The 5 Best Dairy-Free "Ice Creams" to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Although Americans continue to love frozen desserts—we spent $12.8 billion on them in 2016, according to market research firm Mintel, more than previous years—we’re nixing animal products from our diets in record numbers. There are plenty of reasons why, from food intolerances to concerns about antibiotics in cow’s milk. The upshot is that manufacturers are churning out innovation by the pint, making creamy, tasty, refreshing frozen concoctions that are entirely dairy-free. Here, we’ve rounded up a few faves.
McConnell’s Dairy-Free Frozen Desserts—Toasted Coconut Almond Chip
This 70-year-old Santa Barbara dairy branched out with five flavors made using pea protein. Unlike a lot of nutmilk “ice creams,” it's got virtually no aftertaste, making it the perfect canvas for rich, creamy coconut, crunchy almonds, and bittersweet chocolate chips. ($12, McConnells)
SO Delicious Peachy Maple Pecan Frozen Dessert
Cashew milk, with its natural fats, gives this southern belle a creaminess that butter pecan fans will adore. Add in sweet peaches, and you’ll be asking for a second scoop. ($6, SO Delicious)
Sorbabes Pistachio With Sea Salted Caramel Swirl
Distribution of this gourmet frozen sorbet is limited to most major cities and online orders, but it’s worth hunting to find. Made with nut butter, it has the just-churned texture of homemade gelato, in a salty-sweet flavor. (Sorbabes)
Cado Avocado Frozen Dessert Deep Dark Chocolate
Okay, we’ll grant you, it sounds weird. But avocado lends a rich, buttery texture to every spoonful, and hides behind deep cacao flavor so you’d never know you weren’t eating frozen chocolate mousse. (Cado Ice Cream)
Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Half Baked Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
One of the newest additions to this Vermont-based company’s non-dairy line, this almond milk-based pint could not be more decadent, with brownie chunks and peanut butter cookie dough swimming in a chocolate and peanut butter base. (Ben & Jerry's)