By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On February 9, 2023

The base for this gluten free ice cream recipe only uses 3 ingredients and it's super simple to make.

Specialty gluten free ice creams can be expensive to buy. Making gluten free ice cream from scratch is inexpensive, and it's completely delicious.

You can add in your favorite ingredients to mix up the flavors and make your favorite gluten free ice cream. Dairy-free option included.

Table of Contents

GLUTEN FREE ICE CREAM RECIPE

If you've ever been intimidated to make gf ice cream from scratch, you're going to love this gluten free ice cream recipe. It uses a few simple ingredients, it's smooth and creamy, and you can make it exactly the way you want it.

No need to buy more expensive store bought ice creams and no more hard or icy tubs of homemade gluten free ice cream. This recipe will save you from all of that!

And the best part is, you don't need an ice cream maker to make this gluten free ice cream recipe. Anyone can make it - it's that simple.

Try this recipe for Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream for a special treat. After making homemade ice cream, try your hand at making gluten-free ice cream cones too!

IS ICE CREAM GLUTEN FREE?

Not all store bought ice creams are gluten free. Some brands add ingredients for color or flavor that have gluten in them. Look for the gluten-free label and always check ingredients to be sure they don't contain gluten.

If you're looking for ice cream maker recipes you'll want to check out this list of Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Recipes.

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN FREE ICE CREAM

Sweetened Condensed Milk - In ice cream recipes, this canned, sweetened milk replaces the egg custard that some recipes use to make things rich and creamy. It's a convenience, and a very handy one. Dairy free sweetened condensed milk can also be used.

Vanilla Extract - The basic gluten free ice cream recipe that we're making uses vanilla as it's flavoring. If you're changing the flavor using other extracts, you can leave out the vanilla.

Heavy Whipping Cream - Heavy cream makes this ice cream rich and creamy!

Salt - Just a bit brings out the sweetness of the ice cream and the flavor of the vanilla.

Add-Ins - Optionally, you can add whatever you like to your gluten free ice cream. See below for ideas.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you.

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE ICE CREAM FROM SCRATCH

Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper. Place in the freezer.
Combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla paste (or extract), and salt in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate mixing bowl, beat heavy whipping cream on medium high speed until stiff peaks form, similar to making whipped cream.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk. If desired, stir in any add-ins you'd like.
Pour into prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze at least 6 hours or overnight.
Serve in a gluten free ice cream cone and enjoy!

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes only. Please see the printable recipe card below.

GLUTEN FREE COOKIES AND CREAM ICE CREAM

To make the cookies and cream gluten free ice cream shown in the pictures, I added in about ¾ cup of crushed gluten free chocolate sandwich cookies.

This gluten free cookies and cream ice cream is also pretty amazing sandwiched in a gluten free ice cream sandwich. Or use your gluten free ice cream to make chocolate covered Ice Cream Bites.

WHY YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS GLUTEN FREE ICE CREAM RECIPE

Simple to Make: This gluten free ice cream recipe doesn't require any cooking, nor does it require any fancy ingredients. It's easy!

Step By Step Instructions: Are you new to making homemade ice cream? No worries, I'm giving you step by step ice cream making instructions and lots of helpful tips along the way. You'll be a pro in no time.

Add-ins: You can leave them out, but we don't recommend it.

No Eggs: Some gluten free ice creams require egg yolks to create a creamy custard-y base. Not this one. It's creamy and perfect without any eggs at all.

No Chemicals: Store bought ice creams are often filled with preservatives. You don't need any to make this homemade gluten free ice cream recipe.

HOW TO STORE GLUTEN FREE ICE CREAM

Store this gluten free ice cream in the freezer in an airtight container with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper pressed on top for up to one month.

TIPS FOR MAKING THIS CHRISTMAS ICE CREAM

Use quality ingredients – When making homemade ice cream, you’ll want to make sure you are using high quality ingredients for the best outcome.

Chill out – If possible, always start with chilled ingredients. This is important for homemade no-churn ice cream recipes and ice cream maker recipes.

Don’t skimp on the fat – High fat milks and creams are essential when making homemade ice cream. Opting for a low-fat option often leads to icy ice creams and inconsistency in the texture.

Don’t go crazy with the add-ins – If you’re adding in additional ingredients, pick one or two and make sure they are chopped into pieces no larger than a blueberry or pea.

DAIRY FREE OPTION FOR MAKING GLUTEN FREE ICE CREAM

You can make this gluten free ice cream dairy-free. Simply make the whipping cream from full fat coconut cream (coconut CREAM not full fat coconut milk, the cream is 98% solid, with almost no liquid) and use sweetened condensed coconut milk (we like Natures Charm). Just note that if you make it dairy-free, the texture will be different.

GLUTEN FREE ICE CREAM ADD-INS

We love adding different ingredients to our gluten free ice cream recipe, to make different flavors. Here are a few of our favorites:

Gluten free cookies, crushed
Paleo cookie dough, made into little cookie dough balls and stirred in
Peanut butter and chocolate sauce
Mint extract and mini chocolate chips
Chocolate chips tend to sink, use shaved chocolate instead.
Chopped fresh strawberries
Sprinkles! (gluten free, of course)
Cotton candy flavoring to make cotton candy ice cream

You can add in your favorite options, to make any flavor you want. Just make sure the ingredients are gluten free.

Do you have an ice cream maker? Check out these Cuisinart ice cream maker recipes.

DOES ICE CREAM HAVE GLUTEN?

Ice cream, if made from basic, natural ingredients, is naturally gluten free. Issues come in when ice cream has things added to it that include gluten, or if there is cross-contamination during production. I feel much safer making my own gluten free ice cream from scratch so that I can control all of those variables.

STORE BOUGHT GLUTEN FREE ICE CREAM

Gluten free ice cream is available in stores! Note that many of these brands have both gluten free ice cream flavors and non gluten free ice cream flavors so be sure to look at the labels and do your own research before purchasing.

So Delicious
Breyers
Cashewtopia
Simple Truth
Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss
NadaMoo!
Talenti
Many Ben & Jerry's flavors

WHY IS MY ICE CREAM HARD TO SCOOP?

You should see in the instructions that I recommend letting the ice cream sit at room temperature before scooping. Directly from the freezer, it will be too hard to scoop, but should be easy after thawing a bit.

Commercial ice creams typically include preservatives which allow them to be softer when frozen. Since our homemade gluten free ice cream doesn't include any chemicals, we need to use time to get it soft enough.

Did you make this gluten-free ice cream recipe? Leave a comment below letting me know what you thought and what add-ins you included.

Yield: 12 Servings

Gluten Free Ice Cream

Name: Gluten Free Ice Cream
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 6 h 5 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 14 oz sweetened condensed milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (omit if making other flavors); ¼ teaspoon salt; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; optional add-ins: ½ - 1 cup of add-ins like mini chocolate chips, cookie pieces, chopped nuts, etc.

The base for this gluten free ice cream recipe only uses 3 ingredients and it's super simple to make. You can add in your favorite ingredients to mix up the flavors and make your favorite gluten free ice cream. Dairy-free option included.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Freezing Time 6 hours

Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

14 oz sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (omit if making other flavors)
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups heavy whipping cream
optional add-ins: ½ - 1 cup of add-ins like mini chocolate chips, cookie pieces, chopped nuts, etc.

Instructions

Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper. Place in the freezer.
Combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla paste (or extract), and salt in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate mixing bowl, beat heavy whipping cream on medium high speed until stiff peaks form, similar to making whipped cream.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk. If desired, stir in any add-ins you'd like.
Pour into prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze at least 6 hours or overnight.

Notes

Make sure the whipping cream is cold before starting.
It’s best to used chilled bowls, but it’s not necessary for this recipe.
To make Dairy Free, Gluten Free Ice Cream: Simply make the whipping cream from full fat coconut cream (coconut CREAM not full fat coconut milk, the cream is 98% solid, with almost no liquid) and use sweetened condensed coconut milk (we like Natures Charm). Just note that if you make it dairy-free, the texture will be different.

Flavors: you can use different extracts to make different flavors. Substitute other extracts as a 1-to-1 with the vanilla extract/paste. For example, use mint extract for a mint flavored ice cream. See more ideas in the post above. Don't use heavy ingredients like chocolate chips as they tend to sink to the bottom.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

2 scoops
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 387Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 177mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 1gSugar: 32gProtein: 6g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.

images of gluten free cookies and cream ice cream with a text overlay in the center

Thanks for sharing!

Comments

Alene

June 10, 2020 at 10:24 am

This is wonderful, Chrystal! I have to be lactose free as well as gluten free. It seems, though, that I can process whole cream, which is great. One of my favorite flavors is mint chip, and my husband hates it, so I can make it all for me! Thank you!

- chrystal
  
  June 10, 2020 at 1:37 pm
  
  I love mint chip! Let me know how it turns out.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
  - Annabelle
    
    July 05, 2021 at 10:39 am
    
    Hello, I have started to make this recipe with coconut creme. I whipped it and it wasn't coming together so I am chilling it in the freezer. What's wrong? I am worried it won't work! I used natural value organic coconut cream. If that helps.
    Best wishes,
    Annabelle
    
    - chrystal
      
      July 05, 2021 at 1:58 pm
      
      Hi Annabelle,
      Is it full fat coconut cream? When you opened the can was it solid? Also, are you mixing it with coconut sweetened condensed milk?
      
      Best,
      Chrystal
      
Parm

June 15, 2020 at 7:32 am

This looks delicious - excited to try it! Are the cones you have shown also gluten free? If so, can you link the brand?

Thanks!

- chrystal
  
  June 15, 2020 at 7:41 am
  
  Hi! I used Goldbaum's Gluten Free Sugar Cones. I got them at target. I'll try to find a link and add it in 🙂
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
Griss

January 10, 2021 at 7:47 pm

I’m actually confused. The condensed milk doesn’t say that it’s gluten-free. Is there a specific brand? Thank you

- chrystal
  
  January 11, 2021 at 12:18 pm
  
  You can use regular sweetened condensed milk. Sorry for the confusion.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
Roberta

May 13, 2021 at 10:56 am

Does sweetened condensed milk contain sugar? I have to avoid sugar.

- chrystal
  
  May 14, 2021 at 7:39 am
  
  Yes, it does.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
Graeme dyble

May 25, 2023 at 2:27 am

Hi .
Can you make home made gluten free ice cream in a normal home ice cream maker

TIA graeme

- Wendy Stoltz
  
  May 29, 2023 at 7:43 pm
  
  Hi Graeme,
  
  Yes, you can, but not neccesary.

Gluten-Free Ice Cream