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The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley
While ice cream is traditionally made with cow’s milk, dairy-free versions emerged in the 19th century. Since then, vegan-friendly ice cream has come a long way. It’s available at pretty much any national grocery chain, and you can even try your hand at making your own.
Like regular ice cream made with cow’s milk, the dairy-free ice cream selection is pretty vast. You can take your pick from common bases like almond, cashew, coconut, soy, and more. While taste is subjective, some dairy-free ice cream bases are known for being creamier and more similar to cow’s milk than others. "The best dairy-free ice creams are made with coconut or cashew as the base," says Robin Means, a vegan of more than 20 years and a vegan recipe developer. Coconut milk is high in saturated fat like cow’s milk, explaining the similarities in the final product. The caveat is that it usually has a strong coconut flavor, however, so cashew-based ice cream is a good compromise between the two.
We’re fortunate enough to have a wide variety of dairy-free ice creams on the market to choose from, so if you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just curious about this category of dessert, keep reading for the best options currently available.
Best Chocolate
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Very chocolatey
Contains chocolate cake chunks
Extremely thick
Very rich
Chocolate lover’s, rejoice. You may think you’ve come across thick, rich chocolate ice creams, but the rest will pale in comparison to Jeni’s. With ice cream shops all over the country and a published book on ice cream, if anyone could make mouthwatering vegan ice cream, it would be founder Jeni Britton. Her dairy-free flavors are just as good (if not better, she says), than the versions made with real cow’s milk.
The base comes from coconut cream, so you know the consistency is super creamy and rich. It does have that signature coconut flavor, however, but it’s more chocolatey than coconut-y. This is also one that has a good amount of mix-ins—chunks of chocolate cake, to be exact. Given its thick texture and notes of chocolate on chocolate, some might even find it too rich.
All of the ice creams are made from scratch, and though you might have to get it shipped to try it, the company guarantees it will arrive frozen.
Size: 16 ounces | Allergens: Contains coconut and wheat | Base Ingredient: Coconut cream | Certifications: B Corporation
Best Vanilla
Oatly Vanilla
Allergy friendly
Short ingredients list
Creamy consistency
The vanilla flavor isn’t very strong
Finding dairy-free ice cream? No problem. Looking for one that’s allergy friendly? Eh, you might have a harder time. When ice cream manufacturers replace cow’s milk, they usually resort to ingredients like nuts and soy, which are common food allergens. Oatly, a brand known for its creamy oat milk, is one of the more allergy-friendly brands on the dairy-free ice cream scene. As you’d expect, the hero ingredient is oat milk, and it’s every bit as creamy as you’d imagine.
This one is a fan favorite mainly for its texture. Some have compared it to a custard for its creamy consistency while others find it the perfect balance of light and fluffy.
The vanilla flavor is pretty mild, so it’s a neutral base for making sundaes or shakes at home. It doesn’t have any mix-ins, however, which may be a con for those who like a little extra something in their bite. We wish the vanilla flavor was a little more pronounced, but for a simple, plain ice cream, this one’s a good staple.
Size: 16 ounces | Allergens: None | Base Ingredient: Oat Milk | Certifications: Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan, Certified Kosher D
Best Caramel
So Delicious Dairy Free Cashewmilk Frozen Dessert
Creamy consistency
Lots of mix-ins
Gluten free
High in saturated fat
So Delicious is a vegan-friendly food brand that specializes in dairy-free products, so it’s one to check out if you’re in the market for non-dairy cheese, milk, or ice cream. It also comes recommended by Means, who says that cashew-based ice creams tend to be the best.
This one made our list for two main reasons—it’s insanely creamy, and the flavor is like nothing else on the market (in a good way). Cashew milk is known for being a creamy dairy-free alternative, so it makes sense that cashew ice cream would have the same level of creaminess. While So Delicious has a few flavors of ice cream to choose from, this is one of their most popular. If you’re a caramel lover, you’re in for a treat. The ice cream itself is a salted caramel flavor, and it contains cashew pieces, chocolate chips, and caramel ribbons mixed in for a variety of tastes and textures.
The ingredient list isn’t super long, but it’s also not trying to be a health-promoting food. A single serving contains more than half of the recommended amount of saturated fat, however, so it’s definitely best enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Size: 16 ounces | Allergens: Contains cashew and coconut | Base Ingredient: Cashew milk, coconut oil, roasted cashews, pea protein | Certifications: Certified Vegan, Non GMO Project Verified, Kosher Parve Certified
Best Cookie Dough
Ben & Jerry’s "Milk" and Cookies
Easy to find
Affordable
Lots of flavors
Not allergy friendly
Ben & Jerry’s is a household name, so you’re bound to find it in one of your local stores. The popular brand launched its line of non-dairy ice creams back in 2016 and has been consistently releasing new flavors ever since. The dairy-free version of the best-selling "Milk" and Cookies flavor was included in the initial launch and was a huge success. Ice cream enthusiasts still love it today for its trademark creaminess and addicting cookie chunks.
"Ben & Jerry’s have really perfected vegan ice cream, and they are one of my favorites," says Michelle Cehn, a vegan of more than 15 years and the founder of World of Vegan. They use a unique base from sunflower seed butter, which has a neutral flavor unlike coconut bases. Sunflower products are usually used in place of food allergens like wheat and soy, but this one isn’t exactly allergy-friendly.
While Means enjoys Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy ice creams (especially their Netflix & Chill flavor), she points out that the ingredients list is quite long. "We aren’t eating ice cream for our health," she says, nodding to the fact that it’s okay to indulge every now and then.
Size: 16 ounces | Allergens: Contains wheat, coconut, and soy | Base Ingredient: Sunflower seed butter | Certifications: Certified vegan, DE Kosher certified
Best Strawberry
Van Leeuwen Vegan Strawberry
Simple ingredients
Made with real strawberries
Creamy consistency
Can be hard to find
This vegan strawberry ice cream from Van Leeuwen is a favorite among The Spruce Eats editors, and Means says it’s simply "amazing." It comes from a brand that’s not 100% vegan, but their ice creams labeled "vegan" are made with animal-free ingredients. Van Leeuwen specializes in cow’s milk ice cream, and there’s something to be said about non-vegan brands that cross over—they somehow always impress.
For starters, we appreciate the short and simple ingredients list. You can recognize and pronounce all of the ingredient names, so there’s nothing questionable in it. Not that ice cream is supposed to be healthy, but it certainly is a plus. It’s got a base of oat milk, which lends to its creamy consistency, and it’s flavored with real strawberries, though they’re blended and not mixed in.
"As someone who used to eat plenty of dairy ice cream, you would never know this was vegan—it's so creamy," says Senior Commerce Editor Taylor Rock. "Throw it on a sugar cone and live your best life."
If strawberry ice cream isn’t your thing or if you can't get your hands on it, the brand has a few other vegan flavors. Means raves about vegan honeycomb flavors.
Size: 16 ounces | Allergens: Contains coconut | Base Ingredient: Oat Milk | Certifications: Non GMO Project Verified, Certified Vegan
Best Mint Chocolate Chip
365 by Whole Foods Market Mint Chocolate Chip Almondmilk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Green color
Very minty
Affordable
The chocolate chips are small
Only available in select stores
Some say mint ice cream tastes like toothpaste, but millions of people disagree. If it’s your favorite flavor, you’re in luck. This dairy-free ice cream from Whole Foods’ private label is made from a base of almond milk, and it’s flavored with natural ingredients. Since it comes from a private label, it’s also one of the more affordable options.
One consideration when choosing mint ice cream is whether it’s green. For some people, mint ice cream without the iconic green hue is a deal breaker, but this one passes the test. It has a light green color despite not containing any artificial colorings or dyes. We don’t know how they did it, but we’re glad they did.
As an almond milk ice cream, it’s not the creamiest, but it is the mintiest. The flavor is strong, it’s got chocolate chip mix-ins (albeit small ones), and it’s suitable for a variety of diets and lifestyles. Though it’s not nut-free, it’s gluten-free and kosher.
Size: 16 ounces | Allergens: Contains almonds | Base Ingredient: Almond milk | Certifications: Certified Kosher by OU
Best Organic
Cado Deep Dark Chocolate Avocado Frozen Dessert
Simple ingredients
Lower in calories and sugar than other options
Rich flavor
Pricey
Avocado is currently having a moment. From avocado oil to avocado toast, the healthy fat is everywhere, and now it’s even in your ice cream. Your initial reaction might be confusion, but when you think about it, avocado is naturally creamy and doesn’t have an overwhelming flavor on its own. People have been throwing avocado in their smoothies and using it as a base in pudding for years, so why not turn it into a frozen dessert? Thankfully, Cado Ice Cream got to work.
This avocado-based ice cream uses simple, organic ingredients, and it happens to be allergen-friendly. Thanks to avocado puree, which is the first ingredient, the creaminess factor is impressive. It gets its rich chocolate flavor from organic cocoa powder, but it also contains a hint of vanilla to balance it out. While it doesn’t have any mix-ins, it doesn’t need any. It’s not as easy to find as some other brands, and it’s more expensive (avocados aren’t exactly cheap), but it’s worth tracking down.
Size: 16 ounces | Allergens: None | Base Ingredient: Avocado Puree | Certifications: Non GMO Project Verified, Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth
Organic
Uses fair-trade chocolate
Contains caramel ribbons
Only three per box
Very high in saturated fat
"Cosmic Bliss has been around for a long time and is one of my favorite brands because they use clean, organic ingredients and their flavors have really evolved into a delicious creamy mouthfeel," says Means. She adds that they used to go by the name Coconut Bliss since coconut is their hero ingredient.
These ice cream bars certainly have a hint of coconut, but it’s quickly balanced by the outer chocolate layer and inner ribbons of caramel. We like that Cosmic Bliss makes efforts towards sustainability. They use fair-trade chocolate and participate in 1% for the planet.
One of the cons of coconut-based ice cream is the high saturated fat content, and these bars are no exception. Each serving provides 70 percent of your daily saturated fat intake. We also wish there were more than three per box, but we can confidently say that those three servings will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Size: 9 ounces | Allergens: Contains coconut | Base Ingredient: Coconut milk | Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Certified Vegan, OK Kosher Certified
Best Ice Cream Sandwich
Alden's Organic Vanilla Bean Dairy Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
No artificial ingredients
Made with real vanilla bean
Organic
Not allergy friendly
A scoop of ice cream is a refreshing dessert, but sometimes you just want an old school ice cream sandwich. When you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or trying to eat more dairy-free foods, your options are a bit limited. If you come across these dairy-free vanilla ice cream sandwiches from Alden’s Organic, consider it a sign.
Each box contains four round ice cream sandwiches made from simple, organic ingredients. The base of the actual ice cream comes from a combination of coconut, grains, gums, and sugar, of course. Free from artificial flavors and dyes, we’re elated to see that Alden’s Organic uses real vanilla bean to flavor these sandwiches. The outer wafers are chocolate-flavored and made from cocoa. The wafers are soft but flavorful, and the ice cream sandwiched between them is thick—Alden’s definitely skimp out on the filling.
Though ice cream isn’t supposed to be a low-calorie food, these pre-portioned ice cream sandwiches are only 160 calories each. They still contain a decent amount of saturated fat and sugar (as does every ice cream out there), but the nutrition facts are pretty good for a frozen treat.
Size: 14 ounces | Allergens: Contains wheat, coconut, and soy | Base Ingredient: Coconut Oil, Whole Oat Flour, Pea Protein | Certifications: Certified Vegan, USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher
Final Verdict
With chocolate cake chunks mixed into a rich chocolate ice cream, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Texas Sheet Cake Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is the perfect pint for chocolate lovers. For a plain vanilla ice cream without dairy, Oatly’s Vanilla Frozen Dessert is creamy, neutral, and delicious.
What to Look for in Dairy-Free Ice Cream
Ingredients
Ice cream is a more indulgent food, but it’s still a good habit to take a look at the ingredients list. "If you’re seeking out a vegan ice cream for dessert, you may be less restrictive with regards to the ingredients," Cehn says.
The first ingredient in dairy-free ice cream is usually its base or key ingredients. Expect to see non-dairy milk made from oat, soy, or nuts like almond, coconut, or cashew. Less common bases also exist, such as avocado, sunflower seed butter, or various oils. In some formulas, multiple key ingredients are used to achieve the desired taste and consistency. After the base ingredients, you’ll find ingredients that contribute to sweetness, flavor, and consistency.
As with all food products, some are made with more simple ingredients than others. Ben & Jerry’s "Milk" and Cookies Non-Dairy has a much longer ingredient list than Cado Deep Dark Chocolate, for example. Both can have a rightful place in your meal plan, but you may be more inclined to enjoy the simpler formulas more frequently.
Texture
Ice cream is a beloved dessert for its sweetness, but creaminess is of equal importance. For years, dairy-free ice cream couldn’t seem to replace the creamy consistency of regular ice cream, but there have certainly been advances.
The creamiest dairy-free ice creams tend to be made from oat milk, cashews, or coconut. Oat milk is a great option for those with food allergies, though oat-based ice creams may be pricier. Oatly’s Vanilla Frozen Dessert is worth exploring if you’re looking for an allergy-friendly oat-based ice cream. While cashew and coconut ice creams nail the creamy consistency everyone wants, they tend to be higher in saturated fat. Coconut bases can also have a strong coconut-y flavor, so if you want something more neutral yet creamy, opt for cashew. The SO DELICIOUS Dairy Free Cashewmilk Frozen Dessert, Salted Caramel Cluster is as creamy as it is caramel-y.
Flavor
Dairy-free ice cream comes in a wide variety of flavors—even those with mix-ins. Simple vanilla and chocolate are likely the most common, and they do come in handy when you want a plain base for shakes and sundaes, but they’re not your only option. You can find dairy-free ice cream in fun flavors like strawberry, mint, cookies and cream, cookie dough, salted caramel and more. If mix-ins are your thing, you’ll love Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Texas Sheet Cake Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, which contains chocolate cake chunks throughout the pint.
The best flavor of dairy-free ice cream ultimately comes down to your personal preference. As Cehn puts it: "When it comes to ice cream – is there anything more personal than your favorite ice cream flavor?”"
FAQs
How long does dairy-free ice cream last once it has been opened?
Frozen foods have a much longer shelf life than perishable or even shelf-stable goods, but after a certain point, dairy-free ice cream isn’t as fresh as it once was. Not too different from dairy-based ice cream in this regard, dairy-free ice cream is best when you enjoy it within a couple months of opening it. "After that point, it starts to get an icy layer on the top," Means explains, referring to the dreaded freezer burn.
"This can vary from brand to brand," adds Cehn. "It often depends on the level of preservatives they include in the ingredient list." While freezing food certainly extends its shelf life, dairy-free ice cream doesn’t last forever. Cehn recommends checking consuming it within 2-6 months of opening and in accordance with the stated expiration date and directions on the label.
Is all dairy-free ice cream vegan?
Dairy-free, vegan, plant-based—what’s the difference? There’s a lot of labeling surrounding food products that are geared toward the vegan and lactose-intolerant population, but it can get confusing.
The "dairy-free" label refers to the absence of dairy products, such as milk (aka the key ingredient in the vast majority of traditional ice creams). "Vegan" is a stricter label because it not only excludes dairy but all other animal products as well. And then there’s "plant-based" which is a bit of a gray area because it can include a vegan diet but can also refer to a generally healthier way of eating that might include some animal products.
Since "dairy-free" and "vegan" aren’t the same thing, it’s possible that some ice creams labeled as "dairy-free" still contain other animal-based ingredients. "Some dairy-free ice cream may still contain animal-based ingredients, such as honey or dairy derivatives like casein and whey, as illogical as that may be," notes Cehn.
What’s the best milk for dairy-free ice cream?
The different non-dairy milks used to make dairy-free ice cream all have their own perks, so this depends on what’s most important to you.
"Cashew and coconut are the best milks for dairy-free ice cream," says Means, and she certainly has a point. Nut-based ice creams are super creamy, so if you’re big on texture and consistency, these are solid options. Just keep in mind that they can be a bit high in saturated fat, and you have to love the flavor of coconut to enjoy it in ice cream.
Oat milk is a popular option because not only is it creamy, it doesn’t have an overpowering flavor. It’s rather neutral, so you can really appreciate the flavor of the ice cream.
If you’re new to dairy-free ice cream, try starting with an option made from oat milk or cashew milk.
Are ice cream cones vegan?
Ice cream and cones go hand in hand. While there are many vegan ice cream options available, what about vegan-friendly cones? You’re in luck! "Cake cones are almost always vegan-friendly, as are many sugar cones," Means says. "Waffle cones are less likely to be vegan, but it varies."
The best way to find out if an ice cream cone is vegan is to quickly check the ingredients list. They’re usually made from a base of wheat ingredients, but some contain non-vegan ingredients like milk and eggs. "It’s best to visually inspect the label of the ice cream cone you’re purchasing to ensure it has a trusted vegan certification or request an allergen sheet at an ice cream shop," Cehn says.
How We Selected
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best dairy-free ice creams on the market, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, flavor, and price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used our own knowledge and first-hand experiences to choose the items listed above.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Lacey Muinos has been enjoying dairy-free ice creams for seven years. After trying most of the mainstream brands, the So Delicious Salted Caramel Cluster Cashew Milk Frozen Dessert is her all-time favorite.
Lindsay Boyers is a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive nutrition knowledge and food and beverage testing experience. She’s developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the healthiest, best-tasting options and ingredients across all food and drink categories. She wrote the original version of this story.
Sources:
- Michelle Cehn, a vegan of more than 15 years and the founder of World of Vegan
- Robin Means, a vegan of more than 20 years and a vegan recipe developer