Creamy Vegan Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe
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This vegan vanilla bean ice cream recipe is all you’ll ever need! Use it as a rich and creamy base for any vegan ice cream you can dream of.
This vegan vanilla ice cream recipe combines aquafaba and full-fat coconut milk to achieve the perfect creamy consistency without dairy. And it doesn’t taste like coconut!
Vanilla bean paste gives it a classic vanilla taste that’s perfect on its own, with other desserts, or as a base for other flavors.
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Add this dairy-free vanilla ice cream to your recipe box and enjoy a couple of scoops on top of warm, fudgy vegan brownies or chocolate molten lava cake.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe
- This vegan vanilla bean ice cream recipe is nut-free and doesn’t include bananas in its base mixture. You won’t need to worry about nut allergies or getting that noticeable banana taste in your vanilla ice cream—just pure vanilla goodness!
- Satisfy your cravings for rich and creamy ice cream without eggs and dairy! Aquafaba and coconut milk are the secret ingredients in this vegan vanilla ice cream.
- Because of its classic vanilla taste, you can create your own flavors and experiment with different toppings and mix-ins. This vegan vanilla bean ice cream will also pair deliciously with other vegan desserts, so bookmark these easy recipes for vegan peach cobbler, caramel apple pie, and chocolate chip cookies. (Guilt-free ice cream sandwich, anyone?)
Ingredients And Substitutions For This Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Aquafaba – Aquafaba gives this vegan vanilla ice cream a light and fluffy texture. You can even make the recipe without an ice cream machine! Continue reading below to know more.
Full-fat coconut milk – Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest dairy-free vanilla bean ice cream.
Vanilla bean paste – Packs the decadent treat with a rich vanilla flavor. If unavailable, substitute it with two tablespoons of vanilla extract.
Coconut sugar – Coconut sugar tastes best for this vegan vanilla ice cream recipe, but you can also use agave syrup as your sweetener.
Sea salt – Don’t skip this! Salt makes the delightful vanilla flavor of this dairy-free ice cream really stand out.
Want to add a hint of nuttiness to your homemade vanilla ice cream? Try this creamy vanilla ice cream recipe with almond extract!
Tips For Making Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
Ice Cream Maker Tips
The ice cream maker bowl should be frozen solid, or your vegan vanilla bean ice cream will not churn and thicken. The bowl should also be dry before you put it in the freezer, or the frozen water droplets can end up in your ice cream. Finally, do not churn the ice cream mixture too much, or the ice cream will not get as creamy.
No Ice Cream Maker? No Problem!
To make this vegan vanilla ice cream recipe without an ice cream machine, pour the vanilla ice cream mixture into an ice cube tray, freeze overnight, and blend. If needed, add a splash of vegan milk to reach your desired consistency.
Experiment with Different Flavors
This vegan vanilla ice cream makes the perfect base for different ice cream flavors! Whisk instant coffee or cocoa powder into the coconut milk, swirl strawberry compote before freezing, or add crushed cream sandwich cookies with 5 minutes remaining on the churn.
Vegan Ice Cream Recipe FAQs
How to thicken vegan ice cream?
You can thicken vegan ice cream with arrowroot powder or use an ice cream base of soaked and blended cashews.
Which vegan milk is best for making ice cream?
Because of its fat content, coconut milk is ideal for making a creamy vegan ice cream. Oat milk and almond milk will also work.
Why is my vegan vanilla ice cream icy?
Check if you’ve used full-fat coconut milk! Ice crystals can also form from over-mixing or not covering the surface of the ice cream mixture with plastic wrap before sealing and freezing.
Can I make this vegan vanilla bean ice cream recipe without an ice cream maker?
Yes! Freeze the mixture in an ice cube tray, then blend the ice cream cubes.
How long does plant-based ice cream last?
Homemade vegan ice cream is best enjoyed within 2 weeks. Beyond that, it’s likely to develop ice crystals.
More Delicious Vegan Ice Cream and Shake Recipes
- Dairy-Free Pumpkin Ice Cream
- Vegan Ice Cream
- Homemade Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
- Healthy Shamrock Shake
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
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Vegan Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup aquafaba (liquid from chickpea can)
- 3 cups full-fat coconut milk (2 cans)
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Refrigerate the coconut milk for at least 24 hours before making this vegan vanilla bean ice cream recipe. Also, make sure your ice cream maker bowl is in the freezer. (See notes.)
- Using a stand mixer, whip the aquafaba on high for about 5 to 7 minutes or until it’s fluffy and comes to stiff peaks.
- In another bowl, combine the coconut milk (both solid and liquid parts), vanilla bean paste, coconut sugar, and sea salt.
- Fold the coconut milk mixture into the whipped aquafaba until combined. Do not over-stir so it does not lose its fluffiness.
- Pour the mixture into the ice cream maker and prepare according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Once thick, you can immediately eat your vegan vanilla ice cream or spoon it into a freezer-safe container, cover it tightly, and freeze.
- Remove the vegan ice cream from the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before serving for the perfect scoopable consistency.
Notes
- The ice cream maker bowl should be frozen solid, or your vegan vanilla bean ice cream will not churn and thicken. The bowl should also be dry before you put it in the freezer, or the frozen water droplets can end up in your ice cream. Finally, do not churn the ice cream mixture too much, or the ice cream will not get as creamy.
- To make this vegan vanilla ice cream recipe without an ice cream machine, pour the vanilla ice cream mixture into an ice cube tray, freeze overnight, and blend. If needed, add a splash of vegan milk to reach your desired consistency.
- This vegan vanilla ice cream makes the perfect base for different ice cream flavors! Whisk instant coffee or cocoa powder into the coconut milk, swirl strawberry compote before freezing, or add crushed cream sandwich cookies with 5 minutes remaining on the churn.
