What is Vegan Ice Cream?

Vegan ice cream is different from other dairy-free options like sorbet, granita and nice cream, because the base of vegan ice cream comes from plant milk. The other versions are different mixtures of frozen fruit, sugar and water, which are still delicious but not as creamy as vegan ice cream.

Which Plant Milk is Best for Making Vegan Ice Cream?

Most vegan ice creams are made with coconut milk, nut milk or soy milk. Full-fat coconut milk is a popular choice because it gives a thick and creamy consistency. Nut milks, like almond or cashew, are also popular but may not be as creamy due to a lower fat content. Whatever plant-based alternative you choose, get creative and have fun with flavors. Try adding vanilla or coconut extract, or infuse with your favorite espresso for a coffee-flavored treat.

Does Vegan Ice Cream Taste Like the Plant-Based Milk it's Made From?

The type of plant-based milk you choose will make a difference not only in taste, but also consistency. Nut milks have a neutral flavor with a lower fat content. That makes for a slightly icier texture with a neutral flavor base. Canned full-fat coconut milk may have a more noticeable taste, which makes for a creamier consistency with a flavor that works well with other fruits or chocolate.

What Should I Use to Thicken Vegan Ice Cream?

Plant-based fats are the best way to thicken vegan ice cream. Coconut cream, full-fat coconut milk and coconut oil will give the creamiest and thickest results. Cornstarch and tapioca starch can also be used to thicken but the end result will be a little more icy and a little less creamy.

How Can I Create Different Vegan Ice Cream Flavors?

To create new flavors for vegan ice cream, start with the classics like banana, chocolate and coconut. From there, think about adding different types of fruit, herbs and even coffee. The possibilities are endless so pick flavors for both experimental and more classic takes on this frozen dessert.

What Can I Serve with Vegan Ice Cream?

Vegan ice cream is delicious enough to eat by itself, but if you want to switch it up there are lots of ways to serve it. You could make a classic sundae or banana split with fresh fruit and nuts as toppings. Or bake up some cookies and make an ice cream sandwich. And warm brownies taste much better with a heaping scoop of ice cream on top.

How Long Can I Store Vegan Ice Cream?

Homemade vegan ice cream doesn’t have the preservatives found in store-bought versions, but if it’s prepped and stored correctly it should last about 3 weeks in the freezer. To prevent ice crystals from forming, place the ice cream in a loaf pan or other container and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the ice cream. Place another layer of wrap on the pan and freeze.

Vegan Ice Cream Creation: Recipe Guide and Handy Tips

Nobody should miss out on the joy of ice cream, even those following a plant-based regimen. By modifying a few ingredients, it's simple to create a lush, dairy-free vegan ice cream delight. If you're unsure about the process, the great news is that you don’t need an ice cream machine. A blender, food processor, or even a stand mixer can all be employed to craft homemade vegan ice cream. Follow this guide for an uncomplicated vegan ice cream recipe. You'll also gain insights about various flavours you can incorporate to diversify your culinary adventures.

Pink KitchenAid® stand mixer next to ice cream sundae

Understanding Vegan Ice Cream

Vegan ice cream stands apart from other dairy-free alternatives like sorbet, granita, and nice cream, due to its base which comes from plant milk. The other variants consist of various combinations of frozen fruit, sugar, and water. These are certainly tasty, but not as creamy as vegan ice cream.

For the creamy ice cream texture in your blender, frozen bananas will be your ally. If you possess an ice cream maker, the freezing and churning process allows for a dense vegan ice cream creation without the requirement for frozen bananas. Often, this method incorporates cashews that have been left to soak overnight in water.

Easy Vegan Ice Cream Recipe

This recipe suggestion employs a blender for a convenient way to create vegan ice cream in your home kitchen. Skip the frozen bananas and use the KitchenAid^® Stand Mixer Ice Cream Attachment* for churning a dense vegan ice cream. Combine and alter the list of common ingredients below to craft your ideal homemade vegan ice cream.

^{* Sold separately}

YIELDS

4 servings

INGREDIENTS

Full-fat canned coconut milk
Toasted shredded coconut, chopped nuts, cocoa or other flavoring
Pitted dates or soaked cashews
Virgin coconut oil, cocoa butter or other fat
Peeled & sliced frozen bananas for blender method
Additional fruits like mango or berries
Optional sweeteners like honey, agave nectar or maple syrup

TOOLS

PREP TIME

15 minutes

TOTAL TIME

20 minutes

Step 1: Prepare Blender

Ensure your blender is placed on a cool, flat surface. If you’re using a stand mixer, fit the ice cream attachment into position.

White KitchenAid® blender filled with milk and fruit on countertop

Step 2: Incorporate Ingredients

Add all ingredients except frozen banana to your KitchenAid^® blender jar. Blend on high for 30 to 60 seconds until ingredients are pulverized.

Step 3: Insert Frozen Banana

Scrape the sides of the blender container and the inside of the lid. If you're going with blender ice cream, include the frozen bananas. Fasten the lid, take out the center lid cap, and introduce the tamper if your model has one. If you prefer the ice cream attachment, forego the bananas and proceed to step 5.

Top view of blender with top open and blended fruit mixture inside

Step 4: Blend

Process on high for 20 to 30 seconds, utilizing the tamper to guide the fruit through the blades until it's smooth, but still frozen.

Pouring ice cream mixture into a Kitchenaid® stand mixer with ice bowl attachment

Step 5: Churn

If employing the ice cream maker attachment, skip step 4. Simply add the blended mix, sans the frozen bananas, to the bowl of your ice cream maker attachment and churn.

Yummly recipe of Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream on countertop

Step 6: Serve & Savour

Dish out and serve promptly like a frozen yogurt, or cool in the freezer for roughly 4 hours for a firmer texture.

Shop KitchenAid® Blenders and Stand Mixer Attachments for Creating Vegan Ice Cream

Black KitchenAid® blender filled with milk on countertop with top removed

Best Plant Milk for Vegan Ice Cream?

Coconut milk, nut milk, and soy milk are used in most vegan ice creams. The creamy consistency of full-fat coconut milk makes it a popular choice. Due to a lower fat content, nut milks, such as almond and cashew, may not be as creamy. Feel free to experiment with flavours no matter what plant-based alternative you choose. You can also add vanilla or coconut extract, or you can infuse your favourite espresso with it.

Does Vegan Ice Cream Taste Like Plant-Based Milk?

The plant-based milk you choose can affect not only the taste but also the texture. Nut milks impart a neutral flavour with a lower fat content, leading to a slightly icier texture and a neutral flavour base. Canned full-fat coconut milk may offer a more distinct taste, creating a creamier consistency that pairs well with other fruits or chocolate.

What Thickens Vegan Ice Cream?

Plant-based fats are ideal for thickening vegan ice cream. Coconut cream, full-fat coconut milk, and coconut oil yield the creamiest and thickest outcomes. It is also possible to thicken with cornstarch and tapioca starch, but the end result might be less creamy and icier.

Yummly ice cream recipe with raspberries

Is Vegan Ice Cream Gluten-Free?

While gluten can find its way into many commercial vegan ice creams, a gluten-free homemade version is simple to create. Often, gluten originates from the flavours you incorporate, such as chunks of cookie dough or pieces of birthday cake. If you're gluten-free, avoid wheat flours as thickeners and stick to whole ingredients like fruits and nuts.

Can a Blender or Food Processor Be Used for Making Vegan Ice Cream?

Blenders, food processors and even stand mixers are great tools for making homemade vegan ice cream. If you own the ice cream maker attachment for your stand mixer, it’s an excellent method to produce vegan ice cream after blending fresh ingredients together. However, even with only a blender, you can still craft a delicious outcome. The key is the ingredients and choosing the optimal appliance from what you have in your kitchen.

Elevating Your Vegan Ice Cream: Serving Inspirations

Though vegan ice cream is a delightful treat by itself, there are plenty of ways to jazz it up for a change of pace. Consider constructing a classic sundae or a banana split, garnishing it with an array of fresh fruits and crunchy nuts. You could also whip up some homemade cookies to fashion an ice cream sandwich. Furthermore, a scoop of vegan ice cream serves as the perfect partner for a freshly baked brownie.

A yellow KitchenAid® stand mixer next to ice cream in waffle cones

Preserving Your Homemade Vegan Ice Cream

While store-bought vegan ice cream contains preservatives to extend its shelf life, your homemade version won't, but with correct storage methods, it can stay fresh for around 3 weeks in the freezer. To inhibit ice crystal formation, deposit your vegan ice cream in a loaf pan or similar container. Cover the ice cream directly with a piece of plastic wrap, add another layer of wrap over the container, and pop it into the freezer.

Get Started

Dive into the world of homemade vegan ice cream! Embrace the creativity and satisfaction of crafting your own delicious, plant-based dessert. With the right tools at your fingertips, the process becomes an enjoyable and rewarding experience. With these essential KitchenAid appliances, you can enjoy vegan ice cream anytime, anywhere