Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream
Posted May 28, 2018, Updated May 27, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
The creamiest homemade dairy-free vanilla ice cream ever! Made with only 5 ingredients and is vegan, paleo, gluten-free & refined sugar free!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe FAQs
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!
It stays fresh for up to 2 months in the freezer.
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 see your creations!
Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream (Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream)
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 homogenous.
- 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
- 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I make this ice cream without the almond butter? If not (for creaminess sake), will the flavor of the ice cream be like almond butter (which I don’t like) or will it be unnoticeable? Thank you for a reply. I can’t wait to try this!
Hey Cathy! I think the almond butter gives it a great creaminess. You could sub peanut butter (not paleo), cashew butter, or sunflower butter if you don’t like almond butter! I haven’t tried making it without some kind of added fat/creamy ingredient, but if you do report back and let me know how it goes!
If I don’t own an ice cream maker will it work to pour it into a container and then the freezer?
Hey Liz! you can make this without an ice cream maker, but I highly suggest buying one! Your ice cream will be more dense and less creamy without churning. You can churn it by hand (stir in the freezer every 15 minutes until it hardens) There’s truly nothing like homemade ice cream! And it doesn’t have to break the bank! I bought my first one on clearance at Target for $7!!!
If you freeze it overnight, will it harden into a solid brick?
Will it still be scoopable???!!
Hey Monika! You will need to let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping!
Thanks for sharing. I love paleo ice cream. I cant wait to try your recipe!
Thank you Gabrielle! Ice cream is the best…especially when it’s healthy! 🙂
Your Vanillla Ice Cream looks amazing, a special treat for a hot August day. Hope you are having a fantastic day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Thank you so much! 🙂
Mmm love the honey and almond butter combo <3 delicious!!
Thank you Rebecca! It makes this ice cream irresistibly creamy! 🙂
I can’t believe this ice cream is paleo Laura! It looks so delicious!
Thank you Ashlyn! It is super delicious AND healthy!
HELLLLLOOOOOOOOO heaven! I totally need this in my life.
My favourite ice cream is anything with chocolate. Chocolate icecream, chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, chocolate swirls – you name it 😛
Chocolate is my FAVE too! 🙂
Yum! My favourite ice cream flavour is hokey pokey (a New Zealand thing.)
But if it is between vanilla and chocolate, I’m vanilla for sure.
OoOOOo what is Hokey Pokey?!
This has me wishing I owned an ice cream maker! Vanilla is always my favorite go-to for ice cream; so fresh and creamy. If I ever invest in an ice cream maker, this will be my first recipe to taste test!
I bought my first ice cream maker on clearance at Target for $7! I found my awesome one at a yard sale for $20 (with an extra freezer container too)! Keep your eyes peeled and an ice cream maker doesn’t have to break the bank!