Keto Ice Cream: How Does It Taste?

Keto ice cream is a dessert option for people on the keto diet, which involves drastically reducing your carb intake and eating the majority of your calories from fat. It is made with plant fibres and sugar substitutes instead of added sugar, and tends to be low in carbohydrates.

Keto ice cream is usually made with a combination of fat and sugar substitutes, and can be made at home or bought in stores. It is similar to regular ice cream in terms of texture and taste, but differs in its ingredients and nutritional content.

There are several keto ice cream brands available in the market, including Halo Top, Rebel, Enlightened, Arctic Zero, So Delicious, and Nick's. These brands offer a range of flavours, from chocolate and vanilla to more indulgent options like Butter Pecan and Chocolate Glazed Donut.

Keto ice cream can be a great option for those looking to reduce their sugar intake without compromising on taste and texture.

Keto ice cream brands and their reviews

Enlightened

Enlightened offers a wide array of keto-friendly ice cream options, including low-calorie, non-keto options. The keto options contain 2–3 g net carbs for most flavours. The low-calorie options contain 7–12 g 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. Enlightened is described as having an "awesome, creamy texture and no weird aftertaste".

Halo Top

Halo Top's Keto Series may be a good choice for ice cream to keep carbs low. One serving (two-thirds of a cup) of Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake, for example, has 190 calories, 6 g of protein, 6 g of fibre, and 3 g of net carbs. This keto ice cream comes in a variety of flavours, in pints and pops, from Mint Chocolate Cookie to Banana Cream Pie. These options have about 4–10 g of net carbs per pint. However, some people dislike the texture, describing it as "way too grainy".

Rebel

Rebel is an ice cream brand designed for people on the keto diet. Pints are made with cream, other high-fat ingredients, erythritol, and monk fruit. The main ingredient is cream, so a pint of Rebel is higher in fat and calories than the other brands. This option has negligible amounts of sugar, with just 4–8 g of net carbs per pint. Rebel also has less than 3 g of net carbs per two-thirds-cup serving. Rebel is described as having a "little aftertaste, but it’s nothing that stops us from digging into these delectable pints".

Edy's Slow Churned No Sugar Added

Edy's replaced 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 14 g of net carbs.

So Delicious No Sugar Added (Dairy-Free)

So Delicious makes dairy-free ice cream from full-fat coconut milk. The 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 (two-thirds of a cup) has 130–160 calories, 9–10 g of net carbs, and 2 g of protein.

Real Good

The Real Good ice cream has a good flavour and is described as "creamy, chocolatey, peanut-buttery, and sweet". However, it is not the lowest carb option, with 8 g net carbs per serving.

Other Brands

Other keto ice cream brands include Kroger, Nick's, and Aldi's Sundae Shoppe.

How to make keto ice cream at home

Ingredients

• 2 cups of canned full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup of erythritol or powdered allulose
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
• 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of vodka (optional)

Method

• Whisk together the coconut milk, sweetener, and vanilla extract.
• Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze for a few hours.
• Add the frozen cubes to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
• Transfer the blended mixture to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4 hours, stirring every 40 minutes, to ensure it doesn't become too icy.
• Remove from the freezer and let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips

• If you don't have an ice cube tray, you can pour the mixture into a loaf pan and freeze it until hard.
• To make chocolate keto ice cream, add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture.
• For a dairy-free version, swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut cream.
• To make the ice cream softer and easier to scoop, add 1 tablespoon of vodka.

Best keto ice cream flavours

Keto ice cream is made with plant fibres and sugar substitutes instead of added sugar, making it suitable for those on a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet.

Enlightened

Enlightened's keto ice cream is a popular choice, with a creamy texture and no weird aftertaste. The brand offers a variety of flavours, including Cookies and Cream, Movie Night, and Red Velvet. Enlightened also has keto-friendly ice cream bars, providing a convenient way to enjoy a frozen treat.

Rebel

Rebel ice cream is another well-liked option, with a range of flavours and a price that won't break the bank. Their ice cream has a slight aftertaste, but it's still delicious and perfect for those watching their carb intake, as a pint only has 6 net carbs.

Halo Top

Although some people dislike the texture of Halo Top's keto ice cream, the brand offers unique flavours, such as Caramel Butter Pecan and Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake. Their Macadamia Nut Cookie flavour is a top-rated variety, containing skim milk, eggs, and prebiotic fibre, and is sweetened with erythritol.

Breyer's Carb Smart

Breyer's Carb Smart is a budget-friendly option for those looking for low-carb ice cream. While it has fewer fats compared to other keto ice creams, it can still fit into a keto diet due to its low total carbohydrate content. Flavours include Coffee Cookie Crunch and Chocolate Chocolate Chip.

So Delicious No Sugar Added Coconutmilk Frozen Dessert

This dairy-free, plant-based ice cream is a good choice for those looking for a keto-friendly alternative. It has slightly higher carbohydrates than other keto ice creams, with 24 grams of total carbohydrates and 10 grams of net carbs per serving. Flavours include Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Coconut, and Peanut Butter Swirl Mousse.

Arctic Zero

Arctic Zero is a keto-friendly, dairy-free ice cream made with plant fibres and faba bean protein. It stands out for its lack of sugar alcohols, making it a good choice for those sensitive to sugar alcohol intake. Flavours include Cake Batter and Cherry Chocolate Chunk.

There are plenty of keto ice cream options available, and it's worth trying different brands and flavours to find your favourites. Remember to always check the nutritional information and ingredient lists to ensure they align with your dietary needs and preferences.

Best keto ice cream toppings

If you're looking to add some toppings to your keto ice cream, here are some ideas to get you started.

Fruits

Add a fresh and healthy twist to your ice cream with some low-carb fruits like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries.

Chocolate

For the chocolate lovers, there are plenty of keto-friendly options. ChocZero, for example, offers a variety of chocolate toppings, including chocolate syrup, almond butter syrup, and chocolate chips. You can also find sugar-free chocolate candies from Atkins, similar to M&Ms, or opt for low-carb chocolate bars from ChocoPerfection.

Nuts

For some added crunch, consider adding some nuts to your ice cream. You can go for unsweetened toasted coconut chips or even peanut butter cups from ChocZero.

Sauces

Take your ice cream sundae to the next level with some delicious sauces. You can opt for a classic sugar-free hot fudge sauce or get creative with a blueberry sugar-free syrup or a peanut butter sauce. If you're feeling nostalgic, you can even make your own low-carb version of the famous Magic Shell.

Sweet Treats

Indulge your sweet tooth with some sugar-free sprinkles, zero-carb gummy treats, or sugar-free jelly beans.

Whipped Cream

For an extra creamy touch, top off your sundae with some keto whipped cream.

With these toppings, you can create endless combinations and truly customise your keto ice cream experience. Enjoy experimenting and finding your favourite flavour pairings!

Best keto ice cream recipes

Keto ice cream is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to a low-carb diet. Here are some of the best keto ice cream recipes to try:

No-Churn Keto Ice Cream

This recipe uses an immersion blender to create a smooth and creamy texture without the need for an ice cream machine. It includes heavy whipping cream, a zero-calorie sweetener, vanilla extract, and xanthan gum for added thickness. The key to this recipe is blending the ingredients in an up-and-down motion until soft peaks form. The addition of a small amount of vodka is optional but helps keep the ice cream scoopable.

Keto Vanilla Ice Cream

This recipe uses a combination of keto-friendly sweeteners, including allulose and erythritol, to create a rich vanilla ice cream that stays soft and scoopable. The base is a keto-friendly condensed milk, which you can make yourself by combining allulose, erythritol, and xanthan gum with coconut milk. This recipe also includes heavy cream, vodka (optional), vanilla extract, and salt. Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions, then freeze until firm.

Dairy-Free Keto Ice Cream

This recipe is perfect for those who are dairy-free or vegan. It uses canned coconut milk as the base and is sweetened with erythritol or xylitol. For a chocolate version, simply add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. Blend the ingredients together and either churn in an ice cream maker or freeze in ice cube trays and blend in a high-speed blender.

Keto Strawberry Ice Cream

This recipe adds a fruity twist to your keto ice cream. It uses heavy cream, sour cream, fresh strawberries, and a keto-friendly sweetener. Simply blend the ingredients together and transfer the mixture to a loaf pan. Freeze until firm, and you'll have a delicious strawberry ice cream that's perfect for summer.

Keto Chocolate Ice Cream

For chocolate lovers, this recipe is a must-try. It uses a combination of heavy cream, egg yolks, and keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol and allulose. The key to this recipe is using a proper ice cream maker to achieve the best texture. Churn the mixture according to the manufacturer's instructions, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm.

These recipes provide a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy ice cream while sticking to your keto diet. Remember to enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced keto meal plan!

Frequently asked questions