15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (2024)

Cool down with these 15 healthy vegan ice cream recipes that are plant based, whole-foods focused, gluten free, delicious, and perfect for a healthier treat when you are craving something cold and sweet!

15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (1)photo by Natts Eats

Droolworthy & Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

I honestly believe there can never be enough healthy vegan ice cream recipes out in the blogosphere. Never. There’s no such thing as “oversaturating” the recipe world with ice cream!

Whether it’s cold, creamy dark chocolate, tart and sweet peach, or chunky cookie-dough deliciousness, I’m down for any healthy ice cream flavour you throw my way. Also, I was pregnant at the time I wrote this recipe roundup post so…no explanation needed!

Last summer I put together a delicious homemade dairy free ice cream roundup and going with my motto that there can never be too many ice cream recipes to try, today I’m sharing 15 more healthy and totally vegan ice cream recipes!

Whether you can tolerate dairy and/or don’t follow a vegan or plant-based diet, are a strict vegan, or just like to dabble in plant-based eating, there will guaranteed be at least one healthy ice cream option in this list for you!

The Vegan Ice Cream Recipes List:

15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (2)

Creamy Vegan Mint Brownie Ice Cream from Minimalist Baker

It’s such a classic combination, mint and chocolate. This delicious recipe by Minimalist Baker is a must-make with easy raw brownie bits and a simple homemade vegan mint ice cream.

15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (3)

Vegan Caramel Ice Cream from Delight Fuel

This delicious and creamy cashew based vegan ice cream is swirled with a simple homemade 5-minute tahini date caramel for a mind-blowing combination.

15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (4)

Healthy Cookie Dough Blizzard Recipefrom NITK

While not a traditional ice cream recipe, this blizzard is one of my favourite simple and healthy cool ice-cream treats to enjoy in the summer with a quick banana based “nice cream” and easy vegan cookie dough chunks.

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5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cup Nice Cream from Pinch Of Yum

Five ingredients, easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. There’s really no excuse not to try this delicious and simple recipe from the lovely Pinch Of Yum!

15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (6)

4-Ingredient Healthy Chocolate Ice Cream from The Loopy Whisk

It doesn’t get any easier than this tasty and dreamy dark chocolate ice cream with a simple and healthy chocolate sauce for drizzling.

15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (7)

Healthy Almond Pistachio Frozen Yogurtfrom NITK

This lovely green ice cream alternative, a vegan frozen yogurt, is super tasty and has a lovely flavour to it for a light and healthy cold snack or treat. While the recipe calls for honey you can swap the honey for agave or coconut nectar for a strict-vegan version.

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Homemade Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream from Natt Eats

This lovely vegan ice cream recipe is rich and creamy with a combination of fresh strawberries and coconut milk. Perfect for when strawberries are fresh, in season, and amazingly sweet…nature’s candy.

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Vegan Cookies & Cream Ice Cream from Healthy Happy Life

While this recipe isn’t the healthiest of all vegan ice creams, it is a healthier alternative to a typical store-bought dairy-filled cookies & cream ice cream ice cream you might find, and healthier alternatives are what this is all about.

15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (10)

Watermelon Mint Ice Cream from Feasting On Fruit

This magical combination of mint and watermelon along with coconut cream and maple syrup is an absolute must on those scorcher days in the summertime.

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Creamy Peach & Walnut Ice Cream from The Awesome Green

While I don’t often think of combining peaches and walnuts, I’m totally intrigued by this lovely looking and sounding vegan ice cream from Ana of The Awesome Green who recommends grilling the peaches for this mouthwatering recipe.

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Vegan Mint Chip Ice Cream from The Modern Proper

Another magical mint ice cream recipe from The Modern Proper, this one combines raw cashews with coconut cream, cane sugar, and chopped dark chocolate.

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Lemon Nice Cream from Krolls Korner

Lemon isn’t a super common flavour of ice cream but should not be overlooked. Not only is it refreshing and perfectly sweet, there’s the added benefit of antioxidants and vitamin C!

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Dreamy Vegan Chocolate Almond Sundae from Dolly & Oatmeal

Dreamy is right, this recipe is as dreamy as it gets with a rich dark chocolate homemade vegan ice cream topped with fresh raspberries, almonds, and a simple homemade chocolate sauce.

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Vegan Strawberry Peach Sorbet from Peanut Butter Plus Chocolate

When you are feeling like a change from the rich chocolate and vanilla ice cream flavours, give this light and sweet peach and strawberry combo a try with a fun add-in of gluten free graham cracker bits for extra crunch

15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (16)

Easy 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Pie Ice Creamfrom NITK

While you might not be thinking of pumpkin during the summer months, this simple 3-ingredient pumpkin ice cream (made with store-bought vegan vanilla ice cream) is incredibly easy and worth keeping on your must-make list for the fall!

Back in my nutritional consulting days it was very common to hear my clients complain about how dairy products (ice cream, cheese, milk, etc.) left them feeling gross and bloated with a range of other unmentionable symptoms. I was always happy to point them in the direction of healthy dairy-free or vegan alternatives they could try instead.

If you are like one of those clients and need to pass over the ice cream often, these 15 delicious recipes are an answer to your ice cream woes! Or maybe you are just aiming to eat healthier, these recipes are the answer too! I’d love to know which one peaked your interest. Tell me about it in the comments and be sure to pin the photo below to save this roundup for later!

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15 Healthy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is the best milk for vegan ice cream? ›

1Use the right non-dairy milk as your base

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).

What do vegans eat for ice cream? ›

Commercially-produced vegan ice creams are made from soy, almond, cashew, coconut, or rice milk. These products deliver all of the delicious flavor and creaminess of ice cream without harming a single cow.

What is the secret to good ice cream? ›

Thoroughly Chill the Custard

Some experts even recommend "aging" the mixture overnight in the refrigerator, which will enable the mixture to be aerated as much as possible in the maker, yielding the creamiest, smoothest ice cream.

What can I use instead of heavy cream for ice cream vegan? ›

By far the closest substitute for heavy cream in the vegan world is coconut milk in a can. There are several varieties to choose from. Look for the one with the highest fat, but don't fret if you can't find anything labeled “full fat.” They are all rich in fats.

What vegan milk is closest to real milk? ›

The demand for soy milk comes from its creamy texture and slightly nutty flavor, making it an excellent cooking and baking ingredient. It's the closest drink that resembles cow's milk, per a taste test and online public sentiment.

What is the best ice cream to eat on a diet? ›

Some healthier brands of low-calorie ice cream include: Halo Top. This brand offers 25 flavors, only 70 calories per serving, and lower fat and higher protein contents than regular ice cream. You can find Halo Top in both dairy and dairy-free bars and pints.

What is the most unhealthy ice cream flavor? ›

25 Unhealthiest Ice Creams—Ranked by Sugar Content
  • Blue Bunny Super Chunky Cookie Dough.
  • Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Therapy.
  • Blue Bell Strawberries & Homemade Vanilla.
  • Häagen-Dazs Dulce De Leche Churro.
  • Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby.
  • Häagen-Dazs Bourbon Praline.
  • Ben & Jerry's Fudge Brownie.
  • Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey.
May 6, 2024

What is a healthier choice than ice cream? ›

Frozen yogurt could be a good alternative to regular ice cream because undergoing fermentation lowers the lactose it contains. For problem-free digestion, your best bet may be to pick a lactose-free frozen yogurt or ice cream brand.

Is sherbet vegan-friendly? ›

Sherbet is primarily fruit-based but contains either milk or buttermilk, which gives it a creamier, smoother texture than sorbet. The verdict: sherbet contains dairy and is therefore not dairy-free or vegan.

What replaces dairy in vegan ice cream? ›

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.

What are the 3 most important ingredients of ice cream? ›

If you have ever made ice cream, you already know what goes into it, ingredients such as milk, cream, and sugar. But there is one main ingredient that you may not have thought about, probably because you can't see it—air.

What is the number 3 most popular ice cream? ›

3. Cookies & Cream. Cookies & cream is a new take on vanilla, because it has chunks of cookies so your customers can eat a lot without getting bored with their ice cream.

How do you make homemade ice cream creamy and not icy? ›

Whole milk – I don't recommend replacing it with reduced fat or skim. Whole milk's higher fat content ensures that the homemade ice cream comes out creamy, not icy. Cane sugar – For sweetness.

What is the best vegan creamy milk? ›

Check out our list of the 5 Best Vegan Milks in North America in 2021.
  1. #1 Oat Drink. Oatly.
  2. #2 Organic Unsweet Soymilk. Silk.
  3. #3 Dark Chocolate Almond Milk. Silk.
  4. #4 Bebida de Almendra sabor Chocolate. Silk.
  5. #5 Holiday Nog Coconutmilk. So Delicious Dairy Free.

Which milk is best for making ice cream? ›

Don't worry too much if you don't have whole milk or heavy cream. Nearly any milk will work, and you can substitute half-and-half for the cream. Ideally you want ingredients with a high fat content because these will create a creamy texture when cooled.

What vegan milk is best? ›

Soya. “Soya milk is quite neutral-tasting, although some people can detect a bean flavour,” Ridley says. Nutritionally, it's the best swap for cow's milk because it contains a similar amount of protein, according to Radcliffe. “It's also low in saturated fats and a source of healthy unsaturated fats.”

What is the best vegan thick milk? ›

Cashew Milk: the heavy-duty one

This thick, creamy plant milk will not only make your drinks and cereals richer and more indulgent but it's great for elevating your cooking and desserts, too. Many have commented on its taste being the most similar to cow's milk, in comparison to other nut milks.

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