Keto-Friendly Ice Cream: Best Brands To Try This Summer

There are a variety of keto ice cream brands available in the market, such as Halo Top, Kroger, and Keto Pint. These ice creams are made without added sugar and use natural sweeteners like allulose, erythritol, monk fruit, and stevia instead. They also tend to be gluten-free and made with real cream, resulting in a creamy texture and delicious flavor. While some brands may be more challenging to scoop straight out of the freezer, others are designed to be soft and ready to eat. Keto ice cream is a great option for those looking for low-carb, diabetic-friendly treats without compromising taste.

Keto ice cream brands and their reviews

The ketogenic (keto) diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Ice cream is not usually a keto-friendly food, but several ice cream makers have created keto-friendly varieties to help dieters stay in ketosis. These ice cream brands include Halo Top, Edy's, Enlightened, So Delicious, and Rebel.

Halo Top's Keto Series

Halo Top's Keto Series is designed to keep carbs low. One serving (two-thirds of a cup) of Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake has 190 calories, 6 g of protein, 6 g of fiber, and 3 g of net carbs. This keto ice cream comes in a variety of flavors, in pints and pops, from Mint Chocolate Cookie to Banana Cream Pie. These options have about 4–10 grams of net carbs per pint.

However, one review describes the texture as "way too grainy" and "more like porridge than ice cream".

Edy's Slow Churned No Sugar Added

Edy's replaced sugar in its fan favorites, 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.

Enlightened

Enlightened offers keto ice cream options, as well as low-calorie, non-keto options. The keto options contain 2–3 g net carbs for most flavors. 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. This gives it a "creamy texture and no weird aftertaste", according to one review.

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.

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 ice cream has a slight aftertaste, but it is still a popular choice for those on the keto diet.

Other Options

In addition to these brands, there are a few other keto ice cream options available. These include:

• Real Good Ice Cream: This ice cream has a good flavor but is not the lowest carb option, with 8 g net carbs per serving.
• Nick's Ice Cream: A game-changer, according to one reviewer, although it is not available in keto options.
• Aldi's Sundae Shoppe Keto Ice Cream: Comes in three flavors: Peanut Butter Fudge, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough.
• Sam's Club Exclusive Triple Chocolate Caramel 12 Pack: A frozen dessert with zero added sugar.

Natural Sweeteners

Keto ice cream brands often use natural sweeteners such as allulose, erythritol, monk fruit, and stevia to replace sugar. These sweeteners provide a lower-calorie alternative to sugar and are recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Natural sweeteners used in keto ice cream

Natural sweeteners are a key component in keto-friendly ice cream. The choice of sweetener is important because most sugar substitutes have a higher freezing point than sugar, resulting in rock-hard ice cream. They also don't dissolve well.

Some natural sweeteners that are suitable for keto ice cream include:

• Erythritol: A natural sugar alcohol found in some fruits and fermented foods. It has a similar taste to sugar but with a cooler aftertaste. It can be used in a powdered or crystallised form, but it may crystallise in the ice cream.
• Allulose: A rare sugar found in wheat and some fruits. It is often used as a powdered sugar substitute and helps keep ice cream soft and scoopable. It can be more expensive than other sweeteners.
• Monk Fruit: A natural sweetener made from the monk fruit, a small green melon native to Asia. It has a high sweetness level and is often blended with other sweeteners.
• Stevia: A natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is highly sweet and can have a bitter aftertaste.
• Xylitol: A natural sugar alcohol found in various plants. It is a low-glycemic sweetener with 40% fewer calories than sugar and does not affect insulin or blood sugar levels. However, it is toxic to dogs.
• Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend: A blend of monk fruit and allulose creates a sweetener that dissolves well and keeps ice cream soft and scoopable.

When choosing a sweetener for keto ice cream, it is important to consider the freezing point, dissolvability, taste, and potential health risks. Some experimentation may be needed to find the best sweetener for your taste preferences and desired ice cream consistency.

Carb count in keto ice cream

Carbohydrates are a key consideration when it comes to the keto diet. The goal of the keto diet is to shift your body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. To achieve and maintain ketosis, the diet typically restricts carbohydrates to just 5-10% of total calories. This equates to a daily carb intake of 20-50 grams if you're consuming 2,000 calories per day. As a result, ice cream, which typically contains high levels of carbohydrates from sugar, is usually off-limits. However, keto ice cream provides a solution by significantly reducing the carb count.

Keto ice cream achieves its low-carb status by replacing sugar with alternative sweeteners. These sweeteners include sugar alcohols like erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol, as well as natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit. Additionally, ingredients like chicory root, guar gum, and acacia gum are added to enhance creaminess and mouthfeel while keeping the carb count low.

When considering the carb count in keto ice cream, it's important to distinguish between total carbohydrates and net carbs. Net carbs refer to the carbohydrates that are absorbed by the body, excluding fiber and sugar alcohols. While the calculation of net carbs can vary among brands, it generally involves subtracting the grams of fiber and sugar alcohols from the total carbohydrates.

Here's a look at the carb count of some popular keto ice cream brands:

• Halo Top's Keto Series: One serving (two-thirds of a cup) of their Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake flavor has 3 grams of net carbs. Their other flavors range from 4-10 grams of net carbs per pint.
• Edy's Slow Churned No Sugar Added: A two-thirds-cup serving of their Vanilla Bean flavor contains 14 grams of net carbs.
• Enlightened: Most flavors contain 2-3 grams of net carbs. Their low-calorie, non-keto options have 7-12 grams of net carbs per two-thirds-cup serving.
• So Delicious No Sugar Added (Dairy-Free): A serving (two-thirds of a cup) has 9-10 grams of net carbs.
• Rebel: Each pint has 4-8 grams of net carbs, and a two-thirds-cup serving contains less than 3 grams of net carbs.

It's worth noting that the carb count can vary slightly between different flavors of the same brand, so it's always a good idea to check the nutrition label. Additionally, some brands may use the concept of net carbs to their advantage, adding fiber to their products to lower the net carb count. Therefore, it's important to be mindful of the total carbohydrate content as well.

In conclusion, keto ice cream provides a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth while adhering to the strict carbohydrate restrictions of the keto diet. By utilizing alternative sweeteners and carefully formulating their ingredients, these keto-friendly treats allow you to indulge without compromising your ketosis.

Ingredients used in keto ice cream

Many keto ice cream recipes are made with coconut milk, but heavy cream is also a popular choice. Some recipes call for a combination of the two.

Keto ice cream is sweetened with natural sweeteners such as erythritol, monk fruit, stevia, xylitol, or allulose. These are often used in combination with each other or with sugar alcohols.

To thicken the ice cream and prevent crystallisation, keto ice cream recipes often include xanthan gum. Vanilla extract is also a common ingredient, though some recipes suggest using mint or almond extract instead.

Some recipes suggest adding a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour.

Softening keto ice cream

Firstly, let's talk about the role of sweeteners in keto ice cream. The choice of sweetener is essential to achieving a soft and scoopable consistency. Most sugar substitutes have a higher freezing point than sugar, resulting in hard and icy ice cream. Natural sweeteners like allulose, erythritol, monk fruit, and stevia are recommended for keto ice cream as they don't crystallize and help keep the ice cream soft. Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend is a popular choice as it dissolves easily and prevents crystallization.

Now, let's discuss some techniques for softening keto ice cream:

• Using Alcohol: Adding a neutral spirit like vodka, rum, or tequila to your keto ice cream can help soften it. Alcohol raises the freezing point of the mixture, reducing iciness. About 2 tablespoons of alcohol per batch should be enough. You can also use vanilla extract, which is usually alcohol-based, to achieve a similar effect.
• Stirring Frequently: If you're making no-churn keto ice cream, be sure to stir the mixture frequently during the freezing process. This helps break up ice crystals and prevents the ice cream from becoming too hard. Stir every 30-60 minutes for the first 2 hours, then every 60-90 minutes for the next 2-3 hours.
• Chilling the Mixture: Before churning or freezing your keto ice cream, be sure to chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step is crucial for achieving the best texture.
• Using Xanthan Gum: Adding a stabilizer like xanthan gum can help prevent crystallization and ice cream from becoming too icy. Even a small amount, like 1/4 teaspoon, can make a difference.
• Letting it Sit at Room Temperature: Just like traditional ice cream, keto ice cream can benefit from a few minutes at room temperature to soften before serving. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and it will be easier to scoop.
• Using an Ice Cream Maker: Using an ice cream maker can help achieve a softer, creamier texture compared to the no-churn method. Churning the ice cream according to the manufacturer's instructions will result in a smoother, more scoopable treat.
• Adding MCT Oil: While not essential, MCT oil can help soften keto ice cream. However, some people find that it affects the taste, making the ice cream slightly oily.

By following these tips and techniques, you can ensure your keto ice cream is perfectly softened and ready to enjoy!

Frequently asked questions