Whether you’ve been forced to go lactose-free or you’ve committed to making your dessert a little lighter, you’ve probably tried some of the so-called “healthy” ice-cream brands that are filling the freezer aisles. But those treats are often full of chemical flavors and sweeteners, and they just can’t compete with homemade freshness.

When researching the best products to help you keep cool in the summer, Reviewed came across the Yonanas, an at-home soft serve maker that’s hugely popular on Amazon. As someone who loves indulging but also has to limit my dairy intake, I was intrigued when I read the Yonanas’ big claim: That it can churn out smooth soft serve with nothing but frozen fruit.

But how good could it actually be? We purchased a unit and got to churning to find out.

What is the Yonanas?

The Yonanas soft-serve maker, crafted by Dole, the world’s largest fruit and vegetable producer, is a unique blend of a blender and an ice cream maker. 🍦 It uses frozen bananas as the creamy base to create rich, soft-serve-like frozen treats, blending in any fruit you like. 🍌🍓 Unlike traditional ice cream makers, Yonanas doesn’t need any dairy products, making it perfect for various dietary needs. 🥥

Assembly is quick and straightforward, taking just a few minutes. 🛠️ The machine consists of a base, a plunger, a chute with spinning blades, a blade cone, and a gasket that holds it all together. No tools are needed as everything comes pre-assembled. 👍

What we like

First, the basic Yonanas model is quite affordable. 🏷️ It's a budget-friendly way to make ice-cream-like treats at home, saving you money in the long run. 🍨 The deluxe version, Yonanas Deluxe, offers more capacity and speed, but we chose to test the classic model for its popularity and ease of use. 👌 Plus, the compact size of the original makes it easy to store, which is a big win for a single-purpose device. 🛋️

You can use any frozen fruit of your choice to make sorbet. 🍓🍍

When testing the Yonanas, it took about five minutes (after freezing and thawing) to create a batch that serves two people. I used frozen bananas and strawberries to make a healthy version of strawberry ice cream. 🍦 The taste was impressively close to real ice cream!

Tips:

• The machine recommends using frozen bananas as the base to achieve a creamy, soft-serve texture, but you can get creative with other fruits for sorbets, parfaits, pie fillings, and even smoothie bowls or guacamole. 🍌🥑
• The Yonanas comes with a recipe book full of dessert ideas, making it easy to explore and find new treats to try. 📖

What We Don’t Like:

• Planning Ahead: You need ripe bananas that are chopped and frozen in advance. 🍌
• Thaw Time: Even after freezing, fruit should thaw for about 10 minutes for smoother blending. ⏳
• Waste Factor: The blades tend to eat up half your mix, requiring you to disassemble the machine to scrape out the rest. 🍨
• Noise: The machine is loud, so it’s better to prepare your treats ahead of time if you’re expecting guests. 🔊

Cleaning the Yonanas:

• To clean, unscrew and detach the parts from the base. Scoop out any remaining fruit, then rinse the parts under warm water and let them dry. Although the manual states it’s dishwasher-safe, some users have noted that the chute can warp or shrink if placed in the dishwasher. 🧼 It’s best to hand-wash the plastic parts, which are smooth and relatively easy to clean. 🚿

Is the Yonanas worth it?

The Yonanas encourages people to eat more fruit. 🍓🍌

This small but powerful machine has completely changed my expectations for dairy-free soft serve makers. When I first tasted the results, I couldn’t believe it wasn’t actual “ice cream.” According to reviews from parents with young children, the Yonanas is excellent at getting kids to love fruit from an early age. 🍍 It’s also a hit for entertaining guests and accommodating those with different dietary restrictions. 🌱

For the price, it certainly delivers, but be prepared for the time and effort required to achieve that creamy consistency. It’s up to you to decide how much the taste of summer is worth. ☀️