How to Make Vegan Ice Cream at Home

Ice cream is a favourite treat in hot weather. However, traditional ice cream contains milk, cream and refined sugar, so it may not suit a vegan diet. Fortunately, it is possible to make tasty vegan ice cream using plant milks, fruit and natural sweeteners.

So how do you make vegan ice cream at home, and which ingredients should you use? Here are some practical and delicious vegan ice cream recipes.

Tips for making vegan ice cream

• Plant milks instead of animal milk: you can use almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk or soy milk.
• Choose natural sweeteners: instead of honey, you can use agave syrup, dates, stevia or maple syrup.
• Healthy fats for texture: adding avocado, coconut oil or nut butter can make your ice cream creamier.
• Natural fruit instead of sugar: fruits such as banana, strawberry and mango add sweetness.

Now let us move on to the easiest and tastiest vegan ice cream recipes.

1. Classic banana vegan ice cream (only 2 ingredients)

Calories: 1 portion is approximately 90 kcal

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

1. Slice the bananas and freeze them for at least 4 hours.
2. Put the frozen bananas in a blender, add the vanilla extract and blend until smooth.
3. Eat straight away, or put it in the freezer for another 1 to 2 hours to firm up.

Tip: for a chocolate version, add 1 tablespoon of cocoa.

2. Coconut and chocolate vegan ice cream

Calories: 1 portion is approximately 150 kcal

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (about 200 ml) full-fat coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or date syrup
• 1 dessert spoon coconut oil

Method:

1. Blend all the ingredients.
2. Pour the mixture into a container and put it in the freezer.
3. Leave for 3 to 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
4. Let it stand at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Tip: top with desiccated coconut or pieces of dark chocolate for extra flavour.

3. Peanut butter and caramel vegan ice cream

Calories: 1 portion is approximately 180 kcal

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon coconut milk
• 1 dessert spoon date syrup

Method:

1. Blend the frozen bananas.
2. Add the peanut butter and coconut milk and blend until smooth.
3. Put the mixture in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours.
4. Drizzle the date syrup over the top before serving.

Tip: add walnuts or almonds for a richer flavour.

4. Strawberry and blueberry vegan ice cream

Calories: 1 portion is approximately 100 kcal

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• Half a cup frozen blueberries
• Half a cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Method:

1. Blend all the ingredients.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Put the mixture in the freezer for 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
4. You can add a few blueberries on top before serving.

Tip: use coconut milk for a creamier ice cream.

5. Avocado and matcha vegan ice cream

Calories: 1 portion is approximately 120 kcal

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon matcha powder
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (use agave to keep it vegan)

Method:

1. Blend all the ingredients.
2. Once smooth, transfer to the freezer.
3. Leave for 3 to 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
4. Let it stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.

Tip: avocado gives the ice cream a creamy texture and contributes healthy fats.

6. Mango vegan ice cream (sugar-free)

Calories: 1 portion is approximately 95 kcal

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen mango
• Half a cup coconut milk
• 1 dessert spoon lemon juice

Method:

1. Blend all the ingredients.
2. Blend until creamy.
3. Put the mixture in the freezer for 2 hours.
4. You can sprinkle desiccated coconut on top before serving.

Tip: for a sweeter taste, add 1 tablespoon of date purée.

Make practical vegan ice cream at home

Making vegan ice cream at home is a simple, tasty alternative. These recipes use fruit, plant milks and natural sweeteners.

• They contain no refined sugar
• They contain healthy fats
• They are made from whole ingredients
• They can be adapted to your own taste

If you are looking for a lighter dessert alternative, you can try one of these recipes. Calorie values are approximate.

This article is for general information only; please consult your doctor and dietitian about your own situation.