You’re going to love this round-up of the best homemade vegan 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!

chocolate avocado ice cream served in cones.

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, coconut cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, oat milk, cashew milk, coconut sugar, frozen bananas, chocolate chips, dark chocolate, cookie dough, 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. Try getting creative and serving your ice cream with a topping like Blueberry Sauce.

I can’t think of anything better on a hot summer day than a dairy-free and creamy ice cream using simple ingredients. You can also use these recipes in a Banana Split!

Contents hide
1 Tips
2 FAQs
3 Best Dairy-Free & Vegan Ice Cream Recipes
4 Don’t Miss These Vegan Recipes
5 Conclusions

Tips

  • You don’t even need an ice cream maker or ice cream machine to make homemade ice cream. Instead, you can use the freezer method with a food processor or blender as I’ve detailed in this post on how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker. This is also known as the no churn method which means you have to stir the mixture occasionally as it freezes to prevent too many ice crystals from forming.
  • However, if you prefer to use a machine to churn your ice cream mixture, then the ice cream maker that I use is this Cuisinart frozen yogurt-ice cream model that sells for less than $70 on Amazon. I’ve probably used my Cuisinart ice cream maker at least a hundred times.
  • Feel free to get creative, experiment with different flavors, and enjoy the results. Don’t miss these yummy gluten-free waffle cones either.

FAQs

Your recipes call for full-fat coconut milk. Can I use light coconut milk instead?

Yes, but the fat in the full fat coconut milk (for the recipes to make coconut ice cream) is what adds mouthfeel and that creamy texture that is reminiscent of dairy ice cream. If you use lower-fat versions for your ice cream base, then it your ice cream will be less creamy (but the good news is that it will still work).

For the best creamy vegan ice cream, be sure to use full-fat canned coconut milk and follow the ingredients in the recipe card for each recipe.

Can I use plant-based milks like almond milk or oat milk to make dairy-free ice cream?

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).

How long does homemade vegan ice cream keep in the freezer?

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 your nice cream and serve as usual.

What are the best vegan substitutes for cream and milk in ice cream?

Vegan ice cream can be made with a variety of plant-based milks, such as almond, soy, oat, or rice milk. However, full-fat coconut milk is often the best substitute for cream because of its rich and creamy texture. You can also use cashews or avocados to give a creamy texture to your ice cream.

How can I make my vegan ice cream creamy and not icy?

The creaminess of vegan ice cream is often achieved by the use of high-fat ingredients, like full-fat coconut milk or soaked and blended cashews. Using a bit of alcohol, like vodka or a flavored liqueur, can also help since alcohol doesn’t freeze and it can help keep your ice cream from getting icy.

Now, onto the recipes! I hope you love these delicious ice cream recipes as much as I do.

Best Dairy-Free & Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

You're going to love this round-up of the best homemade dairy-free and vegan ice cream recipes, including popsicles, sorbet, pies, 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!

1

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!

2

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.

3

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.

4

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!

5

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.

6

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!

7

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.

8

Vitamix Mango Sorbet

You only need three simple ingredients to make sorbet that is light, sweet, and totally yummy!

9

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!!!

10

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.

11

Mango Pineapple Popsicles

These healthy popsicles are full of flavor and nutrition, with no added sugar.

12

Cherry Popsicles with Coconut Milk

These healthy popsicles include frozen sweet cherries and coconut milk. They are creamy and so delicious.

13

Vegan Fudgesicles Recipe Using Cashews

This creamy treat is reminiscent of the ones from the store, but so much healthier.

14

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!

15

Coffee Popsicles

Coffee popsicles are a great way to use up leftover coffee. They are also great for an afternoon pick-me-up!

16

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.

Don’t Miss These Vegan Recipes

Healthy Hot Chocolate (Dairy-Free Option)

Vegan Pumpkin Brownies

Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

Vegan Peanut Butter Pie with Tofu

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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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.