Keto Vanilla Ice Cream

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This keto vanilla ice cream is everything you love about classic ice cream—rich, creamy, and packed with real vanilla flavor—minus the sugar and carbs. With only 5 wholesome ingredients, this sugar-free vanilla ice cream is super easy to make and comes out perfectly smooth every time. Whether you’re following a low-carb lifestyle or just looking for a healthier homemade ice cream, this recipe will quickly become a go-to favorite. It tastes just like traditional vanilla ice cream, but without the guilt!

There’s something timeless about ice cream—it brings back the sweetest childhood memories. Whether it was chasing the ice cream truck, enjoying a cone at your favorite summer spot, or sharing a scoop with someone special, ice cream always had the power to make everything better.

But if you’re following a keto or low-carb diet, traditional ice cream can feel off-limits. That’s exactly why I created this keto vanilla ice cream recipe—to prove you can still enjoy a scoop of classic vanilla without the sugar and carbs.

Made with just five simple, wholesome ingredients, this homemade low-carb vanilla ice cream is rich, creamy, and bursting with real vanilla flavor. It’s smooth, satisfying, and honestly tastes just like the real thing—maybe even better.

Just like my keto strawberry ice cream, keto chocolate ice cream, and blueberry cottage cheese ice cream, this recipe lets you indulge without compromise. It’s the perfect sugar-free frozen treat for summer days, cozy evenings, or any time you’re craving something sweet and nostalgic.

Best of all, no one will guess it’s low carb—it’s that good. So if you’re looking for a keto-friendly vanilla ice cream that fits your lifestyle and satisfies your sweet tooth, this is it.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

There are so many reasons this low carb vanilla ice cream will become a go-to favorite in your keto dessert rotation:

• Quick and Easy to Make – With just 5 simple, naturally low-carb ingredients, this recipe comes together in no time.
• Smooth, Creamy Texture – You won’t believe how rich and creamy it is—just like traditional vanilla ice cream!
• Tastes Like the Real Thing – Despite being completely sugar-free, it has that classic sweet vanilla flavor everyone loves.
• Totally Customizable – Use this as a base to create your own flavor combos! Add sugar-free chocolate chips, berries, or swirl in some keto caramel.
• Keto-Friendly & Low in Carbs – Each scoop has only 3g net carbs, making it perfect for a ketogenic lifestyle.
• No Sugar, No Eggs, No Guilt – This is an egg-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free vanilla ice cream, so it’s ideal for various dietary needs.
• Family Approved – It’s so good, even non-keto eaters won’t realize it’s a sugar-free dessert.

This homemade keto vanilla ice cream is everything you want in a frozen treat: simple, satisfying, and indulgently healthy!

Is Ice Cream Keto-Friendly?

Traditional ice cream you find in stores is typically not keto-friendly because it’s loaded with sugar and high-carb ingredients. A single serving can pack anywhere from 20 to 30 grams of carbohydrates, which can easily exceed the daily carb limit on a standard ketogenic diet.

Most store-bought ice creams also contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives that aren’t suitable for a clean low-carb lifestyle.

The good news? You can still enjoy keto-friendly ice cream at home! By using low-carb ingredients like heavy cream, almond milk, and natural sugar-free sweeteners such as erythritol or monk fruit, you can make a delicious frozen treat that fits your macros.

With the right ingredients and simple techniques, you can whip up a sugar-free, low carb ice cream that’s just as rich, creamy, and satisfying as the real thing—without kicking yourself out of ketosis.

Ingredients for Keto Vanilla Ice Cream

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make this creamy low carb vanilla ice cream using just a handful of simple ingredients—most of which you probably already have in your pantry. Here’s everything you’ll need to create a rich, smooth, and scoopable keto-friendly ice cream at home:

• Heavy Cream – Use full-fat heavy cream to create a velvety, luxurious texture. This is also the base for making keto condensed milk, which gives the ice cream its rich consistency. For a dairy-free version, substitute with full-fat canned coconut cream.
• Unsalted Butter – Adds depth and richness to the condensed milk base, enhancing the creamy flavor of the finished ice cream.
• Powdered Sweetener – Choose a keto-approved sweetener that dissolves well. I recommend Monk Fruit or Allulose, which blend smoothly without leaving a gritty texture or unpleasant aftertaste. They also help keep your ice cream soft and scoopable, unlike some sugar alcohols like erythritol.
• Coconut Milk – This adds a subtle creaminess and balances out the richness. You can also substitute it with unsweetened almond milk or any other low carb, plant-based milk of your choice.
• Vanilla Extract – Don’t skimp on this! Use a high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. It’s the star of the show in this classic sugar-free vanilla ice cream recipe.

How To Make Keto Ice Cream

This homemade vanilla ice cream is one of the easiest and most delicious sweet treat recipes I have ever tried. Once I discovered this recipe, I no longer bought ice cream from the store. Here is everything you need to do:

Make the Condensed Milk

Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat.

Add 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, and powdered sweetener to a large saucepan. Stir until everything is well combined.

 Bring to a boil and simmer, occasionally stirring until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool at room temperature.

Once chilled, add the vanilla extract and whisk until it’s well incorporated.

Add in the almond milk and heavy cream and whisk until smooth.

Chilling The Ice Cream Mixture

Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Churning the Ice Cream

When it comes to making ice cream, churning is an essential step in creating a smooth and creamy texture. Churning incorporates air into the mixture, which helps to prevent ice crystals from forming and keeps the ice cream from becoming too hard.

Add the sugar-free ice cream base into a frozen ice cream maker bowl and churn for 20-30 minutes or until the consistency resembles soft-serve ice cream.

Enjoy it immediately, or transfer the ice cream to a loaf pan container and freeze it for at least 2-3 hours or until it has hardened to your desired consistency.

Flavor Variations for Keto Vanilla Ice Cream

One of the best things about this keto vanilla ice cream recipe is that it serves as a perfect base for all your favorite mix-ins and flavors. Here are some delicious low carb ice cream flavor variations to try:

• Chocolate Chip Keto Ice Cream – Stir in a handful of sugar-free dark chocolate chips for that classic vanilla and chocolate combo.
• Berry Swirl – Add a swirl of your favorite keto berry puree (like strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry) to create a fruity and refreshing twist.
• Mint Chocolate Chip – Mix in ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract and 2 tablespoons of sugar-free chocolate chipsfor a cool, refreshing treat.
• Keto Caramel Ice Cream – Drizzle homemade sugar-free caramel sauce into the vanilla base before freezing for a rich caramel swirl.
• Coffee Ice Cream – Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder for a bold coffee flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy texture.
• Lemon Ice Cream – Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and zest from one lemon for a bright, tangy, and citrusy variation.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing your keto vanilla ice cream. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your new favorite variation!

How To Serve

I love ice cream, and love to scoop some ice cream into a bowl for a satisfying desert, but here are other ways to enjoy it: 

• Top these keto fudgy brownies with a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent treat. 
• As Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: Serve a scoop of ice cream between two keto chocolate chip cookies for a delicious and satisfying ice cream sandwich.
• Keto Milkshake: Blend ice cream with some unsweetened almond milk and sugar-free syrup for a creamy and indulgent keto milkshake.
• Keto Ice Cream Sundae: Top your ice cream with sugar-free whipped cream, nuts, sugar-free chocolate sauce, and other keto-friendly toppings.
• With Your Favorite Keto Pie: Serve with a slice of keto-friendly pie, such as pumpkin pie, or keto apple pie.

Storing Ideas

• Freezer –  store this keto vanilla ice cream in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

What Ice Cream Machine To Use?

While it’s possible to make keto ice cream without an ice cream maker, having one can make the process much easier. Here’s a great ice cream maker that I personally use many people love. It’s also great for making sugar-free frozen yogurt.

Why Use Vodka To Make Homemade Ice Cream?

Vodka is used in ice cream recipes because it has a lower freezing point than water. When added to ice cream mixtures, it can help prevent the formation of large ice crystals, resulting in a smoother and creamier texture. This is especially helpful in homemade ice cream recipes, as they typically do not have stabilizers or emulsifiers that can help prevent ice crystal formation.

What Ice Cream Can I Eat on Keto?

There are many brands that make keto-friendly ice cream alternatives. Some examples include Rebel Creamery, Halo Top, and Enlightened.

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?

Sure, that’s why ice cream is on my favorite keto dessert recipes list. It’s freezer friendly and can be prepared in advance to enjoy on those hot days when you just want something sweet and refreshing to eat.

Can I Make Keto Ice Cream Without An Ice Cream Maker?

Sure, you can make this ice cream using a hand mixer, then transfer the mixture to a freezer container and line the surface with parchment paper to prevent ice crystals from forming.

Then freeze the ice cream for 6 hours or until firm by frequently stirring to obtain the perfect texture without any ice crystals.

How to Perfectly Scoop Homemade Ice Cream

1. Let the ice cream soften: Take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften. This will make it easier to scoop.
2. Use a sharp scooper and dip the scooper in warm water.
3. Use a twisting motion: Twist the scoop gently as you dig it into the ice cream; this will help release the scoop from the rest of the ice cream.
4. Scoop and serve: Once you have a perfect scoop, place it on a dessert bowl or cone and serve it right away.