Vegan Ice Cream
By KD Angle-Traegner / Last Update: October 2019
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.
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
- Almond Dream
Pints & Quarts
- Ben & Jerry’s
Pints – *Dairy-free flavors only
- Breyer’s
Pints & Quarts – *Dairy-free flavors only
- DF Mavens
Pints & Bars
- So Delicious Almond Milk
Pints & Bars
Cashew Milk
- Open Nature
(sold at Safeway Stores)
- Organic Nectars
Cashewtopia Gelato
- So Delicious Cashew Milk
Pints & Bars
Coconut Milk
- Coconut Bliss
Pints & Sandwiches
- Coolhaus
*Dairy-Free flavors only
- DF Mavens
Pints & Bars
- Over the Moo
(Australia)
- So Delicious Coconut Milk
Pints, Bars & Sandwiches
- Steve’s Ice Cream
*Dairy-free flavors only
Other
- Van Leeuwen
(NYC Only)
Rice Milk
- Rice Dream
Pints, Bars & Sandwiches
Sorbet & Gelatto
Soy Milk
- Double Rainbow
Soy flavors only
- Jollyum
(UK)
- So Delicious Soy Milk
Pints & Sandwiches
- Soy Dream
Pints & Quarts
- Swedish Glace
(UK)
- Tofutti
Pints, Bars, Cones & Sandwiches
- Trader Joe’s
(Soy flavors only)
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.

Fresh Cherry or Fresh Blueberry Chip Ice Cream / Photo: SunnysideHanne
Aquafaba Base
- Cotton Candy Strawberry Ice Cream
Exceedingly Vegan
- Chocolate Brittle Ice Cream
Ceara’s Kitchen
- Raspberry Ice Cream
The Veggie Side of Me
- Frozen Candy Cane Fluff
House Vegan
- Simple Vanilla Ice Cream
A Sweet Vegan World
- Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream
Banana Bloom
- Blackberry Basil Ice Cream
The Vegan Harvest
- Strawberry & Pistachio Semifreddo
The Vegan Larder
Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Strawberry & Berry Swirl Ice Cream / Photo: Blissful Basil
Coconut Milk Base
- French Press Coffee Ice Cream
Glue & Glitter
- Tahini Cardamom Ice Cream
The Organic Dietitian
- 10-Minute Strawberry Ice Cream
Daily Burn
- Coconut Milk Cinnamon Ice Cream
Eat Healthy. Eat Happy.
- Peach Crisp Ice Cream
Go Dairy Free
- Toasted Coconut Ice Cream
Loving It Vegan
- Chocolate Sriracha Ice Cream
Vegan Yack Attack
- Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Namely Marly
- Lemon Mint Ice Cream
Love Me, Feed Me
- Heavenly Hash Ice Cream
Gluten-Free Vegan Pantry
Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Mango Banana Ice Cream / Photo: A Virtual Vegan
Fruit Base
- Butter Maple Pecan
The Simple Veganista
- Peanut Butter Cookie Ice Cream
Healthy. Happy. Life.
- Peanut Butter & Oreo Ice Cream
Vegan Heaven
- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Banana Ice Cream
Connoisseurus Veg
- Cake Batter Ice Cream
The Blender Girls
- Champagne & Blueberry Ice Cream
Exceedingly Vegan
- Neapolitan Banana Ice Cream
The Veg Life
- Banana Bread Ice Cream | 24 Carrot Life
Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.
Non-Dairy Blended Bases
- Vegan Chai Ice Cream
Minimalist Baker
- Coconut Ice Cream with a Caramel Ripple
Tofu for Tots
- Coffee Ice Cream
Ceara’s Kitchen
- Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
Quite Good Food
- Brownie Chocolate Ice Cream
Minimalist Baker
- Rhubarb Ice Cream
Seitan is My Motor
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Nicecream
Rawberry Fields
- Almond Amaretto Ice Cream
Parsnips & Sprockets
- Avocado & Banana Ice Cream
Divine Healthy Food
Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Chocolate & Hazelnut Ice Cream / Photo: The Minimalist Vegan
Nut Base
- Almond Butter Ice Cream
Unconventional Baker
- Cashew Ice Cream
Love & Zest
- Pistachio Ice Cream
Seitan is My Motor
- Mint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
This Rawsome Vegan Life
- Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream
Crazy Vegan Kitchen
- Cacao Ice Cream
Oh, Ladycakes
- Chunky Monkey
The First Mess
- Poppyseed, Banana, Coconut & Rum Ice Cream
Exceedingly Vegan
- Cashew Banana Ice Cream
The Blender Girl
Have a vegan recipe that isn’t listed? Contact me.
Tofu Base
- Fig & Marsala Ice Cream
Parsnips & Sprockets
- Vanilla Ice Cream
Veganbaking.net
- Chocolate Ice Cream
Go Dairy Free
- Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream
Queen of My Kitchen
- Double Chocolate Ice Cream
The Hench Vegan
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.

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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