A Guide to the Tastiest Dairy-Free Frozen Treats

The Rise of Plant-Based Frozen Desserts

Plant-based diets have been growing in popularity over the past few years. With more people cutting out or reducing their dairy intake, the demand for dairy-free frozen desserts has skyrocketed. Food companies have taken notice, and plant-based ice creams, gelatos, sorbets, and other frozen treats are now widely available.

Ingredients Used in Plant-Based Frozen Desserts

While old-fashioned ice cream is made from dairy milk and cream, plant-based varieties rely on a number of nutritious ingredients to achieve the same creamy texture and satisfying flavor. These include:

• Plant milks: Soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and more
• Fruits and vegetables: Bananas, avocado, sweet potato, cauliflower
• Nuts and seeds: Cashews, almonds, coconuts
• Plant-based sweeteners: Maple syrup, dates, stevia

Benefits of Choosing Plant-Based Frozen Treats

Going with non-dairy frozen dessert options offers several advantages:

• They allow people with dairy allergies/sensitivities to enjoy a cool, sweet treat
• They often have less saturated fat and calories than traditional ice cream
• They contribute to getting in your daily intake of fruits and vegetables
• They align with ethical/environmental values of vegan and plant-based lifestyles

Popular Plant-Based Frozen Dessert Brands

Luckily for ice cream lovers, lots of companies now cater to dairy-free diets with their frozen dessert selections:

So Delicious

So Delicious makes it easy to go dairy-free without missing your favorite flavors. Their expansive line-up covers everything from chocolate and vanilla to butter pecan and cookies & cream, using coconut products as a base.

Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy

Ben & Jerry's now produces chickpea-based versions of some of their signature chunky, funky flavors. Their non-dairy options offer another way to enjoy their ice cream without the dairy.

N!CK's

N!CK's satisfyingly sweet treats are gluten-free, kosher, plant-based and look just as good as they taste. They use Swedish peas to craft creative flavors like Salted Caramel Cluster and Chocolate Decadence.

FAQs

What ingredients are typically used in non-dairy frozen desserts?

Plant-based ice creams and gelatos are made from ingredients like plant milks (soy, oat, almond), fruits and vegetables (bananas, avocado, sweet potato), nuts and seeds (cashews, almonds), and natural sweeteners (maple syrup, dates).

Do non-dairy frozen desserts taste as good as regular ice cream?

Many brands like So Delicious and N!CK's have perfected recipes that replicate the rich, creamy mouthfeel and decadent flavors of dairy ice cream. Thanks to clever combinations of plant ingredients, non-dairy frozen treats can taste just as satisfying.

Are plant-based frozen desserts lower in calories?

In many cases, non-dairy frozen treats contain less saturated fat and fewer calories ounce for ounce than traditional ice cream. However, they can still be considered a treat food rather than a health food.

Where can I find dairy-free frozen dessert options?

Most major grocery stores now carry non-dairy ice creams from brands like So Delicious, Ben & Jerry's, N!CK's, and more. They are normally located in the regular ice cream section for easy shopping.