Keto ice cream and frozen treats
Ice cream never goes out of style because ice cream is, hands down, one of the world’s favorite treats. Even if you are on a keto or low-carb diet, dairy-free or vegan, you don’t have to forego this creamy frozen treat!
Below, we have put together 10 of our healthiest and yummiest low-carb ice cream recipes as well as tips, toppings, and desserts to go with your ice cream.
And guess what? You don’t even need an ice cream machine! Making keto-friendly ice cream without a commercial ice cream maker will take a bit longer, but it’s always worth the wait.
Our latest ice cream favorites
Jump to keto ice cream FAQ
Top 10 low-carb and keto ice cream recipes
1. Low-carb cookie dough ice cream
For those who crave classics, you’ll love our recipe for low-carb cookie dough ice cream.
2. Keto vanilla ice cream
If you’re a classic vanilla fan, try this easy vanilla recipe. While very simple, this version is no ordinary vanilla. It is quite likely the creamiest keto ice cream you will ever try.
3. Keto mason jar ice cream
Don’t have an ice cream machine? Try our Mason jar ice cream. Parents and children both love this recipe. Not only does it yield a creamy, keto treat, but it keeps the kids busy shaking for at least five minutes.
4. Creamy dairy-free keto vanilla ice cream
If you’re keto and dairy-free, try this creamy dairy-free vanilla recipe. The creaminess comes from adding oil to the ice cream mixture for an extra satisfying treat.
5. Keto peppermint and mocha
We’ve got a peppermint mocha ice cream that’s not only perfect for summer but adds a festive touch to Thanksgiving and Christmas, too.
6. Low-carb blueberry ice cream
Low-carb blueberry ice cream is bursting with flavor. The lemon and cardamom are an unexpected addition that will give your taste buds an extra treat.
7. Low-carb chocolate ice cream
This smooth and luscious chocolate ice cream is dairy-free and vegan-friendly. You can enjoy it within four hours.
8. Keto lemon ice cream
For a refreshing citrus-flavored ice cream, try our fresh and luscious keto lemon ice cream. The perfect keto recipe for summer.
9. Low-carb popsicles with berries and lime
Another alternative when you don’t have an ice cream maker is to use popsicle molds. Use our suggested lime and berry or create your own flavors depending on what seasonal fruit is available.
10. Low-carb frozen yogurt popsicles
Yogurt and heavy cream can be combined with frozen fruit to make truly decadent low-carb popsicles. This is a summertime treat everyone can love.
Keto-friendly ice cream toppings
What ice cream toppings can I use? Just a sprinkle of fresh berries can give a simple scoop of vanilla a lift. A teaspoon of chopped nuts adds a nice crunch as does a small sprinkle of chopped low-carb chocolate. Combine a small amount of both, and you’ve created a sweet little sundae!If you’re looking for something a little more “extra” for your ice cream sundae bar, try one of these topping recipes!
Homemade ice cream desserts
Low-carb ice cream sandwiches
Ice cream, like sweetened whipped cream, also pairs well with other desserts. When you add ice cream to other low-carb treats, 1 + 1 is more than 2!If you make small low-carb cookies about 1 inch in diameter, use those to make an ice cream cookie sandwich. Roll the sides in chopped nuts or chopped chocolate and set in the freezer to chill. Surprise the kids or save them as a treat for yourselves when others are enjoying high-carb desserts.
Low-carb ice cream with cake
Another classic ice cream-enhanced dessert is to serve a small scoop of ice cream over a mini-muffin or a small wedge of low-carb cake. Cake and ice cream is a perfect flavor and texture combination.
Easy keto mason jar ice cream
Can you make creamy keto ice cream without a ice cream maker?
With this super easy keto ice cream recipe, you can! No ice cream maker required, just shake, freeze then serve. Creating this sugar-free version of classic vanilla ice cream is so simple, it’s child’s play.
| Level: | Preparation time: | Chill time: | Servings: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 8 minutes | 3 hrs | 1 |
Ingredients 1
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp xylitol or erythritol
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
| Nutrition per serving: | Kcal: | Protein: | Fat: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net carbs: 4 g | 497 | 6 g | 47 g |
Instructions
- To make vanilla ice cream, add all of the ingredients into a portion-sized mason jar, or similar glass jar with a lid. Want a different flavor? Pick your favorite from the list below, and add the ingredients to the vanilla mixture.
- Seal the lid, and shake vigorously for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- Place the jar in the freezer, and chill for at least three hours. Enjoy!
Flavor suggestions
Let each person create his or her own flavor! Add the following ingredients (per serving), just before shaking the ice cream mixture.
Mocha almond ice cream
+1 gram of carbs
0.25 tsp almond extract
0.25 tsp instant espresso powder
0.5 tbsp slivered almonds
0.5 tbsp chopped low-carb chocolate chips
Coconut almond ice cream
+1 gram of carbs
0.25 tsp almond extract
0.25 tsp coconut extract
1 tbsp flaked coconut
0.5 tbsp slivered almonds
Blueberry ice cream
+2 grams of carbs
2 tbsp fresh or frozen blueberries, finely chopped
Strawberry ice cream
+3 grams of carbs
5 tbsp fresh or frozen strawberries, finely chopped
Chocolate
+2 grams of carbs
0.5 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp chopped low-carb chocolate chips
Store-bought low-carb ice cream
While there are now a lot of commercial “low-carb” ice cream options available, always read the nutrition information and ingredients.
Tips on buying pre-made low-carb ice cream
The best options will use cream, eggs, natural sweeteners, and as few ingredients as possible.
Avoid any store-bought low-carb ice cream that has:
- sugar
- corn syrup
- coconut sugar, or other forms of sugar.
Pay attention to serving sizes. Because ice cream is sweet and full of flavorful fat, it can be easy to overeat.
Note how you feel after eating commercial ice cream. If your blood glucose tends to be higher, your weight loss stalls or you aren’t seeing the progress you expected, then store-bought ice cream might be the culprit.
Keto ice cream FAQ
What is keto ice cream made of?
For our keto and low-carb ice cream, we begin with heavy cream, eggs, and sweeteners, which make delightfully rich and highly satisfying ice cream. Our dairy-free recipes use coconut cream and almond milk instead of heavy cream.
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Heavy cream
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Coconut cream
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Almond milk
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Eggs
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Vanilla extract
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Erythritol, or Allulose
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Xylitol
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Stevia
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Ingredients for keto-friendly ice cream:
Monk fruit
How to make keto ice cream with almond milk or coconut milk?
Keto ice cream without heavy cream? Try almond milk or coconut milk. Neither has as much fat as heavy cream, so the ice cream may be less creamy or a bit icy when it freezes. Simply let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-7 minutes to soften before serving.Almond milk ice cream recipe
Coconut milk ice cream recipe
Keto ice cream without sweetener
If you find that ice cream is sweet enough without added sweeteners, then you can omit them. Fresh berries can be used as nature’s perfect sweeteners.
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Natural sweetener: Blueberries
3.3 grams of net carbs
per ounce (28 grams)
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Natural sweetener: Strawberries
1.6 grams of carbs
per ounce (28 grams)
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Natural sweetener: Raspberries
1.5 grams of carbs
per ounce (28 grams)
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Natural sweetener: Blackberries
1.2 grams of carbs
per ounce (28 grams)
Does keto ice cream have sugar?
Avoid any that have sugar, corn syrup, coconut sugar, or other forms of sugar. Look for sweeteners that are on our approved sweeteners list such as xylitol, Allulose, erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit.
Why is my keto ice cream so hard?
- It may be the sweeteners: Any Diet Doctor recipes that use granulated sweetener call for erythritol, a natural sweetener. While we use erythritol because it doesn’t raise blood glucose, erythritol isn’t ideal for ice cream.
- Ice cream made with erythritol freezes very hard and doesn’t yield the soft and scoopable texture of homemade ice cream made with sugar. Even adding alcohol or oils doesn’t seem to reduce the rock-solid results common when using erythritol.
- One option is to simply let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-7 minutes to soften before serving. Another solution is to use a sweetener like xylitol, which, when used in ice cream, yields a familiar, picture-perfect scoop of ice cream.
- Xylitol measures just like sugar and has about half the calories. Keep in mind that xylitol is toxic to pets and can cause digestive upset when used in large quantities.
- For more information about xylitol, and other sweeteners, please read our guide.
Is keto ice cream good for diabetes?
Keto or low-carb ice cream made with an approved sweetener is generally safe to consume even for people who have diabetes. Test your blood glucose if you have concerns. Read more about low-carb sweeteners in our medically reviewed guide.
Is there any keto ice cream without eggs?
Recipe Yes! This smooth and luscious chocolate ice cream is dairy-free and vegan-friendly. You can enjoy it within four hours.
If you want to view the ingredient units in metrics, check out the full recipe ↩