Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

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Rich banana ice cream, decadent chocolate chunks, and crunchy walnuts create a tantalizing dessert you won’t soon forget. This delightful recipe for Chunky Monkey Ice Cream is the perfect indulgence.

Two small bowls of banana ice cream with visible chunks of walnuts and chocolate each sport the wooden handle of a spoon sticking out

What is Chunky Monkey Ice Cream?

Once, I was like you, looking at this name, and wondering to myself, “What is Chunky Monkey Ice Cream?” But, now that I have many sweet summers and delicious scoops under my belt, I can share the secrets of this delicious treat.

This variety was developed by Ben and Jerry’s, featuring pieces of walnuts and fudge (chunky) in banana flavored ice cream (monkey). And, it has been charming taste buds for over 30 years.

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But, now you can make homemade chunky monkey ice cream in the comfort of your own kitchen, to the delight of your family and friends.

Chunky Monkey Ice Cream Recipe

You will need the following ingredients to make this chunky monkey ice cream recipe:

  • heavy cream
  • milk
  • sugar
  • kosher salt
  • vanilla extract
  • very ripe bananas
  • walnuts
  • chocolate chips
  • coconut oil or vegetable oil
a top down shot of a scoop of chunky monkey ice cream in a white bowl with a wooden-handled spoon

Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

Start by whisking together the cream, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Place the bananas in a smaller bowl use a fork to mash them well. Add them to the ice cream mixture and stir or whisk to combine.

Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions.

A top down photo of a metal loaf pan containing banana ice cream that has been drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with chopped walnuts

While the ice cream is churning, place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe, glass bowl. Microwave for 90-120 seconds until softened. Stir to melt.

Then, let the chocolate rest at room temperature while the ice cream finishes churning. Do NOT add to ice cream while still warm.

Scoop the finished ice cream into an airtight container, drizzling chocolate and sprinkling walnuts over each scoop as it is added to the container. Swirl lightly with a knife or the end of a spoon and drizzle any remaining chocolate over the top of the ice cream. Place in the freezer until ready to serve.

a close up shot of a white bowl on a wooden table. the bowl contains creamy banana ice cream and chunks of chocolate and walnuts

Chunky Ice Cream

It’s hard to believe that once, ice cream was only ever made to be smooth and creamy. Personally, I adore flavors of chunky ice cream that add texture and depth, like this dreamy chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream recipe, or this peanut butter Nutty Bars ice cream recipe.

I may also have hidden a pint or two of cookies and cream ice cream from my kids in my day. And, the berry flavor in this blueberry chocolate chunk recipe is one of my favorites.

a small bowl of chunky monkey ice cream with a red and white checkered towel in the background

You can’t really go wrong with the classic chocolate chip cookie dough. But, if you’re into cookies, I highly recommend trying monster cookie ice cream (and cookie monster ice cream), too!

And, if you have reached the recipe card only to find that your bananas are not quite ripe enough, just know that hope is not lost. In the absence of bananas, you can find yourself with these brownies with walnuts. And, that’s still a win!

An old fashioned ice cream scoop rests in the corner of a metal pan containing banana ice cream that has been drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with chopped walnuts

With over 70 ice cream recipes here to choose from, there’s sure to be an ice cream for everyone! If you’re new to making ice cream, the best and easiest vanilla ice cream is a great place to start.

These are my favorite inexpensive containers for storing ice cream. They’re perfect for gifting (who doesn’t love homemade ice cream?) storage, re-using, etc. I write the flavors on the lids with a sharpie and it washes off with dish soap.

I have more ice cream scoops than I can keep track of at this point and I definitely play favorites. This ice cream scoop does the best job ever of cutting through firm ice cream and still delivers a pretty scoop. It gets bonus points for being one of the least expensive scoops I own as well.

Don’t miss our Ice Cream Maker Review for all the information you need to find the BEST Ice Cream Maker for your needs! Spoiler alert – our top-rated machine under $50 just might surprise you. It sure surprised me!

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a close up shot of a white bowl on a wooden table. the bowl contains creamy banana ice cream and chunks of chocolate and walnuts

Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

5 from 1 vote
Rich banana ice cream, decadent chocolate chunks, and crunchy walnuts make this recipe for Chunky Monkey Ice Cream the perfect indulgence.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 very ripe bananas about ⅔ cup mashed
  • ½ cup walnuts chopped small

Chocolate Chunk Ingredients

  • cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons refined (unflavored) coconut oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

Ice Cream

  • Whisk together the cream, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Place the bananas in a medium bowl and use a fork to smash them well. Add them to the ice cream mixture and stir or whisk to combine.
  • Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions.

Chocolate Chunks

  • While the ice cream is churning, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small glass bowl. Microwave for 90-120 seconds until softened. Stir to melt.
  • Let the chocolate rest at room temperature while the ice cream finishes churning. Do NOT add to ice cream while still warm.
  • Scoop the finished ice cream into an airtight container, drizzling chocolate and sprinkling walnuts over each scoop as it is added to the container. Swirl lightly with a knife or the end of a spoon and drizzle any remaining chocolate over the top of the ice cream. Place in the freezer until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal · Carbohydrates: 31g · Protein: 4g · Fat: 26g · Saturated Fat: 14g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g · Monounsaturated Fat: 6g · Trans Fat: 0.01g · Cholesterol: 47mg · Sodium: 60mg · Potassium: 307mg · Fiber: 2g · Sugar: 25g · Vitamin A: 624IU · Vitamin C: 3mg · Calcium: 80mg · Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!
a white ceramic bowl of chunky monkey ice cream sits on a wooden table with a red and white checkered tea towel in the background

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Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

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  1. Louis says

    Gave 5 stars because it sounds amazing. But the inevitable question you were probably (hopefully expecting) is here.
    Can I make it without an icecream maker?
    Ta very much xx5 stars