Avocado Ice Cream

You heard that right – vegan avocado ice cream is made with coconut milk and ripe avocados for a homemade treat you can feel good about. Much like my other vegan frozen desserts, including Strawberry Coconut Milk Popsicles and Cashew Ice Cream, this one gets its richness and fatty texture from whole plant foods.

And because it is a no-churn recipe, no ice cream maker is required. If you are a fan of avocados, you are going to love this one.

Ingredients

Avocado based ice cream requires just a handful of simple ingredients you can pick up from your local grocery store. For the complete list of ingredients, we will need:

• Coconut Milk: We recommend a can of full-fat coconut milk, shaken or blended until smooth, for the best flavor. That being said, coconut cream can also be used. Though I liked the version of it made with coconut milk better. Do not use a carton of coconut beverage, as this does not impart the same flavor or creamy texture.
• Avocado: Look for avocados with dark green to black skin that yield slightly to pressure. When you pop the cap off the top, the avocado flesh should be bright and green. This means they are ripe but not browned and spoiled.
• Banana: One ripe banana adds creaminess and a slightly sweet flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Go for pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
• Lime Juice + Lime Zest: The lime juice and lime zest add a beautiful pop of citrus flavor. Lemon juice and lemon zest can be used instead. You could also add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to further enhance its flavor profile.
• Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: Coconut flakes add a nice crunch and tropical finish. Make sure to toast the coconut flakes for the best flavor.
• Coconut shells: If you have access to coconut shells, they make the pretties “bowls”.

How to Make Avocado Ice Cream?

This creamy homemade avocado ice cream recipe comes together after a quick whiz in your food processor and some freezing time – no ice cream machine required. Here’s how to do it:

1. Chill loaf pan: Place a 9×5 inch loaf pan in the freezer for 30 minutes before making the ice cream.

2. Puree ingredients: Place the coconut milk, avocados, banana, maple syrup, lime juice, and Kosher salt in a food processor fitted with the S-blade. Puree for about 1 minute, until all the ingredients reach a smooth texture, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through. Once the avocado mixture is smooth, add the lime zest and pulse a few times.
3. Store: Transfer the ice cream base to the chilled loaf pan. Smooth into an even layer with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Cover the surface of the ice cream mixture directly with plastic wrap, removing as much air as possible.
4. Freeze: Place the avocado ice cream into the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving. 
5. Scoop: Remove it from the freezer 15 minutes before serving for it to soften. Scoop into bowls (or coconut bowls) and garnish with coconut flakes, if preferred.

How to Store?

This dairy-free avocado ice cream will keep for up to 1 week in the freezer if stored properly. For best results and prolonged shelf life, make sure to:

• Use a frozen container: We found a pre-chilled loaf pan to be the best mode of storage for this avocado frozen dessert as the larger surface area makes it easier to scoop. That being said, you can store it in an ice cream container (affiliate link) or a freezer-safe airtight container.
• Cover with plastic wrap: Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream to prevent air bubbles and the formation of ice crystals.
• Allow good airflow: Place the loaf pan in the coldest part of your freezer (usually in the back, away from odorous foods) with good air circulation. A consistent temperature maintains the texture and flavor.
• Avoid frequent thawing and refreezing: Constant temperature fluctuations may create an icy texture.
• Consume within one week: Homemade ice cream does not have as long a shelf life as commercially-made ice cream. For the best texture and flavor, enjoy within 5-7 days.

How to Serve

This healthy avocado ice cream recipe can be served just as is or jazzed up to really play up its tropical vibe. Some of my favorite ways to serve include:

• Cone or Bowl: Keep it simple by scooping into your favorite cone or ice cream bowl.
• Coconut Bowls: If available to you and to really give it the island appeal, serve it in fresh coconut halves with a sprig of fresh mint and toasted coconut flakes, as pictured here.
• Blend into Smoothies and Milkshakes: This avocado ice cream has a minimal amount of natural sugars, which means it is healthy enough to enjoy on the regular in daily smoothies or milkshakes.
• With Toppings: Finish with any and all of your favorite healthy or crunchy toppings, such as fresh fruit, dark chocolate chips, toasted nuts, or even granola.

FAQs

Other Ice Cream Recipes You Might Like:

• Honey Vanilla Ice Cream
• Chocolate Ice Cream with Honey

If you try this Avocado Ice Cream recipe or any other recipe on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.

Avocado Ice Cream Recipe

By Aysegul Sanford

Yields: 4 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cooling Time: 4 hours hrs

Total Time: 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Here’s a creamy and rich avocado ice cream that requires no ice cream maker. Made with healthier ingredients and sweetened with maple syrup, this is the perfect vegan ice cream to serve on a hot summer day.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe

Equipment

• ▢
  1 Ice Cream Maker
• ▢
  1 Reusable Ice Cream Tub
• ▢
  1 Ice Cream Scoop

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 can unsweetened coconut milk – 13.5 ounces
• ▢ 2 Hass Avocados ripe, total weight 1 pound with pits; skinned and pitted
• ▢ 1 banana ripe
• ▢ ½ cup maple syrup
• ▢ 2 teaspoons lime juice freshly squeezed
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ▢ 1 tablespoon lime zest from 2 limes

Optional Garnishes

• ▢ 2 tablespoons Unsweetened toasted shredded coconut

For Serving (Optional)

• ▢ Coconut Bowls

Instructions

• Place a 9×5 inch loaf pan in the freezer for 30 minutes before making the ice cream.
• Place the coconut milk, avocados, banana, maple syrup, lime juice, and Kosher salt in a food processor and puree until all the ingredients are smooth for approximately 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through processing so that all the ingredients are pureed.
• Add the lime zest and pulse into the mixture for a couple of “bursts.”
• Transfer the mixture to the loaf pan and smooth it out evenly. Cover with stretch film, removing as much air as possible.
• Place the covered ice cream into the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving.
• Remove it from the freezer 15 minutes before serving for it to soften. Scoop into bowls (or coconut bowls) and garnish with coconut flakes, if preferred.

Notes

• Yield: This recipe yields a little less than 1-quart ice cream.
• Coconut Milk vs Cream: This recipe was tested both with canned coconut milk and canned coconut cream. We prefer the version made with the milk better as the version made with cream had an overwhelming coconut taste whereas the milk version allowed the avocado flavors to shine. 
• Storage: Be sure to store in an airtight container, cover it tightly and consume within 5-7 days.
• This recipe is adapted from David Lebovitz’s Avocado Ice Cream recipe with minor changes.

Nutrition

Calories: 527kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 951mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 168IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2mg

Course: Ice Cream

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegan

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