I honestly thought the Yonana Machine was a joke when I first saw it. The idea of taking something as simple as a few frozen bananas and some fruit, running them through a machine, and having it spit out a sorbet-like frozen dessert that rivaled ice cream was absurd to me.
But I ordered one anyway just out of pure curiosity. After the first try, I was shocked. It really does come out creamy and smooth like ice cream. Even my non-healthy eating buddy who usually turns up his nose as anything even remotely good for you loved it.
What does a Yonanas do?
Yonanas is a healthy ice cream maker that turns frozen fruits into a creamy, soft-serve dessert that resembles the texture of ice cream. It works by grinding up frozen fruits like bananas, berries, or mangoes to create a smooth and delicious treat without the added sugars or preservatives found in traditional ice cream. Yonanas is a healthy alternative for those with a sweet tooth who want to put more fruits into their diet.
How is Yonanas different than a blender?
Yonanas is different from a blender in terms of its functionality and purpose.
While a blender is a versatile kitchen appliance used for various tasks such as making smoothies, soups, and sauces by blending ingredients together, the Yonanas food processor is specifically designed to create healthy frozen desserts using only frozen fruits. Yonanas has a unique technology that churns and blends frozen fruits to create a creamy, ice cream-like texture without the need for additional sugar or dairy.
It offers a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream by providing a guilt-free treat made solely from fruit. So, in summary, while a blender has multiple uses beyond making desserts, Yonanas specializes in creating delicious frozen fruit-based treats.
How Much Healthier is a Bowl of Yonana Than Ice Cream?
This info comes from the Yonana website, and perfectly illustrates why if you are trying to feed yourself or your kids healthy foods, you should be using a Yonana machine!
- Yonanas is made using only fruit. (There is no added sugar, cream, or other dairy added to this delicious treat). Simply banana yonanas contain zero grams of fat. An equal serving of soft serve ice cream can have your buttons popping with 23 grams of fat in a 1-cup serving.
- A cup of simply banana yonanas will have 200 healthy calories as opposed to some brands of ice cream which can easily exceed 400 calories in a serving. More than 400 calories in some ice creams? Yikes!
- Yonanas don’t contain any cholesterol. Ice cream can contain upwards of 80mg of cholesterol in a serving. Watch out arteries!
- Yonanas don’t contain any sodium. Comparatively, some soft serve ice creams have more than just a dash of sodium and some have more than 100 mg in a single serving!
- Yonanas contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals in each tasty serving.
Honestly, store-bought ice cream is so full of junk that I hesitate to buy it anymore just on the chemicals issue alone.
CHECK THE BEST PRICE ON A YONANA MACHINE
Yonana Ice Cream Maker Review Video
Is A Yonana Machine Hard To Clean?
Cleaning a Yonanas machine is relatively easy. Most of the parts that come into contact with food are dishwasher-safe, making the cleaning process straightforward. Here are the general steps to clean a Yonanas machine:
- Disassemble the Machine: Remove the chute, plunger, and any other detachable parts.
- Rinse Immediately: It’s helpful to rinse off any fruit residue immediately after use to prevent it from drying and becoming harder to clean.
- Dishwasher: Place the detachable parts in the dishwasher. They are typically top-rack safe.
- Manual Wash: If you prefer or if your dishwasher is full, you can hand wash the parts with warm soapy water. Use a brush or sponge to scrub away any remaining residue.
- Wipe the Base: The motor base of the machine should not be submerged in water. Instead, wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Overall, users generally find the Yonanas machine easy to clean, especially if done immediately after use.
Yonanas Vs The Ininja
Feature | Ninja CREAMi | Yonanas |
---|---|---|
Price | $170-$230 (depending on model) | $49.99 (Classic) to $79.99 (Deluxe) |
Versatility | Ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes, gelato, etc. | Primarily soft-serve fruit desserts |
Ingredients | Wide variety (including dairy and non-dairy) | Frozen fruit only |
Texture | Customizable (smooth, creamy, chunky, etc.) | Consistent soft-serve texture |
Ease of Use | Simple operation with pre-programmed settings | Requires some pre-freezing and manual feeding |
Additional Features | Multiple processing containers, recipe inspiration | Recipe book included with some models |
Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe parts | Dishwasher-safe parts |
Overall:
- The Ninja CREAMi offers greater versatility in terms of desserts you can create and the ingredients you can use.
- The Yonanas is a more affordable option and is specifically designed for creating healthy, fruit-based soft serve.
- The Ninja CREAMi may be a better choice for those who want a wider range of frozen treat options, while the Yonanas is ideal for those focused on healthy fruit-based desserts.
Choosing between the two ultimately depends on your preferences and budget. If you’re looking for a machine that can create a variety of frozen treats, the Ninja CREAMi is a great option. But if you’re primarily interested in making healthy, fruit-based soft serve, the Yonanas is a more affordable and specialized choice.
10 Simple Yonanas Recipes
Most Yonanas recipes are really pretty easy and straightforward, but I think you will be surprised at some of the really unique flavors you can create. Here are 10 easy Yonanas recipes that you might want to try out with your Yonanas dessert maker.
Classic Banana Nice Cream:
- 3-4 frozen bananas (sliced)
Strawberry Dole Whip:
- 2 frozen bananas (sliced)
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
Chocolate Peanut Butter:
- 2 frozen bananas (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
Pina Colada:
- 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
Mango Peach:
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 cup frozen peach slices
Cookies and Cream:
- 2 frozen bananas (sliced)
- 1/2 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
Lemon Blueberry:
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- Juice of 1 lemon
Pumpkin Pie:
- 2 frozen bananas (sliced)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
Green Smoothie:
- 2 frozen bananas (sliced)
- 2 cups packed spinach or kale
Coffee Lovers:
- 2 frozen bananas (sliced)
- 1/4 cup cold brew coffee
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon