Vegan Ice Cream

By KD Angle-Traegner / Last Update: October 2019

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It’s true; life is better with ice cream.

We love it. We write songs and poems about our devotion to the cold, creamy confection. We’re even willing to chase after trucks driving down the road just to buy some.

Luckily, you don’t need dairy to make a delicious ice cream! Creamy, delicious vegan ice creams are made with foods like plant milk, nuts, or even fruit.

Not only are these options cruelty-free, but they also contain a lot less saturated fat than dairy-based ice creams, making them a better choice for our health.

Here’s the (vegan) scoop.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FAQ: Animals aren’t hurt or killed for milk, why shouldn’t we use it?

Many well-intentioned people overlook dairy products like ice cream because the cultivation of the raw material (milk) does not require the immediate death of an animal. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The dairy industry is hell on the animals. It’s an industry filled with forced pregnancies, mechanical milking machines, industrialized living conditions, and grieving mothers.

Here’s the sad truth: Every single cow or goat used to produce milk will go to slaughter once their productivity lessens.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way.

Learn how in this Dairy-Free Living Guide.

Shopping Guide

Let’s talk about vegan ice cream basics.

Most likely, you know that ice cream usually contains dairy milk or creams. Obviously, ice cream made from these products isn’t vegan.

So, what kind of ice cream is vegan? Dairy-free ice cream products use plant ingredients like soy, cashew, and coconut among others to create rich, decadent ice creams.

Here’s a list of the vegan ice cream brands.

Vegan Ice Cream Brands

There has been an explosion of non-dairy frozen desserts on the market in the past few years. Even some large, mainstream brands now offer dairy-free versions to accommodate this growing demand.

Generally speaking, you’ll be able to find non-dairy and vegan ice cream in almost any well-stocked grocery store, right where you’d expect them to be.

Because vegan ice cream is made with a variety of different bases, it’s a good idea to try them all (winking face emoji) before determining your favorite.

To help find the right one for you, I’ve broken down this shopping guide by base ingredient.

Almond Milk 

  • Breyer’s
    Pints & Quarts – *Dairy-free flavors only

Cashew Milk

Coconut Milk

Oatmilk

Other

Rice Milk 

Sorbet & Gelatto

Soy Milk

  • Tofutti
    Pints, Bars, Cones & Sandwiches

Do you make a vegan ice cream that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Reading Food Labels:

What Kind of Ice Cream is Vegan?

Common names for vegan ice cream products are “frozen dessert” or “dairy-free frozen dessert.”

Check the label for non-vegan ingredients like dairy-based milk or cream, whey, lactose, casein, caseinate, sodium caseinate, lactic acid, capric acid and milk solids.

Instead, choose ice creams made from plant milk, fruits, or nuts.

 

Homemade Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

Cold, creamy, delicious vegan ice cream is easy to make at home. Here are a few easy recipes to get you started, organized by ice cream base.

Ice cream cone on a blue background with cherries and an ice cream smear.

Fresh Cherry or Fresh Blueberry Chip Ice Cream / Photo: SunnysideHanne

Aquafaba Base

Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

An overhead picture of a rectangle pan with bright pink vegan ice cream with swirls of red fruits throughout and an ice cream scoop sitting on one side.

Strawberry & Berry Swirl Ice Cream / Photo: Blissful Basil

Coconut Milk Base

Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Two scoops of a vegan mango ice cream in a stonewear bowl with a fresh sprig of mint on top.

Mango Banana Ice Cream / Photo: A Virtual Vegan

Fruit Base

Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Non-Dairy Blended Bases

Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

An overhead picture of a bowl of ice cream with several spoons full of ice cream and nuts scattered about sitting on top of a black background.

Chocolate & Hazelnut Ice Cream / Photo: The Minimalist Vegan

Nut Base

Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Tofu Base

Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

 

Vegan Ice Cream Cookbooks

Are you ready to try and make delicious, dairy-free ice cream at home?

Good news, there’s plenty of cookbooks for that!

I’ve put together a collection of books filled with recipes, tips, and tricks on blending up the perfect creamy treat to help get you started.

Is your favorite vegan ice cream cookbook not listed? Contact me.

 
Vegan & Dairy-Free Ice Cream Guide - Your Daily Vegan

Truth in Advertising

I am committed to providing accurate information to the vegan community. Meticulously researched, the topic explored in this guide contains the knowledge available at the time of publishing. Reviews and updates happen when new material becomes available.

Please contact me if you find incorrect data.

Article Photo Credits

Guide images via Shutterstock
Recipe photos via recipe authors and used with written permission

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