In the past several years there has been an explosion of non-dairy ice cream on the market; which is great for anyone avoiding dairy, people who are lactose intolerant and vegans. Plant-based ice creams are a delicious and smooth dessert that's perfect as a treat on its own, to beat the summer heat or served with peach cobbler.
We’ve compiled a list of popular plant-based ice cream brands sold at major grocery stores to help you navigate your local freezer section.
This is not a sponsored post just our honest opinion
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Dairy-free ice cream is ice cream made with any kind of milk, but specifically not cow's milk. So it’s perfect for vegans, but also lactose intolerant and non-dairy people alike.
Instead of cow’s milk like traditional ice creams, many of the most commonly available dairy free ice creams in stores are made from almond milk, soy milk, and coconut milk. But other ice cream brands seeking to make creamier alternatives now include cashew milk, oat milk and even avocados.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every base and every brand has its own unique ingredients and flavours to offer. Vegan ice cream bases include almond, soy, coconut, and cashew. Newer innovations include oat milk, avocado, banana and even faba bean protein used in vegan Halo Top's brand of ice cream.
No, dairy-free and lactose-free are not the same things. Lactose-free products are made using dairy but with the problematic lactose (milk sugar) removed. Lactose is a sugar that naturally occurs in milk. Dairy-free products contain no milk or milk products. Typically, these products are made using plants, nuts, and grains and are suitable for vegans and lactose intolerant people.
The short answer is it depends. Vegan ice creams have come along way but taste and texture can vary a lot especially with so many different types of plant-based milk bases that can be used. Each with its own unique taste.
Almond Milk Base Brands
Of all the plant based ice creams, the almond milk varieties are easy to find. They’re light on flavor and pair well with ingredients.
Brand - Ben & Jerry’s
They first set up shop in a gas station in Vermont! advocates for a healthier world, protesting against major issues like Arctic drilling and using growth hormones in dairy products.
Known for there unique ice cream flavors like Cherries Garica and Rum Raisin and now plant-based flavors like Netflix and Chill'd.
Base - Either almond milk or sunflower butter
Some Popular Flavors - Colin Kaepernick’s Change the Whirled (sunflower butter), Americone Dream (almond milk) , Phish Food (almond milk), Cherry Garcia (almond milk), Crème Brûlée Cookie (sunflower butter) and more
Sold at nationwide at all big box stores like Whole Foods, Publix, Fresh Market, Kroger, Target and Albertsons
Review: B&J’s history of making great ice cream shows in the creamy texture of each spoonful. We tried the Netflix and Chill’d & Phish Food for our review.
Netflix and Chill'd - the chocolate flavor fades against the other ingredients in the ice cream. The pretzel bits might make it a little too salty but combined with the peanut butter gives it a nice salty caramel flavor. The peanut butter is prominent but not overpowering.
Our verdict, it's fine but with so many ingredients it can be overwhelming. We wouldn't buy it again.
Phish Food - is a smooth and creamy ice cream that is very chocolatey. The ice cream is very B&J’s; filled with tiny bits of rich chocolate fish shaped chunks, the swirls are good, very melty caramel and surprisingly gooey marshmallow stripes bordering on slimey. The caramel has a mellow flavor but all of the flavors are constantly fighting for attention and in the end blend into something that isn’t completely enjoyable.
Our verdict, it's too much with so many flavors it's just unpleasant. We wouldn't buy it again.
Brand - Target’s Private Label Favorite Day
Target stores are now even more vegan-friendly with the launch of there new store brand Favorite Day vegan ice creams which launched in April 2022.
They also have the Good & Gather brand which sells meatless meatballs, oatmilk, almond milk creamer and plant-based chick n’ tenders.
Base - Almond milk
Available Flavors in several flavors.
Sold at Target
Review: We tried the Cashew Caramel and Vanillia.
Cashew Caramel - we found the texture of this to be like ice milk, very brittle and grainy. The caramel swirls are light on sweetness, disappearing into the overall flavor. If you like cashews your in luck but if you don't they are in every bite and in large quantities.
Our verdict, mixed Shad wouldn't buy it again. He thought the cashews were too much. I would buy again if I was in the mood for an ice cream with lots of nuts.
Vanilla - a very delicious and simple vanilla ice cream. We are not sure why but the texture of the vanilla was much better, creamy and smooth. Light on sweetness, with a creamy smooth scoopable texture.
Our verdict, would definitely buy again. This is tied for our number 1 pick.
Brand - Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market launched its own nondairy ice cream line under its 365 Everyday Value brand
Base - Almond milk
Available flavors - Vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, mocha java fudge, chocolate chip peanut butter swirl, coconut almond bliss and berry chantilly cake
Sold at Whole Foods
Review: We tried the Vanilla.
Vanilla - It has a tangy and very strong vanilla flavor. It's very light on sweetness, with a creamy and smooth texture. It melts quickly and becomes a little grainy like ice milk. But the flavor was very enjoyable if you’re looking for a good vanilla ice cream.
Our verdict, it's not on the top of our list but we would buy it again.
Cashew Milk Base Brands
Brand - Van Leeuwen’s
They started out of NYC with unique flavors like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Earl Grey tea.
Base - Cashew milk, cashew and oat milk bases
Available Flavors - Pistachio (cashew), Cookie & Cream Caramel swirl(cashew), Chocolate Fudge Brownie (cashew) and more
Sold at Whole Foods and Sprouts
Review: We tried the Oat Milk Chocolate Crunch with Cookie Dough And Honeycomb.
Oat Milk Chocolate Crunch with Cookie Dough And Honeycomb - let me start by stating that many but not all vegans exclude honey from their diet and Van Leeuwen has chosen to create a honey alternative for their “honeycomb candy” bits. They are made with “cane sugar, organic brown rice syrup or tapioca syrup, coconut oil, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt”.
The ice cream has a very creamy and smooth texture, a lot like soft serve ice cream. The chocolate is silky and sweet with a slight hint of salt. The cookie dough chunks are subtle in their sweetness and make a mild combination with the ice cream base. The chocolate flavor of the ice cream is more chocolate milk like than most chocolate ice cream; possibly because of the oat milk but has a slight bit of an aftertaste.
Our verdict, if you like the flavor punch you get from a Ben & Jerry's type ice cream this is for you. We don't like to many flavors competing and wouldn't buy this flavor again.
Oat Milk Base Brands
Brand - Oatly
Oatly is a Swedish food company founded in the 90’s. Oatly has a range of products including: oatmilk ice cream, oat milk and vegan yogurt.
Base - Oat milk
Available Flavors - Strawberry (oat), Chocolate Oatmilk (oat), Strawberry (oat), Chocolate Oat Milk Cookie Dough (oat) and more
Sold at most big box stores like Whole Foods, Fresh Market
Review: We tried the Vanilla.
This is a very creamy ice cream, with a silky smooth texture, a subtle vanilla flavor and tastes great.
Our verdict, this is in heavy rotation at our house. This is a tie for our top pick.
Coconut Milk Base Brands
Let’s talk about coconut based Ice creams. Coconut milk along with soy and rice milk were some of the first vegan ice creams to arrive on national grocery store shelves. While rice milk based ice cream has the problem of often being too sweet, coconut based ice cream has the problem of being too heavy on the coconut flavor. The following coconut based ice creams are no exception.
Brand - NadaMoo!
Base - Coconut
Some Popular Flavors - Mint Chip, Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Strawberry
Sold at most major grocery stores like Whole Foods, Target
Review: We tried the Vanilla Bean.
Good aroma and flavor with a nice rich vanilla that’s light on sweetness. It unfortunately has a texture like ice milk which is slightly gritty. It melts really fast once out of the freezer that turns soupy after a few spoonfuls.
Our verdict, would buy again in a pinch but overall not a big fan of the coconut flavor it tends to overpower.
BRAND - SO DELICIOUS
An OG in vegan brands has been making there dairy-free products for over thirty years. They make ice cream but also non-dairy coffee creamers, yogurts and cheese.
Base - Mostly coconut milk but some contain cashew milk, almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
Some Popular Flavors - Peanut butter brownie, Banana Foster, Snickerdoodle, Vanilla and Chocolate Cookies And Cream
Sold at major grocery stores
Review: We tried the Vanilla.
A icy kinda texture and melty ice cream that has a heavy coconut profile. The coconut becomes very tart and tangy when combined with the vanilla to the point that it’s almost fighting the vanilla flavor.
Our verdict, probably wouldn't buy again because of the texture and flavor.
Brand - Jeni’s
They started out of Atlanta, GA started with unique flavors like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Banana Cream Pudding and Earl Grey tea.
Base - Coconut
A wide variety of artisanal flavors available
Sold at Whole Foods, Publix and major grocery stores
Review: We tried the Cold Brew & Coconut cream & Texas Sheet Cake.
Overall both had a creamy texture but the coconut base was overwhelming for us.
Our verdict, we may try it again. It was alot of potential with the texture and flavor. Hopefully they will reformulate and take the coconut flavor down a bit.
Brand - JD Vegan Dairy-Free Frozen Desserts
By Atlanta's own Jermaine “JD” Dupri. Grammy-winning producer and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, a twenty year vegan.
Base - Coconut base
Available flavors six delicious flavors: Key Lime Pie; Strawberry Sweetheart; Welcome to Atlanta, Peach Cobbler; Apple Butter; Chocolate My Way; and (404) Cookies & Cream
Sold at Walmart
Review: Unfortunately, we have not be able to get our hands on this but when we do. We'll let you know what we think.
Other Non-Dairy Milk Bases
Brand - Haagen Dazs
Globally known for rich creamy diary based ice cream. Founded in 1960. They now carry a line of vegan ice cream.
Base - Sunflower butter
Available flavors Chocolate Salted Fudge Truffle, Coconut Caramel, Mocha Chocolate Cookie, Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Fudge Bar, Coconut Caramel Dark Chocolate Bar, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge Bar
Sold in Publix and Target
Review: Unfortunately, we have not be able to get our hands on this but when we do. We'll let you know what we think.
Brand - Cado
Cado started in 2015. The first plant-based ice cream made with avocado’s. Cado's base is made from avocados, avocado oil and organic cane sugar. Avocado ice cream might sound odd, but is a common ingredient in a lot of vegan desserts.
Base - Avocado
Available flavors Deep Dark Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel, Vanilla Bean, Cookies & Cream and Choco Peanut Butter
Sold at The Fresh Market, Publix
Review: We tried the Mint Chocolate Chip.
The avocados give it a very smooth texture. The ice cream is green we were not sure if this was because of the mint or avocado color. The mint flavor is strong so strong that the chocolate chips disappear completely. The avocado gives the ice cream a distinct flavor that isn’t like any other plant based ice cream we’ve ever tried.
Review: It’s worth a try for yourself at least once.
Great With These Vegan Desserts
- Peach Cobbler
- Sweet Potato Bread
- Oreo Cheesecake
- Lucy Glo Apple Crisp
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Comment down below with your favorite flavors and brand.
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The Vgn Way
Cole
Thank you for this list. As a fan of the Ben & Jerry over the top flavors, I’ll definitely be on the look for the Van Leeuwen non-dairy flavors to try.