• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

JoyFoodSunshine

Recipes for real life.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Search

  • Home
  • About
    • About Laura
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Moments
    • Pregnancy/Baby
      • Baby Registry List
      • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Shop
    • Kitchen Tools (Must Haves)
    • Pantry Staples (Baking & Smoothie Making)
    • Food Photography Essentials
    • Baby Registry List
    • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Instagram
You are here: Home / Dessert / Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream

Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream

Last updated on September 2, 2020. Originally published May 28, 2018 136 Comments

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

This post was originally published on August 11, 2016. The photos have been updated but the recipe remains the same. 

Who else is WAY excited that summer has finally arrived?! I’m looking forward to our daily pool adventures, fresh summer produce, and ice cream…lots and lots of ice cream!

So, to celebrate summer and embrace all the warm-weather vibes of the season,  I bring you this Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream! It is the best (non-chocolate) ice cream I have ever had! Made with only 5 ingredients, this delicious cold treat can be enjoyed by just about everyone! It’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo with zero refined sugar! Plus it only takes 5 minutes of active prep! WIN!

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

I am all about ultra-creamy dairy-free ice cream. The absence of dairy should never mean we have to sacrifice texture or taste! Using a liquid sweetener and adding almond butter, makes this Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream irresistibly creamy!

Uses for Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream

Why would a chocolate aficionado (like yours truly) need to create a vegan vanilla ice cream recipe?! (great question)! Well I will let you in on a little secret… there are only (and I mean ONLY) two occasions that I prefer dairy-free vanilla ice cream to chocolate.

  1. When it’s on top of warm {gooey} brownies…and
  2. If it’s loaded with cookie dough {pssst, get the recipe here}!

Basically, I needed to create a healthy vegan vanilla ice cream to eat on these paleo brownies, these black bean brownies, or these vegan peanut butter black bean brownies! Can you blame me?!

Now, let’s walk trough how to make this coconut milk ice cream recipe step-by-step!

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.

How to make Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream

Step 1: Use a Vitamix 

Blend! This is another recipe creation that is made in the Vitamix! I have made so many different ice cream recipes, and the dairy-free versions always turn out the best when the ingredients are blended together!

Thoroughly blending the Almond Butter into the coconut milk not only ensures that the flavors are distributed evenly, but it also helps achieve maximum creaminess without the addition of eggs! Thus, creating a Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream that even my vegan friends can enjoy!

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

Step 2. Use an Ice Cream Maker

Yes it’s true, the best ice cream recipes are made in an ice cream maker. I recommend this Cuisinart ice cream maker (the one I have is just an older version of it)! You can’t beat the creaminess that comes from churning!

Step 3. Turn the ice cream maker ON!

This is a super important step. Once you put the frozen container onto your ice cream maker, be sure to turn it on so that it’s spinning when you add the vegan vanilla ice cream mixture. This will prevent the ice cream from getting frozen to the sides immediately, which prevents the machine from turning!

Step 4. Freeze & Serve

I recommend letting this dairy-free vanilla ice cream freeze for at least 3 hours before serving. Yes, it will get very hard when it’s completely frozen. Simply let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before scooping and you’ll be just fine!

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.

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. It doesn’t have to break the bank either! I bought my very first ice cream maker on clearance at Target for $7…and it served me well for many  years!

Non-ice cream maker instructions: 

If you don’t have an ice cream maker. Simply pour the paleo vanilla 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!

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

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 lose some of its creaminess.
  • Almond butter: Any nut or seed butter can be used in this recipe. My two favorites are almond butter {obviously} and cashew butter {YUM}!
  • Honey. Similar to this dairy-free Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream, this dairy-free vanilla ice cream recipe calls for honey or maple syrup (for all my strict vegan friends out there), as the sweetener!  Both of these sweeteners yield a delicious and creamy ice cream, but the maple syrup will impart a slight maple flavor!

Overhead view of Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream in a waffle cone

IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING FROM JOYFOODSUNSHINE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS! DON’T FORGET TO RATE THIS RECIPE AND LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW! ALSO, FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND  TWITTER FOR MORE RECIPE INSPIRATION AND A GLIMPSE INTO OUR EVERYDAY LIFE!

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! #paleo #glutenfree #dairyfree #icecream #vegan #vanillaicecream #homemade #recipe #healthydessert #healthy 
5 from 17 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
  • vit

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 14 oz can full-fat coconut milk or cream
  • ¼ cup honey (maple syrup for vegan)
  • ¼ cup almond butter
  • 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

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 ice cream possible.
*Nutrition information calculated based on using coconut milk, for the recipe yielding 6, 1/3 cup servings! 

Nutrition

Calories: 155.8kcalCarbohydrates: 15.4gProtein: 2gFat: 9.6gPotassium: 8.3mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13.7gCalcium: 50mgIron: 0.5mg
Keyword coconut milk ice cream recipe, dairy-free vanilla ice cream, paleo vanilla ice cream, vegan vanilla ice cream
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

A waffle cone filled with Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream turned on it's side.

Here are some 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! 

 

You might also like:

Healthy Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips
Healthy Chocolate Pancakes Recipe (& Video)
The Best Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe

Filed Under: Dairy-free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Healthier Desserts, Ice Cream, Paleo, Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegan, Vitamix Tagged With: dairy free, ice cream, vitamix

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!

Previous Post: « Layered Greek Dip
Next Post: Moments 05.2018 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. TIFFANY RAY

    September 11, 2018 at 2:48 pm

    Hi…Can I use a regular blender. AND I have coconut butter will that work

    Reply
    • Laura

      September 11, 2018 at 2:55 pm

      Hey Tiffany! Yes a regular blender should suffice for this recipe! And what are you wanting to use coconut butter in place of? It is not a substitute for coconut cream or coconut milk!

      Reply
  2. Jenny

    June 15, 2018 at 6:49 pm

    Hi Laura,

    I am looking to make a pumpkin spice paleo ice cream. Would this work as the base? Would I still use almond butter and add in 1/4 of pumpkin puree or would I substitute the almond butter for the pumpkin puree? What does the almond butter do for this recipe?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Laura

      June 17, 2018 at 11:47 am

      Hey Jenny! I would recommend adding 1/4 cup pumpkin instead of omitting the almond butter because it adds so much creaminess! Let me know how it turns out if you give it a whirl!

      Reply
  3. Macy

    May 30, 2018 at 8:04 pm

    This DF ice-cream looks INCREDIBLE!!

    Reply
  4. Vicky Davis

    May 21, 2018 at 6:01 pm

    Do you have a preferred brand of coconut milk or coconut cream?
    Also, isn’t there some refined sugar in the almond butter?

    Reply
    • Laura

      May 22, 2018 at 7:31 am

      Hey Vicky! I’m not picky when it comes to brands…I usually buy the Sprouts brand or Thai Kitchen… whichever is on sale! There are almond butters with one ingredient…almonds! Barney butter and crazy Richards are two of my faves!

      Reply
  5. Tania

    January 16, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    How does one churn the ice cream mix without a ice cream
    Machine?

    Reply
  6. Kisha

    January 7, 2018 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    Hi there!! I’m wondering if I double the recipe if the consistency is the same??

    Reply
    • Laura

      January 8, 2018 at 6:57 am

      Hey Kisha! I find that my ice cream maker can only handle one batch of this recipe at a time! If you double it and have two bowls for your ice cream maker then you can churn half at a time, one batch right after another! If you have a larger than standard ice cream maker it could handle two batches!

      Reply
  7. Karwn

    October 22, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    What size of can milk or cream do you use and can you use something else to substitute for the almond butter?
    Thanks so much!!!
    Can wait to make

    Reply
    • Laura

      May 27, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      Hey Karwn! I use a 14 oz can of coconut cream or milk!

      Reply
  8. Gabby

    September 8, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    I assume the almond butter helps give it a creamy texture,but Is the almond butter present tastewise? Is it overpowering or mild?I would really like to make,so I was just wondering beforehand.

    Reply
    • Laura

      September 9, 2017 at 7:02 am

      I personally do not think the almond butter is at all overpowering! I think it simply makes the ice cream ultra creamy! You could try substituting a milder nut butter like cashew butter if you’re concerned!

      Reply
  9. Stacey

    July 19, 2017 at 9:07 am

    Have you ever doubled this recipe? Does it still work in the ice cream maker?

    Reply
    • Laura

      May 27, 2018 at 4:07 pm

      Hey Stacey! If you double this recipe make sure you have two ice cream bowl attachments frozen and ready to go for your maker. You will have to churn it in two separate batches because one recipe completely fills the bowl to capacity!

      Reply
  10. Diane Kay

    July 14, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Laura, I don’t have almond butter, will almonds work? Or should I make it without or wait until I can get almond butter? Thank you

    Reply
    • Laura

      July 15, 2017 at 7:03 am

      Hey Diane! If you have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix or a food processor you can use it to make your own creamy almond butter to use in this recipe! (here’s a great “how-to”)! Using whole almonds will not work because you need the creamy consistency of the almond butter! You could sub any other nut or seed butter as long as it complies with your dietary needs!

      Reply
      • Diane Kay

        July 15, 2017 at 9:31 pm

        Thank you SO much, Laura. That’s doable. I’ll use the second recipe and make tomorrow. National Ice Cream Day after all,

        Reply
        • Laura

          July 17, 2017 at 9:10 pm

          You’ll have to let me know how you like it Diane! 🙂

          Reply
  11. Chi

    July 5, 2017 at 6:13 am

    This recipe came out really well texture-wise although a bit salty. I will halve the salt next time and it’ll be perfect.

    Reply
  12. Carrie

    June 11, 2017 at 7:58 am

    I am on a candida diet…I can use either stevia and/or xylitol for sweetener. What amount would you recommend if using xylitol? I can’t have honey or maple syrup in stage one of the ACD. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Laura

      May 27, 2018 at 4:06 pm

      Hey Carrie! Unfortunately I do not use zero calorie sweeteners so I am unsure how they would work in this recipe! If you try it please report back and let us all know how it goes!

      Reply
  13. sandy

    June 9, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    Hi Laura, did you use the whole can of coconut milk or just the cream off the top part? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Laura

      June 9, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      The whole can!

      Reply
  14. Ailsa @foodtofeelgood

    June 9, 2017 at 11:22 am

    I totally agree with you about the purposes of vanilla ice cream! This one definitely looks worth trying though, and it adds to my list of reasons to buy an ice cream maker 🙂

    Reply
  15. Giselle

    March 15, 2017 at 9:07 am

    Would this recipe work with Almond milk?

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 15, 2017 at 10:13 am

      Hey Giselle! I would be hesitant to use almond milk because it would take away from the ultra creaminess that the coconut cream gives. If you don’t like coconut, you could try using an almond milk creamer or something like that. But almond milk in itself (unless it’s homemade) would probably make for a more icy less creamy treat!

      Reply
  16. LIndsey

    March 4, 2017 at 10:30 am

    Hi Laura,
    Do you think that this would work with raw honey?

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 4, 2017 at 2:25 pm

      Absolutely I do! I use raw honey most of the time!

      Reply
  17. Yvonne van der Westhuizen

    February 15, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    Morning.
    Can I use macadamia butter in stead of almond butter?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 16, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      Hello Yvonne! I have not tried that substitution so I can’t say for certain…but I have a feeling that would be DIVINE!!!

      Reply
      • Yvonne van der Westhuizen

        February 22, 2017 at 3:22 am

        Thank you. I’ll give it a go!!
        Almond butter very expensive.

        Reply
        • Laura

          February 22, 2017 at 3:30 pm

          I understand that! Have you tried making your own? If you can find almonds on sale it’s very economical!!

          Reply
  18. Karen M.

    February 13, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    5 stars
    OMG, I made this yesterday in my Cuisinart ice cream maker and it was perfection!!! It is so good and will be my go to treat from now on! Thank you so much!!

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 13, 2017 at 3:47 pm

      YAY Karen!! I am so glad you liked this ice cream! 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by to let me know!

      Reply
  19. Rebecca

    February 8, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    Hi Laura. I’m allergic to coconut and dairy, so I was wondering if I could use cashew milk?

    Reply
  20. Nicole

    February 7, 2017 at 1:53 pm

    How long can you keep this once made??

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 7, 2017 at 2:42 pm

      You can keep in in the freezer for up to 3 months !

      Reply
« Older Comments
Newer 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

About Laura

 

Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

Let’s Be Friends!

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

Sign Up to Receive Weekly Emails!

Popular Recipes

Healthy Breakfast Ideas – Quick & Easy Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Balsamic Roasted Beets

Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas

Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas

Chicken Noodle Soup

Pineapple Smoothie

Healthy Pineapple Smoothie

Best Green Smoothie Recipe

Copyright © 2021 JoyFoodSunshine.com
156.8Kshares
  • 1.6K