Vegan Ice Cream Guide

By KD Angle-Traegner / Updated August 9, 2018

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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

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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.

Vegan Ice Cream 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

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.

Aquafaba Base

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

Fresh Cherry or Blueberry Vegan Ice Cream Recipe - Vegan Ice Cream Guide - Your Daily Vegan

Fresh Cherry or Fresh Blueberry Chip Ice Cream by SunnysideHanne

Strawberry & Berry Swirl Ice Cream by Blissful Basil

Coconut Milk Base

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

Fruit Base

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

Mango Banana Ice Cream by A Virtual Vegan

Non-Dairy Blended Bases

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

Nut Base

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

Chocolate & Hazelnut Ice Cream by The Minimalist Vegan

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.

Sources + Photo Credits

Article Photo Credits

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

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