Homemade Keto Ice Cream: Creamy Low-Carb Recipes + Best Store-Bought Brands (2025)

Missing ice cream on your keto diet? Good news: you can enjoy creamy, delicious ice cream without the carb overload. Whether you make keto ice cream at home or buy store-bought keto ice cream brands, low carb ice cream has never been better or more accessible.

This comprehensive keto ice cream guide covers everything from easy homemade keto ice cream recipes to honest reviews of the best keto ice cream brands. We’ll explore different flavors, discuss sugar alcohols and sweeteners, and help you satisfy your ice cream cravings while staying in ketosis.

Summer without ice cream? No thanks. It took me a while to find keto ice cream that doesn’t taste like frozen disappointment. Here’s what actually works.

Get ready to discover how amazing keto ice cream can taste – you might never go back to regular ice cream!

📋 Table of Contents

• Understanding Keto Ice Cream
• Homemade Keto Ice Cream Recipes
• No-Churn Ice Cream Methods
• Best Keto Ice Cream Flavors
• Using an Ice Cream Maker
• Store-Bought Keto Ice Cream Brands
• Sweeteners for Keto Ice Cream
• Keto Ice Cream Toppings
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Keto Ice Cream

Regular ice cream is loaded with sugar – a typical serving contains 20-30g of carbs, making it impossible to enjoy on a keto diet. Keto ice cream solves this problem by replacing sugar with keto-friendly sweeteners while keeping the creamy texture we all love.

The secret to great keto ice cream is using high-fat ingredients like heavy cream and choosing the right sweetener. When made correctly, low carb ice cream is virtually indistinguishable from regular ice cream – it’s rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious.

What Makes Ice Cream Keto Friendly?

Keto ice cream differs from regular ice cream in several key ways:

• No added sugar – Uses erythritol, allulose, or monk fruit instead
• High fat content – Heavy cream provides the creamy texture
• Low net carbs – Typically 2-8g net carbs per serving
• No sugar alcohols that spike blood sugar – Avoids maltitol and sorbitol
• Real ingredients – Vanilla extract, cocoa powder, fresh berries

Keto Ice Cream vs Regular Ice Cream: Nutrition Comparison

Homemade Keto Ice Cream Recipes

Making keto ice cream at home gives you complete control over ingredients and net carbs. Plus, homemade ice cream tastes absolutely amazing – richer and creamier than most store-bought options.

🍦 Classic Vanilla Keto Ice Cream Recipe

This is the ultimate base recipe for keto ice cream. Master this vanilla ice cream, and you can create endless flavor variations.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream (heavy whipping cream)
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk)
• 3/4 cup powdered erythritol or allulose
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp xanthan gum (optional, for texture)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream and almond milk. Heat over medium until just simmering – don’t let it boil.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with the powdered sweetener until pale and slightly thick.
3. Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper them.
4. Pour the tempered eggs back into the saucepan with the remaining cream.
5. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 170°F on a thermometer).
6. Remove from heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
7. Stir in vanilla extract, salt, and xanthan gum if using.
8. Cover and chill completely in the refrigerator (at least 4 hours or overnight).
9. Churn in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions.
10. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-4 hours until firm.

Net carbs per 1/2 cup serving: 2g | Yield: About 1 quart (8 servings)

🍫 Rich Chocolate Keto Ice Cream Recipe

Chocolate ice cream is a classic that everyone loves. This keto version uses cocoa powder for deep, rich chocolate flavor without the sugar.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup powdered erythritol
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 oz sugar-free dark chocolate, chopped (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Whisk cocoa powder into the heavy cream and almond milk in a saucepan.
2. Heat until simmering, whisking to dissolve cocoa completely.
3. Follow the same custard method as vanilla ice cream (steps 2-10).
4. Add chopped chocolate to hot mixture and stir until melted.
5. Chill, churn, and freeze as directed.

Net carbs per 1/2 cup: 3g

🍓 Strawberry Keto Ice Cream Recipe

Fresh strawberries make this ice cream taste like summer. Use frozen berries for an even creamier texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 3/4 cup powdered erythritol
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Blend strawberries with 1/4 cup of the sweetener until smooth.
2. Whip heavy cream with remaining sweetener until soft peaks form.
3. Fold strawberry puree and vanilla into whipped cream.
4. Churn in ice cream maker or use no-churn method.

Net carbs per 1/2 cup: 4g

No-Churn Keto Ice Cream Methods

Don’t have an ice cream maker? No problem! You can make delicious keto ice cream without any special equipment using these no-churn methods.

📝 Basic No-Churn Keto Ice Cream

This simple method creates creamy ice cream using just whipped heavy cream.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cold heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered erythritol or allulose
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Method:

1. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, whip the heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks form (about 3-4 minutes).
2. Gently fold in the sweetener, vanilla extract, and salt.
3. Transfer to a freezer-safe container (a loaf pan works great).
4. Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface.
5. Freeze for 4-6 hours, stirring every hour for the first 3 hours to prevent ice crystals.
6. Let soften at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping.

Net carbs per 1/2 cup: 2g

🥑 Avocado Chocolate “Nice Cream”

This clever recipe uses avocado instead of banana for a super creamy, dairy-free option:

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, frozen in chunks
• 1/4 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
• 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3-4 tbsp powdered erythritol
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor until completely smooth.
2. Eat immediately as soft-serve or freeze for 1-2 hours for firmer texture.

Net carbs per serving: 4g

Best Keto Ice Cream Flavors

Once you’ve mastered the basic keto ice cream recipes, it’s time to explore different flavors! Here are the best keto ice cream flavors and how to create them:

Using an Ice Cream Maker

An ice cream machine makes creating smooth, creamy keto ice cream much easier. Here’s what you need to know:

Best Ice Cream Makers for Keto Ice Cream

• Cuisinart ICE-21: Best budget option ($50-70)
• Cuisinart ICE-100: Compressor model, no pre-freezing needed ($250-300)
• Ninja Creami: Great for small batches, makes frozen desserts creamy ($150-200)
• Breville Smart Scoop: Premium option with automatic settings ($400+)

Tips for Using an Ice Cream Maker

1. Pre-freeze the bowl for at least 24 hours (for freezer-bowl models)
2. Chill your ice cream base completely before churning
3. Don’t overfill – the ice cream expands as it churns
4. Churn until it reaches soft-serve consistency
5. Transfer to freezer for 2-4 hours to firm up

Store-Bought Keto Ice Cream Brands (Ranked)

When you don’t want to make your own keto ice cream, these store-bought keto ice cream brands deliver great taste with low net carbs. We’ve tested them all to help you find the best keto ice cream!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Top Tier Keto Ice Cream Brands:

1. Rebel Ice Cream

• Net carbs: 5-8g per PINT (yes, the whole pint!)
• Taste rating: 10/10 – Creamy, rich, tastes like real ice cream
• Best flavors: Mint Chip, Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Fudge, Butter Pecan
• Sweeteners: Monk fruit, erythritol, allulose
• Where to buy: Walmart, Target, Kroger, most grocery stores
• Price: $5-7 per pint

2. Enlightened Keto Collection

• Net carbs: 4-6g per serving
• Taste rating: 9/10 – Excellent texture, great variety of flavors
• Best flavors: Red Velvet, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Marshmallow Peanut Butter
• Sweeteners: Erythritol, monk fruit
• Where to buy: Grocery stores nationwide
• Price: $5-6 per pint

3. Keto Pint

• Net carbs: 3-5g per serving
• Taste rating: 9/10 – Very creamy, clean ingredients
• Best flavors: Mint Chip, Sea Salt Caramel, Chocolate
• Sweeteners: Erythritol
• Where to buy: Whole Foods, specialty stores

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Good Keto Ice Cream Brands:

4. Halo Top Keto Series

• Net carbs: 5-7g per serving
• Taste rating: 8/10 – Lighter texture, good flavor variety
• Best flavors: Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Cheesecake
• Where to buy: Available almost everywhere

5. So Delicious No Sugar Added

• Net carbs: 4-5g per serving
• Taste rating: 8/10 – Dairy-free option with coconut milk base
• Best for: Dairy-free keto dieters

⚠️ Keto Ice Cream Brands to Avoid:

• Brands using maltitol as the primary sweetener (spikes blood sugar)
• “Low-carb” ice cream that’s actually high in sugar alcohols that affect blood sugar
• Brands with unrealistically small serving sizes
• Products labeled “sugar-free” but not actually low in net carbs

Sweeteners for Keto Ice Cream

The sweetener you choose significantly affects both taste and texture of your keto ice cream. Understanding sugar alcohols and other sweeteners helps you make the best choice.

Best Sweeteners for Keto Ice Cream:

Sugar Alcohols to Avoid:

• Maltitol: High glycemic index (35), spikes blood sugar almost like regular sugar
• Sorbitol: Can cause digestive issues, moderate glycemic impact
• Xylitol: Moderate glycemic impact, toxic to dogs

Keto Ice Cream Toppings

The right toppings can transform your keto ice cream into an incredible sundae experience. Here are the best low-carb toppings:

🥜 Low-Carb Ice Cream Toppings:

• Whipped cream: 0g net carbs – the perfect keto topping
• Sugar-free chocolate sauce: 1g net carbs per serving
• Chopped pecans: 1g net carbs per 2 tbsp
• Chopped walnuts: 1g net carbs per 2 tbsp
• Unsweetened coconut flakes: 1g net carbs per 2 tbsp
• Fresh raspberries: 1g net carbs per 1/4 cup
• Sugar-free caramel sauce: 0-1g net carbs
• Lily’s chocolate chips: 2g net carbs per tbsp
• Natural peanut butter: 2g net carbs per tbsp
• Unsweetened cocoa nibs: 1g net carbs per tbsp

🍨 Keto Ice Cream Sundae Ideas:

1. Classic Hot Fudge Sundae: Vanilla ice cream + sugar-free hot fudge + whipped cream + chopped pecans
2. Peanut Butter Cup Sundae: Chocolate ice cream + peanut butter drizzle + sugar-free chocolate chips
3. Berry Delight: Vanilla ice cream + fresh strawberries + raspberries + whipped cream
4. Butter Pecan Dream: Butter pecan ice cream + sugar-free caramel + extra toasted pecans

Troubleshooting Common Keto Ice Cream Issues

Why is my keto ice cream icy?

Ice crystals form when there isn’t enough fat or too much water. Solutions:

• Use more heavy cream and less milk
• Add 1-2 tbsp vodka (it doesn’t freeze and prevents ice crystals)
• Switch to allulose – it maintains a creamy texture better than erythritol
• Add 1/8 tsp xanthan gum to the base

Why is my ice cream too hard to scoop?

Homemade ice cream freezes harder than store-bought because it lacks commercial stabilizers. Solutions:

• Let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping
• Add 2 tbsp MCT oil to the base
• Use allulose instead of erythritol
• Store in a shallow container rather than a deep one

Why does my ice cream have a cooling aftertaste?

This is caused by erythritol. Solutions:

• Use allulose instead (no cooling effect)
• Blend erythritol with monk fruit sweetener
• Use powdered erythritol rather than granulated

Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Ice Cream

Is keto ice cream really keto?

Yes! Quality keto ice cream contains 2-8g net carbs per serving, which easily fits into a ketogenic diet. Just watch out for brands using maltitol or other high-glycemic sugar alcohols that can spike blood sugar.

Which sweetener is best for keto ice cream?

Allulose is the gold standard – it doesn’t crystallize, has zero glycemic impact, and creates the creamiest texture. Erythritol is a close second and more widely available. Monk fruit works great when combined with erythritol.

Can I use coconut milk instead of heavy cream?

Yes! Use full-fat canned coconut milk for dairy-free keto ice cream. The results will be slightly less creamy but still delicious. Coconut cream (the thick part from a can of coconut milk) works even better.

How long does homemade keto ice cream last?

Homemade keto ice cream keeps for 2-3 weeks in the freezer. It hardens more than store-bought ice cream, so let it sit out for 10-15 minutes before scooping for best texture.

Are sugar-free ice creams really keto?

Not always! Many “sugar-free” ice creams use maltitol or other sugar alcohols that still affect blood sugar. Always check the ingredients and look for erythritol, allulose, monk fruit, or stevia instead.

What’s the best store-bought keto ice cream brand?

Rebel Ice Cream consistently ranks as the best keto ice cream brand for taste and texture. Enlightened Keto Collection and Keto Pint are also excellent choices. Avoid brands that use maltitol.

Can eating ice cream kick me out of ketosis?

Not if you choose the right ice cream! Keto ice cream made with proper sweeteners (erythritol, allulose, monk fruit) and low net carbs will not affect ketosis. Regular ice cream with 20+ grams of sugar definitely will.

How many net carbs are in keto ice cream?

Homemade keto ice cream typically has 2-4g net carbs per 1/2 cup serving. Store-bought keto ice cream brands range from 4-8g net carbs per serving. Always check labels for accurate net carb counts.

Final Thoughts on Keto Ice Cream

Keto ice cream – whether homemade or store-bought – means you never have to give up this beloved frozen dessert while following a ketogenic diet. You have several great options:

• Homemade keto ice cream: Lowest net carbs (2-4g), best value, complete control over ingredients
• No-churn ice cream: Easy method, no ice cream maker needed, great texture
• Store-bought keto ice cream brands: Convenient, consistent quality, slightly higher carbs (4-8g)

Our recommendation: Try making one homemade keto ice cream recipe this week OR pick up a pint of Rebel or Enlightened. Once you taste how good low carb ice cream can be, you’ll never miss the sugar-laden regular ice cream again!

Remember: ice cream can absolutely be part of your keto diet. Choose sweeteners that don’t spike blood sugar (allulose, erythritol, monk fruit), use high-fat ingredients like heavy cream, and enjoy your keto ice cream without guilt. Your sweet tooth will thank you!