Keto Ice Cream

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5 from 632 votes
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Learn how to make the BEST keto ice cream with just 3 ingredients! No ice cream maker needed, I love how easy it is to customize. 1 gram net carbs.

Love keto desserts? Try keto peanut butter cookies, keto cheesecake, and low carb muffins next.

keto ice cream.

While ice cream is traditionally high in sugar and carbs, there are plenty of keto-friendly ice creams at the grocery stores (hello, Halo top, Rebel, and Enlightened).

Now, I refuse to spend over $10 for a keto pint of these ice creams when I can make my own keto ice cream recipe with just a few basic ingredients and a hand mixer!

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make keto ice cream
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Flavor ideas
  6. Storage instructions
  7. More desserts to try
  8. Keto Ice Cream (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • 3 Ingredients. Just heavy cream, sweetener, and xanthan gum. No sugar alcohols and perfect for a keto diet.
  • No ice cream machine is needed. And no blender too. Just use a hand mixer and transfer it into a jar to freeze it up!
  • Perfect texture. It’s rich, creamy, and melts in your mouth.
  • Over 10 flavor options! The base is vanilla-flavored, but you can change it up in a plethora of ways.

Ingredients needed

  • Heavy cream- Also known as double cream or thickened cream. Do not use reduced fat or light versions of the cream. Otherwise, the ice cream will not be set as desired. 
  • Powdered allulose- My preferred sweetener. I never buy the expensive packaged options and instead, make my own powdered sugar substitute. Avoid using erythritol or monk fruit sweetener, as it can crystalize.
  • Xanthan gum- Thickens the ice cream and prevents any crystallization. Be wary though, as a little goes a VERY long way.
  • Vanilla extract- Optional, but only add it if you are making the original vanilla flavor. This can be changed to other flavor extracts. 

How to make keto ice cream

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Make the mixture: In a deep jar, add all the ingredients and gently mix. Using an immersion or stick mixer, blend the mixture until it has thickened and soft peaks form.

Step 2- Freeze it up: Cover the jar and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, stirring every 40 minutes, to ensure it doesn’t ice up. 

Step 3- Serve: Scoop it out and serve immediately. 

low carb ice cream.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Add the xanthan gum. Even though it’s optional, adding a stabilizer like xanthan gum will help prevent the ice cream from becoming icy or crystallizing. 
  • Use an ice cream maker. If you own an ice cream maker, this recipe works just as well in it.
  • Churn the ice cream. For the best results, stir the mixture every 30 minutes for the first couple of hours to ensure the ice cream is smooth and creamy. 
  • Soften the ice cream before serving. Let the low-carb ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before scooping. 
  • Make it dairy-free. Swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut cream (from a can).

Flavor ideas

As mentioned earlier, this recipe is a simple vanilla base which is SO easy to customize with tons of flavors. Here are ten to get you started:

  • Chocolate– Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture. 
  • Cookies and cream– Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract and add 1 cup of crushed keto Oreos
  • Cookie dough– Fold through 1/4 cup of crumbled keto cookie dough
  • Strawberry– Add 1/2 cup sliced strawberries and, if desired, strawberry extract. 
  • Mint chocolate chip– Replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract and fold through 1/2 cup sugar free chocolate chips.
  • Butter pecan– Add 1/2 teaspoon butter extract and 1/4 cup chopped pecans. 
  • Salted caramel– Fold through 1/4 cup of sugar free caramel syrup
  • Peanut butter cup– Drizzle peanut butter and add chopped-up keto peanut butter cups
  • Birthday cake– Add 1/4 cup sugar free sprinkles and 1/2 teaspoon butter extract. 
  • Brownie batter– Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 cup chopped keto brownies.

Storage instructions

To serve: If your ice cream is too icy once removed from the freezer, you can microwave it for 15 seconds or let it sit for 15 minutes. 

To store: The ice cream will become icier if re-frozen. If you have leftovers and need to re-freeze them, place them in a new container and store them in the freezer for up to 1 month.

best keto ice cream.

More desserts to try

keto ice cream

Keto Ice Cream

5 from 632 votes
Learn how to make the BEST keto ice cream with just 3 ingredients! No ice cream maker is needed; I love how easy it is to customize. Watch how I make this in my kitchen in the video below!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In a deep and wide jar, add all your ingredients and mix. Using an immersion or stick mixer, beat everything together until it thickens and soft peaks form.
  • Cover the jar and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, stirring every 40 minutes, to ensure it doesn't become too icy.
  • Remove from the freezer and let sit for 15 minutes, before serving.

Notes

If you want smoother ice cream, add 1 tablespoon of vodka. You won’t be able to taste it, but it will make the ice cream easier to scoop. 
TO STORE: If your ice cream is too icy once removed from the freezer, you can microwave it for 15 seconds or let it sit for 15 minutes. 
TO RE-FREEZE: The ice cream will become icier if re-frozen. If you do have leftovers and need to re-freeze them, place them in a new container and store them in the freezer for up to 1 month.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 22gSodium: 28mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 875IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 1g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally published May 2021, updated and republished March 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you for posting an egg free low carb ice cream with only a few ingredients. I’m not against eggs but, I think if I make coffee flavoured ice cream egg free might be more flavourful. Do you know that gelatin can reduce crystals also? I’m going to try that because I don’t know if I can have xanthum gum. It might be too oxalate and I have oxalate toxicity. Cheers!

      1. 5 stars
        I made this. It is very easy. I used 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste and doubled the xanthan gum and a little more powdered sugar. Rich and delicious. Hit the sweet spot definitely! 🙂

    1. 5 stars
      I made this. It is very easy. I used 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste and doubled the xanthan gum and a little more powdered sugar. Rich and delicious. Hit the sweet spot definitely! 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    Maybe I’m blind but, I can’t find the flavor options. I hate vanilla but it seems to be the only option.

    1. 5 stars
      Go back through the post. There is a section called “Flavor Ideas”. Options and ingredients are listed there.

  3. 5 stars
    This was amazing. I have a 12 oz Hamilton Beach ice cream maker. I whisked it all together and put half in the machine. While it was churning I added a heaping tablespoon of dark hot fudge sauce* to the rest. It took less than 5 minutes for each flavor. Perfect soft serve texture and so tasty.

    *America’s Test Kitchen recipe, subbing in cream+water for the milk, allulose and unsweetened baking chocolate.

  4. if i use an ice cream machine do i just mix all together then put into the machine?
    how long do you recommend in the machine?
    thank you

    1. 5 stars
      Have tried this vanilla but can’t find any of the flavor variations. Please help, I’d like to try the coffee and chocolate that others are commenting on. Thanks!

  5. Hi, I would love to try this, I have often used your recipes, and they always turn out amazing. But can I ask is there anything else I can use other than xantham gum.

  6. 5 stars
    So excited to have a simple no sugar keto ice cream recipe! The chocolate is excellent. I also mixed in chopped pecans and sugar free chocolate chips. Thanks!!

  7. This is a great keto ice cream recipe! I didn’t have any ice cream maker, so I just used an ice cream maker bowl and it worked just fine. Thanks for the recipe!

  8. 5 stars
    Absolutely amazing as always. I used mct oil as a substitute instead of vodka for a better scoop. Swerve is the BEST powdered sweetener as I’ve tried about 5 different ones. Easiest recipe thank you!!!

  9. 5 stars
    I think it’s the most simple and delicious recipe out there.
    No melk, no eggs, and no protein powder !
    I’ve tried it once with xanthan gum and once with guar gum.
    the second gives a better scoopable texture.

  10. 5 stars
    Oops! I forgot to fill in the rating stars~ so here’s that too =) I hope my leaving them blank on that first comment does not affect the overall rating?? I tried to edit, but couldn’t~ maybe because it’s still “awaiting moderation”~ so I’ll check back. Thanks again Arman~ Samantha in AZ

  11. Fantastically delicious~ as is every single recipe you post mister! It’s amazing, & I’m so happy to have found your site a couple of years back. I come here first, every time, no matter what I’m looking to make~ or even just to browse for inspiration💡🤸‍♀️🎈 Appreciate you so much! Thanks for all your time & effort.

  12. 5 stars
    I finally did get around to making this twice. Once with cream and once with coconut cream. I was a little disappointed, but it probably was my fault if I didn’t whip it enough. It was a little “flat”. I knew it would be icy by freezing it, but I couldn’t eat 4 servings. So, next time I will try reducing it to 1 or 2 servings…and probably eat 2 servings!! I’ve got to figure it out as I miss ice cream so much. Thanks for the recipe!

  13. I saw another recipe that called for mct oil for a better scoop able ice cream can I use that in this recipe instead of vodka because I will be giving this to kids.

      1. I tried this with crushed atkins indulge peanut m&ms and it was amazing!!! How many carbs per 1/2 cup?

      2. 5 stars
        Can I use the ninja creami? I’ve used these recipes before we got it and I am finding the creami recipes online to have so many ingredients/ protein shakes etc.

  14. 5 stars
    Hey Arman,
    Would like to start with a kudos to you as totally love your recipes and dedication to offer healthier options to the world full of easily accessible processed unhealthy offering.

    Could you guide me if we can use Psyllium husk instead of Xanthum Gum for the ice cream recipe?

    I have been following your blog as I find your recipes easy to make with easily available ingredients. I also love it when you share ideas on substitutes that one can use while you also give ideas on how we can make the ingredients (eg Almond flour/meal) at home.

    Keep it going as many people are being enlightened to move to a healthier path ditching carbs and sugar (which cannot be avoided completely as most ingredients have a fair share of these anyways).

    P.S. Are you that young or this is an old picture (just intrigued)?

    All the best and be blessed.

    1. Hi Farzana-That won’t work at all, it will create clumps 🙂 You are welcome to experiment and see.

  15. I am definitely going to make this; maybe even later today! I’ve seen many mason jar ice cream recipes and they all say SHAKE for 5 minutes. 🙁 Can’t do that, so the immersion blender is a wonderful idea. I am hoping I can use coconut cream as I’ve seen others that do use it. All the variations are great! Thanks~!

  16. Powdered erythritol (Swerve) is what I like to use. You could also use monk fruit which is usually an erythritol blend unless you use an extract. Stevia might work, but if you’re on keto be careful of one’s blended with maltodextrin which is a sugar. As a side note erythritol says it has carbs, but humans don’t possess the needed enzymes to break it down, so most of the carbs don’t count ☺️

  17. Love this. One question, could I cut the cre a bit with some milk to dial back the richness? Will it still set up so nicely?

  18. I don’t use sugar free products, how much regular powdered sugar would I substitute?
    Thank you, Elise

    1. Use monkfruit powdered sugar, its natural and not artificial. It’s sweeter than sugar imo. I use it all the time.