Healthy Ice Cream Recipes | Amy's Healthy Baking (2024)

These healthy ice cream recipes are sweet, creamy, and perfect for summer — or anytime you’re craving ice cream! They’re all easy to make with less than 5 minutes of prep. Luxuriously smooth with a soft-serve consistency, they’re full of rich flavor and simply melt in your mouth. Quick, easy, and delicious — the best kind of dessert!


Throughout the summers of my childhood, around my birthday, my brother’s birthday, and the 4th of July, my family often found ourselves on the back patio, clustered around a drain. We stood in a circle, peering down at the person in the center, and watched. When that person glanced up and nodded, sometimes with an almost pleading look in their eyes, someone else squatted down beside them and laid hands on top of theirs.

Everyone took a turn churning the ice cream.

We manually cranked for almost half an hour. The handle wasn’t allowed to stop. We layered rock salt and ice into the space between the metal cylinder and wooden bucket, and we kept adding more as it melted and water trickled down the bucket’s side and into that patio drain.

With the black plastic handle rotating beneath our palms, we felt the milk mixture grow thick and stiff. When our tiny muscles couldn’t push any more, my dad crouched down and finished it off. Once he proclaimed it done and lifted the metal tub out of the salt water, we raced inside to grab bowls and spoons, eager for our first taste of the fresh, sweet, cold vanilla ice cream.

For old times’ sake, we pulled out that same antique ice cream maker last month to celebrate my brother earning his PhD. As we stood around the drain in the backyard again, we talked about how nobody sold rock salt anymore in my hometown, and we ended up substituting regular finely ground table salt instead.

A few weeks later, back in Southern California, I almost laughed aloud in the middle of the store as I spotted an end cap display.

It prominently featured gigantic bags of rock salt — plus modern ice cream makers designed to look just like the old-fashioned wooden bucket kind we owned.

It seems like we aren’t the only ones craving a taste of nostalgia and homemade ice cream…

So I thought it’d be fun to share some healthy ice cream recipes with you! Don’t worry — all of these can be made in a modern ice cream maker. No hand-cranking or antiques required!

Even better? These ice cream recipes take less than 5 minutes to prep!

THE BEST HEALTHY HOMEMADE ICE CREAM RECIPES

Healthy Chocolate Ice Cream. A true classic! It’s velvety smooth with a really rich chocolate flavor. It’s the most popular ice cream recipe I’ve shared on my blog!


Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream. Another classic! This luxurious ice cream has a lovely sweet vanilla flavor. It’s the perfect backdrop for just about any mix-ins and toppings too!


Healthier Cookies ’n Cream Ice Cream. This was one of my favorite flavors as a little kid! I’d eat all of the vanilla ice cream and save the Oreo chunks for last. (I may or may not still do that…)


Healthy Spiced Ice Cream. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it! I know that spices in ice cream might sound a little strange… But MAN. I ate spoonful after spoonful of this — and quickly went back for thirds. There’s something positively magical about those cozy spices mixed in with the sweet, thick, velvety smooth vanilla ice cream!

Side Note: This was partially inspired by the cinnamon gelato I had in Canada during my senior year of high school. It’s one of the best flavors I’ve ever had (if not THE best!), all because of that cozy spice flavor. Highly, highly recommend!


Healthy Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream. For those of us living in places where it’s too hot and doesn’t feel like fall until November, this is my idea of a great compromise! It has those same sweet and comforting flavors as your favorite pumpkin baked treats… But you don’t need to turn on the oven or heat up your house to enjoy it. 😉

Tip: I also added coffee to make it taste like a Starbucks PSL (delicious — and SO good!), but you can easily omit the coffee if you aren’t a fan!

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY ICE CREAM

I’ve walked you through the exact steps of how to make healthy ice cream in each of the recipes linked above (including video versions for the chocolate, cookies ’n cream, and pumpkin spice flavors!), but I’ll briefly recap the key steps here as well.

Start with cold ingredients. Unlike many baking recipes, like cookies and cakes, you actually want your ingredients to be cold — not room temperature! This helps make the process faster… Which also means you get to eat ice cream that much sooner. 😉

Use an ice cream maker. Yes, it’s entirely possible to make healthy ice cream without an ice cream maker — and I’ll share more on that in a moment! However, I’ve found that an ice cream maker yields the best texture for homemade ice cream. It’s thick, creamy, and velvety smooth with an irresistible texture just like soft-serve. (Yum!)

This is the modern ice cream maker that I own. It’s affordable and really easy to use! I actually bought it in two different colors, white and teal. That’s how much I like it!

Use the “no ice cream maker” method. I’ve included how to make each of these healthy ice cream flavors without an ice cream maker in the Notes section of the recipe (located directly underneath the Instructions!). You’ll need a metal baking pan, a spatula, an arm that’s ready to stir stir stir, and some patience. (It does take a lot longer compared to using an ice cream maker!) The texture will be a little more grainy or icy, but the flavors will remain the same!

FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY ICE CREAM

Can I substitute a different milk?
You sure can! If you don’t have the exact milk provided in the ingredients list, you can always use one with a higher percentage of milk fat. (For example, if the recipe calls for 2% milk, whole milk is fine to substitute!)

For a dairy free milk option, I recommend coconut milk. It has a great thick and luxuriously creamy texture!

I don’t recommend substituting almond milk, cashew milk, and oat milk. These all have a higher water content, which will yield an icy and hard texture in your ice cream. The same is also true of dairy milk with lower fat percentages (ie 1% or nonfat milk).

Can I substitute a different sweetener?
That should be fine! I haven’t tested these ice cream recipes with different sweeteners, but other readers have and said their ice cream still turned out really well. See the Notes section of each recipe for more information!

My ice cream never got thick. Why is that?
There are two main culprits! The first is that the milk mixture wasn’t in the ice cream maker long enough. The second is that the bowl of your ice cream maker didn’t freeze all the way prior to using it. Make sure you freeze the bowl for at least 12 hours — but closer to 24 hours is even better!

My ice cream turned icy and hard when I stored it in the freezer. Is that normal?
Yup, completely normal! These healthy homemade ice creams contain less fat than traditional recipes, and they don’t contain the stabilizers that some store-bought low-calorie ice creams have either. As a result, they turn much harder when stashed in the freezer, almost like they’re rock-solid. That’s why I recommend eating your ice cream as soon as it’s made — that’s when it has the best texture and consistency! 😉

However… I have a really simple trick to solving that hard and icy issue! Just let the ice cream thaw on the counter for a bit (or briefly pop it in the microwave!). That’ll help it soften so it’s easier to scoop — and so it has a much nicer, softer, and smoother texture for eating too!

Can I share a picture of my ice cream with you?
Absolutely!! I’d LOVE that! ♡ The best way to do that is to share your picture with me on Facebook or on Instagram. If you share it with me on Instagram, remember to use #amyshealthybaking and tag @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 🙂 ) I can’t wait to see your healthy homemade ice cream and hear what you think of it!

Healthy Ice Cream Recipes | Amy's Healthy Baking (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest form of ice cream? ›

Gelato (also the Italian word for ice cream) is usually considered a healthier option than soft serve and hard ice cream. The refreshing dessert is specifically made with a higher proportion of milk to cream, creating less fat than traditional ice cream, says Mary Sabat, a nutritionist and owner of BodyDesigns by Mary.

Is making your own ice cream healthier? ›

Despite its merits, ice cream isn't a particularly healthy food. However, you are able to reduce the amounts of fat and sugar that go into it, if you make your own. You can also avoid the preservatives and any hidden ingredients found in store-bought products.

How is low calorie ice cream made? ›

Low-calorie ice creams can be made with low-fat dairy, artificial sweeteners, and/or milk alternatives to cut down on the number of calories. However, that doesn't necessarily make these desserts healthier. Some low-calorie ice creams may be highly processed, while others contain more sugar than regular ice cream.

Is Breyers real ice cream? ›

Breyers® Natural Vanilla ice cream today still holds true to his ideals. What could be simpler than using ingredients like fresh cream, sugar, and milk? To make things even sweeter, the milk and cream are 100% Grade A and come from American cows not treated with artificial growth hormones*.

Can you eat ice cream everyday and be healthy? ›

Experts suggest eating any foods that contain added sugar and saturated fat, like ice cream, in a moderate and mindful way. In excess, these foods might displace nutritious choices in your diet and increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes over time.

Can I eat ice cream everyday and still lose weight? ›

“The good news is that you can still eat ice cream daily and lose weight,” Jacobson says. “The key is to be mindful of the portion size and how that fits into your overall calorie and added sugar intake.

Is homemade ice cream better than store? ›

It's crazy delicious.

This is the single most important reason. It's all about the flavor. Homemade ice cream, without artificial ingredients, fake thickeners, or unnatural stabilizers to keep it "fresh" for weeks (or months!) in the grocery store freezer, is amazingly flavorful and actually fresh tasting. It's true.

Is Halo Top actually healthy? ›

Though lower in calories, Halo Top should not be viewed as healthy but instead as what it really is — a lower calorie alternative to ice cream. Aside from calcium and protein, Halo Top is not a good source of nutrients.

Is it OK to eat ice cream on a diet? ›

It's unhealthy

“This frozen dessert is still high in saturated fat and sugar and should be treated as a once-in-a-while treat,” says Bartell. And while milk-based ice cream does contain calcium, so do other, healthier options, such as Greek yogurt.

Does homemade ice cream have less calories? ›

Here's a simple recipe for low-fat vanilla ice cream. Our version has all the richness you'll need but about 90 fewer calories than store-bought premium ice cream and a whopping 15 grams less total fat and 10 grams less saturated fat per serving.

What is like ice cream but healthier? ›

Frozen yogurt: Unlike ice cream, which is made with cream and sugar, frozen yogurt is made with yogurt and often contains less sugar and fat. Choose a plain or fruit-flavored frozen yogurt and add your own toppings like fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds.

What is the secret ingredient to ice cream? ›

The cream cheese helps create an ice cream with a denser, smoother texture. As explained by TASTE, cream cheese acts as a stabilizer in ice cream, preventing water from seeping out of the milk and cream as well as preventing the formation of ice crystals that detract from ice cream's creaminess.

Which ice cream is the least unhealthy? ›

Oldson recommends Haagen-Dazs as her top ice cream choice for a healthy diet, since this brand uses only “cream, skim milk, cane sugar, egg yolks and vanilla extract” to make vanilla ice cream. Elizabeth Quinn, a certified nutritionist and the creator of Whole Story Nutrition, agreed.

Why is gelato healthier than ice cream? ›

The main difference between ice cream and gelato is their fat content. With only 4-9% fat to the usual 10-25% of ice cream, gelato usually is lighter and healthier. Per portion, however, the answer is clear, gelato is typically healthier than ice cream.

Is slow churned ice cream better for you? ›

Slow churned is lower in fat and calories than ice cream, but not as low in fat as yogurt is. There are plenty of brands to choose from and a variety of flavors (try to stick to simple flavors so you don't drive up the calorie count with chocolate and peanut butter swirls).

Which is healthier sorbet or sherbet? ›

Sherbet is made with dairy, so it contains a little bit of fat. One ½ cup serving of sherbet averages around 130 calories and 1 to 3 grams of fat. Sorbet is made with just fruit and sugar and is therefore fat-free. There are between 120 to 150 calories per ½ cup of sorbet.

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