Brian Nagele
Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just trying to lower your overall consumption of dairy products, finding dairy-free ice cream can be challenging, but it shouldn’t have to be.
Fortunately, dairy-free ice cream options are becoming increasingly popular, which means that there are more choices now than ever before. But the more options you have, the more difficult it can get to make up your mind what to go for!
I’ve tried various dairy-free ice creams, and the following ones have solidified themselves as my favorites.
So whether you prefer a dairy substitute like coconut milk or soy milk for a creamier ice cream experience, or you love a non-dairy sorbet, there’s something for everyone on my list of the best dairy-free ice creams.
Check out our favorite non-dairy ice cream brands, with different dairy substitutes so you can find your favorite.
Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Ben & Jerry’s is a household favorite amongst many ice cream lovers, and their Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert line is a massive win for ice cream fans looking to avoid dairy.
The entire range of products is certified vegan and still delivers the classic over-loaded and swirled Ben & Jerry’s experience.
Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts are offered in classic flavors like chocolate chip cookie dough and mint chocolate chip.
Furthermore, I would highly recommend trying their new flavors specific to the line, like Boom Chocolotta and Coconut Seven Layer Bar.
These ice creams are made with almond milk or sunflower butter, which means you can enjoy the same creamy, delicious taste without any dairy.
Cosmic Bliss
Cosmic Bliss, Formerly Coconut Bliss, is an ice cream company focusing on sustainability.
All of the ingredients used in Cosmic Bliss’ products are USDA certified, fairtrade, and non-GMO.
They take care to source their ingredients from responsible farmers who pay their employees well and follow best humane practices for any products that include animal-derived ingredients.
Their certified vegan, plant-based ice cream line is always soy-free and is made with organic coconut milk for maximum creaminess.
Their non-dairy ice creams include flavors like sea salt caramel chocolate and sweet cherry amaretto, and they also have plant-based vanilla and chocolate cookie sandwiches and ice cream bars available.
Nadamoo!
Nadamoo! is an Austin-based, family-owned non-dairy ice cream company that prioritizes environmental sustainability without compromising flavor.
While some non-dairy ice cream lines are limited to basic flavors, Nadamoo! delivers adventurous flavors like birthday cake cookie dough and caramel cold brew & cookies.
With a coconut milk base and certified vegan ingredients, you can enjoy rotating seasonal flavors, as well as the company’s no sugar added line of non-dairy ice creams.
While Nadamoo! delivers fun and unique flavors and consistent quality, be prepared for a slightly higher price tag than other non-dairy options on this list.
So Delicious Dairy Free
So Delicious Dairy Free offers a vast selection of non-dairy ice creams with a huge selection of recipes and flavors.
Non-dairy ice creams from So Delicious include recipes made with almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, and even their proprietary Wondermilk, which blends soy, coconut, and oat milk together to create a creamy milk-like substitute.
All ice creams are certified vegan and non-GMO, and not only can you buy pints of non-dairy ice cream, but you can also enjoy plant-based bars, cones, and ice cream sandwiches.
When I’m concerned about calories, I like to go with So Delicious “light” line of non-dairy ice creams that have only 330 calories per pint.
Flavors include s’mores, buttery pecan, bananas foster, and much more.
Oatly!
Oatly! has made a name for itself as one of the best milk substitutes on the market; go to virtually any coffee shop and the likelihood that they’re using Oatly! as their oat milk substitute is high. But did you know that they also have a frozen dessert line?
Oatly! is focused on delivering high-quality, no-frills, non-dairy desserts, all with their specially formulated oat milk base.
Flavors of ice cream are limited at this time but include delicious options like raspberry swirl and fudge brownie.
In addition to non-dairy ice cream, Oatly! offers oat milk-based dipped ice cream bars and soft serve (which requires a soft-serve machine to freeze).
365 Dairy Free
For those who frequent Whole Foods, you’re likely already familiar with their 365 organic lines, but you may not have gotten around to their non-dairy ice creams yet.
This ice cream is one of my absolute favorites as I love almond milk, and each flavor is certified kosher, non-GMO, and vegan.
Although the flavor options are somewhat limited, they do rotate occasionally and include adventurous choices like Birthday Blondie and Berry Chantilly Cake.
Haagen Dazs Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Haagen Dazs is a tried and true ice cream brand and has been around for a long time.
While their non-dairy frozen dessert line is relatively new, the ice cream giant has put together some delicious options for customers looking for a dairy-free alternative.
Expect a slightly limited flavor selection, as Haagen Dazs is just entering the non-dairy market. Still, already there are dairy-free ice cream and ice cream bar options, including coconut caramel and peanut butter chocolate fudge.
Haagen Dazs’ subsidiary, Dreyer’s, also has dairy-free selections such as their Mint Ice Cream Cookie Cups and Rocky Road Ice Cream Cake.
Van Leeuwen
Another slightly spendier option, Van Leeuwen is on a mission to ensure that nobody uses the phrases “non-dairy ice cream” and “boring” in the same sentence.
Van Leeuwen holds its non-dairy ice cream offerings in just as high of esteem and goes way beyond the basics despite having an extensive traditional ice cream line.
All of the New York-based company’s non-dairy flavors are entirely vegan and made using ingredients like cashew milk, oat milk, and coconut cream as the base.
There are Van Leeuwen ice cream stores in multiple states across the U.S., and you can buy pints at many grocery stores.
So next time you’re in the mood for some vegan ice cream, try one of their pints of passion fruit layer cake, churros & fudge, peanut butter brownie honeycomb, or any other adventurous options.
Planet Oat Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Planet Oat is an oat milk company with a mind for sustainability and giving back to the planet.
Not only are their products environmentally responsible, but they partner with non-profits like the Oceanic Society and One Tree Planted to give back.
Their frozen desserts are made using their oat milk blend, which is free from soy, tree nuts, dairy, and gluten.
Planet Oat Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert comes in eight flavors, including Blueberry Oat Crumble, Coffee Fudge Swirl, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
Ripple Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Ripple is an innovative company with a focus on creating a variety of dairy products like ice cream and half & half without the use of any dairy.
The company has come a long way since releasing its first pea protein-based milk in 2015 and, more recently, has extended its line to the world of frozen desserts.
Like all their other products, Ripple’s ice cream line strives to imitate the real thing so closely that even those who typically eat dairy will choose not to.
The frozen desserts are made with coconut oil to ensure that the texture is reach and creamy like traditional ice cream and is offered in five flavors: cinnamon churro, chocolate, vanilla, mint chip, and cookies & creme.
Talenti Sorbetto
Talenti’s eye-catching packaging has made it a favorite amongst ice cream lovers for years.
While Talenti is known for its creamy gelato, the company’s non-dairy line is no exception.
There are four flavors of Talenti Sorbetto: Cold Brew Coffee Sorbetto, Alphonso Mango Sorbetto, Dark Chocolate Sorbetto, and Roman Raspberry Sorbetto.
Be aware that while all four Sorbettos are dairy-free, the Cold Brew Coffee and Dark Chocolate flavors contain eggs and thus, are not considered vegan.
The coffee and chocolate flavors also contain coconut oil, giving them a rich, creamy texture, while the mango and raspberry flavors are vegan and taste like a traditional sorbet.
I’ve checked the nutrition information on a few of these. Saturated fat is way to high. Also cholesterol is another factor. For someone who has to be cautious of these 2, the”non-dairy” versions aren’t any better.