Keto Ice Cream
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Learn how to make the BEST keto ice cream with just 3 ingredients. No ice cream maker needed- it turns out rich, creamy, and perfectly scoopable every time.
My keto ice cream recipe tastes just like any good ice cream
While ice cream is traditionally high in sugar and carbs, there are plenty of keto-friendly ice creams at the grocery store (hello, Halo Top, Rebel, and Enlightened).
I just can’t justify spending more than $10 on one (and I don’t want you to!) when I can make it at home with a handful of ingredients and a hand mixer. I grew up eating my mom’s homemade ice cream, so I took her recipe and simply swapped the powdered sugar for allulose, and it turned out just as rich and creamy as the original. Here’s why I love it:
- Just 3 Ingredients. Heavy cream, allulose, and a little xanthan gum are all you need.
- No ice cream maker required. I use a hand mixer and freeze the mixture in a loaf pan or container.
- Rich, creamy, and scoopable. Unlike many homemade keto ice creams, this one doesn’t freeze into a solid block or turn icy.
- Endless flavor options. The vanilla base is delicious on its own, but I’ve also tested over 10 different variations for you (mostly thanks to my partner, who requests a different mix-in every time).
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Amazing. I made chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla the first time, and it was amazing. So simple ❤️”- Dawn
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Heavy cream. Australian/UK readers, look for 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 sugar free powdered sugar. Avoid using erythritol or monk fruit sweetener, as it can crystallize and leave the ice cream feeling gritty.
- Xanthan gum. Please do not omit, as this 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
Step 1- Make the mixture. In a deep jar or glass mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and gently mix. Using an immersion or stick mixer, blend the mixture until it has thickened and stiff peaks form.
Step 2- Freeze. Cover the jar (or transfer to a pre-frozen loaf pan).
Place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes during the first 2 hours, to prevent it from icing up.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Whisk to stiff peaks. This is what gives the ice cream its light, airy texture. If the cream is soft (under-whipped), the ice cream won’t be quite as creamy.
- Churn it by hand. Please don’t skip giving the mixture a good stir every 30 minutes during the first 2 hours of freezing (4 times total). It breaks up any ice crystals before they can form.
- Pre-freeze the loaf pan. If you don’t use a large jar, I recommend pre-freezing the loaf pan first. This helps the ice cream freeze more evenly and makes it easier to scoop later.
- Let it soften before serving. The ice cream will be rock hard straight from the freezer. I recommend letting the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before scooping.
- Add vodka. Optional, but my mom would sometimes add 1 tablespoon of vodka to the ice cream mixture to make it even more scoopable. You won’t be able to taste it!
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! While I usually make this recipe with just a hand mixer, it also works beautifully in an ice cream maker. Churn it according to your machine’s instructions, then freeze for 1-2 hours if you’d like a firmer, scoopable texture.
Yes. Replace the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut cream (using only the thick cream part at the top- save the clear liquid at the bottom for a smoothie or drink on its own). The ice cream will have a light coconut flavor but will still freeze up rich and creamy.
Keto Ice Cream
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon sugar free powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
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
Nutrition
Flavor variations
As mentioned earlier, this recipe is a simple vanilla base that 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.
More homemade keto desserts
Originally published May 2021
Bonjour de Belgique. Merci infiniment pour vos recettes Kéto. Je les ferai bientôt et vous tiendrai au courant. ❤️
Thanks Mireille, you’ll have to let us know how you go!
I need to make a double batch and am wondering if I would also need to double the xanthan gum, or would that cause the whole mixture to become slimy?
Hi R M, you should be fine to double the xanthan gum too, but I wouldn’t use any more than a 1/2 teaspoon. I would also add it nice and gradually, so no clumps form. Let us know how you go!
Why in a jar. I don’t have big enough jars. Can I put it in a covered bowl.
Hi Rebecca, no worries at all! You can store it in any freezer safe container you like. It’s just a little easier to mix with a stick mixer in something taller, but you can definitely do it in a bowl 🙂
Does it have to be a jar? Could I use a Tupperware container instead? And can I add lemon curd recipe into the ice cream ?
If the tupperware is glass, that would be fine to use. And lemon curd, I’d fold it through at the very end and very slowly, so it doesn’t clump into one section 🙂
Tupperware is mostly plastic. Why. Does it have to be gla
I just bought an ice cream maker machine. Can I use this recipe in it?
Yes, Becky- absolutely. Just follow the ice cream maker instructions (some say mix everything and freeze first, others require freezing in the machine base) and churn as instructed 🙂
Hey can I add egg yolks for French Vanilla Ice cream?
Hi Sandra, you can certainly give that a try! Just make sure your eggs are nice and fresh if they’re being mixed in with cold ingredients. Will definitely add some rich, custard like flavor. Let us know how it goes!
i idid this icecream and it is amazing!!! totally recommend it!
I love to hear that, Alexandra. Thanks for the lovely review 🙂
My son is T1D and always needs yummy alternatives. This looks easy and tasty.
Thanks, Jamie- it really is super simple!
This looks amazing. Can I sub full fat coconut milk for the heavy cream?
I love your recipes.
Lesley- our team just tested this using coconut milk (canned full-fat) and it worked pretty well- it doesn’t have the same scoopable factor, but let it thaw about 10 minutes and it should be fine!
I love this Arman- such a great simple keto dessert.
Love to hear that, Denise- thanks for the kind words!
Hi Arman, This Keto Ice Cream looks scrumptious! I want to make this in a 4 qt. Ice Cream freezer machine. How many times should I multiply the single recipe to make 4 quarts? Also, I have not made homemade Ice Cream for a long time, but I remember starting with a liquid base mixture which slowly freezes into ice cream. Your recipe is whipped into stiff peaks before freezing. Should I whip the cream mixture before putting it into the machine, or should I pour it in as a chilled liquid?
I’m excited to try this! Thanks so much 😀
Hi!! So sweet of you. One batch makes about 1 1/2 to 2 cups, so a 4 quart ice cream maker you’ll need to multiple the recipe about 8 times. Fo the machine, don’t whip it first- just mix ingredients, chill the liquid base, and pour it in so the ice cream maker can churn and freeze it properly.
Superb nice to be able to eat ice cream
So good! Will make again.
Please do, Alfie!
I’ve made other dishes from your recipes and look forward to trying this one for ice cream. Thanks!
Amazing. I made chocolate, strawberry and vanilla the first time and it was amazing. So simple ❤️
Wish the printable form showed “non-dairy swap out for canned coconut cream”
Thanks for letting me know, Andy- it should be fixed!
Oh my goodness! This is simply the best keto/low carb ice cream period, including store bought! I’ve tried so many recipes and nothing beats the creaminess of this recipe. 5 stars as written!
I must confess I did some additions after the first amazing batch and my husband is now over the moon. I made a triple batch, and added 3 Tablespoons of vodka after realizing that the x3 didn’t extend to the other suggestions/flavors and I added 2 eggs. We do have an ice cream maker which may have made a difference, but people, ice cream maker or not, MAKE THIS ICE CREAM!! I highly recommend the vodka to help keep the ice cream softer. Oh, and the 3x Chocolate – TO DIE FOR!!! This is the first of likey many recipes I’ll be making from this site – Thank you!
Hi I heard you can substitute Gelatin for the Xanthan, do you know how? Would you heat the milk a bit to dissolve the gelatin first?
I wouldn’t recommend it for this ice cream. I did a test batch trying it out (I did this in my frozen dessert unit in culinary school), but because there isn’t real sugar in it, it didn’t work at all.
Best ice cream recipe! So easy! I used monk fruit with allulose. Worked great.So far I have made the Carmel, chocolate and mint chocolate chip. All were wonderful. Never buying keto ice cream from the store again.
Can I use this recipe in my ninja creani?
Absolutely- I’ve done it many times 🙂
YAY! A quick ice cream *without* bananas! Nothing wrong with them, but this is better with so many good options! I’m not sure which is my favorite. ~Thanks.
Arman, this is sensational.
Thank you so much, Mary. Glad you enjoyed this!
Can’t find your coconut ice cream or your strawberry ice cream. You use coconut cream to make it. Only three ingredients.
Hi Margarita- here they are: coconut ice cream and strawberry ice cream.
I love ice cream when l could not eat ‘proper’food l lived on ice cream
Seems very little ingredients. I like this way.
I made the brownie batter version of this ice cream for my husband’s birthday and he loves it! He doesn’t usually like sweets (especially keto versions), but this one is his favorite. It’ll be another regular treat for us. Thanks for the recipe! 😊
Easies and best tasting Keto Ice Cream I have tried.
best keto ice cream I’ve ever made!
So yummy and easy. I have made this several times and it always turns out amazing
I make the base and change up the flavors. So good!
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!
Hmm not sure about gelatin. Let me know how that goes 🙂
Salt reduces ice crystals
This was tasty.
Easy to make and so delicious.
Thanks, Julie!
Can I use a sweetener like Jordan’s skinny syrup instead of the powdered allulose? We don’t have that sweetener in Canada unfortunately. I have tried erythritol and monk fruit in the past and they aren’t favourable. Wondering if a liquid sweetener would work the same way ?
That won’t work sorry, Ashley- I have had many Canadian readers saying they ordered allulose from Iherb and amazon 🙂
How is this keto or low carb if each tbsp of heavy cream is a carb?
That is not correct. Heavy cream has 1.7 grams of carbs per 1/4 cup.
Love this keto ice cream so much!
The problem is that 1/4 of a cup, which is 1.65 carbs is too small a portion. 1/2 cup is still little but it’s probably what I will eat at one sitting and only once a day. I will endeavor to add more flavor to mine. Thanks.
best keto ice cream recipe ever!
Thanks, Ally!
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! 🙂
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! 🙂
I love your page ❤️ question… when I say powder protein is it casein ?
I love casein 🙂
Maybe I’m blind but, I can’t find the flavor options. I hate vanilla but it seems to be the only option.
Go back through the post. There is a section called “Flavor Ideas”. Options and ingredients are listed there.
I didn’t see them either and must have searched nearly 10 times before I found them 😂
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.
This recipe is AMAZING!!!!
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
Yes! 30 minutes is plenty!
For coffee ice cream. Us liquid or coffee grains? How much?
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!
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.
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!!
can you substitute gelatin for xanthan gum?
could i make it in a ice cream maKER?
Yes!
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!
Hello there, can you use milk substitutes like coconut milk or almond milk? Thank you!
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!!!
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.
Yeah I’m not crazy about protein powder ice cream recipes.
leretta you can use gelatine how much gum you use is to use the same amount of gelatine
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
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.
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!
This was amazing and did the job!
Thanks, Dee!
You could use a chaffle for a type of cone substitute. Makes a wonderful ice cream sandwich.
Genius idea!
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.
Sure, that could work
I tried this with crushed atkins indulge peanut m&ms and it was amazing!!! How many carbs per 1/2 cup?
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.
I don’t see why not!
Can i use a regular blender instead of a stick blender?
You can!
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.
Hi Farzana-That won’t work at all, it will create clumps 🙂 You are welcome to experiment and see.
What do you use for your cone? Looks good. Is there a low-carb version you’ve made?
Working on it 🙂
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~!
Is there anything that can be used in place of the xantham gum as I don’t have any on hand? Love your recipes!
Not that I’ve tried 🙂
Maybe agar agar, but the amount is not as much i believe
Could I put this into an ice cream machine?
Haven’t tried, I don’t see why not!
I tried this with crushed atkins indulge peanut m&ms and it was amazing!!!
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 ☺️
Where exactly do I find sugar free powdered sugar
Linked to a homemade version
Put granulated monk sugar in a bullet. Put on ultra blend, now you have powdered sugar free powdered sugar
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?
Yum!!! I’m going to try and make this, this weekend! Thanks for the recipe!
I don’t use sugar free products, how much regular powdered sugar would I substitute?
Thank you, Elise
Use monkfruit powdered sugar, its natural and not artificial. It’s sweeter than sugar imo. I use it all the time.