Skip to Content

15 Dairy-Free Ice Cream Brands That Taste Like the Real Thing

These non-dairy ice cream brands passed our taste test, too!

Dairy Free Ice Creams
courtesy of brands

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Let's face it, isn't ice cream season all year round? Who doesn't love a delicious pint of ice cream or yummy ice cream sandwich? Or even a small scoop to turn your weekend coffee into a sweet treat?

For some of us with dietary restrictions or allergies, though, there's a catch. If you're vegan or avoiding dairy for whatever reason, you may feel like you need to miss out on this refreshing frozen treat. And according to the market research firm Mintel, 1 in 5 Americans say they are consuming less dairy for health reasons. Suffice it to say that non-dairy ice cream needs a little more love and recognition, which is where we come in. Our Test Kitchen experts joined forces with the GH Nutrition Lab to put these dairy-free ice creams to the test. Here are our top picks!

Sweet Nothings is a top-pick for the GH Nutrition Lab because it's derived from fruits, nuts, dates, chia seeds, and flax seeds. There is no added sugar in this cross between a frozen smoothie and ice cream blend. We love that they come in a tiny portion-controlled cup with a small spoon inside, so you can enjoy them on-the-go or serve as a better-for-you snack to the kids.

Chloe's offers completely dairy free pops for kids and adults of all ages. We love the traditional fruit pops as well as their new oatmilk pops. But our top pick is their dipped pops, especially the coconut which is our RD's favorite. We love the minimal ingredients on these delectable dairy-free sweet treats.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Avocado Frozen Dessert
Now 17% Off
Credit: Cado

Not only is this frozen dessert dairy-free, but it's also DELICIOUS and made with heart-healthy avocado. Cado use simple, organic, and non-GMO ingredients, and one serving has half the sugar of traditional ice cream. 

These yummy fruit pops have four simple ingredients and use a hint of agave for sweetness. Pineapple and Mango flavors are our RD's favorites, and they range from about 45–60 calories per pop. The perfect refreshing treat on a warm, sunny day.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

This dark chocolate variety is dairy-free and makes the perfect sweet treat. Plus, there are only three simple ingredients that go into this frozen dessert.

Chocolate lovers will melt for this Brooklyn-based creamery pint. Full of cocoa flavor, a scoop also boasts a seriously fluffy texture (think chocolate mousse, but even better). This pick is rich, decadent, and made with whole real ingredients.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
Best Oatmilk Non-Dairy Ice Cream

Planet Oat Oatmilk Ice Cream

Oatmilk Ice Cream
Credit: Planet Oat

Meet the new kid on the block: oatmilk ice cream. Dairy-free and nut-free, this pint is absolutely delicious and the vanilla flavor was our favorite. Let it melt a bit or nuke in the microwave for 10 seconds for the perfect consistency.

This pint's name says it all: Made with cashew milk, this creamy sweet dessert rivals any dairyful chocolate ice cream. It's so delicious (seriously).

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

If you're a salted caramel fan, this handheld dessert is for you. With the right balance of salt and sweetness, and coated in rich chocolate, you'll love every bite.

Our coffee ice cream-connoisseurs enjoyed so many of this brand's java-based flavors. Check out Cold Brew Coffee or Cappuccino for some cafe-inspired scoops. 

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Jeni Britton Bauer, the founder of Columbus, OH-based company Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, has outdone herself with this rich and decadent pint. Loaded with seriously chocolatey flavor and big chunks of chocolate cake, this flavor will make even the milk-lovers believers of dairy-free desserts. 

Introducing the nostalgic flavor that you loved as a kid, without all the dairy. Breyer's has mastered a super sweet and creamy base using almond milk and folds in huge chunks of Oreos for a classic ice cream to add to your sundae. Bonus: This decadent scoop is also vegan!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

We loved this carton for its mighty vanilla flavor, with flecks of vanilla bean swirled throughout, and its uber-creamy texture.

A new addition to Talenti's super popular Layers lineup is this coconut-based treat. Complete with a thick fudge layer and plenty of cookie crumbles, try this delicious treat for all of your favorite desserts in one tasty scoop.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

This PB winner is the perfect pint to choose if you prefer an ice cream cone. A sturdy, decadent scoop is full of nutty flavor and big fudgy swirls. 

Headshot of Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT
Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT
Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women's Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

Headshot of Becca Miller
Becca Miller
Associate editor
Becca Miller (she/her) has been working in the Good Nutrients Test Kitchen since 2018, where she recipes and writes about tasty recipes, food trends and top cooking tools. She attended from NYU with a liberal arts degree on creative writing. She makes killer scrambled eggs, spoils a glass of un-oaked chardonnay and takes pride in her love of reality television.
Watch Next 
Dairy Free Ice Creams
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below