Learn how to make watermelon ice cream without an ice cream maker in just a few easy steps. Frozen watermelon cubes are pureed with heavy cream, almond extract, and a pinch of salt, then frozen to create a creamy, refreshing ice cream perfect for hot summer days.
This 4 ingredient ice cream recipe is always a big hit with kids! They get a kick out of being able to make ice cream from scratch at home. A fun way to experiment with watermelon. Makes for the perfect kid-friendly activity to create during the day, after school or on the weekends.
Our recipe for watermelon ice cream is completely gluten-free. For more gluten-free recipes, try our Gluten-Free Apple Cake, Air Fryer Baked Apples (Gluten-Free), Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins, Gluten-Free Baked Ziti with Sausage and Banana Spring Rolls.
For more delicious kid-approved dessert ideas, check out Mango Ice Cream, Dirt Pudding Cups, Banana Boats, Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts and Rainbow Popsicles. Each idea is so fun and allows kids’ creativity to shine!
A food processor or blender can be used to make this recipe along with either 2 small loaf pans or 1 large. Find the full equipment and ingredient lists below as well as a printable recipe card.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 1 small watermelon cubed
- 8 ounces heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- pinch of coarse salt
How To Make
You will be amazed at how quick and easy it is to make homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker.
Prep the watermelon
First, place cubed watermelon onto parchment-lined baking sheets. The parchment paper will help the watermelon from sticking to the pan making it easier to remove once frozen.
Freeze the watermelon cubes for about 2 hours, or until firm.
Related: How To Cube A Watermelon
Puree the watermelon
Next, add the frozen watermelon cubes to a food processor or blender. Add the almond extract, whipping cream, and a pinch of salt. Puree until smooth.
If you have kids at home that enjoy helping in the kitchen, let them be in charge of turning the food processor or blender on and off. For younger kids, have them turn on the blender, count to 10 then turn off. Repeat until pureed. This helps keep young chefs engaged while learning how to use a blender.
Pour ice cream into the loaf pans
Pour the pureed watermelon ice cream into 2 small loaf pans or one large pan.
Mix It Up: Stir in mini chocolate chips before freezing to resemble watermelon seeds.
Freeze for 2-3 hours or until firm. If frozen overnight, let the ice cream sit out 30-40 minutes prior to scooping to allow it to soften.
Pro Tip: Run the ice cream scoop under hot water then scoop to easily remove the ice cream from the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a ripe watermelon is key to a flavorful and sweet ice cream. To select a ripe watermelon, look for a yellow spot on the fruit then give it a good thump as it should sound hollow. Lastly, choose the watermelon that has a dull color and feels heavy for its size.
While we have not made this recipe dairy-free, you could try swapping the heavy cream with a full-fat coconut milk as a dairy-free alternative.
Frozen banana, berries, or mango could be pureed with the watermelon for a fun twist on the flavor.
More Summer Fruit Recipes
Keep the summer fun going by adding any of these fruit recipes to the list. All simple, tasty and refreshing!
- Easy Summer Fruit Salad Recipe (with a dressing)
- Summer Fruit Kabobs
- Fruit Salsa
- Apple Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
- Fruit Spring Rolls
- Orange Smoothie Recipe
- How To Cut Watermelon into Sticks
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Watermelon Ice Cream
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- 2 small bread loaf pans or 1 large
- large baking sheet or 2 medium
Ingredients
- 1 small watermelon, cubed
- 8 ounces heavy whipping cream ✅
- 1 teaspoon almond extract ✅
- pinch of coarse salt
Instructions
- Prep the watermelon. Place cubed watermelon onto parchment lined baking sheets. Freeze for about 2 hours, or until firm.1 small watermelon, cubed
- ⭐️Puree the watermelon. Add the frozen watermelon cubes to the food processor or blender. Add almond extract, whipping cream, and a pinch of salt. Puree.8 ounces heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon almond extract, pinch of coarse salt
- Pour ice cream into the loaf pans. Pour the pureed watermelon ice cream into 2 small loaf pans or one large pan. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until firm. If frozen overnight, let the ice cream sit out 30-40 minutes prior to scooping to allow it to soften.
Notes
Tips
- Use parchment paper to line a baking sheet before freezing the watermelon to prevent the cubes from sticking.
- Stir in mini chocolate chips into the pureed watermelon before freezing to resemble watermelon seeds.
- Incorporate other fruits such as frozen banana, berries or mango as desired.
- Run the ice cream scoop under hot water before to ease scooping the frozen ice cream.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed these recipes make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below!
Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!
Leave a Reply