Keto Ice Cream
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
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
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.