Try this incredibly easy + delicious Coconut Milk Ice Cream Recipe with Chocolate Chips from KC the G-Free Foodie. It's rich, smooth and creamy, and Paleo-friendly too!
So creamy it's ridiculous.
This creamy ice cream is made with coconut milk, so itโs dairy-free and Paleo-friendly too. Be sure to look for full-fat, plain canned coconut milk. Lower fat content could give an icy texture, and a sweetened version will be way too sweet. If you can't find the canned coconut milk in your local grocery store, look in the Asian foods section. It's often stored there.
Follow the directions or watch the video to see how to avoid the icy texture that some coconut-based ice creams can have (warming the coconut milk ice cream base is key).ย I use this simple ice cream maker from Cuisinart. It's held up beautifully and works like the day I bought it. I keep the bowl in the freezer wrapped in plastic, so it's ready to go wherever I want to make ice cream, frozen yogurt or wine slushies. Which is pretty often during warm months.ย
Making your coconut milk ice cream vegan:
If youโd like to make your ice cream vegan, be sure to use maple syrup instead of honey โ itโs delicious both ways! Youโll also want to choose dairy-free chocolate chips for your ice cream. I like to add coconut chips to my ice cream along with the chocolate chips. I use the ones from Dang, because they are nice and crunchy, but you can leave them out or just use coconut flakes too.
Love coconut desserts? Same. Here's more:
Mini Coconut Cream Pies:
Sarah'sย mini coconut cream piesย have a crisp oatmeal + coconut crust filled with creamy pudding. Cashews, shredded coconut, coconut oil, and coconut milk make a delicious dairy-free filling.
Coconut Bread - the gluten-free coconut lover's dream:
This easy and delicious Coconut Bread Recipe makes two loaves - one for you and one to share.
Or two for you. Whatever works.
If you love chocolate as much as I do, check out this Dark Chocolate Tart with Walnut Crust + Fresh Berries next. It's dairy-free and Paleo too. If you're making dairy-free & vegan treats for the kids (or yourself) bake up some of these Ice Cream Cookie Cups to hold a scoop or two of this coconut milk ice cream! If you want to go next-level with a topping, my Five-Minute Vegan Caramel Sauce is paleo-friendly too.
Coconut Milk Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 15 ounce cans full-fat coconut milk
- ยฝ cup honey or maple syrup
- ยผ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
- 2 teaspoons GF vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- โ cup coconut chips broken, optional
- โ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Shake the cans of coconut milk thoroughly before opening. Set aside ยฝ cup of coconut milk. Combine the remaining coconut milk, honey and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat until the ingredients are easily blended, about 3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk remaining ยฝ cup coconut milk with the tapioca starch. Stir the mixture into the warm coconut milk base and cook until over medium low for 10-12 minutes. The base should have thickened so that it covers that back of a spoon. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla.
- Pour the ice cream base into a large container or bowl and cool to room temperature. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap or lid and chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 hours: it should be completely cold. *Do not skip this step. It will end poorly.*
- Churn the mixture in your ice cream machine following the manufacturerโs instructions. Add the coconut chips (if you're using them) and chocolate chips at the very end, when youโre just about ready to take the ice cream out. When thickened to an soft-serve ice cream consistency, try to avoid eating it all while you it spread into a large loaf pan or other container and freeze for a few more hours until the ice cream has firmed up completely.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Photos: Meg van der Kruik
Incredible dairy-free ice cream that fuels you body too? That's a win, friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coconut Milk Ice Cream:
Heating the coconut milk ice cream base when adding stabilizer/thickeners like tapioca starch and sweeteners like sugar, honey or maple syrup will ensure a smooth consistency.
Yes. Coconut cream has a short shelf life once opened, so it should be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 1 week and or frozen in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
The smoothest Paleo-friendly ice cream is made with coconut milk, tapioca starch and honey or maple syrup.
Dairy-free ice cream means the product is made without dairy ingredients. The dairy base can be replaced with coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk or other stabilizers.
Dairy-free ice cream is not always vegan. Some dairy-free ice creams can contain honey, eggs or other animal-derived ingredients.
Let Us Know What You Think