By Laura
Posted May 28, 2018, Updated May 27, 2024
5 from 70 votes
168 Comments
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The creamiest homemade dairy-free vanilla ice cream ever! Made with only 5 ingredients and is vegan, paleo, gluten-free & refined sugar free!
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (2) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (2)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/paleo-dairy-free-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe-8.jpg)
Vanilla ice cream transcends the seasons. Of course it’s refreshing when enjoyed on a hot summer day or over a fruity summer dessert, but it also takes fall and winter desserts to the next level.
I created this paleo vanilla ice cream because I wanted to make a healthier, dairy-free vanilla ice cream for my family to enjoy.
Made with only 5 ingredients, this recipe is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo with no refined sugar!And it only takes 5 minutes to prepare.
I am all about ultra-creamy dairy-free ice cream. The absence of dairy doesn’tmean we have to sacrifice texture or taste! Using a liquid sweetener and adding almond butter, makes this paleo vanilla ice cream irresistiblycreamy.
Serve it on top of these fudgy paleo brownies (or these flourless brownies) or these paleo chocolate chip cookies for a delicious dessert.
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (3) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (3)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/paleo-dairy-free-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe-11.jpg)
Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream: Substitutions/Ingredients
Here are a few possible substitutions for this recipe!
- Coconut milk:Full-fat coconut cream or coconut milk can be used in this recipe with great results! Using light coconut milk will cause it to be less creamy.
- Almond butter:Any nut or seed butter can be used in this recipe. Besides almond butter I recommend cashew butter.
- Honey.This dairy-free vanilla ice cream recipe calls for honey or maple syrup as the sweetener! Both of these sweeteners yield a delicious and creamy ice cream, but the maple syrup will impart a slight maple flavor.
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (4) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (4)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/paleo-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe-ingredients-labeled.jpg)
How to MakePaleo Vanilla Ice Cream
Let’s discuss how to make this dairy-free vanilla ice cream, and as always don’t forget to watch the video.
Blend!Use a Vitamix or regular blender and blend the ingredients together until smooth.
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (5) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (5)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/how-to-make-paleo-vanilla-ice-cream-1.jpg)
Thoroughly blending the Almond Butter into the coconut milk not only ensures that the flavors are distributed evenly, but it also helpscreate a creamy texture.
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (6) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (6)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/paleo-dairy-free-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe-3.jpg)
Next, churn the ice cream in an ice cream maker. Make sure to turn the machine on and pour the vanilla mixture into the machine as it is turning.
This will prevent the ice cream from getting frozen to the sides immediately, which prevents the machine from turning.
Non-ice cream maker instructions:
If you don’t have an ice cream maker. Simply pour the ice cream mixture from the Vitamix into a freezer-friendly container. Put it in the freezer and stir by hand every 15 minutes until it’s frozen. It won’t be as creamy but it will still taste delicious!
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (7) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (7)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/how-to-make-paleo-vanilla-ice-cream-2.jpg)
Freeze
I recommend letting this dairy-free vanilla ice cream freeze for at least 3 hours before serving. It will get very hard when it’s completely frozen. So you will need to let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before scooping.
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (8) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (8)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/paleo-dairy-free-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe-6.jpg)
Serve
There are so many uses for this paleo vanilla ice cream. Here are some of our favorites:
- Serve it on top of brownies: like the best fudgy paleo brownies, flourless brownies, or black bean brownies.
- Serve it on top of these paleo chocolate chip cookies – or use the cookies to make paleo cookie ice cream sandwiches!
- Use it to make paleo cookie dough ice cream.
- It’s also delicious on this healthy berry crisp!
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (9) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (9)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/paleo-dairy-free-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe-12.jpg)
Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe FAQs
Can I make ice cream without an ice cream maker?
Many people ask me if they can make ice cream without an ice cream maker. The answer is yes, you can churn it by hand…but I highlyrecommend investing in an ice cream maker if you want the creamiest, dreamiest, homemade coconut milk ice cream recipe possible.
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the ice cream mixture from the Vitamix into a freezer-friendly container. Put it in the freezer and stir by hand every 15 minutes until it’s frozen. It won’t be as creamy but it will still taste delicious!
How long does this ice cream last?
It stays fresh for up to 2 months in the freezer.
![Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (10) Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream (Paleo & Vegan) (10)](https://i0.wp.com/joyfoodsunshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/paleo-dairy-free-vanilla-ice-cream-recipe-9.jpg)
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Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream (Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream)
Laura
The creamiest homemade dairy-free vanilla ice cream ever! Made with only 5 ingredients and is vegan, paleo, gluten-free & refined sugar free!
5 from 70 votes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 pint of ice cream
Calories 155.8
Prep Time5 minutes minutes
Total Time1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 ounces full-fat coconut milk (or coconut cream)
- ¼ cup honey (maple syrup for vegan)
- ¼ cup creamy almond butter (or cashew buter)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Place all ingredients into a high-powered blender in the order listed.
Blend on high for 30 seconds, or until smooth and mixture is hom*ogenous.
Turn on an ice cream maker with the frozen base inside.
Pour mixture directly from the Vitamix into the ice cream maker while it is moving.
Let the ice cream churn for about 20-25 minutes until it becomes a firm ball or the ice cream maker stops rotating.
Transfer to an airtight, freezer-friendly container and freeze for at least 1 hour, or until completely frozen.
Video
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Coconut milk:Full-fat coconut cream or coconut milk can be used in this recipe with great results! Using light coconut milk will cause it to be less creamy.
- Almond butter:Any nut or seed butter can be used in this recipe. Besides almond butter I recommend cashew butter.
- Honey.This dairy-free vanilla ice cream recipe calls for honey or maple syrup as the sweetener! Both of these sweeteners yield a delicious and creamy ice cream, but the maple syrup will impart a slight maple flavor.
To Make Without an Ice Cream Maker
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the ice cream mixture from the blender into a freezer-friendly container. Put it in the freezer and stir by hand every 15 minutes until it’s frozen. It won’t be as creamy but it will still taste delicious!
Nutrition
Serving: 0.3333cup | Calories: 155.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 15.4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9.6g | Potassium: 8.3mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13.7g | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!