It doesn’t matter how hot or cold it is outside — the hankering for a good spoonful of ice cream can come at any time. Vanilla. Strawberry. Cookies and cream. There are so many wonderful flavors to choose from, but not every brand is inclusive of individuals who have certain allergies and dietary restrictions. In this blog, we wanted to highlight a few well-received dairy-free ice cream brands for you to try. These brands are all widely accessible so you don’t have to travel far to get your ice cream fix, as they are available in major grocery stores close to you.
SO Delicious Dairy Free ($5-$8 per pint)
As far as vegan ice cream brands go, SO Delicious has definitely made its mark in most grocery stores nationwide. The company holds a plethora of delicious — pun intended — flavors to choose from. They have pints, ice cream bars, cones, all made from various plant based milks. From oat milk to soy milk to wondermilk, there is something for everyone, and their oat milk and wondermilk pints are gluten free. Grab a pint and have at it!
Van Leeuwen Vegan Ice Creams ($12 per pint)
On the more indulgent side, Van Leeuwen offers a slew of extravagant and exciting vegan ice cream products. Ever heard of vegan strawberry shortcake ice cream? Okay, what about chocolate cookie dough honeycomb? The bases of the pints can include oat milk, cashew milk, coconut cream, or a mix of each. Aside from their pints, they also have a few ice cream bars for those who do not want to commit to more than a bar or two. Though the ice cream is on the pricier side per pint, consumers are getting the bang for their buck with creamy, satisfying vegan ice cream, often something difficult to find.
Jeni’s Dairy Free Line ($12 per pint)
The experimental and avant garde ice cream brand — yes, the brand that brought you the Everything Bagel flavored pint — has a line of dairy free ice creams and sorbets for your pleasure. Aside from the richer, coconut cream-based flavors like Caramel Sticky Bun and Banana Pudding, Jeni’s provides lighter, fruit based sorbets that can hit the spot just as much as ice cream can. The New York Times stated that the Vegan Lemon Bar flavor and Vegan Texas Sheet Cake flavor are definite standouts.
Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Pints ($5-$6 per pint)
Known for their cute packaging and flavors founded by celebrities, Ben & Jerry’s has an extensive line of non-dairy ice cream pints. The flavors are separated by base, made up of oat milk, almond milk, and sunflower butter. Some of their most popular flavors have been remade as non-dairy versions, like Strawberry Cheesecake and Phish Food, so you know you are not missing out. The oat milk recipes are relatively new, and introduce a creamier, richer flavor profile to existing ice cream choices.
Breyers Vegan Ice Cream ($4-$6 per unit)
One of the most affordable options, Breyers has a small but solid line of vegan ice creams that are widely available across major grocery chains. The three listed are Vanilla, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookies and Creme. All are founded on an almond milk or oat milk base, and each unit of ice cream is 1.5 quarts so you are getting the bang for your buck. Scoop your favorite flavor in a bowl, add the appropriate fixings, and chow down!
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