How to Make Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream at Home
Nothing beats a scoop of creamy, homemade Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream on a hot day! ☀️ Unlike store-bought options, which are often filled with preservatives and artificial sweeteners, this Paleo Ice Cream is made with wholesome, natural ingredients that will satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping you on track with your healthy lifestyle.
The best part? You don’t even need an ice cream maker! I’ll show you exactly how to make this rich and delicious treat with or without a machine. So, let’s get started! 🤩
Why You’ll Love This Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream
- Super Creamy & Smooth: No icy texture here! The combination of coconut milk and cashews makes this ice cream incredibly rich.
- Naturally Sweetened: No refined sugars—only maple syrup or your favorite liquid sweetener.
- Dairy-Free & Paleo-Friendly: Perfect for anyone avoiding dairy or following a paleo diet.
- Easy to Make: Blend, churn (or stir manually), freeze, and enjoy!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make the creamiest Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:
✔ 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for at least 4 hours, then drained)
✔ 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk (do NOT use light coconut milk!)
✔ ¼ cup maple syrup (or honey/agave)
✔ 1 tbsp coconut oil (helps slow down melting)
✔ 1 vanilla bean or 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
✔ Pinch of sea salt
How to Make Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream
With an Ice Cream Maker:
1️⃣ Blend Everything Together
In a high-speed blender, combine soaked cashews, coconut milk, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, and sea salt. Blend until super smooth.
2️⃣ Chill the Mixture
For best results, refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour before churning.
3️⃣ Churn in an Ice Cream Maker
Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 20–25 minutes).
4️⃣ Freeze Until Firm
For soft-serve texture, enjoy immediately! For firmer ice cream, transfer to a loaf pan, cover, and freeze for 2–4 hours.
No Ice Cream Maker? No Problem!
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still enjoy homemade Paleo Ice Cream with this easy method:
1️⃣ Pour the ice cream mixture into a shallow dish and freeze.
2️⃣ Every 30 minutes, remove from the freezer and stir vigorously with a whisk, spatula, or hand mixer.
3️⃣ Repeat this process for about 3–4 hours until you get a smooth, creamy texture.
While this method won’t be as creamy as using an ice cream maker, it still delivers delicious results! 😋
Storage Tips
✅ Store your Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
✅ To prevent ice crystals, press a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the container.
✅ Let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping for the best texture.
FAQ – Your Questions Answered!
❓ Does this Paleo Ice Cream taste like coconut?
Not really! The cashews help balance the flavor, so you get a creamy vanilla taste without an overpowering coconut flavor.
❓ Can I use a different sweetener?
Yes! Maple syrup works great, but you can also use honey, agave syrup, or even monk fruit sweetener.
❓ Can I make this nut-free?
Yes! Simply replace cashews with extra coconut cream for a nut-free version.
- Hirshberg, Ben (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 184 Pages – 08/12/2014 (Publication Date) – Ulysses Press (Publisher)
- A MOMENT OF BLISS IN EVERY BITE: Nondairy frozen desserts are the perfect dessert for quick, easy snacking in a busy, modern life
- GREAT FOR DAIRY-FREE LIFESTYLES: Plant-based frozen dessert is dairy-, lactose-, and soy-free
- 100 CALORIES PER SANDWICH. State of Readiness: Ready to Eat
- ORGANIC COCONUTMILK IS THE FIRST INGREDIENT as part of our commitment to high-quality ingredients
- CERTIFIED VEGAN AND NON-GMO PROJECT VERIFIED: No artificial flavors or colors, hydrogenated oils, soy, added MSG, or trans fat
- Gluten free
- Kosher
- Vegan
- Non-GMO
- Made with organic ingredients