Best Keto Ice Cream: Low-Carb, High-Fat Treats

The ketogenic (keto) diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Traditional ice cream is high in sugar and carbs, but there are keto-friendly ice cream options available in grocery stores and online. Some of the best keto ice cream brands include Halo Top, Rebel, Enlightened, So Delicious, Edy's, Arctic Zero, and KETO Foods. These ice creams are made with sugar substitutes and low-carb sweeteners such as erythritol, allulose, monk fruit, and stevia. They are also higher in fat and calories compared to regular ice cream. When choosing a keto-friendly ice cream, it is important to consider the total carbohydrates, type of fat, type of fiber, and sugar alcohols listed on the nutrition label.

Keto ice cream ingredients

Keto ice cream is a great option for those on a ketogenic diet, which involves a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet. Traditional ice cream is typically high in carbohydrates, but keto-friendly ice cream is made with alternative ingredients to keep the carb count low. Here are some common ingredients used in keto ice cream:

Fats

A key component of keto ice cream is fat, as the ketogenic diet relies on fats as the primary energy source. Heavy cream, also known as double or thickened cream, is often used as a base. Full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream is a dairy-free alternative that can be used in place of heavy cream. Additionally, other high-fat ingredients such as butter, cream cheese, or peanut butter may be added for flavour and texture.

Sugar Substitutes

Sugar substitutes are used in keto ice cream to keep the carbohydrate count low while still providing sweetness. Some common sugar substitutes include:

• Erythritol: A zero-calorie sugar alcohol that is a popular choice for keto-friendly ice cream. It is known for its ability to provide sweetness without affecting blood sugar levels.
• Allulose: A sugar substitute recognised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is metabolised differently by the body and provides only 0.4 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram for sugar.
• Monk fruit: A natural sweetener derived from a small round fruit native to China. It is often used in combination with other sugar substitutes.
• Stevia: Another natural sweetener derived from plant leaves.
• Sugar alcohols: These include xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol. They have about half the calories of sugar and are commonly used in "sugar-free" or "no sugar added" products.

Thickeners and Stabilisers

Keto ice cream often includes ingredients that help thicken the mixture and improve its texture. Some common thickeners and stabilisers include:

• Xanthan gum: This ingredient is used to thicken the ice cream and prevent crystallisation. It is important to note that a little goes a long way with xanthan gum.
• Guar gum and acacia gum: Derived from guar beans and the acacia tree, these ingredients contain soluble fibre, which helps to thicken the ice cream and slow the digestion of carbohydrates.
• Chicory root: Adds fibre and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
• Vegetable glycerin: Helps to create a creamy texture.
• Eggs: Used as a binding agent and to provide structure to the ice cream.

Flavourings

In addition to the basic ingredients, various flavourings can be added to create different varieties of keto ice cream. These flavourings can include vanilla extract, cocoa powder, peanut butter, cookie dough, strawberries, mint extract, and many others. Creative combinations of these flavourings result in popular flavours such as cookies and cream, chocolate peanut butter, butter pecan, and salted caramel.

Other Add-Ins

Some keto ice cream brands may also include additional ingredients to enhance the nutritional profile or improve texture. For example, some brands add fibre sources such as soluble corn fibre or inulin, which can influence taste and texture while keeping total carbohydrates low. However, these may cause digestive issues for some individuals.

It's important to read the ingredient lists and nutrition labels when choosing a keto-friendly ice cream, as some products may have cleaner ingredient lists than others. Additionally, some brands may use artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, which some consumers may prefer to avoid.

Overall, keto ice cream typically relies on high-fat ingredients, sugar substitutes, and various thickeners to create a creamy, sweet treat that fits within the macros of a ketogenic diet.

Best keto ice cream brands

Keto ice cream is made with sugar substitutes and is low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for those on the keto diet. Here are some of the best keto ice cream brands available:

Halo Top

Halo Top offers a range of keto-friendly ice cream options, including their Keto Series, which helps keep carbs low. One serving of their Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake flavour has only 3g of net carbs. They also have a variety of flavours, such as Mint Chocolate Cookie and Banana Cream Pie, with about 4-10 grams of net carbs per pint.

Edy's

Edy's Slow Churned No Sugar Added ice cream is another great option for those on the keto diet. They have replaced sugar in fan-favourite flavours such as Fudge Tracks, Vanilla Bean, Triple Chocolate, and Neapolitan with sugar substitutes. A two-thirds-cup serving of their Vanilla Bean flavour contains 14 grams of net carbs.

Enlightened

Enlightened offers a variety of keto ice cream options, including their Keto Dark Chocolate Bar, which has a smooth and creamy texture. They also have a Keto Triple Chocolate Brownie Dough French Ice Cream, which is soft and airy, and their Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter flavour, which comes in a variety pack.

So Delicious

So Delicious makes a dairy-free, no-sugar-added ice cream from full-fat coconut milk. Their ice cream is sweetened with a combination of the sugar alcohol erythritol and monk fruit extract. A serving has only 9-10 grams of net carbs, making it a great keto-friendly option.

Rebel

Rebel is an ice cream brand specifically designed for people on the keto diet. Their pints are made with cream, high-fat ingredients, erythritol, and monk fruit, and have only 4-8 grams of net carbs per pint. They offer a variety of flavours, including Butter Pecan and Mint Chip, which has little chips of dark chocolate.

Other keto ice cream brands worth mentioning include Arctic Zero, which is a great option for those looking to avoid sugar alcohols, and KETO Foods, which has a full product line of keto-friendly ice cream pints, bars, and chocolate.

Best keto ice cream flavours

Keto ice cream is made with sugar substitutes and is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Here are some of the best keto ice cream flavours and brands to satisfy your sweet tooth while on a keto diet.

Enlightened Keto

Enlightened offers a variety pack of keto-friendly ice creams with eight pints in each pack. The Chocolate Peanut Butter flavour contains 21 grams of fat, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 7 grams of net carbs, making it a good option for those on the keto diet. Other flavours in the variety pack include P.B. Cookie & Brownie Dough, Caramel Chocolate Double Dough, Mint Chocolate Chunk, and Coffee Chocolate Chunk. Enlightened also offers keto-friendly cheesecakes, cookies, and other desserts.

Halo Top's Keto Series

Halo Top's Keto Series is a good choice for keeping carbs low. One serving (two-thirds of a cup) of Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake has 190 calories, 6 grams of protein, 6 grams of fibre, and 3 grams of net carbs. Other flavours include Mint Chocolate Cookie and Banana Cream Pie, with about 4-10 grams of net carbs per pint.

Rebel Butter Pecan

Rebel Creamery's Butter Pecan flavour is made with real cream and has 20 grams of total fat and over 200 calories per serving. It contains 2 grams of net carbs and 13 grams of total carbohydrates per serving, making it a tasty treat for those on the keto diet. Rebel also offers 23 other flavour varieties, including Mint Chip, Triple Chocolate, and Chocolate Peanut Butter.

Arctic Zero Cake Batter

Arctic Zero's Cake Batter flavour is a keto-friendly, dairy-free ice cream made with a combination of plant fibres and faba bean protein. It is also free of sugar alcohols, making it a good choice for those with digestive conditions that make them sensitive to sugar alcohol intake. This ice cream is lower in calories than other keto-friendly options but is fat-free, so it may not be suitable for those who need to meet their daily fat intake.

So Delicious No Sugar Added Coconutmilk Frozen Dessert

So Delicious offers a full dairy-free product line, including cheese and yogurt alternatives, plant-based beverages, and frozen desserts. Their dairy-free, no sugar-added ice creams are keto-friendly alternatives to dairy-based varieties. The Vanilla Bean flavour provides 130 calories and 9 grams of total fat per serving, with 24 grams of total carbohydrates and 10 grams of net carbs.

Keto Foods Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl

KETO Foods, founded in 2018, offers a range of keto-friendly products, including ice cream pints, ice cream bars, and chocolate. Their Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl ice cream is one of their more popular flavours, with 250 calories, 22 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of net carbs per serving.

Breyer's Carb Smart

Breyer's Carb Smart ice cream is a budget-friendly option that is lower in fat than many other keto-friendly ice creams. However, it has a low total carbohydrate content, making it suitable for a keto diet. The Coffee Cookie Crunch flavour contains 8 grams of sugar alcohol per 2/3 cup serving.

Homemade Keto Ice Cream

For those who want to make their own keto ice cream at home, a simple recipe includes blending canned full-fat coconut milk, erythritol, and vanilla extract. Another option is to blend heavy cream, sour cream, fresh strawberries, and erythritol or Swerve (a low-carb sweetener). These recipes can be frozen in ice cube trays or a loaf pan and blended until creamy and smooth before serving.

Homemade keto ice cream

Overview

The ketogenic (keto) diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Most ice cream is high in carbs, but there are low-carb versions made with plant fibres and sugar alcohols instead of added sugar. This makes them suitable for the keto diet.

Keto ice cream can also be made at home using a combination of fat and sugar substitutes. Here are some recipes to try.

Vanilla Keto Ice Cream

This version of keto ice cream is made with erythritol, which you can buy online and at some grocery stores.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (500 mL) of canned full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup (48 grams) of erythritol
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of vanilla extract

Method:

• Whisk together the coconut milk, erythritol, 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 creamy and smooth before serving.

Serving size: This recipe yields about 4 servings.

Strawberry Keto Ice Cream

Since berries are lower in carbs than most other fruits, they’re a great addition to homemade keto ice cream.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (500 mL) of heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (60 grams) of sour cream
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) of fresh strawberries
• 1/3 cup (64 grams) of erythritol or Swerve (a low-carb sweetener)

Method:

• Blend the heavy cream, sour cream, strawberries, and erythritol/Swerve until smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to a loaf pan and freeze for 3–5 hours, until it’s hard and ready to serve.

Serving size: This recipe makes 4 servings.

Three-Ingredient Keto Ice Cream

This recipe uses just three ingredients and doesn't require an ice cream maker.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar-free powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Method:

• In a deep and wide jar, add all your ingredients and mix.
• Using an immersion or stick mixer, beat everything together until it thickens and soft peaks form.
• Cover the jar and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, stirring every 40 minutes to ensure it doesn't become too icy.
• Remove from the freezer and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Variations:

• Chocolate: Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture.
• Cookies and Cream: Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract and add 1 cup of crushed keto Oreos.
• Cookie Dough: Fold through 1/4 cup of crumbled keto cookie dough.
• Strawberry: Add 1/2 cup sliced strawberries and, if desired, strawberry extract.
• Mint Chocolate Chip: Replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract and fold through 1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips.
• Butter Pecan: Add 1/2 teaspoon butter extract and 1/4 cup chopped pecans.
• Salted Caramel: Fold through 1/4 cup of sugar-free caramel syrup.
• Peanut Butter Cup: Drizzle with peanut butter and add chopped-up keto peanut butter cups.
• Birthday Cake: Add 1/4 cup sugar-free sprinkles and 1/2 teaspoon butter extract.
• Brownie Batter: Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 cup chopped keto brownies.

Tips for Making Keto Ice Cream

• Add xanthan gum: Adding a stabilizer like xanthan gum will help prevent the ice cream from becoming icy or crystallizing.
• Churn the ice cream: For the best results, stir the mixture every 30 minutes for the first couple of hours to ensure the ice cream is smooth and creamy.
• Soften before serving: Let the low-carb ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before scooping.
• Make it dairy-free: Swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut cream.
• Add vodka: If you want smoother ice cream, add 1 tablespoon of vodka. You won’t be able to taste it, but it will make the ice cream easier to scoop.

Storage Instructions

• To serve: If your ice cream is too icy once removed from the freezer, you can microwave it for 15 seconds or let it sit for 15 minutes.
• To store: The ice cream will become icier if re-frozen. If you have leftovers and need to re-freeze them, place them in a new container and store them in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Keto ice cream nutritional value

The nutritional value of keto ice cream varies depending on the brand and flavour. However, keto ice cream is generally high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates.

For example, a serving (two-thirds of a cup) of Halo Top's Keto Series Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake flavour has 190 calories, 6 g of protein, 6 g of fibre, and 3 g of net carbs. This option is ideal for keeping carbs low, with only 4–10 grams of net carbs per pint.

Another popular brand, Edy's Slow Churned No Sugar Added, offers a range of flavours with similar nutritional profiles. Their Vanilla Bean flavour contains 130 calories and 14 g of net carbs per two-thirds-cup serving.

Enlightened provides a wider range of keto and non-keto options. Their keto flavours typically contain 2–3 g net carbs, while their low-calorie options have 7–12 g net carbs and 120–140 calories per two-thirds-cup serving.

So Delicious No Sugar Added (Dairy-Free) is another excellent choice for those following a keto diet. Their dairy-free ice cream is made from full-fat coconut milk and sweetened with 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, a brand specifically designed for keto dieters, is high in fat and calories. Their pints are made with cream, high-fat ingredients, erythritol, and monk fruit, with negligible amounts of sugar and 4–8 g of net carbs per pint.

When choosing a keto-friendly ice cream, it's important to consider total carbohydrates, type of fat, type of fibre, and sugar alcohols. These factors can impact your overall health and how well you stay within the keto diet guidelines.

Frequently asked questions