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3 Ingredient Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream

3 Ingredient Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream gets its creaminess from avocado and its exotic flavor from cherimoya. This creamy frozen deliciousness is dairy free, gluten free, vegan, paleo, and totally unique! Is it “ice cream?” I’ll let you be the judge!

3 Ingredient Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream in clear glass cups with fresh mint, copper spoon, and striped napkin.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks – About Cherimoyas

NOTE: I updated some of the text in July 2023, just days before leaving for our 5th trip to Peru. If you’re interested in looking at more Peruvian-inspired recipes, don’t miss my Peruvian recipes category!

I like to claim cherimoyas are native to Peru.😊 My first experience with these unique and tasty fruits was summer 2017 when my husband and I went with UT Rio Grande Valley Studies Abroad to the Peruvian Andes for the first time.

A Peruvian woman with tropical fruits for smoothies.

Cherimoya is a tropical fruit that is known for its creamy, custard-like texture and sweet flavor. It is native to the Andean valleys of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, but it is now grown in many other tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Cherimoya (also called chirimoya and chirimuya by the Quechua) is an edible fruit thought to have originated in the Andean valleys of Peru, Equador, Colombia, and Bolivia. Its creamy texture has given it the nickname “custard apple,” and Mark Twain referred to it as “the most delicious fruit known to men.” My husband and I agree with Mark Twain!

Me with an lucuma, orange, and cherimoya smoothie in the San Pedro Market.

We had our first cherimoya when we visited The San Pedro Market in Cuzco. This mercado is a wild, crazy, colorful, and amazing open air market with everything from farm fresh produce to cooked meals to jewelry and clothing.

Cherimoyas are a good source of vitamin C, B complex vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. For more on the health benefits, see Cherimoya Fruit Nutrition Facts.

This is so fun, and I’m looking forward to a repeat in just a couple of weeks! My cherimoya, lucuma, and naranja smoothie was just fabulous. Can you tell? It’s all fruit… nothing but the fruit!

1 scoop of Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream on a white plate with ice and fresh mint.

🍦 Is it “Ice Cream?”

Is it “ice cream” if it has no “cream?” I believe this vegan frozen dessert qualifies! The mouth feel of this frozen treat competes with a high fat ice cream. Because AVOCADO!

Cherimoya is often referred to as the “ice cream fruit” because of its creamy and custard-like texture. When the cherimoya fruit is ripe, its flesh becomes incredibly soft and smooth, resembling the texture of a creamy ice cream or custard.

So, technically it’s not ice cream, but I think you’ll find it as indulgent and delicious as good ice cream!

🥑 Are Avocados Healthy?

Avocados are loaded with nutrients! A single 3.5 ounce serving contains:

  • Vitamin K – 26% RDA
  • Folate – 20% RDA
  • Vitamin C – 17% RDA
  • Potassium – 14% RDA
  • Vitamin B5 – 14% RDA
  • Vitamin B6 – 13% RDA
  • Vitamin E – 10% RDA

This delicious fruit contains healthy unsaturated fats, no cholesterol, a good amount of fiber, and antioxidants. There is evidence that shows avocado may help with absorption of plant-based nutrients, and its anti-inflammatory properties relieve arthritis pain. For more on the health benefits of avocados, see 12 Proven Health Benefits of Avocado.

A package of frozen and thawed Goya cherimoya pulp.

Now that we know it’s okay to eat it, let’s get started. Finding fresh cherimoya in non-tropical countries is nearly impossible, and when we have them in south Texas (sub-tropical), they’re about $7.00 apiece. However, I recently discovered Goya has Cherimoya Fruit Pulp. APPLAUSE.

This non-dairy, 3-ingredient frozen treat requires just a few minutes of active time…

📋 Ingredients Notes

Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

  • cherimoya pulp – If you’re fortunate enough to get your hands on fresh cherimoyas (and can afford them!), by all mean use fresh. However I find the Goya Cherimoya Pulp is really good.
  • avocado – You’ll need 1 large avocado, or 2 small avocados.
  • agave nectar – You can substitute honey or other liquid sweetener, but you may need to increase the amount.
  • sea salt
Ingredients for the ice cream: 1 large avocado, agave nectar, sea salt, cherimoya puree.

🔪 Instructions

A food processor with ingredients for avocado and cherimoya ice cream.
  • Make the ice cream base – Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until very smooth and creamy, and then taste the mixture. Add sweetener or salt as desired.
The ice cream ingredients in the food processor after processing.
  • Freeze the ice cream – If you are happy with it, pour it into the bowl of your ice cream freezer that you didn’t forget to freeze ahead of time! LOL. I have done this… more than once. Serve immediately or freeze for later. (See Tips and FAQ).
The completed avocado and cherimoya ice cream in the ice cream freezer with the paddle in it.

❓ FAQ

How long can I store my ice cream?

When the ice cream is frozen, either serve immediately, or scoop into an appropriate container and freeze it. NOTE: Leaving the ice cream short-term is fine. While the texture stays creamy, the taste was a little oxidized after almost a week in the freezer.

Why add salt?

The salt enhances the flavor of the fruits, but is totally optional. If you’re skeptical start with ¼ teaspoon.

💭 Tips

Ice cream freezers vary in freeze times. Refer to your manufacturers instructions for more accurate time to freeze.

I specify agave nectar because it is not granular and does not mess with the creaminess of the ice cream.. Honey and corn syrup are good options as well. Agave nectar is sweeter, though, so you’ll want to taste and adjust if necessary.

If you’re fortunate enough to have fresh cherimoya, by all means use it! Remove the skin and seeds, purée, and treat the same way.

If you’re looking for a great vegan cookie recipe to serve alongside this vegan ice cream, take a look at these Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies. If you do make this cherimoya ice cream a try, I’d love to hear your feedback in the comment below. I hope you love this creamy, delicious 3 Ingredient Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream as much as we do!

Signature in red and green with chiles and limes.
3 Ingredient Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream bird's eye view in a white tray with ice, copper spoon, striped napkin, and marble background.

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3 Ingredient Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream in an ice cream scoop on a tray of ice with fresh mint.

3 Ingredient Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream

3 Ingredient Avocado and Cherimoya Ice Cream is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, and delicious and made with 3 ingredients (plus salt)!
4.50 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Freeze Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine Peruvian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 163 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 14 ounce package Goya Cherimoya Pulp - mostly thawed
  • 1 large or 2 small avocados, skin and seed removed
  • 2 teaspoons agave nectar - see Tips in post above
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor.
  • Pulse until creamy and smooth.
  • Taste and adjust salt and/or sweetener as desired.
  • Freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions per your freezer.
  • Serve immediately or freeze for later.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g

NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com

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