Sugar Free Ice Cream

Homemade Sugar Free Ice Cream is the perfect cool treat when you’re craving something delicious and refreshing without the added carbs and sugar!

This sugar free vanilla bean ice cream is rich and creamy, made with just four ingredients, and mixed up quickly and easily in your ice cream maker.

No sugar ice cream made from scratch is low-carb, keto-friendly, diabetic-friendly, gluten-free, and totally amazing!

a sugar cone filled with scoops of sugar free vanilla ice cream.

Ice cream has always been considered an indulgence. It’s decadent and rich from heavy cream and whole milk, and sweetened, typically with sugar.

This can often mean that ice cream is off-limits to some, and we can’t have that here!

Traditional ice cream is a high-calorie, carb-heavy dessert, and if that doesn’t work for your lifestyle or diet choices, then you’re going to be thrilled to have found this easy recipe for sugar free ice cream!

Made with your favorite powdered low-carb sugar substitute such as powdered Swerve, Besti allulose sugar replacement, or Lakanto monkfruit and erythritol blend, this ice cream is suitable for special diets, but can be enjoyed by all!

For a sugar free brownie sundae, top a gluten free sugar free brownie with a scoop of this sugar free ice cream.

Why You’re Going to Love this Sugar Free Ice Cream Recipe

The best part about this ice cream is that everyone can enjoy it! You can call this diabetic ice cream, no sugar added ice cream, low-carb ice cream, or just call it tasty homemade vanilla bean ice cream.

If you don’t tell anyone, they probably won’t even notice that this vanilla ice cream recipe is sugar-free! It’s still rich, sweet, and delicious, just like ice cream should be.

You’ll also love the simplicity of this no sugar ice cream recipe. It truly only requires four ingredients. There’s no cooking involved, and your ice cream maker will do most of the work!

If you’re looking for other heavenly ice cream recipes to fit alternative dietary requirements, check out our dairy-free Oat Milk Ice Cream, and vegan Coconut Ice Cream next.

You can even make ice cream for your dog with our simple recipe! Everyone should be able to enjoy ice cream.

separate bowls of swerve sugar substitute, whole milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.

Ingredients in Homemade Sugar Free Ice Cream

Whole Milk and Heavy Cream – We tested this recipe with various amounts of both of these dairy ingredients and found that an equal amount of each resulted in sugar free ice cream with the best creamy texture.

Confectioner’s Sugar Substitute – Because we aren’t cooking or heating the ice cream base, you want to use a powdered sugar substitute. This way the sweetener will fully dissolve into the milk without any problems.

Vanilla Bean Paste – I love using this to get a really rich, strong vanilla flavor, plus it adds those little flecks of vanilla! This recipe will also work with a good quality pure vanilla extract (add two teaspoons for the same effect), or the seeds from one whole vanilla bean.

A collage of four images showing how to make sugar free ice cream with an ice cream maker

How to Make Sugar Free Ice Cream from Scratch

Start the day before by making sure that the bowl for your ice cream maker has at least 24 hours to freeze solid.

  1. Mix Everything Up – Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until the sugar substitute has dissolved.
  2. Churn – Add the ice cream base to your ice cream maker and freeze according to your manufacturer’s instructions. Here I’m using the ice cream attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer, and it took about 18 minutes.
  3. Freeze – You can enjoy the ice cream right out of the machine, but for a solid, scoopable dessert, transfer it to a shallow container or loaf pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for 6 hours, or until set.
  4. Enjoy! Let your sugar free icecream sit out at room temperature for 5 minutes or so to soften before scooping it.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for making homemade sugar free ice cream, please see the recipe below.

a cone of sugar free vanilla ice cream. A hand is adding sprinkles to the top.

How to Store Sugar Free Ice Cream

Store this homemade no sugar 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.

The paper on the surface keeps air away from the ice cream and discourages freezer burn or crystallization.

Tips for Making This Sugar Free Ice Cream Recipe

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 milk and cream 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.

Use Your Favorite Sweetener – But be sure to use one that comes in a powdered version. It’s also important to use a no-sugar sweetener that is a 1:1 substitute for sugar. There are some sweeteners that are much more sweet than sugar and those won’t work well here.

Is There Ice Cream for Diabetics?

This sugar-free ice cream recipe is a wonderful option for people watching their sugar intake due to diabetes or any other reason.

Is This Ice Cream Recipe Completely Sugar Free?

There is naturally occurring sugar in dairy cream and milk, so it is nearly impossible to create an ice cream recipe with zero sugar in it.

Swapping sugar for a sugar-free alternative means that this recipe is technically a no sugar added ice cream, with the least amount of sugar in it as possible, while still being delicious and creamy.

a cake cone filled with scoops of vanilla ice cream. Text overlay says "sugar free ice cream"

No Churn Sugar Free Ice Cream Directions

Chill a shallow container or a loaf pan in the freezer while you mix the ice cream ingredients.

Pour the ice cream mixture into the prepared pan and freeze for 3-4 hours. Stir the ice cream every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours to help add air. This will help create a creamy, smooth texture.

Sugar Free Ice Cream Add-Ins

When choosing mix-ins for your homemade no-sugar added ice cream, you should try to be mindful that your add-ins aren’t also adding too much sugar!

Try chopped peanuts or almonds, sugar-free chocolate sauce, fresh berries, a swirl of peanut butter, or dark chocolate chunks. You can also top a bowl of sugar free ice cream with sugar free whipped cream.

Sugar Free Ice Cream Flavor Options

If you’re not into vanilla, you can play around with this recipe to make different flavors!

Keep the recipe exactly the same, including the vanilla, but add ½ teaspoon of peppermint, coconut, almond, or other flavor extract.

You can also mix in up to ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to make this a sugar free chocolate ice cream.

More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

Try these recipes for frozen treats that are made with all-natural ingredients.

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Did you make this Homemade Sugar Free Ice Cream Recipe? Leave a Comment Below letting us know what you thought and if you added any additional add-ins.

a sugar cone filled with scoops of sugar free vanilla ice cream.

Sugar Free Ice Cream

Yield: 1 quart
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Freezing Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 21 minutes

Homemade Sugar Free Ice Cream is the perfect cool treat when you're craving something delicious and refreshing without the added carbs and sugar!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup confectioner’s sugar substitute (such as Swerve)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until the sugar substitute has dissolved– about 30 seconds. 
  2. Transfer the ice cream base to your ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In my Kitchenaid Ice Cream Attachment– freezing took about 18 minutes. 
  3. For soft serve, enjoy the ice cream immediately. 
  4. For scoopable ice cream, transfer the soft frozen base to a 9x5” loaf pan and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Place the ice cream in the freezer until set– at least 6 hours. Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly, then scoop and enjoy. 

Notes

  • You can use your favorite sugar free sweetener in this recipe, but I suggest using one that is powdered so that it dissolves easily.
  • In place of vanilla bean paste, use double the amount of vanilla extract, or the seeds from one whole vanilla bean pod.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 215Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g

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