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This homemade no-churn ice cream is a peanut butter lover’s dream, and no ice cream maker is needed! With a simple 2-ingredient base, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy, chocolatey Nutty Buddies, it’s the perfect mix of smooth and crunchy. Just 6 hours in the freezer, and you’ll be scooping up pure peanut butter bliss!
Since I live in Florida, we’re always on the hunt for cool treats to help beat the heat. Don’t get me wrong, we love a good homemade, slow-churned ice cream, but not everyone has all that fancy equipment—plus, sometimes you just don’t want to drag it all out for a simple dessert. That’s why I love this no-fuss, no-churn version. With just a bowl, a mixer, and a freezer, you can whip up a creamy, dreamy treat without all the extra work.
Using a simple 2-ingredient base of sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream, the flavor possibilities are endless. My son happens to love Nutty Buddies, so this combination was one I just had to perfect. After a try or two, I nailed it—just the right balance of smooth, creamy peanut butter and those crunchy, chocolatey Nutty Buddies mixed right in. It’s the perfect cool-down treat that’s easy to make and guaranteed to disappear in no time!
Why We Love Nutty Buddy Ice Cream Cones!
- Easy Homemade Ice Cream: In 10 minutes or less, you can make a delicious batch of homemade peanut buttery ice cream with just four ingredients! Then, move it to the freezer and return in 6 hours to serve– Easy as pie (or ice cream)!
- Customize to Your Liking: Like your peanut butter flavor more subtle? Just reduce the amount added to the recipe. Or add a couple more tablespoons for extra-rich peanut butter notes!
- No-Churn: No fancy ice cream machine is required for this Little Debbie Nutty Bars Ice Cream recipe! Mix using a stand or hand-held mixer, move to a container, and freeze!
Nutty Buddy Ice Cream Ingredients
- 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.
How To Make Nutty Buddy Ice Cream
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
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!
Nutty Buddy Ice Cream Cone 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 for Nutty Buddies Ice Cream
- 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!
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How To Serve Nutty Buddies Ice Cream
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.
How To Store Nutty Buddy Ice Cream
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.
- 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.
Recipe FAQ’s
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.
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.
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!
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.
More Easy No-Bake Desserts
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie
- S’mores Cereal Bars
- Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
- Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
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Nutty Buddy Ice Cream
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.
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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
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
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!
Ice cream always brings back childhood memories! Enjoy!
Creamy dreamy peanutty! We loved it
Thank you, Katherine!
This is such a fun summer treat! I like how the nutty buddies give this ice cream a crunchy texture.
Thank you, Elizabeth! My son loves nutty buddies so it’s a popular one at our house all summer long.
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!
I love that your kids helped too! I hope you enjoy. I have a few new flavors I will be sharing soon.
I Just tried this recipe and my family loved it. It was so easy and the flavors were fantastic.
Thank you, Shadi! It’s a favorite with my family too!