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Vegan ice cream

Dairy-free, plant-based ice cream is more mainstream than ever.

By: KD Angle-Traegner

Published: August 2015
Last Update: September 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

It's true; life is sweeter 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, getting a dairy-free version of that cool, creamy taste you love has never been easier. This guide will introduce you to all the vegan options and give you everything you need to know.

First, we'll go shopping. I'll tell you the brands to look for and what milk each uses. Next, we'll head into the kitchen with tons of recipes to inspire you. Finally, I'll share a list of vegan ice cream cookbooks available.

Here's the vegan scoop.

QUICK NAVIGATION

 

Shopping / Recipes / Cookbooks

1. Shopping guide

Here’s what you need to know before you head to the store.

Quick section summary:

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.

Find dairy-free ice cream in stores

Let’s talk about dairy-free ice cream basics.

You probably know that ice cream usually contains dairy milk or creams. Ice cream made from these products isn’t suitable for vegans. Dairy-free ice cream products use plant ingredients like soy, cashew, coconut, avocado, and aquafaba.

You’ll find vegan ice cream in the freezer section, right where you’d expect them to be. Generally speaking, most well-stocked grocery stores offer some non-dairy options.

Here’s a list of brands to look for at the store.

Vegan ice cream brands

Purchasing note: Not all of the brands above are completely vegan; some offer dairy-based versions. These brands have this ⊕ symbol next to their name.

 

Shopping / Recipes / Cookbooks

2. Vegan ice cream recipes

Ready for cooking inspiration? These recipes will surely satisfy you.

Peanut butter and blueberry ice cream from Rainbow Nourishments

Matcha ice cream from My Vegan Minimalist

Pumpkin ice cream from Cookie Dough Diaries

Aquafaba ice cream from The Hidden Veggies

Strawberry ice cream from Vegan Huggs

Vanilla ice cream from Loving it Vegan

High-protein chocolate ice cream from Nutriciously

Cookie dough ice cream from Make it Dairy-Free

Butter pecan ice cream from My Quiet Kitchen

Recipes to try

  1. Peanut Butter and Blueberry Ice Cream
    Rainbow Nourishments
  1. Matcha Ice Cream
    My Vegan Minimalist
  1. Pumpkin Ice Cream
    Cookie Dough Diaries
  1. Aquafaba Ice Cream (five flavors)
    The Hidden Veggies
  1. Strawberry Ice Cream
    Vegan Huggs
  1. Vanilla Ice Cream
    Loving it Vegan
  1. High-protein Chocolate Ice Cream
    Nutriciously
  1. Cookie Dough Ice Cream
    Make it Dairy-Free
  1. Butter Pecan Ice Cream
    My Quiet Kitchen
 

Shopping / Recipes / Cookbooks

3. Vegan ice cream cookbooks

These cookbooks are filled with recipes, tips, and tricks on blending the perfect creamy treat.

Cover for the book, Incredible Vegan Ice Cream. Features several deconstructed ice cream cones and ice cream scoopers sitting on a dark background.
Cover for the book, Coconut Milk Ice Cream. Features a ice cream - 3 scoops, 1 chocolate, 1 vanilla, and 1 strawberry - inside a half coconut shell sitting on top of a blue background.
Cover for the book, N'ice Cream. Features several ice cream cones on a mostly white background.
Cover for the book, Vegan A La Mode. Features four different vegan ice cream desserts.
Cover for the book, Vegan Ice Cream. Up Close picture of two ice cream cones with double scoops on each. Light blue background.
Cover for the book, Incredible Vegan Ice Cream. Features several deconstructed ice cream cones and ice cream scoopers sitting on a dark background.
Cover for the book, Coconut Milk Ice Cream. Features a ice cream - 3 scoops, 1 chocolate, 1 vanilla, and 1 strawberry - inside a half coconut shell sitting on top of a blue background.
Cover for the book, N'ice Cream. Features several ice cream cones on a mostly white background.
Cover for the book, Vegan A La Mode. Features four different vegan ice cream desserts.
Cover for the book, Vegan Ice Cream. Up Close picture of two ice cream cones with double scoops on each. Light blue background.
 

Truth in advertising

I am committed to providing accurate information to the vegan community. Meticulously researched, the topic explored in this guide contains the information available at the time of publishing.

I don’t just say it; I source it too.

Please contact me if you find incorrect data.

Photo Credits

Recipe photos via recipe creators and used with permission.

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