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!

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!

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!

Don’t forget to join my newsletter list to get exclusive clean eating recipes and tips. The newsletter is 100% free with no spam; unsubscribe anytime.

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 nearly 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.