• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Moments
    • Pregnancy/Baby
      • Baby Registry List
      • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Shop
    • Best Kitchen Gifts
    • Baby Registry List
    • Kitchen Tools (Must Haves)
    • Pantry Staples (Baking & Cooking)
    • Food Photography Essentials
  • Instagram
JoyFoodSunshine
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laura
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Never Miss a Recipe

  • ×

    Home » Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream

    Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream

    Published: May 28, 2018 · Modified: Sep 29, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    The creamiest homemade dairy-free vanilla ice cream ever! Made with only 5 ingredients and is vegan, paleo, gluten-free & refined sugar free! 

    Overhead view of four scoops of Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream in a waffle cone

    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't mean we have to sacrifice texture or taste! Using a liquid sweetener and adding almond butter, makes this paleo vanilla ice cream irresistibly creamy.

    Serve it on top of these fudgy paleo brownies (or these flourless brownies) or these paleo chocolate chip cookies for a delicious dessert.

    Up close overhead view of four scoops of Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream in a waffle cone

    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.

    How to make Paleo 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.

    Overhead view of two photos, both overhead views of Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream being made in a vitamix blender. The left is before blending, the right is during blending.

    Thoroughly blending the Almond Butter into the coconut milk not only ensures that the flavors are distributed evenly, but it also helps create a creamy texture.

    Front view of a Vitamix blender with the finished Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream mixture inside

    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!

    Front view of two photos. The left photo is the Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream mixture being poured from the Vitamix container into a moving ice cream maker. The right photo is of a hand holding the ice cream maker paddle with the frozen Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream on it.

    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.

    Overhead view of Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream in a rectangular loaf pan after being frozen.

    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!
    Overhead view of Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream in a waffle cone

    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 highly recommend 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.

    overhead view of four scoops of Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream in a waffle cone

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    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 55 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 pint of ice cream
    Calories 155.8 kcal

    Equipment

    • ice cream maker
    • Vitamix blender
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • ice cream storage container
    • Ice cream scoop

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 14 oz full-fat coconut milk (or coconut cream)
    • ¼ cup honey (maple syrup for vegan)
    • ¼ cup creamy almond butter (or cashew buter)
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • ¼ tsp sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Place all ingredients into a Vitamix (or other high-powered blender) in the order listed.
    • Blend on high for 30 seconds, or until smooth and mixture is homogenous.
    • Turn on your ice cream maker.
    • 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.
    • Makes about 1 pint of ice cream.

    Video

    Notes

    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!

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.3333cupCalories: 155.8kcalCarbohydrates: 15.4gProtein: 2gFat: 9.6gPotassium: 8.3mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13.7gCalcium: 50mgIron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipes!

    • Paleo Sea Salt Chocolate Ice Cream
    • Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
    • Paleo Cookie Dough Ice Cream

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Layered Greek Dip
    Moments 05.2018 »

    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @joyfoodsunshine #joyfoodsunshine on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cheri

      December 14, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! Amazing! Thanks

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 15, 2022 at 9:56 am

        I'm so glad you love this recipe, Cheri!

        Reply
    2. Anne

      August 27, 2022 at 11:19 am

      Does this recipe make up fine in a regular ice cream freezer? And wondering if it would double without an issue.

      Thank you for your response.

      Reply
      • Laura

        August 27, 2022 at 2:08 pm

        Yes!

        Reply
    3. Leigh

      July 14, 2022 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars
      OMG this is THE BEST ice cream ever!!!! I am queen of the smooth and let me tell you just exactly how smooth this is!!!!! Wow!!!!! Thank you so much for the recipe!!!!

      Reply
    4. Leah

      June 01, 2022 at 7:50 am

      I'm going to try this with the new ice cream maker I got months ago but still haven't used. How do you make the caramel topping?

      Reply
      • Laura

        June 01, 2022 at 4:34 pm

        That is actually almond butter!

        Reply
    5. Cathy

      April 02, 2022 at 3:38 am

      I made this in an ice cream maker and it was the first recipe I tried after purchasing a brand new one. It was absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    6. Deanna

      January 25, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      Best non-dairy ice cream I’ve ever had! Coupled with the keto brownies from your site, it was the best bday dessert my family has ever had. Thank you! This is my new go-to recipe.

      Reply
      • Dana Chiu

        July 06, 2022 at 6:32 pm

        What was the texture like? Was it icy, hard or scoopable?

        Reply
    7. Michelle

      December 22, 2021 at 1:16 pm

      What about adding peppermint oil to make it a peppermint ice cream?

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

    Click here to read more >>

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Recipes

    • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
    • Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Better than Cinnabon)
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
    • Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5- Minutes)!
    • Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better than P.F. Chang's)!

    Trending now

    • Best Oatmeal Cookies
    • Best Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
    • Healthy Black Bean Brownies
    • Healthy Greek Yogurt Brownies
    • Best Flourless Brownies (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
    • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Joy Food Sunshine Logo
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Never Miss a Recipe

    156980 shares
    • 1816