Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream | Just 4 Simple Ingredients

Name: Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream | Just 4 Simple Ingredients
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 270 min
Total time: 290 min
Ingredients: 2 13.5-oz cans full fat coconut milk ((approx 3 1/3 cups)); 1/2 cup regular unsweetened coconut milk (or unsweetened milk of choice ); 1/3 cup pure maple syrup; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Updated: Sep 24, 2024 · Published: Jul 19, 2010 by Lacey Baier · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. · 49 Comments

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Do you want to make the creamiest ice cream ever? Everyone loves this healthy vanilla ice cream recipe. It has just 4 ingredients and is simple to make!

Can you believe this ice cream recipe has just 4 ingredients?

I know, right?

This super easy healthy vanilla ice cream recipe is decadent and delicious. And it is so creamy, too!

Making your own ice cream to enjoy alongside cookies (check out these protein paleo cookies), brownies, or even on top of pumpkin pie is the best!

To me, ice cream has summer written all over it but to be honest...I adore ice cream all year long. Especially when it’s a recipe made from clean ingredients that fit in with my healthy lifestyle.

This healthy vanilla ice cream recipe definitely fits the bill. No refined sugar? Check! Vegan? Check! Made with full fat coconut milk, this cold and creamy treat is going to be your favorite ice cream.

Let’s make it, shall we?

Overhead image of the ingredients for Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream including coconut milk, pure maple syrup and pure vanilla.

Is Vanilla Ice Cream Healthy?

This vanilla ice cream is indeed healthy. Let’s look at the full fat coconut milk.

Coconut milk is made from coconut flesh and water
It has fiber and protein
Coconut milk has magnesium, iron, potassium, manganese and others (all important!)
Use coconut milk in your coffee and in good for you smoothies

The fact that we use maple syrup as the sweetener is a bonus since we all want to avoid processed sugar. The simple ingredients list means that this healthy vanilla ice cream is clean eating, too. Hurrah!

Overhead view of the ingredients for Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream being mixed into a white bowl with a whisk.

What’s In This Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream?

Simple ingredients that are easy to find make this creamy ice cream a must-try!

Here's all you need...

Full fat coconut milk
Regular unsweetened coconut milk or unsweetened milk of choice like almond milk
Pure maple syrup
Vanilla extract

What Is The Cleanest Ice Cream?

The cleanest ice cream will always be the one with minimal ingredients – and of course, ingredients that you can pronounce! Look for ice cream that is made with natural ingredients and sweetened with foods like cinnamon, vanilla extract or banana. It's also possible to make ice cream just with fresh fruit, like this cantaloupe ice cream recipe.

Always avoid refined sugar in the ice cream you buy and that includes things like sucralose and maltitol syrup. (Find out how to wean yourself off sugar in my post; it’s entirely possible!)

If you make your own ice cream, you’ll be eating the cleanest ice cream possible.

Overhead image of a white bowl containing the mixed ingredients for Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream, a whisk is in the bowl.

What Is The Unhealthiest Ice Cream?

Any store-bought ice cream with an ingredients list a mile long is unhealthy. Even some ice cream brands with just a few ingredients will have an item or two included that is not the best for you.

These are just a few to avoid:

Carrageenan
Cellulose gum
Artificial colors
Partially hydrogenated oils
Artificial colors
Soybean oil

Overhead view of a rectangular glass dish containing Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream; beside the dish is an ice cream scoop and two glass bowls with spoons.

Is It Okay to Eat Ice Cream Every Night?

This is almost a trick question, isn’t it? Sure, this is a healthy vanilla ice cream, but it is ice cream nonetheless! Coconut milk does contain some fat.

If you were to eat ice cream every night and skip other healthy foods, that would be a bad idea. If you indulged in ice cream every night and did not exercise, meaning you were sedentary all day, then that would not be wise.

What I’m saying is everything in moderation and take the time to do other things that are good for you like working out, drinking lots of water, filling your plate with tons of veggies, and making sure you walk whenever you get the chance. If you do that, then it is okay to enjoy ice cream now and then.

But personally, I would vary it up with a yummy shake or a chia pudding once in a while!

Side view of 3 glass bowls with spoons, one of them containing Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream; a rectangular glass dish with ice cream sits beside.

How To Make Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream

Making this sweet treat takes only 20 minutes. Then, you’ll need to leave it in your ice cream maker for about 3-4 hours.

So it’s pretty simple...

Open two 13.5-oz cans of full fat coconut milk
Add ½ cup of regular unsweetened coconut milk or an unsweetened milk of your choice
Add ⅓ cup of pure maple syrup
Mix in 2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
Pour into the ice cream maker!

How To Store Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream

This recipe makes about 5 cups. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to eat. Enjoy!

Overhead close up view of a glass bowl containing Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream.

More Healthy Ice Cream Recipes

I told you I LOVE ice cream, right? I’ve got more recipes for you to try!

This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.