2 Easy Dairy-Free Nice Cream Recipes (Strawberry Banana & Piña Colada)

If you're a Thyroid Thriver, you may know this feeling: It’s a hot summer day, everyone’s lined up for cones and milkshakes, and you’re left wondering if there’s anything you can enjoy that won’t leave you bloated, inflamed, or doubled-over with regret later.

I’ve been there, and I know how frustrating it can feel when one of life’s simple pleasures—a cold, creamy treat on a summer day—is off-limits because you’re trying to eat for healing. Dairy is the second most common dietary trigger for Thyroid Thrivers (after gluten), and if you're on an anti-inflammatory gut-healing protocol, like Paleo or AIP, it's off-limits. 

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to miss out.

Enter Nice Cream: A naturally sweet, dairy-free alternative to ice cream, made with real fruit, blended to creamy perfection.

Here’s why these Nice Creams are a game-changer for Thyroid Thrivers:

• Dairy-free and refined sugar-free

• Gluten-free, Paleo-, and AIP-friendly

• No ice cream maker needed

• Ready in minutes with simple ingredients

• Satisfying and naturally sweet—no crash, no FOMO

In today’s episode of The Hypothyroid Chef Show, I’m sharing two go-to flavors:

• Strawberry Banana – a classic crowd-pleaser

• Piña Colada – with pineapple, banana, coconut cream & a hint of lime

🎥 Watch the full recipe demo on YouTube: 2 Easy Dairy-Free Nice Cream Recipes (Strawberry Banana + Piña Colada)

If you’re looking for a frozen treat that delivers the joy of ice cream without the dairy/sugar aftermath, this is it. Let’s blend!

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2 Easy Dairy-Free Nice Cream Recipes: A Thyroid-Friendly Treat

These Nice Creams are made with simple, real-food ingredients and just a few basic kitchen tools—no ice cream maker required.

To start, you’ll slice and freeze ripe bananas, strawberries, and fresh pineapple. Freezing the fruit flat on a parchment-lined tray helps prevent ice crystals and gives your Nice Cream that ultra-smooth, sorbet-like texture.

Time-Saving Tip: You can use pre-packaged frozen fruit instead of prepping and freezing it yourself. Just make sure it’s unsweetened (and ideally, organic) for best results.

For the Strawberry Banana Nice Cream, I used my YoNanas machine, which turns frozen fruit into soft-serve with no added liquid—perfect for a naturally sweet, scoopable, and kid-friendly dessert. Just feed the fruit through the chute and enjoy!

The Piña Colada version I made in my mini food processor. Simply blend frozen banana and pineapple with full-fat coconut cream, a drizzle of honey, and a squeeze of optional lime for am umbrella-worthy tropical treat. You may need to stop, scrape down the sides, and stir a few times using this method, but the result is a creamy, dairy-free treat that tastes like vacation in a bowl.

You can also use a high-powered blender with a tamper if that’s what you have on hand. If needed, add a splash of dairy-free milk to get things moving. However, my preferred method (and this is KEY to making nice cream) is to let the fruit thaw slightly for about 10 minutes prior to blending, which yields a perfectly smooth, sorbet-like texture without ice crystals or graininess. 

These recipes come together quickly and easily with the right tools. 

Here are my go-to gadgets and ingredients: 

• YoNanas Machine – for perfect soft-serve texture

• Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor – great for small batches

• Let's Do Organic Coconut Cream – I like this brand because it has one simple ingredient (okay, two if you count water). Since it's guar-free, it's also AIP-friendly, and if you'd like to make your own Paleo and AIP-compliant Coconut Whipped Cream, this is the stuff! 

• Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop – This has some kind of magical power that pulls heat through the handle and makes extra pretty scoops. I don't understand it, but I love it!

Garnishes & Toppings: Take Your Nice Cream to the Next Level

One of my favorite things about Nice Cream is how easily it can be dressed up with toppings that add texture, flavor, and visual appeal, without sabotaging your thyroid-friendly intentions.

These finishing touches don’t just look pretty—they enhance the experience and even add a few extra nutrients:

Dairy-Free Whipped Cream: 

For that classic sundae vibe, top your Nice Cream with a generous dollop of whipped coconut cream.
I'll teach you how to make your own in my Dairy-Free Whipped Cream Tutorial!

Prefer a shortcut? My favorite store-bought option is So Delicious CocoWhip. You can find it in the freezer aisle of most grocery stores. While it's not Paleo or AIP-compliant, it's dairy-free and features a relatively clean ingredient list. It’s also light, creamy, and freezer-friendly.

Pro Tip: Try it on top of summer berries or mixed with cacao nibs and my next favorite garnish option (dehydrated strawberries), for a crunchy, creamy, lower-calorie ice cream alternative. 

Freeze-Dried Strawberries:

These tart, crunchy little gems add a fun texture contrast and a concentrated pop of berry flavor. I love using them as a natural, no-sugar-added topping. I use Karen's Naturals "Just Organic Strawberries". This single-ingredient pantry product has become a year-round staple in my kitchen, perfect for healthy snacking or adding a colorful finishing touch. 

Cacao Nibs: 

Cacao nibs add a bittersweet chocolate crunch that pairs beautifully with fruit-based desserts. Bonus: they’re rich in magnesium and antioxidants, which may support mood and reduce oxidative stress—two things thyroid Thrivers often need more of.

Fresh Herbs:

If you've been with me for a while, you know I love cooking with fresh herbs. Fresh mint adds a cooling contrast and a beautiful color pop atop these fruity, frosty nice creams. Want to mix it up? Try fresh basil, especially with the strawberry-banana flavor, for a surprising and elevated twist.

These simple additions not only add eye-appeal; they can turn a scoop of Nice Cream into a gourmet (and totally thyroid-friendly) summer treat.

Thyroid-Healthy Recipe Highlights

These Nice Cream recipes aren’t just refreshing. They’re packed with nutrient-dense ingredients that support your vitality, digestion, thyroid function, and overall wellness. Here’s a quick look at the thyroid-friendly benefits in every bite:

• Bananas: Rich in potassium and natural sweetness, bananas support adrenal health and electrolyte balance—two things often disrupted in thyroid and autoimmune conditions.
• Strawberries: Loaded with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, strawberries help combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Just be sure to choose organic when possible to avoid pesticide exposure.
• Pineapple: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that supports digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also a natural source of vitamin C, which can help boost immune resilience.
• Coconut Cream: Full-fat coconut cream provides healthy saturated fats that support hormone production and energy levels, especially helpful if your thyroid is underactive.
• Raw Honey: Used in small amounts, raw honey offers trace minerals and antioxidants. It’s a more thyroid-friendly choice than refined sugars and may help satisfy sweet cravings without the heavy-handed use of added sugar found in most packaged frozen treats.

Thyroid-Friendly Pantry Snacks & Foods Guide!

Looking for more store-bought frozen treats that won't bring you down? In my Thyroid-Friendly Pantry Snacks & Foods Guide, I’ve compiled a curated list of 38 clean, convenient packaged foods that I personally use and love, including my favorite dairy-free ice creams.

This 9-page printable PDF includes:

• Gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo, and AIP options
• Pantry staples, grab-and-go snacks, and travel-friendly picks
• Shopping links and brand names you can trust
• My favorite dairy-free ice creams and gluten-free pizza crust 

This is the guide I wish I had when I was newly diagnosed and trying to figure out how to live gluten and dairy-free without missing out. Whether you're navigating a new way of eating, managing Hashimoto’s, or just looking for stress-free thyroid-friendly options, this freebie will help you feel more prepared, less overwhelmed, and ready for anything!

→ Click here to download your free copy now

You Got This, Thyroid Thriver! 

With these recipes, I wanted to shine a light on the place where your wellness journey and the joy of dessert intersect. Because those two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive, dear Thriver. These recipes are for the moments when you’re craving a treat, but want to stay kind to your body. Because feeling good and enjoying life should never be at odds. Thriving doesn't work that way. 

Remember: You got this. And if you're navigating the world of thyroid-healthy, anti-inflammatory eating alone, or just trying to make health- and energy-supporting food feel joyful again, I’m here for you. 💛

For an exclusive library of recipes like this, along with weekly thyroid-friendly meal plans and my complete recipe vault, check out the Thrivers Club! Inside, you'll have my personal support and guidance, along with an entire community of other Thrivers who get it. Think of it as your thyroid-friendly kitchen companion. I've created these supportive resources to help you thrive. 

Always cheering you on, 

P.S. Love these recipes? You might enjoy these other thyroid-friendly frosty treats:

• Chocolate Protein Smoothie
• AIP Tigernut Smoothie Bowl
• Paula's Chocolate Cherry Delight
• Banana Orange Creamsicle Protein Smoothie
• Cranberry Zinger