How To Make Homemade Almond Milk Ice Cream

Homemade Almond Milk Ice Cream is a delicious, dairy-free alternative to traditional ice cream, offering a silky, creamy texture and subtle nutty flavor with every bite. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a plant-based frozen treat, whether you’re dairy-intolerant, vegan, or simply looking to lighten up your dessert without sacrificing indulgence. Simple to prepare and endlessly customizable, this ice cream is destined to become a favorite summer staple in your kitchen.

Almond Milk Ice Cream

Unlike most store-bought dairy-free ice creams, making almond milk ice cream at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients and tailor the sweetness and flavors to your liking. Using almond milk as the base, this recipe is lighter than traditional custard ice cream, yet still rich, smooth, and satisfying thanks to the addition of coconut cream and just a touch of natural sweetener. You can add vanilla for classic flavor or swirl in fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips for endless variations. Best of all, you don’t need any hard-to-find ingredients or advanced kitchen gadgets—just a blender and an ice cream maker (or a loaf pan for a no-churn version).

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup full-fat coconut cream (scooped from a chilled can of coconut milk)
• 2/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave syrup
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch or cornstarch (for thickening)
• Optional mix-ins: mini chocolate chips, toasted almonds, berries, or cocoa powder

How To Make Homemade Almond Milk Ice Cream

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ice Cream Base:
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the almond milk and coconut cream until smooth. Add maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt, whisking to combine.

2. Add the Thickener:
In a small bowl, stir the arrowroot starch or cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Pour this into the almond milk mixture.

3. Heat and Thicken:
Set the saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture just starts to simmer and thickens slightly (about 5–7 minutes). Do not let it boil.

4. Chill the Mixture:
Remove from heat. Pour the base into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until well chilled. For best results, chill overnight.

5. Churn the Ice Cream:
Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 20–25 minutes), until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
No-churn method: Pour the mixture into a loaf pan and freeze, stirring every 45 minutes for the first 3 hours to break up ice crystals and ensure creaminess.

6. Add Mix-ins (Optional):
If desired, gently fold in chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit during the last few minutes of churning or just before transferring to the freezer.

7. Freeze Until Firm:
Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 3–4 hours until firm and scoopable.

8. Serve:
Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before scooping. Serve plain or with your favorite toppings.

Cook and Prep Times

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Chill Time: 4 hours (base) + 3–4 hours (freezing)
• Total Time: About 8 hours (mostly inactive)
• Yield: About 6 servings (1.5 quarts)

Nutrition Information (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 185
• Protein: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Sugar: 14g
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 90mg

(Values will vary based on sweetener and mix-ins.)

Almond Milk Ice Cream Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your Homemade Almond Milk Ice Cream in a bowl, cone, or as part of an ice cream sundae. For added crunch and flavor, top with chopped almonds, a drizzle of chocolate, or fresh berries. This ice cream is also excellent sandwiched between gluten-free cookies for a dairy-free treat. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks; let thaw briefly before serving for the best texture.

Homemade Almond Milk Ice Cream proves you don’t need dairy—or even a complicated ingredient list—to enjoy rich, creamy, satisfying frozen desserts. Whip up a batch and let your creativity run wild with flavors and toppings—this cool treat is a must-have for warm weather and healthy dessert cravings alike!