25 Dairy-Free & Vegan Ice Cream Recipes & Flavour Ideas

Discover 25 irresistible vegan and dairy-free ice cream recipes — from avocado chocolate to mango chilli sorbet. Creamy, fruity, and plant-based scoops you’ll love!

Who says going dairy-free means missing out on creamy, dreamy scoops?

We’ve tried, tested and listed 25 vegan and dairy-free ice cream recipes that are every bit as indulgent as traditional flavours — with plenty of creative twists.

This collection blends full recipes you can make today with inspiring flavour ideas drawn from around the world. Whether you fancy silky chocolate, refreshing fruit sorbets, or adventurous fusions, you’ll find something here to satisfy your cravings.

If you’d like to head straight to our recipes, please use the following link, or read along to find out more.

Jump to 5 Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

From Cardboard Days to Creamy Deliciousness

There was a time when “dairy-free ice cream” meant settling for something that looked the part but tasted suspiciously like frozen cardboard. Thankfully, those days are long gone! Modern vegan ice cream has come a very long way — from gritty and bland to silky, scoopable, and downright dreamy.

Today’s recipes use clever combinations of coconut, nut, and oat milks to recreate that luxurious creaminess we all love — without any dairy in sight. Whether you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or simply curious about plant-based living, there’s never been a better time to experiment with dairy-free desserts.

At Frosted Fusions, we’ve tested our way through every swirl, churn, and blend imaginable — and the results prove that vegan ice cream can be every bit as indulgent as traditional scoops. It’s all about balance, creativity, and a few secret ingredients (like ripe avocados or soaked cashews) that turn “healthy” into “heavenly.”

So, grab your blender — it’s time to dive into a world of creamy, fruity, and totally crave-worthy plant-based flavours!

💡 Did You Know?
The world’s first dairy-free ice creams date back to 11th-century China, where desserts were made by mixing snow with fruit and rice milk! Fast-forward a thousand years, and today’s coconut, cashew, and oat-based scoops carry that same inventive spirit — only far creamier.

5 Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

Whether you’re brand-new to vegan ice cream or looking to expand your flavour repertoire, these five recipes will give you a deliciously creamy head start. They’re easy to make, free from dairy, and packed with ingredients that love you back.

🥑 Avocado Chocolate Ice Cream

Creamy, rich, and secretly nourishing — avocado makes this chocolate scoop unbelievably smooth.

(Prep Time: 10 mins | Freeze Time: 3–4 hrs | Total: 4 hrs | Serves: 4–6)

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados
400 ml tin full-fat coconut milk
3 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
3 tbsp maple syrup (or to taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt

Method

Blend all ingredients until completely smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the sweetness or cocoa if needed.
Chill for 1 hour, then churn in an ice cream maker or freeze and stir every 30 minutes until scoopable.

Nutritional (per 100 g):

184 kcal | Carbs 9 g | Fat 15 g | Protein 2 g | Sugars 6 g

💡 Did You Know?
Avocado became a viral vegan ice-cream base thanks to its naturally creamy texture and healthy fats. When blended with cocoa powder or coconut milk, it mimics the richness of dairy — no eggs or cream required!

🍵 Coconut Matcha Ice Cream

A fragrant and refreshing treat — coconut milk gives it body, matcha adds that earthy lift.

(Prep Time: 10 mins |Cook Time: 5 mins | Freeze Time: 4 hrs | Serves: 6)

Ingredients

400 ml tin full-fat coconut milk
150 ml oat milk (barista blend works best)
2 tsp matcha powder
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp cornflour (for thickening)

Method

Whisk coconut milk, oat milk, and cornflour in a pan over low heat until slightly thickened.
Stir in maple syrup, matcha, and vanilla.
Cool completely, then churn or freeze until firm.

Nutritional (per 100 g):

172 kcal | Carbs 10 g | Fat 14 g | Protein 1 g | Sugars 7 g

🍌 Berry Banana Nice Cream

Instant, healthy, and full of fruity flavour — your blender does all the work.

(Prep Time: 5 mins | Freeze Time: 2 hrs |Total: 2 hrs 5 mins | Serves: 2–4)

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, sliced and frozen
150 g frozen mixed berries
1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
Splash of oat or almond milk (to loosen)

Method

Add frozen bananas and berries to a food processor.
Blend until creamy, adding a splash of milk to help it along.
Serve immediately as soft-serve or freeze for 1–2 hours for a firmer texture.

Nutritional (per 100 g):

108 kcal | Carbs 25 g | Fat 1 g | Protein 1 g | Sugars 19 g

🌰 Cashew Vanilla Ice Cream

Silky, classic vanilla flavour made luxuriously smooth with soaked cashews.

(Prep Time: 10 mins | Soak Time: 8 hrs | Freeze Time: 4 hrs | Serves: 4)

Ingredients

150 g raw cashews (soaked overnight, drained)
300 ml almond milk
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
Pinch of salt

Method

Blend all ingredients until ultra-smooth and creamy.
Chill for 1 hour, then churn or freeze and stir every 30 minutes until set.
Serve with roasted nuts or vegan caramel drizzle.

Nutritional (per 100 g):

196 kcal | Carbs 8 g | Fat 16 g | Protein 5 g | Sugars 5 g

🥭 Mango Turmeric Ice Cream

Golden, tropical, and vibrant — this scoop blends sweet mango with a hint of warming spice.

(Prep Time: 10 mins | Freeze Time: 4 hrs | Total: 4 hrs 10 mins | Serves: 4–6)

Ingredients

2 large ripe mangoes (or 350 g pulp)
400 ml tin of coconut milk
1 tbsp maple syrup
½ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp lemon juice

Method

Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Chill for 1 hour.
Churn or freeze in a shallow tub, stirring occasionally until creamy and firm.

Nutritional (per 100 g):

132 kcal | Carbs 15 g | Fat 7 g | Protein 1 g | Sugars 13 g

20 More Vegan & Dairy-Free Ice Cream Flavours

🥥 Coconut-Based Creaminess

Classic Coconut & Lime – zesty, tropical, and endlessly refreshing.
Coconut Mojito Sorbet – cocktail-inspired and minty fresh.
Coconut Almond Swirl – creamy coconut with a nutty ripple for extra richness.
Toasted Coconut & Maple Pecan – lightly caramelised, nutty, and utterly moreish.

🍫 Nutty & Chocolatey

Peanut Butter & Banana Nice Cream – indulgent yet wholesome, with natural sweetness.
Nutella’s Gone Vegan – our creamy hazelnut twist without dairy.
Cashew Vanilla Bean – smooth, subtle, and naturally sweet.
Chocolate Pistachio Crunch – decadent cocoa meets nutty crunch.
Almond Mocha Swirl – espresso, chocolate, and almond milk — your morning latte, frozen.

🍓 Fruity Scoops & Sorbets

Mango Chilli Sorbet – sweet with a spicy kick.
Grape Sorbet – juicy and autumn-ready.
Strawberry Daiquiri Sorbet – boozy or mocktail-ready.
Raspberry Ripple with Almond Milk – tangy berries swirled through a creamy almond base.
Pineapple & Mint Cooler – bright, refreshing, and palate-cleansing.
Blueberry Lemon Burst – tangy, vibrant, and antioxidant-packed.

🌿 Unique & Superfood-Infused

Lavender & Agave – floral and fragrant (just swap honey).
Golden Turmeric Latte – warming spice with a golden glow.
Spirulina Mint Chip – fresh and green, with an antioxidant boost.
Chai Spice Cashew Cream – comforting spice blend in a velvety nut base.
Matcha Rose Delight – gentle green tea and floral notes in harmony.

🍹 Cocktail & Dessert-Inspired

Piña Colada Sorbet – pineapple + coconut = tropical bliss.
Mimosa Sorbet – bubbly brunch favourite.
Espresso Martini Nice Cream – coffee kick with a cheeky edge.
Dark Chocolate & Rum Raisin – classic indulgence, vegan style.
Tiramisu Dream Scoop – espresso-soaked sponge flavour, dairy-free decadence.

🍇 Bonus International Inspiration

Kulfi with Almond Milk – Indian-inspired creaminess and cardamom warmth.
Mochi Ice Cream (Vegan Dough Wrappers) – chewy, bite-sized scoops of joy.
Thai Coconut Mango – Songkran festival vibes in every spoonful.
Italian Lemon Gelato – a dairy-free twist on a timeless classic.
Japanese Black Sesame Ice Cream – nutty, earthy, and unforgettable.

💡 Did You Know?
Vegan ice cream isn’t new — Italy’s traditional sorbetto has always been naturally dairy-free. It’s proof that some of the world’s most luxurious desserts rely on fruit, sugar, and patience rather than cream or eggs.

Why Choose Vegan Ice Cream?

Vegan ice cream isn’t just delicious — it’s inclusive and sustainable:

Better for health – lower in saturated fat, higher in fibre.
Planet-friendly – smaller carbon footprint than dairy.
Inclusive – ideal for families managing allergies or intolerances.

💡 Vegan Ice Cream FAQs

What’s the best base for vegan ice cream?
Coconut milk is one of the most popular choices — it gives that rich, creamy texture everyone craves. But almond, cashew, and oat milk all work beautifully too, depending on your flavour. For a quick, no-churn fix, frozen bananas make an amazing instant base known as “nice cream.”

Do I need an ice cream maker for dairy-free recipes?
Not at all! You can get great results with the freeze-and-stir method — just mix, freeze, and stir every half hour or so until it’s scoopable. That said, if you’re serious about smooth textures, an ice cream maker (or a Ninja Creami) helps keep those pesky ice crystals away.

How do I sweeten vegan ice cream naturally?
Maple syrup, agave nectar, dates, and ripe bananas are all wonderful natural sweeteners. They add subtle flavour layers as well as sweetness, so your ice cream tastes more wholesome and balanced — no refined sugar needed.

Can I make vegan ice cream with just fruit?
Absolutely! Blend frozen bananas, mango, or berries and you’ll have an instant creamy dessert in minutes. It’s often called “nice cream” — totally plant-based, naturally sweet, and surprisingly indulgent.

The Final Scoop

Plant-based ice cream is all about flavour, creativity, and joy. With these 25 ideas, you’ll never run out of scoops to try.

Which flavour tempts you most — a creamy cashew vanilla, fiery mango chilli, or a refreshing coconut lime?

We hope you’ve enjoyed our article — Vegan Ice Cream Recipes You’ll Actually Crave — and that it’s inspired you to experiment with your own plant-based creations. Whether you’re blending bananas into instant nice cream or churning creamy coconut scoops, there’s a flavour here to suit every mood and moment.

If you have any questions, drop us a comment below — we love hearing from fellow ice-cream makers and we’re always happy to help!

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