These Dairy-Free Ice Creams Taste Like the Real Damn Thing
- 1/17
These Dairy-Free Ice Creams Taste Like the Real Damn Thing
Cutting out dairy can look like one intimidating feat. It feels like dairy is inescapable since cow's milk is a core ingredient in all of our fave foods, (see: mac and cheese, grilled cheese, cheesecake…I could go on.)
So when we abandon dairy that means we have to let go of any and everything that requires butter, yogurt, or cheese right? Wrong! Now more than ever is the most convenient time to opt-out of dairy, cause there are hella new non-dairy options popping up every day. If you’re lactose intolerant or have elected to join the vegan life, you’re in luck! The powers that be have concocted vegan cheeses, tons of vegan milk, and even vegan options at some pretty huge fast food chains so that you can avoid experiencing any of that dreaded food-related FOMO. And hey, let's be real. Even if you aren't vegan or lactose intolerant, sometimes it can be nice to cool it on the creamy front for a little bit (hi, tummy ache!).
That means when it's post-dinnertime and you're craving a cone full of sweet, rich goodness, you don’t have to ditch your fave dessert either! Now that there are so many amazing milk alternatives (we see you, oat, almond, coconut, etc.,), that means dairy-free ice cream is stepping up its game in all sorts of flavors. Below, check out some of the delicious brands we love when it’s time to satisfy that sweet tooth sans cow milk.Want more inside info on all things delicious? Subscribe to the mag.
- 2/17
1) Noona's Dairy-Free
This Brooklyn-based brand was conceptualized around making ice cream with the staple ingredients in Asian-American households. That means they’ve got yummy creative flavors like ‘Rose Ginger’ and ‘Black Sesame’ that you need HAVE to try. Their vegan stuff is made with coconut cream, which just means added deliciousness.
Our pick: Dairy-Free Matcha Green Tea
- 3/17
2) Magnum Non-Dairy
If you can’t resist anything chocolate-covered, get excited, cause the minds at Magnum have got something just for you. They make dairy-free bars in a few different flavors using a unique combo of pea protein and coconut oil. Somehow they manage to taste exactly like their dairy-filled counterparts.
Our pick: Non-Dairy Sea Salt Caramel
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- 4/17
3) Craig's Vegan Ice Cream
The beloved vegan ice cream from the Los Angeles restaurant Craig’s is now available for people nationwide to indulge. You’ll be oh so grateful for this after you try their stuff. Their cashew milk base is super creamy, and all their flavors are gluten-free too, (so L.A.)
Our pick: Kursten's PB Krunch
- 5/17
4) Jeni's Dairy-Free
Earlier this year, beloved Ohio-based ice cream company Jeni's launched their new dairy-free line, featuring four new flavors, including Cold Brew with Coconut Cream and Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Truffle. Each pint is made from high-quality coconut cream, giving it the body and texture of regs ice cream.
Our pick: Cold Brew with Coconut Cream
- 6/17
5) Van Leeuwen
This Brooklyn-based artisanal brand actually started as an ice cream truck. Now, they sell their drool-worthy dairy-free (and full!) pints in grocery stores around the country. The vegan flavors, including Caramelized Banana Nut and Mint Chip, are made with cashew milk, organic coconut milk, organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic cane sugar, pure cocoa butter, and organic carob bean.
Our choice: Vegan Honeycomb
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- 7/17
6) Tofutti
Old-school lactose intolerant kids, recognize. Tofutti was likely a staple in your household. Made from soy and tofu, these treats come in vanilla, chocolate, and even mint chocolate chip.
Our Choice: Vanilla Cuties
- 8/17
7) So Delicious
So Delicious offers flavors made from cashew, oat, coconut, almond, and soy milks, with products like ice cream sandwiches, bars, and pints. There's literally no wrong choice here, it's all so delicious. (Sorry, had to.)
Our choice: Mocha Almond Fudge
- 9/17
8) Halo Top
The (low-key super pretty) non-dairy pints from Halo Top come in fun, delish flavors like Pancakes and Waffles or Peanut Butter and Jelly. All their milk-free pints are vegan and soy-free and made with coconut milk.
Our choice: Dairy-Free Oatmeal Cookie
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- 10/17
9) McConnell's Fine Frozen Desserts
Wipe your chin, you're drooling. This Santa Barbara–based ice cream company has been around for 70 years and has achieved a total cult following. Now, dairy-free folks can enjoy, too, since the brand came out with five unreal plant-based flavors, including Turkish Coffee and Dark Chocolate Chip.
Our choice: Dairy-Free Toasted Coconut Almond Chip
- 11/17
10) Ben & Jerry's
You're lying if you say you've never sat in bed with a pint of Phish Food and binged Riverdale. (Same, though.) What's even better is now you can do it with ice cream made from almond milk, so your dog doesn't judge you for the weird smell under the covers.
Our choice: Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- 12/17
11) Steve's Ice Cream
Wildflower Honey Pistachio? Chocolate Cherry Blossom? Yes and yes. Steve's is known for their creative and enticing flavors, and their dairy-free versions are just as inventive. Made from organic Sri Lankan coconut cream, these options are just as delish as their milky brethren.
Our choice: Speculoos Cookie Butter
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- 13/17
12) NadaMoo!
At NadaMoo, an Austin-based company, flavors are made from certified organic coconut milk and are vegan, gluten-free, organic, and non-GMO.
Our choice: Cookies & Crème
- 14/17
13) Häagen-Dazs
As if their regular ice cream wasn't addictive enough, Häagen-Dazs has a line of dairy-free ice creams that we honestly can't get enough of. They have everything from sorbet to bars to triple layer pints, and their newest dairy-free flavor, Amaretto Black Cherry, even has a boozy twist to it. Just take our money.
Our choice: Amaretto Black Cherry
- 15/17
14) Luna + Larry's Coconut Bliss
Let's hear it one more time for coconut milk. (Coconut just makes everything better, amirite?) Coconut Bliss makes a variety of ice cream pints, sandwiches, and bars—all organic, gluten-free, and 100% plant based.
Our choice: Dark Chocolate Cookie Sandwich
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- 16/17
15) Almond Dream
Dream makes a whooole lot of products from a whooole lot of bases: almond, coconut, rice, or soy. But the best is their ice cream bites, perfect for snacking (and sharing...if you're able). They come in vanilla, chocolate, and peppermint. Drool.
Our choice: Almond Dream Vanilla Bites
- 17/17
16) Cado
Cado is—ready for this?—an avocado-based ice cream. Don't even say you're not intrigued. They have seven flavors, like Vanilla Bean, Salted Caramel Swirl, and Java Chip.
Our choice: Mint Chocolate Chip
Milk, is that you????
