21 Vegan Ice Cream Recipes You’ll Love This Summer

Nothing beats the creamy, dreamy delight of ice cream on a warm day — and going vegan doesn’t mean you have to miss out on this classic treat. Whether you’re dairy-free, vegan, or just looking to try something new, these 21 vegan ice cream recipes offer a sensational variety of flavors and textures that will satisfy every sweet tooth.

From rich chocolate and fresh berry to tropical coconut and indulgent nut butters, this collection has something for everyone.

Using wholesome plant-based ingredients like coconut milk, almond milk, cashews, and natural sweeteners, these recipes are easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. Dive into this list to discover refreshing, guilt-free frozen desserts that you can make right in your kitchen.

Plus, we’ll share tips, variations, and serving suggestions to help you customize each recipe to your liking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These vegan ice cream recipes are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile and healthy. They:

• Use natural, plant-based ingredients that are easy to find
• Are free from dairy, eggs, and artificial additives
• Offer a variety of flavors to suit every preference
• Can be made with or without an ice cream maker
• Include options for nut-free, soy-free, and low-sugar diets

Whether you want a quick frozen treat or a gourmet dessert, these recipes are perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike. Plus, they make a fantastic addition to summer parties, family gatherings, or a cozy night in.

Ingredients

• Coconut milk (full fat) – The creamy base for most recipes
• Cashews – Soaked and blended for silky texture
• Almond milk or other plant milks – For lighter versions
• Maple syrup, agave, or coconut sugar – Natural sweeteners
• Vanilla extract – Classic flavor enhancer
• Fresh or frozen fruits – Strawberries, mangoes, blueberries, bananas
• Cocoa powder or vegan chocolate chips – For chocolate lovers
• Nut butters – Almond, peanut, or cashew for richness
• Chia seeds or flaxseed meal – Optional for thickening
• Lemon or lime juice – Adds brightness to fruit flavors
• Salt – Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor

Equipment

• Ice cream maker (optional but recommended for best texture)
• High-speed blender or food processor
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Freezer-safe containers with lids
• Rubber spatula
• Fine mesh strainer (optional for smoother texture)

Instructions

1. Prepare base ingredients: Soak nuts like cashews for at least 4 hours or overnight to soften. Drain and rinse before use.
2. Blend the base: Combine soaked nuts, coconut milk, sweetener, vanilla extract, and salt in a blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
3. Add flavorings: Mix in cocoa powder, fruit purée, or nut butters depending on the recipe. For fruit flavors, use ripe, fresh or thawed frozen fruit for best taste.
4. Chill the mixture: Refrigerate the blended mixture for at least 2 hours to enhance flavor and texture.
5. Churn or freeze: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions, usually 20-30 minutes. If no ice cream maker is available, pour into a freezer-safe container and stir every 30 minutes until firm to break up ice crystals.
6. Freeze to firm up: Transfer churned ice cream to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight for a scoopable consistency.
7. Serve and enjoy: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping for easier serving.

Tips & Variations

“For a smoother, creamier texture, try straining your blended base through a fine mesh sieve before chilling.”

• Make it nut-free: Use oat milk or coconut cream instead of cashews.
• Add mix-ins: Stir in vegan chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or cookie crumbs during the last few minutes of churning.
• Boost flavor: Experiment with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or ginger for unique twists.
• Sweetener swaps: Adjust sweetness with dates, brown rice syrup, or stevia to your taste.
• Layer flavors: Try alternating layers of fruit sorbet and nut-based ice cream for a fun presentation.
• Use frozen fruit: Freeze bananas or berries in chunks for a quick no-churn ice cream base.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your vegan ice cream as a refreshing dessert on its own or elevate it with these ideas:

• Top with fresh berries, sliced bananas, or toasted coconut flakes
• Drizzle with vegan chocolate sauce or warm fruit compote
• Serve alongside vegan brownies or cookies for a decadent treat
• Use as a creamy filling for vegan ice cream sandwiches
• Pair with a slice of Brazil Nut Fruit Cake Recipe for a nutty twist

21 Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

Classic Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream

• 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

1. Whisk all ingredients until smooth.
2. Chill for 2 hours, then churn or freeze with occasional stirring.

Chocolate Hazelnut Swirl

• 1 cup cashews, soaked
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup hazelnut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

1. Blend cashews, coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
2. Mix cocoa powder and hazelnut butter separately.
3. Swirl chocolate mixture into the base before freezing.

Strawberry Banana Nice Cream

• 3 ripe bananas, frozen
• 1 cup strawberries, frozen
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)

1. Blend all ingredients until creamy.
2. Serve immediately for soft serve or freeze for firmer texture.

Mango Coconut Sorbet

• 2 cups frozen mango chunks
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp agave syrup
• 1 tbsp lime juice

1. Blend mango, coconut milk, agave, and lime juice until smooth.
2. Freeze in container and stir every 30 minutes until firm.

Mint Chocolate Chip

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips

1. Mix coconut milk, syrup, and peppermint.
2. Churn or freeze until semi-solid, fold in chocolate chips, then freeze fully.

Salted Caramel Cashew Ice Cream

• 1 cup soaked cashews
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Freeze and stir every 30 minutes for 2 hours, then freeze fully.

Coffee Almond Ice Cream

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/2 cup brewed strong coffee, cooled
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Blend all ingredients until creamy.
2. Churn or freeze with intermittent stirring.

Blueberry Lavender

• 1 cup soaked cashews
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender
• 1/3 cup agave syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Steep lavender in warm coconut milk for 10 min, strain.
2. Blend with cashews, blueberries, sweetener, and vanilla.
3. Freeze and stir every 30 minutes until firm.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder

1. Blend coconut milk, peanut butter, and maple syrup.
2. Mix cocoa powder with a little coconut milk separately.
3. Layer and swirl before freezing.

Lemon Poppy Seed Sorbet

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds

1. Dissolve sugar in water over low heat, cool.
2. Add lemon juice and poppy seeds.
3. Freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until firm.

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 tsp matcha powder
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Whisk matcha with a little warm coconut milk to dissolve.
2. Blend with remaining ingredients.
3. Churn or freeze with periodic stirring.

Chocolate Banana Nice Cream

• 3 frozen bananas
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp almond butter (optional)

1. Blend all until creamy.
2. Serve immediately or freeze to firm.

Raspberry Coconut Ice Cream

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1/4 cup agave syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Blend all ingredients.
2. Churn or freeze with occasional stirring.

Chai Spiced Ice Cream

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp chai spice mix (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves)

1. Mix all ingredients well.
2. Churn or freeze, stirring periodically.

Salted Coconut Lime

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• Pinch sea salt

1. Whisk ingredients together.
2. Freeze with stirring every 30 minutes until firm.

Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup almond milk

1. Blend all ingredients until silky smooth.
2. Freeze until firm, stirring occasionally.

Pumpkin Spice Vegan Ice Cream

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Blend all ingredients.
2. Churn or freeze with stirring every 30 minutes.

Cookies and Cream

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup crushed vegan cookies

1. Mix coconut milk, syrup, and vanilla.
2. Churn or freeze until semi-firm, fold in cookies, then freeze fully.

Pistachio Rose Ice Cream

• 1 cup soaked cashews
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp rose water
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios

1. Blend cashews, coconut milk, syrup, and rose water.
2. Freeze and stir every 30 minutes, fold in pistachios before final freeze.

Chocolate Orange

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Blend all ingredients.
2. Churn or freeze with occasional stirring.

Mocha Almond Fudge

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/2 cup brewed espresso, cooled
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

1. Blend coconut milk, espresso, maple syrup, and almond butter.
2. Churn or freeze until soft, fold in chocolate chips, then freeze fully.

For more incredible vegan recipes, check out our Blackberry Juicing Recipes, or try a hearty Zucchini Peppers Onions Tomatoes Recipe to complement your dessert. And if you love breakfast treats, don’t miss our Breakfast Wellington Recipe for a savory start to your day.

Conclusion

These 21 vegan ice cream recipes prove that you don’t need dairy to enjoy rich, creamy, and flavorful frozen desserts. With simple, wholesome ingredients and easy techniques, you can create everything from classic vanilla to adventurous pistachio rose, satisfying every craving while sticking to a plant-based lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking for a quick no-churn recipe or a luxurious churned ice cream, this collection has you covered. Experiment with flavors, mix-ins, and sweeteners to make your perfect vegan ice cream.

So grab your blender, freezer, and favorite ingredients, and treat yourself to a scoop (or two) of pure deliciousness!

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