Frozen, creamy delights without a drop of dairy in sight!

Is there anything more refreshing than ice cream on a hot summer’s day? A dairy-free or plant-based diet shouldn’t mean you have to miss out on delightful treats to help you cool down. And if it’s not a scorcher? Well, you can enjoy vegan ice creams and ice lollies any time.

What is vegan ice cream made from?

Whether for a beach-side treat or a late-night binge, traditional ice cream tends to be heavy on the dairy. Most ice cream recipes include milk, cream, eggs and sugar, blended with some form of flavouring. When churned thoroughly, the ingredients produce a delightfully smooth texture.

But what about vegan ice cream? The beauty of vegan recipes is that there are so many possibilities! You can replace the dairy milk in traditional ice cream with pretty much any kind of plant milk.

Commercially, almond, soy, coconut, and oat milk are popular choices for vegan ice cream. They can be churned in the same way as cow’s milk for the perfect soft scoop serving. However, some ice cream bars use pea protein and coconut oil instead of plant milk for a slightly firmer consistency.

Did you know you can also make vegan ice cream from bananas or avocado? Keep reading for some recipe ideas!  

How do I make my vegan ice cream more creamy?

If you’ve ever tried to freeze non-dairy milk, you may have noticed that it crystallises in a less-than-satisfying way. Often, this is the case with low-fat, high water content plant milk. It’s the high fat content in dairy that makes traditional ice cream so mouth-wateringly smooth.

When it comes to vegan versions, starting with a base of soya, coconut or cashew milk can put you in good stead for the creamiest results. They contain a higher fat percentage than almond or oat milk and are less likely to crystallise. If you particularly want to use almond milk, adding coconut oil can improve the mouthfeel.

A liquid sweetener, like maple syrup rather than sugar, can also help you get a smoother texture as there won’t be any rough sugar particles. Some people also suggest adding cornstarch or arrowroot to your ice cream mixture to give it a velvety consistency.

Did you know that the first known non-dairy ice cream recipe was published in 1899? Almeda Lambert, a Seventh-Day Adventist, wrote a guide to making peanut ice cream. Could blended nuts be the secret to the ultimate creamy vegan ice cream?

Perhaps — in fact, we’ve applied a similar principle to our Nutmilk Chocolate range. Using finely milled hazelnuts instead of milk, this selection is so staggeringly smooth you might not believe it’s dairy-free! From 45% Nutmilk Batons to Raspberry Nutmilk Ganache Selectors, you get a feathery mouthfeel without sacrificing that high cocoa hit. Perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike.

Vegan ice cream flavour ideas

Once you’ve got the ideal base for your vegan ice cream, the flavour possibilities are endless.

Coconut base

With its tropical flavour and aroma, coconut milk makes a great vegan ice cream base. All you need is coconut milk, vanilla, liquid sweetener, and a pinch of salt. You can follow a recipe here.

It tastes delicious on its own, or you can add any extra flavours you like. Why not try blended strawberries or mango for a light, summery flavour?

Or you could mix in a shot of coffee for frozen coconut latte vibes.

Banana or avocado ‘nice’ cream

For an unbelievably healthy chilled pudding, simply mash or blend a couple of really ripe bananas or avocados. You could leave it there and freeze your fruit for a cool, creamy treat packed with secret nutrients. However, if you fancy something more decadent, why not try a chocolate peanut butter version?

We might be biased, but we still maintain that a little bit of chocolate never goes amiss. A generous spoonful of rich Cocoa Powder, alongside a helping of peanut butter, will make your banana nice cream truly indulgent. You could also top it off with a scattering of crunchy cocoa nibs.

How to make vegan ice lollies

If you’d like something lighter, ice lollies (or popsicles, as they’re known in the States) can be a refreshing alternative. Who can resist the juicy, flavour-packed coolness of an ice lolly in the sunshine?

Ice lollies tend to be water-based rather than milk, so many available in the shops are dairy-free. However, vegans may like to keep an eye out for a few other ingredients. Some ice lollies contain gelatine or animal-derived colourings such as carmine or cochineal, so it’s always best to check the label.

The good news is that you can make delicious vegan ice lollies at home. You can keep it super simple and just pour your favourite fruit juice or smoothie into an ice lolly mould — refreshing and one of your five a day.

Alternatively, you can blend fruits such as blueberries with water and a little bit of maple syrup for a light and sweet iced treat.

And if you don’t have time to make your own? Our exclusive chocolate-dipped ice lollies are free from any animal ingredients, making them the perfect vegan treat.

Can you make popsicles with plant milk?

Whilst you can make vegan ice lollies or popsicles out of fruit juice and water, that’s not the only route you can go down.

Plant milk can make an excellent base for ice lollies as well as ice cream. By just freezing and leaving the mixture to set, rather than churning it, you’ll get a more crystalised, crunchier texture. You can whizz up your ingredients in a blender, pour them into ice lolly moulds, and pop them in the freezer for the cold to work its magic.

Tinned coconut milk makes a fantastic starting point for vegan ice lollies as it already has a rich, thick texture.

Vegan lolly flavour ideas

Strawberry and coconut

These strawberry and coconut ice lollies look the picture of summer and taste amazing! Using bananas for extra texture and dates for a bit of sweetness, they’re rich and satisfying but also healthier than traditional iced desserts.

Mango and chia

Who knew mango was so creamy? Blending two ripe mangoes with 285ml of coconut water yields an astonishingly smooth texture. Adding 1.25 tablespoons of chia seeds not only gives your vegan ice lollies a superfood boost but also helps the popsicle keep its shape.

Chocolate and orange

Another classic flavour combo is chocolate and orange. We thought we’d take this pairing one step further with our Orange and Lemon Ice Lollies. The fresh, tangy citrus notes are tempered by a decadent casing of 70% dark chocolate — a match made in ice lolly heaven.

Whether you’re looking for a smooth, soft scoop or a crunchier popsicle, there are all sorts of vegan ice creams and ice lolly options. And if you’re after something with a rich cocoa edge, why not take a look at our indulgent Just Chocolate Ice Lollies?