Top 10 keto and low-carb ice cream and topping recipes

Remember the kid’s chant: “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” It never goes out of style because ice cream is, hands down, one of the world’s favorite treats.

Transcending generations and geographical differences, ice cream’s lure is hard to resist for even the hard-core keto crowd. But wait! Whether you are on a keto or low-carb diet, you don’t have to forego a creamy frozen treat!

Even if you’re dairy-free or vegan, we’ve got a recipe for a frozen refreshing treat that you can enjoy. We have put together our healthiest versions of everyone’s favorite frozen concoctions.

Our top ice cream recipes:

1. Cookie dough ice cream
2. Classic vanilla
3. Mason jar ice cream
4. Creamy dairy-free vanilla
5. Peppermint and mocha
6. Blueberry
7. Chocolate (DD+)
8. Lemon
9. Popsicles lime & berries
10. Frozen yogurt popsicles

You don’t need an ice cream machine. Making ice cream without a commercial ice cream maker will take a bit longer, but it’s always worth the wait.

Our top collection of low-carb and keto ice cream recipes

1. Low-carb cookie dough ice cream

For those who crave classics like chocolate chip cookies, you’ll love our recipe for low-carb cookie dough ice cream. It’s like having dessert with dessert, and still staying on plan.

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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 eat in your life.

The instructions include creating a simple custard with cream and yolks and then whipping the egg whites to fold into the cooled crust. The texture is ice cream shop worthy!

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3. Keto mason jar ice cream

One fun way to make ice cream without an ice cream machine is to create our Mason jar ice cream.

Parents and children both love the keto Mason jar chocolate ice cream. Not only does it yield a creamy, keto treat, but it keeps the kids busy shaking for at least five minutes.

Have the kids first help make the ice cream mixture, and then put them in charge of the vigorous shaking required to make this version. It’s like having exercise with dessert.

One bonus is that each person can customize their individual jar treats. Omit the chocolate for a vanilla flavor, or follow our tips in the recipe to make mocha almond or a rich, coconut almond flavor.

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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.

Not only does the oil add fat, but it also creates a smooth texture that is hard to create without heavy cream.

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5. Keto peppermint and mocha

If you’re one of those people who loves ice cream any time of year, we’ve got a peppermint mocha flavor that’s not only perfect for summer but adds a festive touch to Thanksgiving and Christmas, too. And guess what? If you omit the coffee and peppermint flavors for an amazingly rich chocolate flavor.

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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.

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7. Low-carb chocolate ice cream (DD+)

This smooth and luscious chocolate ice cream is dairy-free and vegan friendly.  Containing a mixture of coconut cream, coconut milk and cocoa powder (and a few other key ingredients),  this simple recipe is frozen in any shallow, flat-bottomed container. You can enjoy it within four hours.

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8. Keto lemon ice cream

For a refreshing citrus flavored ice cream, try our fresh and luscious keto lemon ice cream. The lemon in this frozen treat makes it the perfect keto recipe for summer.

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9. Low-carb popsicles with berries and lime

Another alternative when you don’t have an ice cream maker is to use popsicle molds. This recipe with lime and berry is versatile enough to inspire you to create your own flavors depending on what seasonal fruit is available.

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10. Low-carb frozen yogurt popsicles

Yogurt and heavy cream can be combined with frozen fruit to make truly decadent low-carb popsicles. The fruit provides the sweetener and their flavors melt into the rich combination of cream and yogurt. This is a summertime treat everyone can love.

Homemade ice cream desserts

How to make impressive sweet treats

Ice cream sandwich

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” 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.

Chocolate muffins

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.

Cakes for several guests

These recipes are great for bigger feasts, 8-16 portions each. Serve these treats with your ice cream of choice!

Coffee and ice cream

If you’re a coffee fan, grab a cup of cold brew and splash a scoop of vanilla or chocolate on top for a coffee-flavored ice cream float!

If you want to be extra creative, here are the recipes for all of our low-carb and keto coffee drinks (and much more). Enjoy as a dessert or along with your keto-friendly scoop of ice cream.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. For more information about xylitol, and other sweeteners, please read our guide.