This creamy coconut ice cream recipe is an easy vegan and dairy free dessert you can make at home, with no ice cream maker required!
The best coconut ice cream recipe
You need just four ingredients for this simple coconut milk recipe: vanilla extract, sweetener of choice, a pinch of salt, and a can of coconut milk.
In just a few steps, and with many different flavor options, a luxurious bowl of rich homemade coconut milk ice cream can be all yours.
I make a batch of this nondairy dessert at least once a month. Even my non vegan friends and family love the recipe.
Once you see how easy it is to make your own coconut ice cream at home, you will never want to buy another pint at the store again!
I also love this frozen Dole Whip Recipe
Can you really make ice cream with coconut milk?
Yes, you absolutely can!
If you are vegan or have dairy allergies, or even if you just want to try something new and delicious, coconut milk is the perfect ingredient for a rich and creamy ice cream without any actual heavy cream.
Many big brands are getting on the dairy free coconut ice cream bandwagon. Haagen Dazs, So Delicious, Ben & Jerry’s, and Halo Top now all offer vegan or coconut based frozen desserts.
However, by making your own ice cream at home, you control the ingredients to include. Add less sugar, no corn syrup, and no gums or preservatives if you wish.
You also get to choose what flavors to create, at a fraction of the cost of store bought plant based ice creams.
Try making multiple flavors from the same base. Have fun experimenting!
*Side Note: If you want a dairy free and low fat ice cream alternative, check out the following healthy recipe for banana free Nice Cream.
Coconut milk ice cream recipe video
Above, watch the step by step video
Chocolate coconut ice cream
To turn the vanilla version below into a dark chocolate coconut milk ice cream instead, simply add one fourth cup of cocoa powder at the very beginning.
Or make Nutella coconut ice cream. Stir three to four tablespoons of chocolate hazelnut spread or this Homemade Nutella Recipe into the chocolate base.
You can use regular unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch process cocoa, raw cacao powder, or powdered hot chocolate mix for the chocolate ice cream.
For a low carb version, try this Keto Ice Cream
Coconut ice cream flavors
- Coffee Ice Cream: Use the basic coconut ice cream recipe below. Add two teaspoons of regular or decaf instant coffee to the liquid ingredients.
- Peanut Butter Ice Cream: Stir one fourth cup peanut butter into the liquid ingredients. Add some mini chocolate chips if desired.
- Cookie Dough Ice Cream: Use the basic ice cream recipe included below. Stir in chocolate chips and small spoonfuls of this Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip. Or stir pieces of your favorite eggless cookie dough (or the dough from any of my healthy cookies recipes) into the ice cream after blending.
- Strawberry Ice Cream: Add one cup strawberries, stems removed, to the basic recipe before blending. Omit the extra half cup milk of choice.
- Salted Caramel Ice Cream: Swirl in store bought or homemade Coconut Caramel. Sprinkle on a quick garnish of sea salt and optional shaved chocolate.
How to use a can of coconut milk
Canned coconut milk is one of my favorite ingredients to use in recipes.
It is a fantastic substitute for heavy cream in both sweet and savory dishes such as smoothies, milkshakes, pies, puddings, soups, or curries.
You can make Coconut Curry or my homemade Chocolate Truffles.
Use it for fancy Coconut Whipped Cream. Or you can even add coconut milk instead of cow’s milk to this reader favorite dessert recipe for Chocolate Banana Bread.
Statistics list over 60-75% of the world’s population as being lactose intolerant. My guess is that in the coming years, we will start to see more coconut milk recipes, as well as more products on the market made with coconut milk instead of dairy.
Extra coconut milk? Make Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Recipe tips and tricks
- Be sure to use full fat canned coconut milk for the recipe, not lite coconut milk.
- Do not substitute a carton of refrigerated coconutmilk beverage, because this is not the same product. Refrigerated coconutmilk does not contain enough fat to yield a creamy ice cream.
- Culinary coconut milk usually comes in a can. Some popular brands of coconut milk include Thai Kitchen, Whole Foods, Goya, Chaokoh, or Native Forest.
- Due to the lack of preservatives and gums, homemade ice cream is best the day it is made. This is when it will have the creamiest texture.
- However, if you do not mind a bit of an icy texture, you can technically store leftovers frozen in a covered container for up to a few weeks. Thaw for at least fifteen minutes before eating.
- For that rounded classic ice cream appearance, I like to scoop out the frozen dessert with an ice cream scoop instead of a spoon.
Coconut Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup canned coconut milk
- 1/2 cup additional coconut milk or milk of choice
- 1/3 cup sweetener of choice, such as sugar or pure maple syrup
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- optional ingredients for different flavors (see flavor ideas above)
Instructions
- *Be sure to use full fat canned coconut milk, not lite or coconutmilk beverage. Sweeteners that work include pure maple syrup, regular sugar, coconut sugar, honey, agave, brown sugar, or xylitol for an added sugar free ice cream.To make coconut ice cream, stir all ingredients, minus optional add ins, in a bowl. If you have an ice cream maker, simply transfer the mixture to your ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s directions for your specific machine. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in ice cube trays, then blend the frozen ice cubes in a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix. Either eat the ice cream straight from the machine or freeze a few hours for a firmer texture. While homemade ice cream is best the day it is made, you can technically keep it frozen for up to a few weeks and thaw before eating.View Nutrition Facts
Video
Notes
More Ice Cream Recipes
My husband and I are so delighted to have found this basic recipe for coconut milk ice cream! It is delicious and doesn’t make us feel like we were cheated out of the real thing. Thank you so much!
Hi there, I know your notes recommend not to use lite coconut milk but that’s the only one I can find in our neighbourhood grocery store. What will happen if I use lite? Will it still work? Thanks!
You never know unless you experiment!
You could try adding cream instead of the ½ cup of milk to compensate. That might help. Also, adding 1-2 Tbsp of vodka helps keep it soft and not icy. (I hate alcohol, but you can’t taste the small amount per serving in ice cream). Lastly, 1/8th to ¼ tsp of xanthan gum helps with creaminess and softness.
Wow!! My husband just confirmed this is better than So Delicious!! He actually prefers less of the coconut flavor, and we agree that this is creamier and tastes less like coconut!! Thank you!
Hi there, when using coconut sugar and other granulated sorts, is heating required to melt the sandy texture? It didn’t mention that in the directions. ?
Thank you so much!
Love your recipes, thank you from a gf/df/soy free chick ?
Nope! 🙂
Hi if I add strawberry to the recipe to make ice cream, does it taste ? or coconut?
Probably more strawberry!
Hi, l don’t have an ice cream maker, so I am wondering if l can put it in a loaf pan instead of ice cube trays? And how long do l leave it in freezer without it getting very frozen like ice? When l made ice cream before it turns rock solid frozen, so any suggestions because l would love to try this and have it look like the picture that you show. . Thank you!
Hi, sorry we have not tried it in a loaf pan so really can’t say!
Can Stevia be used as the sweetener for a low carb option?
Sure!
Coconut ice cream
When do you add optional extras? Recipe does not state….
I do it at the very end
I’m thinking about trying to make it without any of the sweeteners. I hope they are not needed for thickening or setting… I’m thinking they are not, since you’ve given alternatives to sugar.
Hi KATIE……i AM GOING TO MAKE THE COCONUT ICE CREAM TOMORROW….ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, WAS DIAGNOSED
WITH CANDIDA YEAST INFECTION….ON THE FIRST PHASE OF 4, JUST EATING FRESH VEGGIES AND REALLY HAVE TO READ ALL LABELS TO MAKE SURE NO YEAST OR SUGAR IS IN THE INGREDIENTS…..YOUR ICE CREAM RECIPES ARE THE
PERFECT ANSWER TO A LITTLE DESSERT…..MOSTLY HAVE TO USE COCONUT AND ALMOND FLOURS, BUT THE COCONUT IS A FANTASTIC YEAST KILLER……AND YOU ARE RIGHT THE COCONUT MILK OR CREAMS DO NOT HAVE MUCH OF A FLAVOR……i LOVE OUR WEBSITE, SO MANY GOOD IDEAS AND HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING A LONG TIME FOR THE GLUTEN
FREE DIET ALSO…….SO WILL WATCHING FOR MORE OF YOUR GREAT RECIPES…….oATTI
This looks awesome and thanks for sharing!! I was wondering, if my coconut cream does not have guar gum in it, is that ok?
Thanks!
Jennifer
I’ve made it a few times with great results and mine has none either 😉