dinner. You can see why it would become a favorite in my kitchen 🙂

What makes this banana nut affogato healthy?

Healthy desserts can be surprisingly delicious! The bananas in this dairy-free banana ice cream give this banana affogato a luxurious creamy texture and natural sweetness that pairs so well with the bitterness of espresso.

Bananas are also a great source of vitamins and minerals, including potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, and B6. These make bananas a great source of nutrients for digestion, heart health, and strong bones.

Espresso, in addition to being a great pick-me-up for energy in the morning, has been proven to improve mood by elevating the levels of your neurotransmitters responsible for happiness! So this recipe is definitely what I would consider a major win.

You also have plenty of healthy fats in this recipe from your almond butter and coconut cream!

What makes this banana nut affogato easy to make?

This one is quite possibly one of the simplest recipes I have made! It just requires a few simple ingredients and a blender. By far the hardest part is probably just waiting for it to freeze. While you can ideally wait for it to set overnight, even just a quick 30 minutes in the freezer should make it easy to scoop out into bowls for serving. But the overnight freeze just helps ensure you can get those gorgeous ice-cream like scoops.

When you’re ready to serve, just top your healthy dairy-free affogato with a splash of your favorite espresso (Nespresso is my go-to) and your favorite toppings, and you’re ready to enjoy!

For more healthy, easy recipes, download my 21-recipe FREE ebook! And check out below how to make this dreamy dairy-free dessert!

Recipe: Healthy Dairy-Free Affogato

Prep Time: 20 minutes (or optional overnight freeze)
Cook Time: N/A
Cost: $2-4
Skill: Super Easy

The Color Code:

Color: yellow (digestion, heart health, immunity)
Perfect for: a healthy dessert, a mid-day energy boost

Health Facts, per serving:

Calories: 561 cals
Carbs: 50g
Fat: 43g
Protein: 8g

Ingredients: (Serves 2)

For this one, you’ll start with this recipe for my Vegan Coconut Ice cream, so refer there for your base ingredients!

You’ll also need:
1 shot espresso (I use this one from Nespresso!)
optional toppings (cacao nibs, choc chips, or toasted coconut like in the recipe above!

Method:

1. Make your banana coconut ice cream, following the recipe here!
2. Once blended, freeze your coconut ice cream in a small loaf tin for at least 20 minutes or overnight to get it extra frozen.
3. When ready to serve, brew a couple of shots of your favorite espresso.
4. Pour espresso over top of the ice cream.
5. Add your toppings of choice, and serve!