Say hello to the BEST vegan ice cream recipe! Made with just 3 ingredients, it's super creamy, smooth, rich, delicious, and easy to make.
Meet the BEST vegan ice cream. Ever.
Yep, I said it. Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts of vegan ice cream recipes, ones with bases ranging from frozen bananas to cashew milk to almond milk. For me, there’s no contest. As far as dairy-free ice cream goes, coconut ice cream is by far the best. Full-fat coconut milk adds enough richness to create a texture that is super creamy, smooth, and not at all icy. It’s rich, decadent, and every bit as good as the real thing.
Best Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients
Lately, this vegan ice cream recipe has become my new favorite. To make it, you’ll need three simple ingredients:
1. Coconut milk – My go-to base for dairy-free ice cream.
2. Maple syrup – It gives this recipe a deep, complex sweetness. I love the maple flavor here!
3. And…tahini! The creamy star ingredient in this recipe.
I know, I know. If you walk into any American ice cream shop, tahini probably wouldn’t be among the ice cream flavors there. However, sesame ice cream is popular in Japan. During our trip to Tokyo last spring, I had the most incredible sesame ice cream, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it.
Luckily for me, this homemade version is just as good as the delicious ice cream I had on our trip. The toasty, nutty flavor of the tahini pairs wonderfully with the maple syrup and coconut milk, and though the tahini flavor is present here, it’s not overpowering. It mostly lends an extra-creamy texture to the coconut milk base, which makes this vegan ice cream really exceptional.
How to Make Non-Dairy Ice Cream
The night before you plan to make your dairy-free ice cream, freeze the base of your ice cream maker. I love my KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker Attachment because it saves space and it does a great job with homemade ice cream. It should be in the freezer for at least 12 hours before you proceed with the recipe!
The next day, whisk together the coconut milk, tahini, and maple syrup to create the ice cream base. If your coconut milk is chunky, use a food processor or blender to whir the ingredients into a smooth puree.
Then, pour the mixture into the base of your ice cream maker and churn until thick! Mine takes about 20 minutes, but the timing will depend on your machine. Refer to your manufacturer’s instructions for timing guidelines.
When the ice cream is thick, scoop and enjoy, or freeze it for 1-2 hours for an even thicker texture.
Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Tips
- Spice it up!Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom or a drop of vanilla to the coconut milk base for an extra layer of flavor.
- Don’t forget the toppings.I love this dairy-free ice cream on its own, but it’s delicious with toppings as well. I served mine with tart cherries, melted dark chocolate, vegan chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Eat it right away, or freeze it for up to a week. This vegan ice cream has the perfect creamy, smooth texture right after it comes out of the ice cream maker. Enjoy it as soon as it’s done, or store it in airtight containers in the freezer for up to a week. It hardens while it’s in the freezer, so if you’re planning to serve it 24 hours or more after you make it, let it soften at room temperature for 20 minutes before scooping it into bowls.
If you love this dairy-free ice cream recipe…
Try one of these plant-based treats next:
- Vegan Chocolate Cake
- No-Bake Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Vegan Sugar Cookies
- Coconut Macaroons
Best Vegan Ice Cream
This easy dairy-free ice cream is so rich and delicious! The tahini doesn't have an overpowering flavor here; it mostly lends an extra-creamy texture to the coconut milk base.
Author: Jeanine Donofrio
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 (14-ounce) can full fat coconut milk
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup tahini
- (optional) toppings: sesame seeds, tart cherries, chocolate
Instructions
- Freeze the base of your KitchenAid® Ice Cream Attachment for at least 12 hours, preferably overnight.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, tahini, and maple syrup. (If your coconut milk is chunky, you may want to combine the ingredients in a blender).
- Pour the mixture into the ice cream maker and churn until thick, about 20 minutes. Scoop out and enjoy! If you would like thicker ice cream, freeze for 1-2 hours before serving.
Notes
When you store your ice cream in the fridge for over 24 hours, it'll harden. Let it sit at room temp for about 20 minutes to soften before scooping.
Pictured in this post: KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker Attachment
FAQs
Is vegan ice cream healthy? When compared to dairy-based ice cream, there are potential health benefits to plant-based alternatives. Chief amongst them are lower saturated fat levels and zero cholesterol. LDL cholesterol contributes to heart and circulatory diseases.
Why is my vegan ice cream so hard? ›
Ice creams that are lower in fat or sugar will create harder ice cream. Fat doesn't freeze, and sugar lowers the freezing temperature of the water in our mixes. So they both keep our ice cream soft.
How to give vegan ice cream that creamy taste minus the milk? ›
The secret is nothing more than coconut milk. Full-fat, creamy coconut milk. Other vegan milk substitutes, like almond milk or soy milk, just don't cut it when it comes to ice cream. You need the fattiness and unctuousness that can only be found in a can of coconut milk.
Does Aldi have vegan ice cream? ›
ALDI also offers vegan Earth Grown Almond Milk Ice Cream and Coconut Milk Ice Cream lines. But the options below are for their vegan Oat Milk Ice Cream specifically, which is typically available starting in late summer. Be sure to leave your rating and review below once you've bought and tried it!
Is oatmilk ice cream healthier? ›
While I would not describe oat milk ice cream as healthy per se (it still has a relatively high calorie count and sugar count), it is certainly a healthier option than standard ice creams. Because this oat milk ice cream is made without heavy cream, it contains fewer calories.
Is vegan ice cream processed? ›
Vegan Ice Creams and Popsicles: Ingredients
As a rule of thumb, if you know all the ingredients and all of them are coming from whole foods (i.e. not processed), then you can enjoy it without major health concerns.
What is the best thickener for vegan ice cream? ›
Plant-based fats are the best way to thicken vegan ice cream. Coconut cream, full-fat coconut milk and coconut oil will give the creamiest and thickest results. Cornstarch and tapioca starch can also be used to thicken but the end result will be a little more icy and a little less creamy.
What is a good non-dairy substitute for ice cream? ›
The base of coconut cream provides that unique level of unctuousness that doesn't compare to alternatives like nut or rice milk. And without any obvious coconut flavor, we think these could win over any dairy ice cream lover. This coconut-based ice cream is creamy without underlying coconut flavor.
What milk to use for vegan ice cream? ›
Kaminsky says that you'll get the best results from dairy-free counterparts that are higher in fat such as canned coconut milk. She typically uses almond milk as her base, but other non-dairy milks can work (steer clear of rice milk because it tends to be too watery).
Is Jude's ice cream vegan? ›
His creations were lip-smackingly good. So good he gave them his wife's name, Jude. Today top chefs serve our ice cream and we've bagged over 40 Great Taste Awards. We're carefully crafted this vegan ice cream to knock your socks off.
Dense, Fudgy Ice Cream
On top of all that, evaporated milk also happens to be the key to our super-chewy New England–style ice cream. For that you can thank its high protein content, which delivers a superior, fresh-churned texture while simultaneously limiting iciness once the ice cream is stored.
What milk makes the creamiest ice cream? ›
But the likely answer—according to this test at least—is that premium milk is better for ice cream not because it's fresher, but because it's fattier. If you're wondering, this doesn't mean that more fat = better all of the time. Too much fat can dull an ice cream's flavor and leave a waxy feeling on the tongue.
Is Mcdonalds ice cream vegan? ›
McDonald's is going plant-based in the the sweetest way. Dairy-free customers will be happy to hear that McDonald's is currently testing two new vegan ice cream options: Choco Scoop and Strawberry Scoop. But before you rush out to your local Mickey D's to try the frozen treat, there is a pretty big catch.
Does Haagen Dazs make vegan ice cream? ›
Is it Vegan? Yes! All of our Häagen-Dazs Plant-Based tubs have been fully Certified Vegan by Vegan Action.
What brand is Aldi ice cream? ›
And while most stores never reveal the businesses behind their private labels, a Michigan-based company called House of Flavors may be responsible for creating Aldi's delicious ice cream products. Just consider the similarities between Aldi's Sundae Shoppe Moose Tracks ice cream and the House of Flavors' version.
What is vegan ice cream made from? ›
Most vegan ice creams are made with coconut milk, almond milk or soy milk. All of those bases come from plants, and none include anything that comes from an animal. If, however, an ice cream is made with coconut milk but contains egg, it is dairy-free but not vegan, since it has egg.
Is vegan cream healthier? ›
Yes, compared to dairy-based creams, vegan creams are healthier. Since they are plant-based, they contain low saturated fat and zero cholesterol.
Is vegan Ben and Jerry's healthier? ›
But if you're a regular ice cream-eater, she says it's worth adding the vegan version into your rotation once in a while to save a little on fat and calories. However, she points out, "200 calories in a vegan dessert is still more than 150 calories in a non-vegan ice cream from another company."
What is the difference between ice cream and vegan ice cream? ›
There are a few key differences between the two, both in terms of the ingredients and the taste. For starters, vegan ice cream is made with different ingredients than regular ice cream. Vegan ice cream makers use soy milk, sugar, and corn syrup as a substitute for regular milk.
