Keto Ice Cream: Low-Carb, High-Taste Summer Treats

If you're craving ice cream but want to stick to a low-carb keto diet, there are plenty of options available. While regular ice cream is typically high in carbs, several brands now offer keto-friendly alternatives, including Halo Top, Edy's, Enlightened, So Delicious, and Rebel. These ice creams are made with sugar substitutes and low-carb ingredients, allowing you to indulge without derailing your diet. You can also make your own keto ice cream at home by blending full-fat coconut milk, erythritol, and vanilla extract or heavy cream, sour cream, strawberries, and erythritol or Swerve.

Choosing the right keto-friendly ingredients

When making keto ice cream, it's important to select the right ingredients to ensure it aligns with the keto diet's high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate requirements. Here are some considerations for choosing the right keto-friendly ingredients:

Sweeteners

The key to making keto ice cream is finding suitable low-carb sweeteners. Sugar alcohols like erythritol, xylitol, and allulose are popular choices as they have a minimal impact on blood sugar and provide sweetness without the carbs. Other natural sweeteners include stevia, which comes from plant leaves, and monk fruit, which comes from a small round fruit native to China. These sweeteners can be used in combination with sugar alcohols to enhance the sweetness of the ice cream.

Dairy

For a creamy and indulgent texture, full-fat dairy is a must. Cream and butter provide the high-fat content required for keto ice cream. Additionally, using full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream can add richness while also serving as a dairy-free alternative.

Thickeners and Stabilizers

To achieve the desired creamy texture and mouthfeel, adding thickeners and stabilizers is essential. Chicory root, guar gum, acacia gum, and Peruvian carob gum are commonly used in keto ice cream. These ingredients provide soluble fiber, which helps to thicken the ice cream and slow the digestion of carbohydrates.

Flavorings

When it comes to flavorings, it's important to choose keto-friendly options that align with the diet's requirements. Unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao nibs can add a chocolatey flavor without the carbs. Peanut butter, cookie dough, and caramel are also popular flavor additions. Just be mindful of added sugars or other high-carb ingredients in flavorings.

Fats

In addition to using full-fat dairy, you can add extra fat to your keto ice cream with ingredients like coconut oil, vegetable glycerine, and peanut butter. These fats contribute to the high-fat content required in the keto diet.

Remember, when choosing keto-friendly ingredients, always read the labels carefully and calculate the net carbs accurately. Some ingredients, like soluble corn fiber, may be objectionable to some people, so it's important to do your research and select options that align with your specific keto goals.

Sugar substitutes

The key to making keto-friendly ice cream is to replace the sugar with sugar substitutes. Sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol are popular swaps, providing about half the calories of sugar. Monk fruit and stevia are also used as natural sweeteners.

However, most sugar substitutes have a higher freezing point than sugar, which can result in rock-hard ice cream. They also don't dissolve well. Powdered sweeteners, such as Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend, are recommended to keep the ice cream soft and scoopable, and to avoid a gritty texture.

Sugar alcohols are often used in "sugar-free" or "no sugar added" products, and can be combined with monk fruit extract, as seen in the So Delicious No Sugar Added ice cream.

The sweetener you use is very important when making keto ice cream. It is critical for keeping the ice cream soft and scoopable, and preventing a gritty texture.

Flavours and recipes

There are a variety of keto ice cream flavours and recipes to choose from, whether you're looking for something store-bought or homemade.

Store-Bought Options:

Some popular brands that offer keto-friendly ice cream include:

• Halo Top (flavours include Chocolate Cheesecake, Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Caramel Butter Pecan)
• Enlightened (flavours include Chocolate Peanut Butter, Caramel Chocolate Double Dough, and Mint Chocolate Chunk)
• Rebel (flavours include Chocolate Peanut Butter, Banana Peanut Butter Chip, and Peanut Butter Caramel Chip)
• So Delicious (dairy-free and no-sugar-added option; flavours include Vanilla Bean)
• Edy's (no-sugar-added option; flavours include Vanilla Bean, Fudge Tracks, and Triple Chocolate)
• Arctic Zero (no sugar alcohols; flavours include Cake Batter)
• KETO Foods (flavours include Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl and Triple Chocolate Brownie)
• Breyer’s Carb Smart (budget-friendly option; flavours include Coffee Cookie Crunch and Chocolate Chocolate Chip)

Homemade Recipes:

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also make your own keto ice cream at home. Here are some flavour options:

• Vanilla: Whisk together canned full-fat coconut milk, erythritol, and vanilla extract. Freeze the mixture in ice cube trays, then blend until creamy and smooth.
• Strawberry: Blend heavy cream, sour cream, fresh strawberries, and erythritol or Swerve (a low-carb sweetener). Transfer the mixture to a loaf pan and freeze until hard.

Texture and consistency

The texture and consistency of low-carb keto ice cream are influenced by the ingredients used and the methods of preparation. Here are some factors that contribute to achieving the desired texture and consistency:

Fat Content: Keto ice cream typically has a higher fat content than regular ice cream, as the keto diet emphasizes consuming a majority of calories from fats. This higher fat content contributes to a richer, creamier mouthfeel.

Sugar Substitutes: Instead of added sugar, keto ice cream uses sugar substitutes such as erythritol, xylitol, stevia, monk fruit extract, and allulose. These substitutes have a lower carb count and help achieve sweetness without spiking blood sugar levels.

Thickening Agents: Ingredients like guar gum, acacia gum, and chicory root fiber are often added to keto ice cream to create a thicker, creamier texture. These ingredients contain soluble fiber, which helps to thicken the mixture and improve mouthfeel.

Freezing Technique: The way keto ice cream is frozen can impact its texture. Some store-bought keto ice creams may be harder to scoop straight out of the freezer and require a few minutes to soften. Homemade keto ice cream, on the other hand, can be made by blending frozen cubes of the mixture, resulting in a smoother, creamier texture.

Flavor Impact: The choice of flavor can also influence the texture and consistency. Some flavors may be naturally creamier, while others might have a chalkier or crumbly texture. Additionally, the addition of certain mix-ins, such as cookie dough or chocolate chips, can affect the overall consistency.

Allergen Considerations: Many keto ice creams are made with common allergens like dairy, eggs, or nuts. It's important to choose an ice cream that aligns with your dietary restrictions and allergies.

When making keto ice cream, it's crucial to strike a balance between achieving the desired texture and adhering to the nutritional requirements of the keto diet. Experimenting with different recipes and ingredients can help you find the perfect texture and consistency that satisfies your taste buds while keeping you in ketosis.

Where to buy

There are several keto-friendly ice cream brands available to buy online and in-store. Here is a list of some brands and where to buy them:

Halo Top

With flavours such as Chocolate Cheesecake, Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Caramel Butter Pecan, Halo Top's Keto Series offers ice cream with only 5-10g net carbs per pint. You can buy Halo Top online or find it in-store.

Rebel

Rebel is a low-carb, high-fat, keto ice cream brand with a range of flavours, including Chocolate Peanut Butter, Banana Peanut Butter Chip, and Peanut Butter Caramel Chip. You can find Rebel ice cream in-store or order it online with free shipping on orders over $75.

Enlightened

Enlightened offers keto ice cream with 8g net carbs per pint or fewer. Some of their flavours include P.B. Cookie & Brownie Dough, Caramel Double Dough, and Butter Pecan. You can get $2 off any Enlightened product in stores or order online with free shipping on orders over $75.

Edy's

Edy's Slow Churned No Sugar Added ice cream is available in fan-favourite flavours such as Fudge Tracks, Vanilla Bean, Triple Chocolate, and Neapolitan. While it's not clear if you can buy Edy's online, you should be able to find it in most grocery stores.

So Delicious

So Delicious makes dairy-free, no-sugar-added ice cream from full-fat coconut milk. Their products are sweetened with erythritol and monk fruit extract. So Delicious ice cream is likely available in most grocery stores, but you may also be able to order it online.

Frequently asked questions