Nothing tastes better than a juicy watermelon on a hot summer day… and it’s even better if you can take that watermelon and turn it into a cool refreshing treat.
Is such a thing possible? It sure is, and we have a recipe to prove it!
Introducing our Watermelon Ice Cream recipe – made without dairy and gluten, and worries. Initially inspired by Nutrition in the Kitch (1), we’re adding a pinch of pizzazz by including ginger powder in this recipe.
Why ginger? Not only is it an excellent source of antioxidants, ginger can help reduce nausea, improve digestion, balance blood sugar, and provide pain relief (8). It’s a win-win!
Health Benefits of Watermelon
Now before we get down to business, let’s highlight how this particular fruit is good for your health.
Believe it or not, the majority of watermelon in the wild are bitter, bland and hard to eat. The sweet dessert watermelons that are popular today are the result of nearly 4,000 years of careful cultivation within Northeast Africa (3).
Today’s watermelon hosts numerous health benefits, such as:
- Hydration: Staying hydrated helps your body perform its best – from thinking clearly to digesting properly. Watermelon is about 92% water (2), which makes it a great choice to get extra liquid into your day.
- Heart Health: Watermelon contains different antioxidants such as lycopene, ascorbic acid, and citrulline (6). These help fight oxidative stress and protect your heart against health concerns like heart disease.
- Skin Health: In order to look your best, your skin needs regular doses of Vitamin C and A. These antioxidants are specifically helpful in keeping your skin youthful, delaying the onset of wrinkles and preventing dry skin (7).
- Can Aid Weight Loss: Because watermelon is mostly water, they are considered a low-calorie food. They’re also considered low-energy dense, and studies show that adding low-energy dense (LED) foods to your diet can help keep you fuller longer, making your weight loss efforts more effective (4).
- Anti-Cancer Effects: Cancers develop when cells multiply out of control. This can begin when DNA is damaged beyond repair, which can happen when chronic inflammation is found throughout the body. The antioxidants found in watermelon have anti-inflammatory effects (5), making them a great choice for reducing your risk for cancers down the road.
These are just a few of the many amazing benefits watermelon has. And now that you know this, you’re probably even more ready to try out this recipe for yourself, right?
Good!
What You’ll Need
This recipe actually offers two variations, depending on whether you like cashew milk or coconut milk as a base.
Other than the ingredients, the only thing you’ll need is a high-speed blender. No churning involved – how easy is that?
Cashew Base
- 1 cup cashews, raw and organic
- 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
- 2 TBSP raw honey or pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups watermelon, cubed
- ¼ tsp ginger powder, organic (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Coconut Base
- 1 can coconut milk, full fat
- 5 dates, pitted (medjool dates work well for this)
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups watermelon, cubed
- ¼ tsp ginger powder, organic (optional)
- Pinch of salt
What You’ll Do
Your steps will vary a little bit, depending on which base option you prefer. If so, it’s super simple.
Cashew Base
- Soak raw cashews in hot water for about 10 minutes. After time is up, drain completely.
- Combine softened, raw cashews with the unsweetened almond milk, raw honey, vanilla extract, and salt (if you decide to add it) in a high-speed blender; blend until smooth and creamy (you don’t want any cashew chunks remaining).
- Add in your watermelon and blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately!
Coconut Base
- Add your coconut milk, dates, watermelon, salt, and vanilla in the blender; blend until smooth.
- Pour mixture into either a shallow tray or a silicone muffin mold and place in freezer for 3-4 hours.
- Once frozen, remove and break pieces or chunks back into the blender.
- Blend again until you reach a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Serve immediately for best results!
Pro Tips
If your blended mixture is too soft-serve, place in the freezer for roughly 30 minutes to harden it up a bit.
Store any leftovers in the freezer.
Wrap Up
Watermelon is a delicious fruit that has been cultivated over the years for its sweet and juicy consistency.
Not only is watermelon an excellent source of hydration, and vitamins, it makes a delicious summer treat when turned into a vegan, dairy and gluten free ice cream!
Which version do you plan on trying? Let us know!
References & Disclaimers
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26417290/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26141130/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30053284/
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224405000373
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28805671/
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S106345841401276X
✝✝This noted statement is based on independent research and is not necessarily the opinion of the author