A creamy, dairy free coconut ice cream recipe you can make at home, no ice cream maker required!
This coconut ice cream has just FOUR ingredients:
Coconut Milk
Vanilla
Sweetener
Pinch of Salt
In just a few steps, a bowl of luxurious homemade coconut ice cream—with many different flavor options!—can be all yours.
Also try this Keto Ice Cream – Reader Favorite Recipe
Coconut Ice Cream Flavors:
- Coffee Ice Cream: Use the basic coconut ice cream recipe below, adding 2 tsp regular or decaf instant coffee to the liquid ingredients.
- Peanut Butter Ice Cream: Stir 1/4 cup peanut butter into the liquid ingredients, and add some mini chocolate chips if desired.
- Cookie Dough Ice Cream: Use the basic ice cream recipe, and stir in spoonfuls of this Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip or pieces of your favorite eggless cookie dough (or the dough from any of my healthy cookies recipes) into the ice cream after blending.
- Strawberry Ice Cream: Add 1 cup strawberries, stems removed, to the basic recipe before blending and omit the extra 1/2 cup milk of choice.
- Salted Caramel Ice Cream: Swirl in homemade Coconut Caramel and add a quick sprinkle of sea salt—and maybe some shaved chocolate!—to the top of each serving.
Above – Watch the video how to make coconut ice cream!
How To Use A Can Of Coconut Milk
You can make Healthy Pumpkin Pie or my Healthy Chocolate Pudding, you can use it for homemade Vegan Magic Bars, or you can even turn it into Chocolate Frosting Shots – readers especially love those!
Canned coconut milk is one of my favorite ingredients to use in recipes; it’s a fantastic substitute for heavy cream in both sweet and savory dishes such as smoothies, milkshakes, pies, puddings, soups, or curries.
Especially with statistics listing over 60-75% of the world’s population as being lactose intolerant, my guess is that in the coming years, we will start to see more and more products on the market being made with coconut milk instead of dairy.
Extra Coconut Milk? Make Coconut Whipped Cream!
But can you make ice cream with coconut milk?
Yes, you absolutely can! If you have dairy allergies or are vegan, or even if you just want to try something new and delicious, coconut milk is the perfect ingredient to make rich and creamy ice cream without any actual cream.
Many big brands–such as Haagen Dazs, So Delicious, Ben & Jerry’s, and Halo Top–are even getting on the dairy free coconut ice cream bandwagon.
However, by making your own ice cream at home, not only do you control what ingredients go in (less sugar, and no corn syrup, gums, or preservatives), you also get to choose what flavors to make! You can even make multiple flavors from the same base. Have fun experimenting!
*Side Note: If you want a lower-fat ice cream alternative that is also dairy free and vegan, check out the following recipe: Banana Ice Cream – 10 Different Flavors!
Adapted from Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream
Coconut Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup canned coconut milk
- 1/2 cup additional coconut milk OR milk of choice
- 1/4 cup sweetener of choice, such as sugar or pure maple syrup
- pinch stevia or 1 additional tbsp sweetener of choice
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- optional ingredients for desired flavor
Instructions
- *Be sure to use full-fat canned coconut milk, not lite or coconutmilk beverage. Sweeteners that work include pure maple syrup, regular sugar, coconut sugar, honey, agave, brown sugar, or xylitol for a sugar-free ice cream.Stir all ingredients (minus optional add-ins) together in a bowl. If you have an ice cream maker, simply transfer the mixture to your ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s directions for your specific machine. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in ice cube trays, then blend the frozen ice cubes in a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix. Either eat the ice cream straight from the machine or freeze a few hours for a firmer texture. While homemade ice cream is best the day it is made, you can technically keep it frozen for up to a few weeks and thaw before eating.View Nutrition Facts
Notes
Have you made this recipe?
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More Ice Cream Recipes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream
Lisa says
Would coconut cream work better than coconut milk in this recipe?
Jason Sanford says
Absolutely! Coconut cream would be fantastic here.
Jill says
Thank you for answering. I bought canned coconut cream awhile ago but I’ve forgotten why! ☺
Dee says
Just be sure to check the fat & sugar content. I add 1/4 can of coconut cream to my 14oz. can of coconut milk for sweetness as 1 can has 22g sugar. It only has 4g fat so not sure how creamy it might be.
Janice Frazier says
I checked the fat content on coconut cream vs coconut milk, because I thought the sane thing. I was surprised to find that coconut milk has a higher fat content than coconut cream.
Anne says
Make sure the serving sizes are the same. Trader Joes has both types of cans and the serving size for cream is half of that for milk.
michelle LaFayette says
Coconut cream is pure fat. check portion size. I prefer using coconut cream. I make my own coconut milk. I’ll pay extra for some recipes and get the cream.
Mary says
How do you make coconut milk?
James Mardian says
Don’t forget to check the serving size when you read the label!!
Tessah Webb says
I made the mistake of following the directions a bit to literally. The cuisinart ice cream maker suggests est using all ingredients chilled so I had put the coconut cream in the fridge for a couple hours. Oops! It had such big hard chunks they never softened and became a smooth consistency. additionally, if you choose to add strawberries, cut them up small first as they will also lodge in the ice cream maker preventing churning. Flavor was great, texture was a real fail.
michelle LaFayette says
I was told (and it works) Put a tsp of vodka as you churn it will keep it from freezing into a huge brick.
Nicole Bradham says
Yes, I think so. CocoGoodsCo Coconut Cream is the best and creamiest in the industry from what I’ve found.
Sara W says
Thays because you dont have Ayam Brand pure coconut cream. Its.insanely.perfect
Sadly I’m in the UK now and ita importation is too expensive and I’ve.not found a local brand compsrable
yukon25 says
I used this as a base for german chocolate ice cream in my ice cream maker. Followed the above ingredients but used a whole can of full fat coconut milk, boxed coconut milk in place of regular milk, omitted the salt, added 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and 1/4 cup pecan pieces. Very yummy!
Carol Keith says
Since I couldn’t see the replies, I’m going to ask this question again. Sorry to be repetitious, but what happens when you use coconut cream instead of coconut milk? Thanks.
Jason Sanford says
That is fine 🙂
Melissa says
I tried coconut cream and it DID NOT work. The coconut cream froze into gritty chunks and the texture was chunky. Had to toss the whole thing. Would suggest using only coconut milk and blending all ingredients in a high-power blender to smooth out before freezing.
Jason Sanford says
Hi, it should be just as smooth with coconut cream since that’s all coconut milk is – coconut cream + coconut water. What type of blender did you use? The ice cubes will freeze hard but then are blended smooth in a high speed blender.
MrsT says
I can’t have nuts, coconut or bananas. Is there some way to use apples to make nice cream?
Another fruit?
Jason Sanford says
You can definitely do roasted frozen sweet potatoes to make “nice” cream instead of banana. Or this one can be done with any milk, not just almond: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2018/08/06/almond-milk-ice-cream-recipe/
Dee says
Frozen dates and/or bananas.
Juliette | Namastay Traveling says
Love coconut flavor! I think I might add a little lemon zest in fro a citrus punch. Yum!
Jason Sanford says
That sounds delicious!
Felicity says
I can’t eat coconut…do you think cashew cream would work?
Jason Sanford says
Sure! Just use this recipe instead: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2013/07/05/ice-cream-recipe-healthy-vegan/
Kat says
I love coconut ice cream but I never even thought about making my own. I should try it!
Emily says
This looks insanely delicious! My husband is a coconut addict and will love this! I want to try the coffee flavor ASAP 🙂
xo,
Em
http://www.organicallyemily.com
Natasha says
Can I substitute coconut cream for the coconut milk?
Caitlin says
This sounds incredible! I just tired coconut milk for the first time recently and am in love with it! This reminds me of banana ice cream but with more flavor choices. I can’t wait to try it!
Caitlin
wandererandwolf.com
Ashley says
Hi! May I ask if coconut ice cream has a slight taste of coconut? Or does it have a plain kind of flavor..? Thanks!
Jason Sanford says
I thought it was more plain with a slight coconut flavor. If you want more coconut flavor, you can look for coconut extract at most grocery stores, but just use a little because it’s strong. If you don’t want any coconut flavor, then add a little peppermint extract or peanut butter or coffee or something like that to mask any slight coconut taste.
jordan @ dancing for donuts says
i can’t even believe how easy and simple this recipe is, but SO genius!!!! coconut milk is one of my new favorite pantry staples so i cannot wait to make this! love that there are flavor options too – thank you for sharing, this one’s a game changer 🙂
Izzy Bruning says
This looks amazing – and so creamy!
Izzy | Pinch of delight
Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting says
This looks amazing! I love coconut milk and have a can sitting in my pantry right now! Must try this! 🙂 Lisa
Pongodhall says
Five? I would like a saucer of each in front of me right now and I would just try each and just drift off into my happiness of ice cream world!
Ps coconut can sitting y kettle at this very minute ?
Natasha says
Do you use just the cream or the coconut water in the can as well?
Jason Sanford says
You use all of it, including the liquid part. But if you have a can of coconut cream, that would be even richer!
gbear says
Not to spoil the partay, but,canned coconut cream is coconut milk plus a thickener. Yes, the oil or fat also makes it creamy & a thickener is also added. Please read the label to confirm. The only ‘real’ coconut milk I’ve found, besides home made from fresh is frozen in Asian food marts. Defrost & blend for better than canned. If adventurous, here’s a all day recipe for the best coco-cream, IMHO:
https://talesofthecocktail.com/techniques/bartender-shares-his-housemade-coconut-cream-recipe
Heidi says
Trader Joe’s has no thickeners. Just 100% coconut milk.
Rita says
I buy the Earth’s Choice brand coconut milk in Canada which has a guar gum free version. Only 2 ingredients – organic coconut and water.
Becky says
Making this tonight. Sounds fantastic. I love coconut. I think I will drizzle chocolate on top.
Rich says
I’ve NEVER tried coconut ice cream before. Lovely sounding recipes which I WILL try. Thanks Katie!
Laura says
Ohhhh yum! I’ve always wanted to know how to make this! Thanks Katie!
Ashley Diana says
I never think to make my own ice cream but this looks so easy and healhty I’ll definitely give this a go! Perfect for hot days this summer! Great idea adding other ingredients into it! Recipes like this that are sweet and tasty always catch my eye! Thanks x
Cassie Autumn Tran says
This looks to die for! Thank you for such an easy recipe!
SONIA says
Katie, do you know if this will work if I put them in my ice pop molds? Thanks!
SONIA says
Just made the Coconut Ice Cream and added peanut butter. Poured it into my popsicle molds, it made 6 total. Will come back and let you know how it turned out.
SONIA says
Katie, success! They came out perfect and delicious. Thanks for the recipes! God bless!
Jason Sanford says
I love the picture!
Antionette says
Hi, I have a Silk Coconut milk in the carton and coconut cream. Can I use them? Also I would like to put it a loaf pan. Will it still make ice cream?
Mira says
I just made this coconut ice cream with honey and it turned out being super delicious . This is the most awesome and yummy ice cream ever <3
CJ says
Easy recipe and amazing ice cream! I added activated charcoal and yummy!
Debbie says
Has anyone tried making this in a Vitamix? Does it turn to icecream ? Thank you
Cindy says
I would love to know too! I think I’ll give it a try but freeze the 1 1/2cups of coconut milk then add to the Vitamix with the other 1/2 cup of milk. The reason being is that most of the recipes I see for the ice cream include ice or something frozen. Hence, another option would be to add all those ingredients into the Vitamix with some frozen fruit (strawberry, etc.) Honestly, at this point it just seems easier to mix up all the ingredients…freeze and then pop it into the Vitamix.
Jennifer Strattard says
I doubled the basic recipe and added a can of pumpkin along with some Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Came out like a creamy frozen pumpkin pie. Two thumbs up!
Jess says
Hi Katie, I am trying this recipe with my new ice cream maker and it is turning out really icy and grainy and not at all creamy like your beautiful photo. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong but I really want to perfect this recipe because the flavour was amazing! Do you know if it turns out better without the ice cream maker and maybe coconut milk doesn’t turn out the best in them, I’m new to using one so I’m just experimenting!
Jason Sanford says
Hmm that’s so weird. What brand of coconut milk are you using? Is it the full fat kind? There are a lot of recipes online for coconut milk based ice creams so it definitely should be creamy. Maybe it was a bad can of milk? Sometimes that happens where the can of coconut milk is mostly water.
Sanaz Ebriani says
Which Vitamix do you own? The 5200? Thanks!
Jason Sanford says
Yes Katie has the basic 5200 model.
hamed says
wow yummi. i like coconut. i will try to make it. thanks for great recipe.
Liz says
Can you use almond milk for the addl 1/2 cup of milk?
Jason Sanford says
You can!
Vani says
Katie,
Very healthy ice cream and a must try one.
I do not prefer to use canned milk.
Is it enough to make a thick paste of fresh coconut using blender to replace canned coconut milk ?
amanda says
I love doing this and working it with really tropical flavours. I do one where i blend a mango into a puree and use palm sugar and a squeeze of lime. It can freeze more grainy so use an ice cream maker tho!