From vegoutmag.com
By Maya Flores
From creamy classics to bite-sized indulgences, these frozen finds prove plant-based ice cream is rewriting what belongs in your freezer
Ice cream is one of those foods that doesn’t just cool you down—it pulls you back into a memory. Maybe it’s chasing the ice cream truck down the block as a kid, or scooping from a tub at midnight after a rough day.
For decades, though, going plant-based meant kissing that creamy joy goodbye. Thankfully, those days are over. Vegan ice cream has come a long way, with flavours and textures that rival, and often outshine, dairy.
Whether you lean toward nostalgic chocolate chip, bold global flavours, or health-minded options, there’s a pint waiting to live in your freezer.
Here are seven vegan ice cream brands that bring the taste, the texture, and the planet-first values worth supporting.
1. NadaMoo!
If coconut milk had a crown, NadaMoo! would be wearing it.
This Austin-based brand has mastered the art of turning coconut into a lush base that doesn’t overpower the flavour it’s carrying.
From Birthday Cake Cookie Dough to Marshmallow Stardust, they lean playful while keeping ingredients organic and sustainably sourced.
When I first tried their “Rocky Road,” I was bracing for a coconut bomb. Instead, what I got was a velvety scoop that felt like my abuela’s hot chocolate had been frozen and upgraded.
The almonds were roasted, the marshmallow swirl just gooey enough. It was indulgent without the heaviness I remembered from dairy ice cream.
For those worried about allergens, NadaMoo! is certified gluten-free and uses fair-trade cocoa. Stock a pint for when you want to feel like a kid at a birthday party—minus the sugar crash.
2. Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy
Ben & Jerry’s isn’t new to the ice cream game, but their non-dairy line deserves its own applause.
Using almond milk and sunflower butter as bases, they’ve reimagined classics like “Cherry Garcia” and “Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough” for plant-based eaters.
Here’s the thing: Ben & Jerry’s knows mix-ins. They’ve practically trademarked the concept of chunky, swirly chaos in a pint, and their vegan versions don’t hold back.
My personal downfall? The “Chocolate Fudge Brownie,” with gooey brownie chunks that taste homemade and a chocolate base so rich it could double as frosting. It’s impossible to stop at just a spoonful.
And let’s not forget, the company has a strong history of advocacy—climate action, racial justice, and fair trade sourcing. Eating Ben & Jerry’s feels less like “cheating” on your plant-based values and more like aligning with a brand that sees food as activism.
3. Oatly
If you’re already an oat milk devotee, Oatly’s ice cream will feel like a natural extension of your morning latte.
Their frozen line-up captures the creamy body of oats while offering flavours that lean classic—think Vanilla, Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and Strawberry.
When I brought home a pint of Oatly Salted Caramel for a family dinner, my dad, a self-proclaimed “dairy purist,” scooped it without knowing.
Halfway through his bowl, he asked what brand of gelato it was. The shock on his face when I told him it was oat milk still makes me laugh.
The oat base also has a lighter footprint than almond or coconut, requiring less water and fewer resources to produce. If you want a freezer staple that’s equal parts eco-conscious and crowd-pleasing, Oatly makes a strong case.
4. So Delicious
So Delicious has been in the dairy-free game long before it was cool, and their ice creams reflect that experience.
They offer multiple bases—coconut, cashew, oat—so there’s truly something for everyone. Flavours range from no-frills vanilla to decadent dark chocolate truffle.
What I love about So Delicious is their accessibility. You don’t have to hunt in boutique grocery stores; you can find them in mainstream supermarkets, often on sale. As someone who once drove across town in traffic just to get a pint of dairy-free dark chocolate truffle, I can say accessibility matters.
Plus, the brand is B-Corp certified, meaning they’re legally committed to balancing profit with purpose. So when you toss a pint into your cart, you’re voting with your dollar for a more responsible food system.
5. Coconut Bliss (now Cosmic Bliss)
Coconut Bliss rebranded as Cosmic Bliss, but the heart of their product remains: organic, fair-trade, coconut-based indulgence. They have a wide range of flavours that's sure to please every kind of sweet tooth out there.
I still remember a summer road trip where a friend brought along a pint of their Celestial Cappuccino. We sat on the hood of the car, spoons in hand, as the desert sun dipped. The coffee flavour was bold but balanced, swirled with just enough sweetness to feel like a café treat frozen in time. Maybe it was the heat, but the experience felt almost spiritual.
They’ve also added plant-based versions of more indulgent items, like ice cream sandwiches and bars. Cosmic Bliss feels like a treat for when you want to slow down and really savour.
6. Van Leeuwen
What started as a New York ice cream truck has blossomed into a brand that treats vegan ice cream with the same reverence as their dairy line. Both their cashew milk and oat milk bases give a creamy richness that stands up to bold flavours like Churros & Fudge and Brown Sugar Chunk.
The first time I tried the Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, I made the rookie mistake of not anticipating how rich a spoonful would be. It tasted like a childhood peanut butter cup, but elevated—better texture, smoother off-dairy mouthfeel, and still perfectly nostalgic.
Van Leeuwen has also made waves by stocking pints in major retailers nationwide. If you want an artisanal feel without hopping on a plane to Brooklyn, this is the brand to seek out.
7. Eclipse
Eclipse takes a different route from most vegan ice creams: they don’t rely on a single nut or plant milk. Instead, they’ve developed a proprietary blend designed to mimic dairy at a molecular level—creamy, stretchy, and scoopable.
Not only that, but they've also perfected indulgence in bite-sized form.
Their ice cream bonbons are decadent little orbs: creamy plant-based ice cream enrobed in a crisp chocolate shell. One bite gives you that crack of chocolate followed by a flood of smooth vanilla, chocolate, or cookie butter filling.
I remember bringing a box of the bonbons to a dinner party, setting them out without announcement. Within minutes, the plate was empty, and someone asked which chocolatier I’d gone to.
The surprise when I explained they were dairy-free—and made with Eclipse’s plant-based base—was priceless.
Bonbons are a reminder that vegan ice cream isn’t just about substitution; it’s about creating a new kind of luxury. They’re elegant enough for a special occasion but easy enough to stash in the freezer for a Tuesday night treat.
The bigger scoop
Vegan ice cream is more than just dessert—it’s a signal of where food culture is headed. These brands prove you don’t need dairy to make something crave-worthy.
By choosing plant-based, you’re supporting lower greenhouse gas emissions, more efficient use of resources, and food systems that prioritize inclusivity.
And on a personal level, you’re giving yourself permission to enjoy something sweet without compromise. Vegan ice cream invites you to savour joy in a way that also cares for the planet.
So stock that freezer. Your future self—whether they’re celebrating, consoling, or just craving—will thank you.
https://vegoutmag.com/food-and-drink/r-7-vegan-ice-cream-brands-worth-stocking-your-freezer-with/
