15 Best Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipes
You’re going to love this round-up of the 15 best homemade dairy-free ice cream recipes, including popsicles, sorbet, soft serve and more, all made vegan, creamy, and so delicious. From mango to strawberry to peanut butter and chocolate flavors, there’s something for everyone!
With warm weather underway, I’m so excited to share the best vegan and dairy-free ice cream recipes, plus popsicles, soft serve, and sorbet.
When I first stopped eating dairy more than a decade ago, I was pretty worried that I would never be able to enjoy a frozen ice cream dessert again. Then, I took a vegan ice cream course at my local library and I’ve never looked back.
Turns out, it’s not that hard to make your own dairy-free ice cream using ingredients like coconut milk, frozen bananas, soy milk, and other dairy-free alternatives. I even have a Vegan Fudgesicle recipe included in this round-up that is made using cashews!
So, with everything from chocolate and strawberry to fancy vegan ice cream desserts, there is literally something for everyone in this homemade dairy-free ice cream recipe round-up.
Tips
- You don’t even need an ice cream maker to make homemade vegan ice cream. Instead, you can use the freezer method as I’ve detailed in this post on how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker.
- However, if you prefer to use a machine, then the ice cream maker that I use is this Cuisinart frozen yogurt-ice cream model that sells for less than $70 on Amazon.
- Feel free to get creative, experiment with different flavors, and enjoy the results. Don’t miss these yummy gluten-free waffle cones either.
FAQs
Yes, but the fat in the coconut milk is what adds mouthfeel and that creamy texture that is reminiscent of dairy ice cream. If you use lower-fat versions, then it your ice cream will be less creamy (but it will still work).
Yes, but the result will be more like ice milk than ice cream. You would ideally use a plant-based milk like full-fat canned coconut milk to get the right texture. If you don’t like coconut milk, you could also use blended cashews instead (see my recipe for Vegan Fudgesicles below that uses blended cashews).
Homemade vegan ice cream does not freeze well long-term. It will freeze very hard. If that happens, just let it sit on the countertop for a few minutes (or up to 10 minutes) to warm up and soften. Then scoop and serve as usual.
Now, onto the recipes!
Best Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
This Vegan Chocolate & Peanut Butter Soft Serve Ice Cream recipe is an easy and healthy way to enjoy frozen dessert with no added sugars. Make this dairy-free treat in 10 minutes or less!
Vegan Mango Ice Cream Recipe
This is one of the most popular recipes on Clean Eating Kitchen. This dairy-free mango ice cream is a winner. It's not only beautiful, but it is absolutely delicious and one of my favorites too.
Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
You're going to love this lovely Strawberry Ice Cream recipe that uses coconut milk as the base. Everyone loves this one that is full of strawberry flavor.
Vitamix Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream
Learn how to make Vanilla Ice Cream using coconut milk right in your Vitamix high speed blender. It's easy and so delicious!
Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream
Yep, you heard me right, you can make ice cream out of avocados! The creamy mouthfeel of avocados replaces dairy in this chocolate delicious delight.
Cookies and Cream Nice Cream
This banana-based soft serve is a perfect replacement for traditional cookies and cream. You can make this in just about 10 minutes!
Vegan Peach Ice Cream (4-Ingredients)
You can use fresh or frozen peaches in this delicious recipe. It is creamy and such a nice creamy summer dessert.
Vitamix Mango Sorbet
You only need three simple ingredients to make sorbet that is light, sweet, and totally yummy!
Peanut Butter Nice Cream
This is a super easy 3-ingredient vegan soft serve recipe that can be made in 10 minutes or less. This is one of my favorite recipes as well!!!
Best Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream
You don't have to wait for fall for the delicious flavors of pumpkin pie spice. This vegan ice cream recipe includes pumpkin puree and coconut milk.
Mango Pineapple Popsicles
These healthy popsicles are full of flavor and nutrition, with no added sugar.
Cherry Popsicles with Coconut Milk
These healthy popsicles include frozen sweet cherries and coconut milk. They are creamy and so delicious.
Vegan Fudgesicles Recipe Using Cashews
This creamy treat is reminiscent of the ones from the store, but so much healthier.
Pomegranate Popsicles
This 2-ingredient recipe includes pomegranate juice and fresh lime. You won't believe how easy these sugar-free popsicles are to make. Both kids and adults love these!
Healthy Vegan Strawberry Milkshake
Okay, a milkshake isn't exactly ice cream, but it falls into the category of cold and refreshing summer desserts. You can't go wrong with this healthy version of a strawberry milkshake, but made with no dairy.
Conclusions
Whether you’re looking for dairy-free ice cream recipes, popsicles, or other frozen treats, then I hope you found this round-up helpful. Even if you’re on a restricted diet, you don’t have to miss your favorite frozen treats.
Don’t miss my round-up of the best Dairy-Free Breakfast Smoothies!
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Chocolate ice cream is mentioned several times in the list of potential recipe choices. But none of the recipes in the list actually involve chocolate. I’m disappointed. Again. Several of your links don’t go where you’d think they would. (Chocolate Raspberry Vegan Ice Cream goes to Chocolate Peanut butter, no matter what page I start from.)
All these iced desserts look so delicious, but can I sub the banana; as I can’t tolerate them? ?
You can use frozen mango!
These recipes look great! I’m very picky when it comes to ice cream, but I’ll definitely have to try some of these out!
Ice creams and summer are the best combination ever. These looks yumm.
There are so many delicious ideas to choose from. I don’t know where to start! They’re making me drool!
Wow!!! So difficult to choose from all these decadent frozen delights! I guess my summer indulgence is covered 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing my contribution – 2-Ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream in this fabulous collection! Have a great summer Carrie!
Hi Carrie – What a fun roundup for summer. I love vegan ice cream since I can’t eat the alternative. PINNED!!! Thank you for including my black raspberry ice cream. My heart is full of gratitude. Hugs, Holly