Keto Dieters' Delight: Calories In Keto Ice Cream

The ketogenic diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. While ice cream doesn't usually make the list of foods to choose from, there are some keto-friendly ice cream brands and recipes.

One cup of regular ice cream contains about 37 grams of carbs, almost all the carbs you can have in an entire day when you're following a keto diet. Keto ice cream, on the other hand, typically contains between 4 and 10 grams of net carbs per pint.

Keto ice cream is made with sugar substitutes and sugar alcohols, which have about half the calories of sugar. Some popular sugar substitutes include erythritol, stevia, monk fruit, and xylitol.

Keto ice cream can be purchased from brands like Halo Top, Edy's, Enlightened, So Delicious, and Rebel, or made at home using recipes that typically call for heavy cream, sweetener, and xanthan gum.

Keto ice cream brands

There are several keto ice cream brands available in the market. These include:

Rebel

Rebel is an ice cream brand designed for people on the keto diet. Their ice cream is made with cream, other high-fat ingredients, erythritol, and monk fruit. Rebel has 23 flavour varieties, including Butter Pecan, Cookies and Cream, and Chocolate Peanut Butter. A pint of Rebel is higher in fat and calories than other keto ice cream brands.

Halo Top

Halo Top is a low-carb option that's higher in protein than most other keto-friendly ice creams. They offer 10 flavours of keto-friendly ice cream, including Macadamia Nut Cookie, Mint Chocolate Cookie, and Caramel Butter Pecan. A serving of Halo Top is 200 calories or less.

So Delicious

So Delicious makes dairy-free ice cream from full-fat coconut milk. Their No Sugar Added varieties have negligible amounts of sugar. These keto ice cream options are sweetened with a combination of the sugar alcohol erythritol and monk fruit extract. A serving has 130-160 calories, 9-10g of net carbs, and 2g of protein.

Enlightened

Enlightened offers keto ice cream options, as well as low-calorie, non-keto options. The keto options contain 2-3g net carbs for most flavours. The low-calorie options contain 7-12g net carbs and 120-140 calories per two-thirds-cup serving. Enlightened uses allulose, along with sugar alcohol and monk fruit extract, to replace sugar.

Edy's

Edy's offers a Slow Churned No Sugar Added ice cream, replacing sugar in its fan favourites, including Fudge Tracks, Vanilla Bean, Triple Chocolate, and Neapolitan. These options include sorbitol, maltitol syrup, and Splenda (sucralose). A two-thirds-cup serving of Vanilla Bean contains 130 calories and 14g of net carbs.

KETO Foods

KETO Foods, founded in 2018, has a line of products including ice cream pints, ice cream bars, and chocolate, all made with the keto diet in mind. Their ice cream is made with a combination of cream, egg yolks, and erythritol as primary ingredients, making it high in fat and relatively low in total carbohydrates. Popular flavours include Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl and Triple Chocolate Brownie.

Arctic Zero

Arctic Zero is a keto-friendly, dairy-free ice cream made with a combination of plant fibres and faba bean protein. It stands out in the market because of its lack of sugar alcohols. A pint of Arctic Zero is lower in calories than other keto-friendly ice creams, but it's also fat-free, which may not be suitable for a strict keto diet.

Breyer's Carb Smart

Breyer's Carb Smart is a budget-friendly, low-carb ice cream option. It is lower in fat than many other keto-friendly ice creams, but it can still fit into a keto diet due to its total carbohydrate content. Flavours include Coffee Cookie Crunch and Chocolate Chocolate Chip.

Other Brands

Other keto ice cream brands include Kroger, which has developed its own brand of keto ice cream, and Borden's Carb Smart Ice Cream.

Homemade keto ice cream

Ingredients

To make keto ice cream at home, you will need a low-carb sweetener. Some recipes suggest erythritol, while others recommend powdered allulose, xylitol, or stevia. You will also need coconut milk, vanilla extract, and salt. If you want to make chocolate ice cream, you will need to add cocoa powder.

Some recipes also include heavy cream, butter, and almond milk. Xanthan gum is optional but can help prevent crystallization.

Method

First, stir together the milk, sweetener, salt, and vanilla extract. If you are making chocolate ice cream, stir in the cocoa powder, too.

If you have an ice cream maker, prepare the machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. Churn the mixture according to the instructions, or until it reaches the consistency of soft serve ice cream.

If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can make a no-churn version. Freeze the mixture in ice cube trays, then blend the frozen cubes in a high-speed blender. Alternatively, you can thaw the cubes and blend them in a food processor or regular blender.

You can eat the ice cream as soon as it is made, or freeze it for an hour or so for a firmer texture.

Tips

• This ice cream is best on the day it is made, but you can freeze leftovers for up to a month.
• If you are using an ice cream maker, stir the mixture every 30 minutes for the first two hours, then every 60-90 minutes for the next few hours, to prevent the ice cream from becoming too hard or icy.
• To make the ice cream easier to scoop, run your ice cream scoop under hot water to warm it up.
• If you are using erythritol as a sweetener, be aware that it can crystallize.

Keto ice cream ingredients

Keto ice cream is a delicious, low-carb treat that can be made with just a few simple ingredients. Here are some of the most common ingredients used in keto ice cream:

• Heavy Cream: Also known as double or thickened cream, heavy cream is a key ingredient in keto ice cream. It provides a rich, creamy texture and helps to set the ice cream. Avoid using reduced-fat or light versions, as they may not set properly.
• Sweetener: Keto-friendly sweeteners such as powdered allulose, erythritol, xylitol, or monk fruit can be used to sweeten the ice cream without adding carbs. These sweeteners have a lower glycemic index and fewer calories than sugar.
• Xanthan Gum: This ingredient is optional but helps to thicken the ice cream and prevent crystallization. A little goes a long way, so add it sparingly.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a subtle flavor to the ice cream and can be replaced with other flavor extracts, such as almond or peppermint, for variety.
• Cocoa Powder: For chocolate keto ice cream, add unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture. This will give it a rich, chocolatey flavor.
• Mix-Ins: Keto-friendly mix-ins such as crushed keto cookies, sugar-free chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or sugar-free caramel syrup can be added to create different flavors and textures.

Keto ice cream can be made without an ice cream maker by blending the ingredients and freezing the mixture in ice cube trays. It can then be blended again to create a smooth, creamy texture.

Tips for Making Keto Ice Cream:

• Use high-quality ingredients, especially for the sweetener, to ensure the best flavor and texture.
• Churn the ice cream regularly during the freezing process to prevent crystallization and create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Experiment with different flavors and mix-ins to find your favorite combinations.
• If using an ice cream maker, ensure it is fully frozen before adding the mixture to achieve the best results.
• For a dairy-free version, swap the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream.

Keto ice cream calories

The ketogenic (keto) diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. While ice cream doesn't usually make the list of foods to choose from, there are some keto-friendly ice cream brands and recipes.

Keto-Friendly Ice Cream Brands

Ice cream brands like Halo Top, Edy's, Enlightened, So Delicious, and Rebel offer options that use sugar substitutes and may be keto-friendly. These manufacturers turn to sugar substitutes such as sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol, and natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit.

• Halo Top's Keto Series: One serving (two-thirds of a cup) of Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake has 190 calories.
• Edy's Slow Churned No Sugar Added: A two-thirds-cup serving of Vanilla Bean contains 130 calories.
• Enlightened: The keto options contain 2–3 g net carbs for most flavors, while the low-calorie options contain 7–12 g net carbs and 120–140 calories per two-thirds-cup serving.
• So Delicious No Sugar Added (Dairy-Free): A serving (two-thirds of a cup) has 130–160 calories, 9–10 g of net carbs, and 2 g of protein.
• Rebel: Rebel is an ice cream brand designed for people on the keto diet. A two-thirds-cup serving of Rebel's Butter Pecan flavor contains 200 calories.

Homemade Keto Ice Cream

You can also make keto ice cream at home using a combination of fat and sugar substitutes. Here are the calorie counts for some homemade keto ice cream recipes:

• Heavy Cream and Sweetener Ice Cream: This recipe uses heavy cream, sweetener, and xanthan gum. One serving contains 192 calories.
• Wholesome Yum's Keto Ice Cream: This recipe uses butter, heavy cream, Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend, vanilla extract, and unsweetened almond milk. One serving contains 184 calories.
• Chocolate Covered Katie's Keto Ice Cream: This recipe uses coconut milk, sweetener, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. One serving contains 184 calories.

Keto ice cream recipes

Overview

The ketogenic (keto) diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. As a result, ice cream, which is usually packed with carbs, is typically off the menu for those following a keto diet. However, several ice cream manufacturers have created keto-friendly varieties by using sugar substitutes and ingredients like chicory root, guar gum, and acacia gum to create a creamy texture.

Store-Bought Keto Ice Creams

There are several keto-friendly ice cream brands available in stores, including Halo Top, Edy's, Enlightened, So Delicious, and Rebel. These ice creams are rich in fat and low in net carbs, making them suitable for those following a keto diet.

Homemade Keto Ice Cream Recipes

For those who prefer to make their own keto ice cream, there are numerous recipes available online that use a combination of fat and sugar substitutes. Here are some popular keto ice cream recipes to try:

Vanilla Keto Ice Cream:

• Ingredients: 2 cups canned coconut milk, 1/3 cup erythritol (or sweetener of choice), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
• Method: Stir together the ingredients and, if desired, add flavorings such as cocoa powder, diced strawberries, or peppermint extract. Use an ice cream maker to churn the mixture, or freeze it in ice cube trays and then blend it in a high-speed blender.

Keto Chocolate Ice Cream:

• Ingredients: 2 cups canned coconut milk, 1/3 cup erythritol (or sweetener of choice), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt.
• Method: Simply stir in the cocoa powder along with the other ingredients and follow the same method as for the vanilla ice cream.

Keto Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream:

• Ingredients: Heavy cream, sweetener, xanthan gum, vanilla extract, peanut butter, and chopped keto peanut butter cups.
• Method: Combine the heavy cream, sweetener, xanthan gum, and vanilla extract in a deep jar and mix until soft peaks form. Stir in peanut butter and chopped keto peanut butter cups. Transfer the mixture to a jar and freeze for at least 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately.

Keto Strawberry Ice Cream:

• Ingredients: 2 cups heavy cream, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, and 1/3 cup erythritol (or sweetener of choice).
• Method: Blend all the ingredients together and transfer the mixture to a loaf pan. Freeze for 3-5 hours until firm and ready to serve.

No-Churn Keto Ice Cream:

This method involves folding whipped cream into a thickened base, eliminating the need for an ice cream maker. Here's a basic recipe:

• Ingredients: Heavy cream, keto-friendly sweetener, and a thick base such as sugar-free condensed milk, softened cream cheese, or double cream.
• Method: Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold it into the thickened base. Add desired mix-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, or keto caramel sauce. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and freeze until firm, usually around 8 hours.

Frequently asked questions