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Nutty Buddy Ice Cream is a smooth and velvety peanut butter-flavored ice cream with a satisfying crispy crunch from the bites of peanut butter, chocolate, and wafer candy bar, Nutty Buddy! This homemade ice cream recipe is so delicious it’ll have you coming back for one scoop after another.

Two dessert cups filled with ice cream.

Where are all my peanut butter fans at? This recipe was practically invented for you! It’s a peanut butter lover’s dream with a creamy peanut butter base and crisp pieces of chocolate peanut butter wafers. 

It’s the perfect sweet treat for summer fun now that school is out and the weather is warming. Plus, making a homemade ice cream recipe doesn’t get any easier– Just whip, combine, and freeze. It’s just that easy!

If you haven’t made no-churn ice cream before, get ready for your mind to be blown! Who knew making ice cream could be so simple? Check out these other delightful summer ice cream recipes, like my S’mores Ice cream packed with gooey marshmallows and crispy graham crackers, and this Oreo Ice Cream Dessert with a chocolatey crushed Oreo crust and creamy Cool Whip ice cream.

Speaking of summer, the Fourth of July is right around the corner, so keep this irresistible and festive Red, White & Blue Brownie Sunday recipe in mind!

Ingredient Notes

  • Heavy whipping cream: Make light and fluffy ice cream with a whipped cream base from heavy whipping cream. 
  • Sweetened condensed milk: Get extra creamy ice cream with perfectly sweet notes by adding sweetened condensed milk.
  • Peanut butter: Mix in your favorite brand of smooth peanut butter to create peanut salty and sweet butter-flavored ice cream.
  • Nutty Buddys: This recipe wouldn’t be the same without that classic wafer crunch from the coarsely chopped Nutty Buddys. If necessary, get a similar flavor and texture by substituting this ingredient with Kit Kats or another chocolate bar.
A labeled image of ingredients needed to make no-churn nutty buddy ice cream.

How To Make Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Ice Cream

Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Collage image showing step to make nutty buddy ice cream.

Step 1 | Whip the cream

Begin by adding heavy cream to a large bowl and use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or an electric hand mixer to whip the heavy cream for around five minutes until stiff peaks form.

Step 2 | Add condensed milk and peanut butter

Next, pour the sweetened condensed milk and add the peanut butter to the bowl. Keep mixing the ingredients until they combine well with a smooth texture and a beautiful caramel color.

Step 3 | Mix in the chocolates

Then, carefully fold in the chopped nutty Buddys until they are evenly incorporated. Avoid removing the air from the whipped cream by gently folding in the chocolates.

Step 4 | Freeze and serve!

Finally, grab a spatula and transfer the ice cream mixture to a 9×5-inch loaf pan or an ice cream pan. Slip it into the freezer and let the ice cream sit for four to six hours. After, scoop this delicious recipe into bowls and dive right in, y’all!

An ice cream scoop removing a scoop of nutty buddy ice cream from a loaf pan.

Tips

  • Don’t Overmix– Do your best not to overmix the ice cream ingredients from the first step to the last. Doing so will knock out the air of the whipped cream and result in more dense ice cream rather than light and fluffy. 
  • Thaw Some Before Serving – After being in the freezer, like any ice cream; it will be a little tough to scoop right away. Let it sit on the counter for just five minutes or so. Then it will be easier to serve. 
  • Personalize – Chop the Nutty Buddys as small or large as you’d like. Then feel free to add other candies to make it all your own.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Crunchy Peanut Butter Ice Cream: Most will choose to add smooth peanut butter to the ice cream mixture, but you can always go for the crunchy kind! 
  • Fudge Swirl: As you move the mixture to the loaf pan, swirl in a layer or two of your favorite rich ice cream fudge. Or try magic shell!
  • Caramel and Peanut Butter Ice Cream: Mix in thick caramel or add caramel candy pieces for a salty and sweet addition.
  • Extra Chocolatey: Craving more chocolatey goodness? Include bite-sized brownie pieces, chocolate chips, or another candy, like Reeces in the ice cream– YUM!
  • Vanilla Ice Cream with Nutty Buddys: If preferred, skip the peanut butter, add a drop or two of vanilla extract, and mix the Nutty Buddys with creamy vanilla ice cream.
  • Nutty Buddy Ice Cream Cones: Serve your freshly-made ice cream in waffle cones. And take it a step further by using chocolate-dipped cones with a peanut topping, or make your own!

Recipe FAQ’s

What flavor is Nutty Buddy?

Nutty Buddy candy bars include creamy peanut butter smeared between crispy wafer layers and covered in smooth milk chocolate. So, a Nutty Buddy ice cream or dessert is primarily a peanut butter and chocolate flavor.

Why didn’t your ice cream freeze?

A few factors may cause your ice cream to hardly freeze or take much longer than 6 hours to harden. First, be sure to use full-fat heavy cream and condensed milk for the recipe. Also, your freezer not be not as cold as it needs to be. So, try splitting the ice cream into two loaf pans filled halfway. In smaller batches, the recipe will freeze a little quicker.

Can you make Nutty Buddy Ice Cream with an ice cream maker?

Sure you can! Use the directions for your ice cream maker to blend the ingredients together until the texture is similar to soft serve. Then, gently fold in the Nutty Buddy pieces and freeze for later!

Do they still make Nutty Buddy Ice Cream?

This classic ice cream flavor has been around for some time, and they’re still selling it at most major grocery stores and some ice cream shops. But for really good ice cream, make the homemade version of this popular treat.

Two nutty buddy waffle ice cream cones on cone stands.

Storage

How to Store Homemade Ice Cream: Keep the Nutty Buddy Ice cream in the freezer for up to two months. When it’s time to indulge in this peanut butter chocolatey goodness, set the container on the counter for five to ten minutes to thaw some, then scoop and serve!

More Ice Cream Storage Tips:

  • Ensure your freezer is around 0 degrees F for the best results. 
  • Furthermore, it helps to place your ice cream in the back of the freezer because the temperatures are more consistent. 
  • Keep your homemade ice cream fresh and flavorful by storing it in the freezer in an airtight container with a layer of wax paper or plastic wrap between the lid and the top of the ice cream. 

What to Serve with Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Nutty Buddys

One way to serve this delicious peanut butter Nutty Buddy ice cream is to dress it up with all your favorite toppings, like hot fudge, caramel drizzle, crushed peanuts, and a generous swirl of fluffy homemade Whipped Cream.

Or serve this easy recipe with these Chewy Pecan Butter Cookies or light and airy Cake Brownies

A waffle cone filled with nutty buddy ice cream on a marble table with nutty buddies to one side and two gold spoons on the other side.

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Scoops of nutty buddy ice cream in a glass dessert cup garnished with a nutty buddy.
Recipe
5 from 6 votes

(click stars to rate)

Nutty Buddy Ice Cream

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chill Time: 6 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Nikki Lee
Nutty Buddy Ice Cream is a smooth and velvety peanut butter-flavored ice cream with a satisfying crispy crunch from the bites of peanut butter, chocolate, and wafer candy bar, Nutty Buddy!

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ cups sweetened condensed milk
  • ¾ cups peanut butter, smooth
  • 1 ¼ cups chopped nutty buddies

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer (or stand mixer with a whisk attachment) whip the heavy cream for about 4-5 minutes or until the cream begins to form stiff peaks.
  • Add the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter to the mixing bowl and continue mixing until the ingredients are combined and the mixture is smooth.
  • Gently fold in the chopped nutty buddies until just combined, being careful not to remove the air from the whipped cream.
  • Use a spatula to spread the ice cream mixture into a 9×5 inch loaf pan or an ice cream pan, and allow the ice cream to set in the freezer for 4-6 hours.

Notes

  • Don’t Overmix– Do your best not to overmix the ice cream ingredients from the first step to the last. Doing so will knock out the air of the whipped cream and result in more dense ice cream rather than light and fluffy. 
  • Thaw Some Before Serving – After being in the freezer, like any ice cream, it will be a little tough to scoop right away. Let it sit on the counter for just five minutes or so. Then it will be easier to serve. 
  • Personalize – Chop the Nutty Buddys as small or large as you’d like. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 590kcal (30%) Carbohydrates: 49g (16%) Protein: 13g (26%) Fat: 40g (62%) Saturated Fat: 19g (119%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 13g Cholesterol: 87mg (29%) Sodium: 285mg (12%) Potassium: 431mg (12%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 39g (43%) Vitamin A: 1028IU (21%) Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) Calcium: 225mg (23%) Iron: 1mg (6%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

©️Soulfully Made

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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My inner child is screaming!! I loved nutty buddies when I was a kid and this will be a great treat to for my family!

  2. 5 stars
    This is such a fun summer treat! I like how the nutty buddies give this ice cream a crunchy texture.

    1. Thank you, Elizabeth! My son loves nutty buddies so it’s a popular one at our house all summer long.

  3. 5 stars
    I made this ice cream with the kids yesterday (love that it’s no churn!) and we all loved it! Will definitely be making all summer long!

    1. I love that your kids helped too! I hope you enjoy. I have a few new flavors I will be sharing soon.

  4. 5 stars
    I Just tried this recipe and my family loved it. It was so easy and the flavors were fantastic.