Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
Vegan vanilla ice cream is made with only five ingredients and creates a dreamy creamy treat you’ll want to make repeatedly! If you’re a fan of creamy ice cream, get ready to discover a whole new level of deliciousness that’s not only kind to your taste buds but also to the planet.
On a quest to discover the perfect scoop of creamy, dairy-free bliss? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve found testing this recipe to be a delightful journey. I mean, taste-testing homemade vegan vanilla ice cream? How much better could it get?
Making your own vegan vanilla ice cream at home is surprisingly easy. All you need is a high-powered blender, a few simple ingredients, and an ice cream maker (or even just a freezer).
Key Ingredients
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Plant-Based Milk — Use creamy plant-based milk like some homemade oat milk or cashew milk.
- Coconut Milk — We’ll also add a 13.5-ounce can of full-fat coconut milk to make this non-dairy ice cream rich and creamy.
- Sugar — A crucial ingredient to make creamy ice cream is sugar.
- Starch — I used cornstarch, and for me, this is crucial for making the best ice cream.
- Vanilla — Of course, we want that vanilla flavor! I added a full tablespoon of real vanilla extract.
OK. Let’s get churning!
How to Make Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
- Place the freezer bowl of your ice cream maker in the freezer. See notes for making this ice cream without a machine.
- Cook milks, sugar, starch, and vanilla in a saucepan.
- Cook and stir for 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
- Let it cool slightly, then transfer to a food processor (or blender) and pulse in short bursts until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a sealable container and refrigerate until chilled.
- Spoon the milk mixture into the ice cream freezer bowl and churn until it reaches a desired consistency.
- Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe, sealable container and freeze immediately.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Is vegan vanilla ice cream dairy-free?
Yes, vegan ice cream is made with non-dairy milk ingredients, making it dairy-free. It’s typically made with plant-based milk combined with coconut or cashew milk to make the ice cream creamy.
Can I enjoy vegan ice cream if I have a nut allergy?
Yes, you can still enjoy vegan vanilla ice cream even if you have nut allergies. Many vegan ice cream brands offer nut-free options made with soy, coconut, or oat milk instead of nut-based alternatives like almond or cashew milk. If you’re concerned about allergies, consider making your own at home to control the ingredients completely.
Why Make Your Own Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream?
Sure, you could pick up a pint of vegan vanilla ice cream at your local grocery store, but there’s something truly magical about creating your own. Here are a few reasons why making it from scratch is worth your while:
- Customization: You have control over the ingredients, so you can adjust the sweetness and vanilla intensity to your liking.
- Freshness: Homemade ice cream is as fresh as it gets. You know exactly what goes into it, and there are no artificial additives or preservatives.
- Creativity: Experiment with add-ins like chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or fruit for a personalized touch.
Top Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream Brands
If you’re craving a scoop (or three) of vegan vanilla ice cream and don’t want to make it yourself, here are some fantastic brands that have nailed the vegan ice cream game:
- Ben & Jerry’s: Yes, you read that right! The iconic ice cream brand offers a range of delectable vegan flavors, including their popular Vanilla Caramel Fudge.
- So Delicious: True to their name, So Delicious offers an extensive line of dairy-free ice creams, with a classic Vanilla Bean flavor that’s simply divine.
- NadaMoo!: If you’re a fan of organic ingredients, NadaMoo! has you covered. Their creamy Vanilla…ahhh flavor will transport you to ice cream paradise.
- Halo Top: For those watching their calorie intake, Halo Top has a dairy-free vanilla option that’s lower in calories and higher in protein.
Serving Suggestions
To serve this dairy-free vanilla ice cream, remove the container from the freezer and allow it to sit for a few minutes at room temperature to soften. Then serve on a cone or in a cup with vegan chocolate syrup, chopped nuts. Here are some more great ways to serve this ice cream:
- Add it as a topping to your next summer pie or peach cobbler.
- Having a birthday party? This ice cream pairs perfectly with birthday cake, such as this moist vegan chocolate peanut butter cake.
- Drizzle some vegan chocolate magic shell on top with sprinkles.
Storage Tips
Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe, sealable container and freeze immediately. It will keep in the freezer for up to one month. It may last longer in the freezer, but the flavor is best within the first month.
Vegan Ice Cream Recipes
If you love this recipe for vegan vanilla ice cream, here are more favorite frozen dairy-free treats to try:
Food for Thought
Why do I love vegan vanilla ice cream? Because it’s a sweet and creamy dessert option that everyone loves.
There are a couple of preparation steps — freezing the ice cream maker bowl and chilling the sauce — but other than that, this recipe is really easy to make. And there’s nothing like homemade ice cream in the freezer!
Besides, it’s much cheaper and makes a larger quantity than what you can buy in the stores. And you know me, homemade is always better!
So, go ahead and enjoy your scoop (or two) guilt-free!
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Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups oat milk (see note)
- 13.5 oz can full fat coconut milk (see note)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar (see note)
- 3 tablespoons tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the freezer bowl of your ice cream maker in the freezer. See notes for making this ice cream without a machine.
- Add oat milk and coconut milk, granulated sugar, starch, and vanilla to a saucepan. Stir to combine. Turn the heat up to medium-high and bring it to a simmer. The mixture will begin to thicken. Don't worry if there are lumps. Continue cooking and stirring for up to 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly, then transfer to a food processor (or blender) and pulse in short bursts until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a sealable container and refrigerate up to overnight.
- Two things need to happen before you proceed: 1) the freezer bowl of your ice cream maker needs to be thoroughly frozen (leaving it in the freezer overnight does the trick) and 2) the vanilla mixture needs to be thoroughly chilled (again, overnight in the fridge does the trick, but at least several hours of time in the fridge is required).
- Once the mixture is chilled and your ice cream maker bowl is frozen, you’re ready to make ice cream. Spoon the vanilla mixture into the ice cream freezer bowl and churn until it reaches a desired consistency. This should take 15 to 20 minutes, but churn it for as long as possible to get enough air in the ice cream to make it light and fluffy.
- Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe, sealable container and freeze immediately.
- To serve, remove the container from the freezer and allow it to sit for a few minutes at room temperature to soften. Then serve on a cone or in a cup with vegan chocolate syrup, chopped nuts, and any of your favorite toppings.
Recommended Equipment
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Notes
Ice Cream Without a Machine
- After processing the vanilla mixture, allow it to come to room temperature, then pour it into a sealable freezer bag.
- Place this bag in the freezer and lay it flat. Allow it to freeze.
- Break the frozen cream into chunks and transfer these to the food processor or blender.
- Allow it to sit for a few minutes to soften. Then pulse in short bursts.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container and enjoy!
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Hello Marly, Can this be made in the Ninja Creami? Thank you!
Hi Jamila! I am SO ready to get a ninja creami but I don’t have one just yet. Can you believe it? However, I’m confident this would be a nice and creamy ice cream in the NC!