Updated for 2022! Dairy-free frozen desserts have come a long way. Just a decade ago, there were only a few pints hidden in the frozen food department of expensive markets. Now, there are entire chilled sections dedicated to non-dairy delights in many natural food stores and some conventional grocers. The question has shifted from what dairy-free ice cream is available to which one you should try first! So what is the best dairy-free ice cream?

To find out, we’ve sampled our combined weight in store-bought dairy-free frozen desserts and we’ve factored in reviews from you, our readers. All in all, over 40 product lines of dairy-free ice cream were considered! Collectively, you’ve helped us pick the fifteen best dairy-free ice cream pints currently available in North America.

The Best Dairy-Free Ice Cream Pints Sold at Grocers

These are the unbiased favorites of our tasting groups and many of our readers. Feel free to read the full product reviews that I’ve linked up to for more details. If you don’t see your favorite on the list, it might have just missed the cut (many others are good!). But you can make a difference on next year’s list. See our Dairy-Free Ice Cream Reviews where you can leave your own unbiased ratings and reviews on the brands you’ve tried (no login required). We want to know the best dairy-free ice cream in your opinion, too!

Update: Unfortunately, Consumer Reports was a little misinformed with their recent Best Dairy-Free Ice Cream taste test. First, Nick’s Vegan is NOT dairy-free. It’s made with genetically engineered milk protein, and is very much a dairy product. Second, we agree with them that Häagen-Dazs Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert was the clear winner. Yes, sadly, it was. Their staff didn’t realize they were sampling the last remaining pints on the shelves. We’re still in mourning over the loss of those insanely decadent Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Salted Fudge Truffle, and Coconut Caramel flavors. *sniff* But we must move on. Here are the best dairy-free ice cream pints and quarts available now …

So Delicious Dairy Free Cashewmilk Frozen Dessert

When their Cashewmilk pints landed on the market, it was a game changer for dairy-free consumers. After years of coconutty ice cream, this dreamy line emerged with a more neutral base flavor and unbelievable decadence. Even die hard dairy ice cream fans have trouble turning down a scoop of these varieties. See our full review for tasting notes on select flavors.

• Base: Cashew Milk
• Champion Flavors: Snickerdoodle, Salted Caramel Cluster, and Chocolate Cookies ‘N Cream
• Key Dietary Notes*: They are all vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, but depending on the flavor, you might find other tree nuts in the ingredients.
• Availability: United States and Canada

Earth Grown Frozen Desserts

This is a “get it while you can” group of products. Earth Grown is an ALDI U.S. house brand, and their dairy-free frozen dessert pints go in and out of availability throughout the year. All three types receive top marks by reviewers, including the Oat Milk, Almond Milk, and Coconut Milk flavors. See our full reviews for tasting notes on select flavors.

• Base: Oat Milk, Almond Milk, or Coconut Milk
• Champion Flavors: Mint Chip Coconut Milk, Strawberry Oat Milk, and Chocolate Almond Milk
• Key Dietary Notes*: They are all vegan, but check the individual pints for other top allergens. Some do contain gluten, soy, and/or nuts.
• Availability: United States (exclusive to ALDI stores)

So Delicious Wondermilk Frozen Dessert

This is the company’s first attempt at truly mimicking dairy ice cream, and they’ve done a pretty darn good job. The texture is rich and creamy, and the taste is pure. Don’t worry if you aren’t a coconut fan, there aren’t any tropical hints in these pints. See our full review for tasting notes on select flavors.

• Base: Pea Protein and Coconut Oil
• Champion Flavors: Vanilla, Buttery Pecan, Cookies & Crème
• Key Dietary Notes*: They are all vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, but depending on the flavor, you might find tree nuts in the ingredients.
• Availability: United States

Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Like all Ben & Jerry’s ice creams, their Non-Dairy line is over-the-top. It includes several riffs on their most popular classic flavors, like Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Phish Food. But they’ve also whipped up a couple “non-dairy only” pints like Bananas Foster, Coconut Seven Layer Bar, and P.B. & Cookies. But be sure you are prepared for a flavor rush. These are very sweet pints that often contain dessert within the dessert. See our full review for tasting notes on some flavors.

• Base: Almond Milk or Sunflower Seed Butter
• Champion Flavors: P.B. & Cookies, Americone Dream, and Caramel Almond Brittle
• Key Dietary Notes*: Depending on the flavor, you might find wheat, soy, peanuts, or tree nuts in the ingredients. But they are all egg-free and vegan.
• Availability: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia

Ripple Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Ripple has been a pioneer in the top allergen-free dairy alternative space, but they’ve also struggled with a few of their product formulas. Fortunately, their dairy-free ice cream seems to have hit the mark on the first try. It’s rich, creamy, and even won our Best Vanilla Ice Cream awards. See our full review for more information.

• Base: Pea Protein and Coconut Oil
• Champion Flavors: Vanilla and Mint Chip
• Key Dietary Notes*: Technically, all flavors are vegan and free of top allergens. But some people with peanut allergies have issues with pea protein.
• Availability: United States

Cado Avocado Frozen Dessert

This company whips avocado puree and avocado oil with other pure, natural ingredients to create a surprisingly creamy finish. Consumers rave about their simple flavors, many proclaiming this brand the best on the market. See our full review here.

• Base: Avocado
• Champion Flavors: Simply Lemon and Mint Chocolate Chip
• Key Dietary Notes*: All of their flavors are vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, tree nut-free, and even coconut-free and free of added proteins. But they have added a peanut butter flavor.
• Availability: United States

Planet Oat Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Oat milk products have been racing to market, but Planet Oat seems to be coming out ahead in many categories, including dairy-free ice cream. It’s a whipped milk and oil blend that’s winning customer raves for creaminess and flavor. For more information, see our full review.

• Base: Oat Milk and Coconut Oil
• Champion Flavors: Blueberry Oat Crumble and Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl
• Key Dietary Notes*: Their base is vegan, nut-free, and soy-free, but they do use gluten and/or peanuts in a few varieties.
• Availability: United States

Forager Project Organic Dairy-Free Ice Cream

They actually incorporate a little oat flour into their cashew butter base for just the right texture and flavor. The results are well-loved for creaminess, rich flavors, and for more virtuous ingredients. For more information, see our full review.

• Base: Cashew Milk
• Champion Flavors: Cookies & Cream and Bittersweet Chocolate
• Key Dietary Notes*: Their base is vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, but the cookies in their Cookies and Cream are made with wheat.
• Availability: United States

Talenti Dairy Free

This is the only brand on both our best dairy-free ice cream and best sorbet lists. They offer just a few creamy dairy-free varieties, but they are pretty darn delicious. And their fruity vegan flavors are bound to win you over, even if you aren’t a big sorbet fan. See our full review for more information.

• Base: Coconut Oil
• Champion Flavors: Cold Brew and Dark Chocolate
• Key Dietary Notes*: The fruity varieties are vegan and made without top allergens. But a couple of the creamier flavors contain eggs, the layers contains gluten, and nuts are a possibility depending on the flavor.
• Availability: United States and Australia

Daiya Frozen Dessert

If you like their dreamy frozen dessert bars, then you will love these pints. They’re the scoopable versions of the ice cream in the bars. The only problem with this product is it can be hard to find. But they do ship direct to customers in the U.S. For tasting notes and more information, see our full review.

• Base: Coconut Cream
• Champion Flavors: Classic Vanilla Crème and Salted Caramel Chip
• Key Dietary Notes*: They are all vegan and made without top allergens.
• Availability: United States and Canada

Breyers Non-Dairy Ice Cream

If you’re a value-oriented consumer, then this brand is worth a try. It’s sweet, creamy, sold at many major grocers, and comes in 1.5-quart tubs that are even cheaper than some of the dairy-free pint brands. They are on the indulgent side (like Ben & Jerry’s), and now come in several flavors. See our full review.

• Base: Almond Milk
• Champion Flavors: Chocolate Chocolate Chip and Oreo Cookies & Cream
• Key Dietary Notes*: These are vegan, and the ice cream base is gluten-free, but select flavors contain gluten and/or soy in the add-ins.
• Availability: United States

Nadamoo Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert

We’ve seen several ice cream shops release pints, but Nadamoo started with pints, and then opened an ice cream shop. If you can’t make it to Austin, Texas, just head to your local grocer. In all likelihood, they’ll have at least a few fun Nadamoo flavors in stock. It’s coconut-based, with hints of coconut in most of the flavors. But they get quite creative with the flavors and always boast a very creamy consistency. See our full review for tasting notes and more information.

• Base: Coconut Milk
• Champion Flavors: That Snickerdoodle Dough, Birthday Cake Cookie Dough, and Vanila…ahhh
• Key Dietary Notes*: Depending on the flavor, you might find tree nuts in the ingredients. But they’re all certified vegan and certified gluten-free. I believe they are also soy-free.
• Availability: United States

Simple Truth Frozen Desserts

Kroger is doing it right with their house brand of dairy-free ice cream pints. Simple Truth Frozen Desserts come in Almondmilk, Coconutmilk, and Oatmilk bases, each with a few flavors. And it’s hard to say which type is better! See our full review for more information.

• Base: Almond Milk, Oat Milk and Coconut Oil, or Coconut Cream
• Champion Flavors: Vanilla Bean Almondmilk, Chocolate Brownie Swirl Coconutmilk, and Black Raspberry Chip Oatmilk
• Key Dietary Notes*: They are all vegan, but check the individual pints for other top allergens. Some do contain gluten, soy, and/or nuts.
• Availability: United States (exclusive to Kroger family of stores)

O’My Gelato

This is a simplistic dairy-free ice cream with “clean” ingredients and a rich coconut cream base. Some flavors are creamier than others – ranging from soft straight from the freezer to more of a sherbet-like consistency. But they all received top marks for taste and rich mouth feel. For tasting notes and more information, see our full review.

• Base: Coconut Cream
• Champion Flavors: Mint Chip and Orange Cream
• Key Dietary Notes*: They are all vegan and made without top allergens.
• Availability: United States

Frönen Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts

This simple, paleo-friendly brand has shed their nice cream image. They’ve moved on from bananas, and now use a purely coconut cream base. The transition was successful, and has brought many new fans on board for both taste and quality. Their formulas use 7 ingredients or less and are sweetened solely with honey or coconut sugar. See our full review for more details.

• Base: Coconut Cream
• Champion Flavors: Salted Caramel Swirl and Strawberry
• Key Dietary Notes*: They are made without top allergens. This brand is also plant-based, but they’re not strictly vegan because they use honey in most flavors.
• Availability: United States

Honorable Mentions

If we made it a top 20, these five would also be on the list.

1. Open Nature Frozen Dessert – This Albertsons / Safeway brand is a top pick for their Oatmilk an Coconutmilk varieties, but they aren’t as readily stocked. Most stores carry their Almondmilk and Cashewmilk varieties, which are less than stellar.
2. Alden’s Organic Dairy-Free Ice Cream – We love their less sweet profile and the generous add-ins. They narrowly missed our list due to consistency. Their ice creams are a bit more like ice milk.
3. So Delicious Dairy Free Oatmilk Frozen Dessert – Their oatmilk line has some creative flavors, and definitely some fans. But it’s firmly in the “pretty good” category.
4. Yellofruit – If you are a banana nice cream fan, then this fruity frozen dessert should not be missed.
5. Tofutti Dairy Free Frozen Dessert – Like many of you, we still love this classic brand made with non-GMO soy and cocoa butter. Unfortunately, it’s just become so hard to find that it can’t remain at the top of our list.

*Know Your Needs! All of the above were dairy-free by ingredients at last check. But always check the label. Ingredients and processes are subject to change at any time. Also potential cross-contamination with dairy or other allergens is always a concern in product manufacturing. If you are dealing with a severe or sensitive food allergy, always contact the manufacturer to ensure their processes are safe for your needs prior to consumption. Although the FDA labels coconut as a tree nut, coconut is not a tree nut, and is not technically a top allergen in North America. But it is possible to be allergic to coconut or any other food.

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