The nation’s freezers are stocked with plenty of dairy-free ice cream options. From Ben & Jerry’s to Häagen-Dazs, you can take your pick from delicious, velvety frozen treats every time you head to the store.
But while it’s undeniably convenient to grab a tub of your favorite dairy-free ice cream when you’re in the grocery store, making your own is arguably more fun. It’s also more creative; you have full control over the ingredients, flavors, and mix-ins, and can experiment with seasonal fruit, different spices, or savory ingredients. Not to mention, making your own ice cream is also fresher and often healthier, too.
When you whip up your own ice cream at home, you can choose high-quality natural ingredients, control the sugar content, add healthy ingredients (like nuts and fresh fruit), and avoid the use of additives, artificial colors, and preservatives.
If you’re feeling inspired to start creating your own ice cream concoctions, we’ve found five ice cream makers to get you started below. Yep, you can definitely use dairy-free milk in an ice cream maker. It doesn’t matter which you prefer; all will work just like cow’s milk.
Ninja
For superior silky-smooth results, the Ninja Creami
- Seven one-touch programs
- Delivers a smooth, very creamy texture every time
- Dishwasher safe
This 800W 7-in-1 model from Ninja can make everything from ice cream and sorbet to milkshakes, thanks to its customizable texture settings. Its signature Creamerizer Paddle transforms ingredients into creamy frozen treats in just minutes, and reviewers call it “impressive,” a “powerhouse,” and “well worth the price.” Cleanup is just as easy, since the pint containers, storage lids, and paddle are all dishwasher-safe.
shop amazon, $219.99
Nutribullet
Space-saving and doesn’t compromise on performance: NutriBullet Chill
- Sleek and compact
- Highly efficient
- Very easy to clean
The NutriBullet Chill earned a spot on our list of the best 2026 kitchen appliances for good reason. Like the Ninja Creami, it makes velvety-smooth vegan ice cream with ease, but it’s also compact and easy to clean. With five presets—including Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Smoothie Bowl, and Frozen Yogurt—it can handle just about any frozen treat you’re craving. Plus, it’s available in a range of stylish colors that look great on the countertop.
Shop Amazon, $199.99
Cuisinart
Want fresh ice cream fast? Try the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
- Can make ice cream in 20 minutes or less
- Easy to assemble
- Double-insulated 1.5 quart freezer bowl
This model from Cuisinart features a new patent-pending mixing paddle that, according to the brand, can whip up your favorite frozen desserts, including sorbet and frozen yogurt, in just 20 minutes (or less!). It’s easy to use thanks to the wide feeding spout and can hold around six one-cup servings in the double-insulated freezer bowl. Reviewers say it’s “easy to assemble, use, and clean” and it “churns effectively without human help.”
Shop Amazon, $104
Dash
An affordable ice cream maker perfect for beginners: Dash My Pint
- Makes single servings in less than 30 minutes
- Budget-friendly price
- Compact design
If you’re not so sure about making your own ice cream just yet but would like to give it a go, you probably don’t want to splash out on an expensive machine. Instead, experiment with this machine from Dash for just over $20. It can make single servings of ice cream in less than 30 minutes, and its compact design means it’s easy to store and clean. Reviewers say it’s “easy to set up” and perfect for making soft-serve and frozen yogurt.
shop amazon, $29.99
KitchenAid
Turn your KitchenAid into an ice cream machine
- No need for a new bulky appliance
- Easy to use
- Makes ice cream in 30 minutes or less
If you already own a KitchenAid stand mixer, you may not need a separate ice cream maker at all. Instead, consider the brand’s two-quart ice cream maker attachment, designed specifically for making homemade frozen treats. Simply freeze the bowl, attach it to your mixer, select the stir speed, pour in your ice cream base, and let it churn. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have delicious soft-serve-style ice cream. For a firmer texture, just transfer it to the freezer for a few hours before serving.
Shop Amazon, $119.99
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
