Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipes You Need to Try!
Published
Whether you’re avoiding dairy because of an allergy, lactose intolerant, or personal preference, there’s no shortage of delicious frozen desserts to enjoy. This collection includes creamy dairy-free ice cream recipes made with ingredients like almond milk, bananas, and dates, plus refreshing fruit sorbets for a lighter option. You’ll also find gluten-free ice cream cake and gluten-free ice cream sandwiches that aren’t dairy-free by default but can easily be adapted with simple dairy-free swaps. No matter what you’re craving, these homemade frozen treats are perfect for staying cool all summer long.
My Favorite Non-Dairy Options
I know firsthand that avoiding dairy, gluten, or both can make the frozen dessert aisle feel pretty limiting. That’s exactly why I wanted to round up these recipes we’ve tested and loved here at Mama Knows Gluten Free. From creamy almond milk and coconut milk bases to naturally sweet frozen bananas and dates, each recipe offers its own take on a classic frozen treat without sacrificing flavor or texture. I hope you discover a new favorite you’ll come back to all summer long.
Almond Milk Ice Cream
Almond Milk Ice Cream
This almond milk ice cream surprises people. Just 4 ingredients, no ice cream maker, and the result is creamy, naturally sweetened, and actually scoopable. It doesn’t have the icy or watery texture you might expect from an almond milk base — the method makes all the difference. It’s lighter than coconut milk-based ice cream but still rich enough to feel like a real treat. Keep a batch in the freezer, and you’re always just a scoop away from dessert.
Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream (Nice Cream)
Four ingredients. That’s it and you have this Nice Cream. Frozen bananas blended until smooth create a texture shockingly close to soft-serve — thick, creamy, and naturally sweet without any added sugar. Stir in peanut butter, a pinch of salt, and a splash of vanilla, and you’ve got a flavor combination that tastes indulgent but is made from things you already have. The trick is starting with very ripe, spotty bananas, sliced and frozen on a parchment-lined tray so they don’t clump together. Blend in short pulses at first, then let it run for about 2 minutes until completely smooth. It’s one of the fastest frozen desserts on this list: freeze your bananas ahead of time, blend when you’re ready, and eat immediately for soft-serve or freeze another hour for a firmer scoop.
Date Ice Cream
Date Ice Cream
Rich, caramel-like, and naturally sweet — date ice cream tastes like a frozen toffee treat. Medjool dates do the heavy lifting, adding both sweetness and a silky texture that freezes up beautifully. There’s no refined sugar, no dairy, and no ice cream maker involved. If you’ve never used dates as a base for a frozen dessert, this recipe will change that. Blend, freeze, scoop, and enjoy something that tastes far more indulgent than it actually is.
Sorbet
Sorbet is the most naturally dairy-free frozen dessert there is, and when it’s made with good ingredients, it’s one of the most refreshing things you can eat on a warm day. These three cover the full flavor range: tropical and creamy, bright and berry, bold and citrusy.
Coconut Sorbet
Coconut Sorbet
Just 3 ingredients and coconut milk make this coconut sorbet silkier and richer than most fruit-based frozen desserts. It lands somewhere between traditional sorbet and ice cream — smooth, creamy, and deeply coconutty. Serve it alongside fresh mango, spoon it into chilled glasses, or enjoy it on its own. It’s easy enough for a weeknight and elegant enough for a dinner party.
Raspberry Sorbet
Raspberry Sorbet
Sweet, tangy, and full of real raspberry flavor. A 4-ingredient raspberry sorbet that comes together quickly and freezes into a vibrant, scoopable dessert with no ice cream maker required. The natural tartness of the raspberries keeps them fresh and bright rather than overly sweet. It’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages and looks stunning in a bowl or a cone.
Lime Sorbet
Lime Sorbet
Tart, sweet, and almost electric with fresh citrus flavor. This lime sorbet is one of the most refreshing things you can make in your freezer. Fresh lime juice gives it a zing that wakes up your taste buds, and the whole thing comes together with just a few simple ingredients and no ice cream maker. Serve it in chilled glasses with a pinch of zest on top, or scoop it into hollowed lime halves for a fun presentation.
Ice Cream Cake and Sandwiches (With Dairy-Free Options)
The two recipes below are gluten-free by design, but they are not dairy-free by default. Each one includes specific dairy-free substitutions, so you can absolutely make them work for a dairy-free diet. Just be sure to read the full post and follow those swaps before you start. They’re included here because the dairy-free versions are genuinely worth making.
Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cake
Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cake Recipe
This ice cream cake layers cake, ice cream, Gluten-Free Oreos, and whipped cream frosting. This is pure nostalgia on a plate. It’s the kind of dessert that makes everyone at the table actually excited. To make it dairy-free, the recipe walks you through swapping in dairy-free ice cream and coconut whipped cream, so the whole table can enjoy it. It’s a showstopper for birthdays and summer celebrations, and it’s easier to pull together than it looks.
Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
Soft, chewy brownie-style cookies pressed around creamy vanilla ice cream. These ice cream sandwiches are everything a frozen treat should be. The cookies stay soft even after freezing, which means no cracking or crumbling when you bite in. To make them dairy-free, simply use your favorite dairy-free ice cream between the cookies. The almond milk ice cream in this roundup works beautifully. Make a batch on the weekend and keep them individually wrapped in the freezer for whenever you need one.
