Dairy-Free Ice Cream

Dairy-free ice creams have become more than abundant in stores! Many of them are made with almond or coconut milk, but more specialized companies have branched out to oat milk, cashew milk, and even avocado-based ice creams! With many options, it is often difficult to navigate which ones are low FODMAP.

Let us break it down!

The non-dairy milks that are low FODMAP are coconut milk/coconut cream, almond milk, rice milk, hemp milk, macadamia milk, and oat milk. However, dairy-free ice creams are not currently Monash tested. Cashew milk is untested, but cashews are high fodmap, so it is best to avoid.

Oat milk ice creams also prove to be tricky because the amount that is considered a low FODMAP portion differs in countries other than the US due to processing/agriculture differences (which you will see below). Because of this, be sure to try a small portion of oat milk-based ice creams to monitor your personal tolerance.

Below are the low FODMAP portions for each milk.

Oat milk: 6 tbsp in the US, ½ cup in the UK and Australia (Proceed with caution)

Almond milk: 1 cup

Canned coconut milk and cream: ¼ cup

Carton coconut milk: ¾ cup

Since non-dairy ice creams are not tested by Monash University, it is best to start out with ½ cup servings to test your tolerance.

1. 365 Almond milk ice cream (Whole Foods brand)

Finally, a Whole Foods brand ice cream! Their chocolate chip peanut butter swirl is a go-to for me, who doesn’t love that combo! Plus, they offer a gluten free cookie dough flavor which many companies don’t have due to the wheat presence.

• Vanilla
• Strawberry
• Chocolate chip cookie dough (gluten free!)
• Chocolate chip peanut butter swirl

2. Almond Dream

One of the initial almond milk branched into the ice cream field. They also make coconut and rice milk cartons that are suitable on the low FODMAP diet. They cover the basics but also provide flavors that other companies haven’t branched out to yet (praline crunch).

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Cappuccino swirl
• Praline crunch
• Toffee almond fudge

3. So Delicious non-dairy desserts

This is the most widely available brand in stores that I have seen. The only caveat is that these products use pea protein, which some people do not tolerate. However, pea protein is tested by Monash University and considered low FODMAP (75 grams) for specific brands, so the amount in the ice cream is considered safe. Monitor personal tolerance.

• Coconut milk based:

• • Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookie dough, mint chip, mocha almond fudge, chocolate peanut butter swirl, cold brew

• Avoid the no sugar added flavors as they contain a high FODMAP food, chicory.

• Almond milk based:

• Mocha almond fudge bars

• Oat milk based:

• Chocolate hazelnut brown

• Coffee chip

• Chocolate salted Carmel

4. O’My Dairy Free Gelato (Coconut Milk)

This company is the only one I have not yet tried so I cannot speak to personal experience but reviews are positive. It is available mainly in Giant Food Stores, but you can use the store locator on the company’s website if you want to be sure they carry it.

• Vanilla bean
• Strawberry
• Chocolate
• Coffee chip
• Orange cream
• Cake batter
• Mint chip

5. Jeni’s Dairy Free

Jeni’s is a newer company known for their creative flavors such as brambleberry crisp. The good news is they do offer dairy free ice creams made with coconut milk/cream. They have one of my personal favorites, cold brew coconut cream! Prices are a little higher for these pints. Flavors rotate so keep your eyes peeled for any new flavors.

• Cold brew with coconut cream
• Dark chocolate truffle
• Roasted peanut butter and strawberry jam

6. Oatly

Oatly products are at the top of the list when it comes to creaminess, resembling that of cow’s milk ice cream. Plus, they have a flavor for everyone. The vanilla flavor is great with gluten free Oreos or as a brownie sundae. Monitor your tolerance with a ½ cup serving since low FODMAP portions vary in some countries

• Plain
• Vanilla
• Mint chip
• Raspberry swirl
• Fudge brownie
• Salted caramel
• Chocolate chip
• Chocolate

7. Planet oat

Hence the name, this is an oat milk-based ice cream so as mentioned above, be sure to monitor tolerance to ½ cup portion size. A little less creamy than the Oatly counterpart, but still a good option on the low FODMAP diet.

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Chocolate peanut butter swirl
• Coffee chocolate swirl

8. Van Leeuwen vegan flavors

Despite being on the pricier side, Van Leeuwen does an excellent job with their products, especially from a creaminess perspective. They have the most variety, but unfortunately many flavors contain wheat so they will not be included here. They make both oat milk and cashew milk options so be sure to grab the oat milk options since cashew milk ice cream is not tested.

• Oat milk caramel cookie (select stores)
• Dark chocolate peanut butter swirl
• strawberry

If plain ice cream is not enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, I have also researched suitable topping ideas that are low FODMAP. After all, who doesn’t crave a decadent sundae style dessert every once in a while!