Dairy-Free Ice Cream (Vegan)

Did you know that you don’t need an ice cream maker to make ice cream at home? Dairy-free ice cream, at least. 

If you have a sweet tooth, then dive into this dairy-free ice cream recipe. It's creamy, luxurious, and very simple to make – the hard part is waiting for it to firm up. 

Dairy-Free Ice Cream Ingredients

My dairy-free ice cream recipe only used four simple ingredients:

• Full fat coconut milk
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Raspberries (or your fruit of choice)

I'll give you some alternative ingredients a little later in case you want to personalize this recipe to your taste.

How To Make The Best Dairy-Free Ice Cream

Here’s the thing, as delicious as they are, dairy-free ice creams can be a bit on the pricey side. 

But with a recipe like this, you can be on your way to becoming the family’s in-house ice cream maker.

A simple yet careful blend of coconut milk, sugar and vanilla extract creates a rich, well-loved dessert that you can dive into again and again. 

One of the things to note about this recipe is that you need to use full-fat coconut milk. 

As with dairy ice cream, a good amount of fat is needed to ensure that the final result is creamy and scoopable. 

Now, in each can of coconut milk is a mixture of fat and water. We need to separate the two so that we only use the fat or coconut cream for the recipe. 

Do this by placing the cans of coconut milk in the fridge for a period of time to allow the fat to rise to the top of the can. 

Be mindful when handling the can after it has been chilled because you don’t want to shake it and cause the mixture to form together again. 

Carefully scoop the fat layer into a bowl and be careful not to get any of the water. The water will hinder the final ice cream from hardening properly. 

Likewise, you can use unsweetened coconut cream in the can if you find it in stores. 

Another thing to ensure is that when whipping the coconut milk mixture, try to get as much air in it as possible.

This step is what gives the ice cream its overall luscious texture and mouthfeel. 

This recipe is so customizable and really acts as a great base for all your favorite ice cream flavors. 

After the mixture is light and fluffy, this is the point where you can add in things like fresh fruits, syrups like caramel or chocolate, crushed cookies, cocoa powder and even herbs like mint. 

I like to use raspberries!

Substitutions & Alternatives

One of the best things about this dairy-free ice cream recipe is it’s easy to customize!

Here are some substitutions you can make depending on your flavor and nutritional preferences.

Coconut Milk 

The dairy-free milk of choice for this recipe is coconut milk. Not just any coconut milk, but full-fat coconut milk.

I urge you not to substitute this ingredient since the coconut fat or cream is what helps to give the ice cream that smooth and creamy texture that mimics dairy ice cream. 

Coconut Condensed Milk 

While it can be a bit challenging to find in stores, coconut condensed milk gives this dairy-free ice cream a distinctly smooth texture and mouthfeel.

Check out the step-by-step directions to see how to prepare your own version of coconut condensed milk.

Vanilla Extract

This ingredient adds amazing flavor and aroma to the ice cream but feel free to experiment with different extracts and flavorings.

Try almond extract for a nutty twist or even peppermint extract with chocolate chips for a dairy-free mint chocolate chip delight.  

Sugar

If you are watching your sugar intake, try using monk fruit sweetener or even date paste.

How To Store Dairy-Free Ice Cream

This delightful, homemade ice cream can be stored in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 10 days for the best texture and taste.

You can even place a piece of cling wrap over the top of the ice cream before closing the lid for maximum freshness.  

What To Serve With Dairy-Free Ice Cream

In all honesty, what can’t you serve with this dairy-free ice cream? 

Ice cream is such a treat and quite frankly, everyone loves it. 

This dairy-free ice cream is no different. You can enjoy it on its own, served alongside your favorite slice of cake, topped with crushed nuts or bathed in silky caramel.

You can also take things up a notch and use it in your favorite milkshake or smoothie recipes (like these!) for an indulgent, dairy-free take.