The Ultimate Guide to the Best Vegan Ice Cream Brands and Recipes

Vegan ice cream has come a long way in recent years. With more people adopting plant-based diets or avoiding dairy for health reasons, the demand for dairy-free frozen desserts has exploded. Today there are countless brands offering high-quality vegan ice cream, from new startups using unique bases like avocado and macadamia nuts to established companies releasing vegan versions of classic flavors.

While the options may seem endless, not all vegan ice cream is created equal. Texture and taste can vary wildly depending on the base ingredients. To help you navigate the crowded world of vegan ice cream, we’ve compiled this guide covering some of the best brands, flavors, and tips. Keep reading to discover your new favorite dairy-free indulgence.

Key Takeaways

• Vegan ice cream has exploded in popularity and quality in recent years
• Bases like coconut, cashew, and oat milk impact taste and texture
• Look for creamy texture and natural, non-artificial flavors
• Try unique flavors beyond just chocolate and vanilla
• Making your own gives you total control over ingredients
• Churning makes a big difference in texture
• Pair and top vegan ice creams just like regular ice cream

How to Choose the Best Vegan Ice Cream

When evaluating vegan ice creams, here are a few key factors to consider:

Base Ingredients

The base ingredients greatly impact the taste and texture of vegan ice cream. Some common bases include:

• Coconut milk – Rich and creamy, imparts light coconut flavor
• Cashew milk – Smooth and decadent, neutral flavor
• Almond milk – Subtly nutty, can be icy if not formulated well
• Oat milk – Neutral flavor, can be thick and creamy
• Soy milk – Smooth, creamy, and protein-rich
• Macadamia nut milk – Ultra-rich and fatty like dairy cream
• Avocado – Imparts creaminess; undetectable flavor

Texture

Not all vegan ice creams melt and scoop like traditional dairy ice cream. Look for brands that use natural stabilizers like guar or xanthan gum to create a creamy, scoopable texture.

Taste

Avoid brands that have an artificial or chemical taste from flavors and sweeteners. Look for those using natural extracts, herbs, spices, and unrefined sugar for clean, pure flavor.

Ingredients

Some brands load up their products with stabilizers, emulsifiers, and other additives. Opt for those with simpler, more recognizable ingredients.

Certifications

Look for certified organic, non-GMO, fair trade ingredients if these factors are important to you.

12 Top Vegan Ice Cream Brands

After considering all of the above, here are 12 of the top vegan ice cream brands that get high marks for taste, texture, and ingredients:

1. So Delicious

One of the first and most popular dairy-free ice cream brands, So Delicious offers a huge selection of flavors made from various bases like cashew milk, almond milk, and coconut milk. Their unique “wondermilk” blends coconut oil and pea protein for a creamy consistency. Standout flavors include Salted Caramel Cashewmilk and Chocolate Cookies ‘n Cream Coconutmilk.

2. Ben & Jerry’s

The iconic Vermont brand was one of the first large companies to dive into vegan ice cream in 2016. Now they offer dozens of dairy-free flavors including non-dairy versions of their classics like Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, and Chocolate Fudge Brownie, made with an almond milk base.

3. Oatly

Best known for its barista-style oat milks, Oatly uses oat milk as the base for its line of dairy-free frozen desserts. The subtle oat flavor pairs nicely with mix-ins like chocolate chips, fudge swirls, and cookie crumbles. Popular flavors include Hazelnut Swirl and Salted Caramel.

4. Coconut Bliss

One of the first plant-based brands, Coconut Bliss (recently rebranded as Cosmic Bliss) uses coconut milk and coconut cream for rich, creamy flavors like Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge and Dark Chocolate Orange. Those avoiding coconut should look elsewhere.

5. NadaMoo

With coconut milk as the base, NadaMoo’s pints are certified organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Fan-favorite flavors include Cookie Dough, Mint Chip, and Birthday Cake. Their creaminess rivals dairy ice cream.

6. Van Leeuwen

Started in NYC as a vegan ice cream truck, Van Leeuwen now has scoop shops nationwide and pints in grocery stores. They use a blend of cashew milk, coconut cream, and oat milk for flavors like Planet Earth (chocolate, caramel, and cookie swirl) and Earl Grey Tea.

7. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Jeni’s jumped on the dairy-free train in 2019 with a line of indulgent vegan flavors including Cold Brew with Coconut Cream, Dark Chocolate Truffle, and Cherry Lambic Sorbet. The coconut cream base provides richness.

8. Cado Avocado Ice Cream

By swapping dairy cream for nutrient-dense avocados, Cado achieves a super creamy texture. Their simplicity lets flavors like Deep Dark Chocolate and mint shine.

9. Salt & Straw

Known for unconventional flavors, this brand uses a coconut cream base for vegan options like Freckled Mint TCHO-Chip and Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper. Their texture rivals dairy ice cream.

10. Planet Oat

Oat milk makes an ideal base for Planet Oat’s line of dairy-free frozen desserts. Flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl and Coffee Fudge Swirl are plant-based perfection.

11. Coolhaus

Founded in LA, Coolhaus makes dairy-free coated ice cream sandwiches and pints. Their new Perfect Day partnership allows them to use animal-free whey protein for an extra creamy vegan base.

12. Mauna Loa

New in 2022, this Hawaiian brand taps into macadamia nuts for an ultra-rich and creamy base. Flavors include Kona Coffee, Mango Liliko‘i, and Rocky Road to Hana.

Tips for Choosing the Best Vegan Ice Cream Flavors

With so many options on the market, it can be tough deciding which vegan ice cream flavors to try. Here are a few tips:

• Sample classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry first to gauge taste and texture
• Look for fun mix-ins like cookies, swirls, and chocolate chunks to satisfy cravings
• Branch out with unique flavors involving spices, herbs, fruits, nuts, and alcohol
• Consider flavored non-dairy milks like horchata, matcha, lavender, and chai
• Try reinvented childhood favorites like cookie dough, mint chip, and cookies ‘n cream
• Select seasonally appropriate options like pumpkin in fall and berry flavors in summer

No matter your preferences, there’s a vegan ice cream out there for you. The key is sampling different brands and flavors to discover your new plant-based obsession.

8 Creative Vegan Ice Cream Flavor Ideas

If you’re looking to venture beyond the typical chocolate and vanilla options, here are some creative vegan ice cream flavors to try:

• Lavender honey lemon – Floral and sweet with a tart lemon zing
• Rose water saffron – Fragrant, golden, and totally unique
• Horchata – Cinnamon and rice milk create this Mexican favorite
• Mango lassi – Sweet, tangy, and lusciously creamy
• Honeydew melon & basil – Refreshing flavor combination perfect for summer
• Pumpkin pie – Warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg paired with real pumpkin
• Thai iced tea – Strong black tea balanced out by creamy coconut milk
• Butter pecan – A classic flavor that many brands now offer in dairy-free versions

Let your imagination run wild and get inspired by your favorite desserts, beverages, herbs, spices, and produce to develop your own signature vegan ice cream tastes.

5 Tips for Making Your Own Vegan Ice Cream

Want to make your own dairy-free frozen treats at home? Here are 5 tips for whipping up delicious homemade vegan ice cream:

1. Use Full-Fat Non-Dairy Milk

For a rich, creamy base, opt for full-fat coconut milk, cashew milk, or your favorite vegan milk. Lower fat milks result in an icy, watery texture.

2. Pick a Flavorful Sweetener

Granulated white sugar makes ice cream freeze hard. Swap it for maple syrup, coconut sugar, or agave to keep things scoopably soft.

3. Add Natural Stabilizers

A small amount of guar gum or xanthan gum helps prevent iciness and crystallization for a smooth texture.

4. Give It Time to Chill

Allow your ice cream base to chill in the fridge for a few hours before churning to improve texture.

5. Use an Ice Cream Maker

While not required, an ice cream maker produces better texture and flavor incorporation than hand mixing or freezing alone.

5 Delicious Vegan Ice Cream Recipes to Try

Once you’re ready to start experimenting with making your own dairy-free frozen treats, here are 5 indulgent vegan ice cream recipes to try:

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream

By blending up frozen bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and plant milk, you can achieve an ice cream-like treat that’s healthy and naturally sweetened.

2. Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Blend up cashews, coconut cream, strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla for a cool, creamy, and tangy treat.

3. Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Simmer dates, non-dairy milk, coconut sugar, salt, and vanilla to create a sweet caramel swirl through coconut-based ice cream.

4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Fold vegan chocolate chip cookie dough filled with walnuts, oats, flour, and brown sugar into a simple cashew and coconut milk base.

5. Coffee Almond Fudge Ice Cream

Brewed coffee and cocoa powder amp up the flavor of creamy almond milk-based ice cream with swirls of thick chocolate fudge.

Are Vegan Ice Creams Healthy?

While vegan ice creams eliminate dairy, they aren’t necessarily diet foods. Here’s a look at the nutrition pros and cons:

Pros:

• Dairy-free and vegan (no milk, cream, eggs, etc.)
• Often made from plants like nuts, seeds, coconut, oats
• Can be lower in saturated fat than dairy ice cream
• Can contain probiotics from nutrient-rich bases

Cons:

• Often high in sugar and calories like regular ice cream
• Contains natural fats from ingredients like nuts and coconut
• Many contain stabilizers and emulsifiers
• Serving sizes tend to be small since they are rich

As an occasional treat, vegan ice cream can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you choose brands made from whole foods that are low in refined sugars. But portion control is still important, even with dairy-free options.

Are Vegan Ice Creams Eco-Friendly?

One of the main reasons people choose veganism is out of concern for the environment. But are vegan ice creams more eco-friendly than dairy-based? Here are some key considerations around sustainability:

• Ingredients – Some bases like oat and soy milk have lower environmental impact than almond and coconut.
• Manufacturing – Small batch artisan brands tend to be more sustainable than mass market products.
• Packaging – Cardboard pints and biodegradable spoons are better than single-use plastics.
• Transportation – Locally produced ice creams have a smaller carbon footprint.
• Veganism – Dairy production creates more emissions than plant-based foods.

While vegan ice cream may be better for the planet since it eliminates dairy, much depends on specific production practices. Do your homework to determine the eco-friendly brands.

Should You Store Vegan Ice Cream Upside Down?

You may have heard the advice to store ice cream upside down in the freezer. But does it make a difference for dairy-free brands? Here’s the scoop on upside down storage:

Pros

• Prevents freezer burn by keeping ice crystals away from surface
• Creates a tighter seal to minimize air exposure
• Helps liquid at bottom incorporate for smoother texture

Cons

• Risk of ice cream toppling over when opened
• Can make a mess if pint leaks or drips
• Requires double checking flavor before serving

While not critical, upside down storage can potentially help minimize ice crystal formation in any type of ice cream, including vegan varieties. Try it if you’re noticing texture issues or freezer burn. Just take precautions against spills.

Is It Safe to Eat Vegan Ice Cream While Pregnant?

Pregnancy comes with a long list of dietary restrictions. But if you’re expecting, can you still enjoy the occasional bowl of vegan ice cream? Here’s what you need to know:

• Unpasteurized products like raw vegan ice cream should be avoided due to bacterial risks.
• Added sugars should be limited, but small amounts are considered safe.
• Most ingredients like oat milk and natural flavors are safe in moderation.
• If allergic, steer clear of potential allergens like nuts, soy, and coconut.
• Caffeine from chocolate, coffee, and tea varieties should be restricted.

While you might have hoped that being pregnant would mean you could eat for two and indulge on as much vegan ice cream and dairy-free cake as you could get your hands on, it’s not healthy for your baby. A great resource for your strict vegetarian pregnancy is Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven.

https://www.vegan-momma.com/vegan-pregnancy.html#:

Overall, commercially produced vegan ice creams from reputable brands are considered pregnancy-safe when portion-controlled and avoidance of specific allergens. But check with your doctor to be sure.

Can Toddlers and Kids Eat Vegan Ice Cream?

Parents of little ones may wonder if plant-based frozen desserts are suitable for children. Here are a few guidelines:

• 1+ years – Once toddlers can handle dairy, small amounts of vegan ice cream are fine. Focus on simple, fruit-based flavors.
• 2-3 years – More flavors can be introduced, but keep quantities small and look out for common allergens like nuts.
• 4+ years – Varieties with mix-ins and more complex flavors can be enjoyed, aligning with recommended daily sugar allowance.
• Avoid – Unpasteurized products until age 5. Caffeine for those sensitive.

While most toddlers should technically be able to enjoy vegan ice creams safely, quantities and frequencies should be restricted. Check with pediatricians for any child-specific concerns.

Does Vegan Ice Cream Contain Gluten?

Those avoiding gluten for health reasons will be happy to know that many dairy-free ice creams are also gluten-free. But it’s important to check labels since not all are. Here’s what to look out for:

Gluten Sources to Avoid

• Wheat, barley, rye or derivatives
• Swirls with brownies, cookies, cakes or candy
• Malt or malt extract
• Some thickeners like wheat starch

Typically Gluten-Free

• Bases like coconut, nut, and oat milks
• Fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices as flavors
• Natural sweeteners like maple and agave syrup

Due to potential cross-contamination, those with celiac disease should look for brands that are certified gluten-free to be safest. Call or email manufacturers with any questions.

Does Vegan Ice Cream Contain Lactose?

By definition, vegan ice creams are completely lactose-free since they do not contain any dairy ingredients whatsoever. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in them instead of lactose:

• Plant-based milks like almond, oat, and coconut
• Natural sweeteners such as maple syrup and agave
• Thickeners like guar gum or carob bean gum
• Oils such as coconut or avocado oil
• Vegan flavors from fruits, nuts, cocoa, etc.

Vegans and those avoiding lactose due to intolerance or allergy can enjoy traditional flavors of ice cream worry-free. Just be sure to check labels for potential nut or coconut allergies depending on the product.

Do You Need an Ice Cream Maker to Make Vegan Ice Cream?

While owning an ice cream maker streamlines the process, you can still whip up dairy-free frozen treats without fancy equipment. Here are two options:

No Machine Method

• Freeze ice cube trays of your milk/sweetener mixture
• Process cubes in a blender or food processor until smooth
• Add mix-ins if desired
• Freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until set

Alternative Gadgets

• Blend ingredients in high-speed blender like Vitamix
• Pour into chilled bowl and freeze 2+ hours
• Fluff and stir every 30 minutes

You can even shake up cubes, milk, and flavors in a lidded gallon milk jug to get creative! While not as smooth as machine churning, these low-tech methods work fine.

Can You Make Vegan Ice Cream Without Sugar?

Cutting out added sugar doesn’t mean you have to give up ice cream entirely. Here are 5 ways to make sugar-free vegan ice creams:

• Fruits – Bananas, dates, and other fruits lend natural sweetness
• Stevia -This zero-calorie plant extract mimics sugar content
• Monk fruit – 300x sweeter than sugar without the calories or carbs
• Erythritol – Sugar alcohol provides sweetness without blood sugar spikes
• Yacon syrup – Sweet syrup from yacon roots that is low glycemic

You can also reduce sweetness overall and boost other flavors using cocoa, spices, coffee, teas, and extracts. Just adjust recipes slowly and taste as you go until the sweetness level satisfies your preferences.