Ricotta Peanut Butter Ice Cream | No-Churn, Refined Sugar-Free

Healthy | Refined Sugar-Free | Gluten-Free | High protein

This Ricotta Peanut Butter Ice Cream is everything you crave in a no-churn, refined sugar-free dessert. It is creamy, rich, and full of flavour, and the best part is that you do not need an ice cream machine. With just seven simple, wholesome ingredients, you can make it right in your own kitchen and enjoy a scoop in just a few hours.

Ricotta cheese gives this ice cream a soft, velvety texture and a natural boost of protein, while peanut butter adds a warm, nutty richness that perfectly balances the sweetness of honey and rum-soaked raisins. I love using my homemade peanut butter, which is quick and easy to make and gives the ice cream an even fresher, more natural flavour. Each bite offers a beautiful balance of creaminess and texture, and since it is refined sugar-free, it is a guilt-free way to cool down on a warm day. The best part is that it melts slowly, letting you savour every bite.

This no-churn ice cream is perfect for summer evenings, post-dinner treats, or whenever you are craving something cold, nourishing, and satisfying. It is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and made without preservatives or artificial sweeteners. This dreamy, nutrient-rich dessert is one you will want to make again and again. Ideal for family nights, summer gatherings, or a simple treat just for you. Try it and let me know what you think. I am sure you will love it as much as we do.

Why You’ll Love This Ricotta Peanut Butter Ice Cream

This no-churn, high-protein dessert is more than just delicious — it’s a smart, satisfying treat you’ll feel good about making again and again.

• High in natural protein
• Refined sugar-free
• Gluten-free
• Low-carb friendly
• No-churn (no ice cream machine needed)
• Quick and easy to prepare
• Made with just 7 simple ingredients
• Rich, creamy, and indulgent texture
• Naturally sweetened with banana, honey, and raisins
• Perfect for summer treats or warm-weather cravings
• Ideal for family nights, gatherings, or solo indulgence
• Slow-melting texture that holds its shape
• Balanced, satisfying flavour in every bite
• Egg-free and soy-free
• No artificial sweeteners or preservatives
• No special equipment required
• Kid-friendly and adult-approved
• Freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead desserts

Ingredients Needed 

• Ricotta Cheese: This is the creamy base of the ice cream. It delivers a smooth, velvety texture and naturally boosts the protein content, keeping the dessert light and lower in carbs.
• Smooth Peanut Butter: Adds rich, nutty flavour that complements the sweetness of the raisins. Use natural peanut butter made from 100% peanuts to keep the ice cream wholesome, creamy, and free from unnecessary additives.
• Banana: Enhances the creaminess while contributing a subtle layer of natural sweetness.
• Rum: Used to soak the raisins. It brings warmth and a deeper flavour profile without overpowering the dessert.
• Raisins: Soaked in rum, they add bursts of natural sweetness and soft texture in every bite.
• Vanilla Extract: Helps round out the Flavors by adding a soft, sweet warmth that brings everything together.

Health Benefits & Nutrition of This Ricotta Peanut Butter Ice Cream

This no-churn ice cream is more than just a delicious dessert. It is made with real, nourishing ingredients that support your body and taste amazing. Whether you enjoy it after a workout or as a feel-good treat, here is why it is worth making again and again:

• High in Protein: Ricotta cheese and peanut butter both add high-quality protein, which helps support muscle recovery and keeps you feeling satisfied.
• Post-Workout Friendly: The natural sugars from banana, raisins, and honey help replenish glycogen levels after exercise. Healthy fats and protein provide balanced fuel for recovery.
• Naturally Sweetened: Made with honey and raisins, this refined sugar-free recipe avoids processed sugars and delivers sweetness you can feel good about.
• Low-Carb Friendly(compared to traditional ice cream): While not keto, this ice cream contains fewer carbs than most store-bought versions and uses only whole-food ingredients.
• Rich in Healthy Fats: Peanut butter offers heart-healthy fats that support brain function and satiety.
• Calcium-Rich: Ricotta cheese is an excellent source of calcium, which supports strong bones, muscle function, and nerve health.
• Antioxidant Support: Raisins bring natural antioxidants to the mix, helping to reduce oxidative stress and support your immune system.

Is Ricotta Peanut Butter Ice Cream a Good Post-Workout Treat?

Yes! This Ricotta Peanut Butter Ice Cream can be a smart and satisfying post-workout option. It offers a balanced combination of protein, natural sugars, and healthy fats, all of which help your body recover and refuel after exercise.

Here’s why it works after a workout:

• Protein-Rich: Ricotta cheese and peanut butter provide complete and plant-based protein to support muscle repair and recovery.
• Natural Carbohydrates: Banana, honey, and raisins offer quick-digesting carbs to help replenish glycogen stores after strength or endurance training.
• Healthy Fats: Peanut butter supplies long-lasting energy and helps keep you full after intense exercise.
• Calcium & Potassium: Ricotta and banana are excellent sources of minerals that support muscle contraction, nerve function, and hydration balance.
• Naturally Sweetened: No refined sugar. This ice cream uses only clean, natural ingredients that support blood sugar balance without a crash.
• Cool and Satisfying: A cold, creamy treat is the perfect reward after a tough workout, especially on warm days.

Ricotta: The Creamy, Healthier Choice!

Ricotta cheese is a fantastic alternative for those seeking a healthier dairy option. With lower salt and fat content compared to many other cheeses, it offers a creamy texture that enhances both savory and sweet dishes without compromising on flavour. Ricotta is relatively low in calories, with approximately 170 calories per half-cup serving (about 124 grams), and contains minimal sugar and carbohydrates, making it suitable for various dietary needs. It’s also rich in protein and calcium, adding nutritional value to your meals without the heavy calorie load.

Try These Next!

• Sugar-Free Pomegranate Berry Trifle in a Glass with White Chocolate Lace
• Creamy Mango Chia Pudding | 3-Ingredient 

Ricotta Peanut Butter Ice Cream | No-Churn, Refined Sugar-Free

Annie, Healthy Food by Annie

This creamy no-churn peanut butter ricotta ice cream is rich, scoopable, and naturally sweetened with banana, honey, and rum-soaked raisins. Made without heavy cream or an ice cream machine, it has a smooth ricotta base, deep roasted peanut butter flavour, and little chewy raisin bites in every spoonful. A high-protein, refined sugar-free frozen dessert that feels comforting, nostalgic, and beautifully satisfying.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Freeze Time: 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Healthy Snacks & Treats

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Gluten-Free Option, Refined Sugar Free

Servings 8 Medium Scoops

Calories 210 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Mixture

• 1⅔ cup (400 g) whole milk ricotta cheese
• 3 tbsp natural smooth peanut butter
• ½ banana
• 30 ml (1 shot) dark or golden rum
• ⅓ cup (50g) raisins
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Pinch of salt

Peanut Butter Swirl

• 3 tbsp tablespoons smooth peanut butter
• 2 tbsp tablespoon honey

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Rum-Soaked Raisins

  Place the raisins in a small bowl and pour over the rum. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until warm and slightly plumped. Let them cool for 5 minutes, then drain and reserve any remaining rum.
• Prepare the Peanut Butter Swirl

  In a separate small bowl, mix the smooth peanut butter and honey until silky and combined. Set aside.
• Blend the Ice Cream Base

  In a food processor, add the ricotta cheese, peanut butter, banana, vanilla extract, honey, reserved rum, and salt. Blend until smooth, creamy, and velvety.
• Fold in the Raisins

  Gently fold the cooled rum-soaked raisins into the ricotta peanut butter ice cream base.
• Add to the Container with Swirl

  Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container. Drizzle half of the peanut butter swirl over the top and gently swirl it through with a spoon.
• First Freeze Cycle

  Freeze for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Remove from the freezer, stir gently, then swirl in the remaining peanut butter mixture.
• Final Freeze Cycle

  Return to the freezer for another 2 hours, or until fully set and scoopable.
• Serve and Enjoy

  Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes if it has frozen firmly, then scoop into bowls, cones, or dessert glasses. Enjoy creamy homemade ricotta ice cream with rich peanut butter flavour and soft rum raisin bites.
• Serving Tip

  If frozen for longer, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping for the best texture.

Notes

Notes

For the best flavour, use natural smooth peanut butter made from 100% peanuts. I used my homemade roasted peanut butter, which gives the ice cream a deeper roasted flavour and a beautifully creamy texture.

If the ice cream freezes very firm, let it soften at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping.

Because this recipe uses rum that is not cooked off, a small amount of alcohol remains in the finished ice cream. For an alcohol-free version, soak the raisins in warm water or warm orange juice instead.

 

 

Nutrition Facts per Serving

Nutrition per serving: 1 of 8 servings, Calories: 210 kcal, Protein: 9.4  g, Carbohydrate: 16 g, Net Carb: 15 g, Sugars:12 g, Fat: 14 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sodium: 90 mg, Calcium: 170 mg

Note:  Made with 100% natural homemade peanut butter, no added sugar

 

Nutrition Facts Notes:

✔️ Higher in protein: Whole-milk ricotta and natural peanut butter provide protein, making this no-churn ice cream more satisfying than many traditional frozen desserts.

✔️ Good source of calcium: Ricotta cheese contributes calcium, which supports healthy bones and teeth, normal muscle function and nerve signalling.

✔️ Made with 100% natural peanut butter: The homemade peanut butter contains just one ingredient—roasted peanuts—with no added sugar, added oils, salt or preservatives.

✔️ Naturally sweetened: Banana, raisins and honey provide sweetness without refined white sugar. However, they still contribute naturally occurring and added sugars, so portion size remains important.

✔️ No-churn and easy to make: This recipe requires no ice cream machine—simply blend, swirl and freeze.

✔️ Contains healthy unsaturated fats: Peanuts provide mostly unsaturated fats, while ricotta adds creaminess and richness.

✔️ Naturally gluten free: The core ingredients are naturally gluten free. Check the labels of vanilla extract and any packaged ingredients if certified gluten-free products are required.

✔️ Classic rum-raisin flavour: Raisins and rum create a rich, fruity flavour. Because the rum is not cooked, some alcohol remains in the finished ice cream.

✔️ Not suitable for children or alcohol-free diets: This dessert contains uncooked rum. For an alcohol-free version, omit the rum and add a little extra vanilla or rum-flavoured essence.

✔️ Energy-dense dessert: Although higher in protein and calcium than many standard ice creams, it is still rich in calories due to the ricotta, peanut butter, honey and raisins.

✔️ Best enjoyed as a measured portion: One medium scoop, or 1 of 8 servings, gives a satisfying dessert portion while helping keep calories and sugars moderate.

✔️ Storage tip: Let the ice cream soften at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before scooping, as homemade no-churn ice cream can freeze more firmly than commercial ice cream.

---

Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the brands of ricotta, honey and raisins used, the size of the banana, the exact amount of peanut butter, and the final scoop size.

---