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Home » What's Cooking

Cauliflower Ice Cream - Low carb, Keto Friendly, paleo, Vegan, Dairy free

February 18, 2017 by Irina 54 Comments

Did you just say "Cauliflower WHAT the heck?" Yep, I had the same reaction...

One Sunday morning my daughter and I were watching the cooking show on NBC channel. There was a cute guy blogger named Danny Seo, demonstrating his DIY and lifestyle hacks and recipes featuring all natural stuff. Then he showed one of his recipes in action and it was called Cauliflower Ice cream! My daughter and I looked at each other: Cauliflower what? We watched the exciting very well put together video and the ice cream looked quite delicious.

       Couple of weeks later I saw Danny's similar episode, but this time on Harry Connick Jr.'s show. With Harry himself and his studio audience trying the cauliflower ice cream and raving about it, I knew I had to give it a try.
dairy free ice cream, cauliflower ice cream
       I loved to see the 2 main ingredients were my favorite. I love cooking with cauliflower. Cauliflower has mild or practically no taste and airy texture and it is so healthy. The second main ingredient is coconut milk that is highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats, I thought what a great way to sneak good stuff in your food and to put it into a healthy dessert. So I was very excited to thrill my family and my dairy-free guests with this out-of this world ice cream.

         My thoughts: After I made it, the cauliflower ice cream did not taste like cauliflower at all.  It was smooth in texture almost like a gelato, there was a hint of coconut flavor and some presence of vanilla.  It definitely would go well with some crushed nuts or something crunchy or even a brownie.

       On my photos you can see I topped ice cream with pistachios and served with the side of cheesecake muffins dipped in chocolate. In my later tries, I have been adding some fruits (raspberries and blueberries) to the mixture and it added more delicious flavor to Cauliflower Ice cream. So feel free to give both (nuts and berries) toppings a try
vegan vanilla ice cream, cauliflower ice cream
         Ready to try for yourself? It's really easy to make (About 5-10 min prep time) All you need is throw ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth.
Ingredients:
½ head cauliflower (about 1½ cups florets) - You can also use 1½ cups of frozen riced cauliflower
1 cup cashews, soaked and drained - yep, there's more benefits to soaked cashews - just place them in filtered or warm water and and soak for at least 3 hours.
1 can coconut milk - Found in most supermarkets, canned isle. I used full fat Goya coconut milk, you can sub for low fat.
2 vanilla beans, scraped.  You can also use pure vanilla bean paste.
¼ cup coconut oil
½ cup maple syrup  (Can substitute for sugar free maple syrup)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon almond extract
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup pistachios, chopped as a topping (or preferred topping of choice)
Directions
  1. Cut the cauliflower into florets. Steam or boil for 2 minutes, or until tender. Drain and cool.
  2. Add the cooked cauliflower, cashews, coconut milk, scraped vanilla beans, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt to a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
  3. If you have an ice-cream maker - churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I don't have an ice-cream maker so I poured the blended mixture from the blender directly to the glass loaf bakeware. Stir in the pistachios before storing the ice cream in the freezer. Or you can pour them on top after you scoop your ice cream.
  4. Freeze for at least 3-4 hours and take it out of freezer 20 minutes before serving or when you see it is soft enough to scoop with the ice cream scooper. Sprinkle with pistachios or other nuts or your favorite topping and enjoy while it's cold! Remember to try similar recipe with raspberries for an unbelievable flavor mix!

cauliflower ice cream

If you have friends that are dairy free or low carbers, please feel free to share this impressive Cauliflower ice cream dessert with them. If you make, it I would love to know what you thought of it. Write me a comment below or post a photo on my Facebook page.

Handy Cauliflower ice cream recipe printable and ice-cream making video in action is below and here's the nutrition facts. If you worry about saturated fat in coconut, feel free to substitute with lower-fat coconut milk.

Also try: Turmeric-Cumin Roasted Cauliflower bites - so easy and also loaded with vitamins and nutrients to help fight various diseases.

Cauliflower Ice cream nutrition factsDisclosure: This recipe is NOT sponsored or paid in any way. Affiliate links are present. If you purchase through my links I receive a small commission to support my blog, but it will not affect your purchase price.  I only recommend what I love and what I use in my own kitchen. All photos and suggestions are mine.

 

4.3 from 4 reviews
Cauliflower Ice Cream - Low carb, Keto Friendly, paleo, Vegan, Dairy free
 
Save Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
10 mins
Total time
20 mins
 
Author: Irina Davey of TheBigAppleMama.com
Recipe type: Vegan, Dairy Free
Cuisine: American
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • ½ head cauliflower (about 1½ cups florets) – You can also use 1½ cups of frozen riced cauliflower
  • 1 cup cashews, soaked and drained – yep, there’s more benefits to soaked cashews – just place them in filtered or warm water and and soak for at least 3 hours.
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 vanilla beans, scraped ( I got mine vanilla beans on Amazon. You can also use pure vanilla bean paste)
  • ¼ cup organic coconut oil
  • ½ cup organic maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon almond extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup pistachios, chopped for topping (or favorite topping of choice)
Instructions
  1. Cut the cauliflower into florets. Boil for 5 minutes, or until tender. Drain and cool.
  2. Add the cooked cauliflower, cashews, coconut milk, scraped vanilla beans, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt to a high speed blender and process until smooth.
  3. If you have an ice-cream maker – churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I don’t have an ice-cream maker so I poured the blended mixture from the blender directly to the glass loaf bakeware. Stir in the pistachios before storing the ice cream in the freezer. Or you can pour them on top after you scoop your ice cream.
  4. Freeze for at least 4-5 hours and take it out of freezer 30-40 minutes before serving or when you see it is soft enough to scoop with the ice cream scooper. Sprinkle with pistachios or other nuts or your favorite topping and enjoy while it’s cold!
3.5.3251

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda Christensen

    February 19, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    What is the calorie, cholesterol, sugar, etc. count on this ice cream?

    Reply
    • Irina

      February 19, 2017 at 11:47 pm

      Hi Linda, I will update the post, but this is what I have calculated so far based on 10 servings (1 scoop) I hope this helps
      Calories 217.7
      Total Fat 16.1 g
      Saturated Fat 9.6 g
      Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2 g
      Monounsaturated Fat 4.1 g
      Cholesterol 0.0 mg
      Sodium 98.1 mg
      Potassium 138.4 mg
      Total Carbohydrate 17.1 g
      Dietary Fiber 0.9 g
      Sugars 10.9 g
      Protein 2.7 g
      Vitamin A 0.0 %
      Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
      Vitamin B-6 3.4 %
      Vitamin C 13.7 %
      Vitamin D 0.0 %
      Vitamin E 0.5 %
      Calcium 2.0 %
      Copper 16.1 %
      Folate 4.4 %
      Iron 6.6 %
      Magnesium 9.9 %
      Manganese 33.5 %
      Niacin 1.4 %
      Pantothenic Acid 2.7 %
      Phosphorus 7.3 %
      Riboflavin 2.3 %
      Selenium 2.6 %
      Thiamin 2.4 %
      Zinc 9.8 %

      Reply
      • Chris S

        May 09, 2017 at 1:10 pm

        Wow, that's a lot of calories for one scoop of ice cream! Can anything be substituted to reduce calories by at least half?

        Reply
        • Irina

          May 09, 2017 at 2:25 pm

          YOu can perhaps try to substitute coconut milk with water or lower calorie drink, like almond milk. But it's all good fats in this concoction 🙂

          Reply
          • Chris S

            May 10, 2017 at 1:05 pm

            Thanks for the reply. I'm not as concerned with the fat content as I am with the calories.

  2. Kristen

    February 19, 2017 at 6:03 pm

    Hello!

    I want to try this but I'm allergic to all nuts. Is there anything I can sub with?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Irina

      February 19, 2017 at 11:49 pm

      Hi Kristen, You don't need to use pistachios. You can use your favorite toppings of your choice. Are you allergic to coconut milk and coconut oil?

      Reply
    • Laura

      November 06, 2017 at 12:20 am

      What about sunflower seed butter instead of cashews.

      Reply
      • Irina

        November 10, 2017 at 2:48 am

        I have not tried this recipe w sunflower seeds. Would you give this a try and to see if this works? Let me know how it come out..

        Reply
    • Tony cook

      August 16, 2020 at 8:54 am

      Try chestnuts I believe they are actually a fruit but are still listed as a nut! They are very healthy! Gluten free too

      Reply
  3. Sheri Weaver

    August 15, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    Can you use Cocoa Powder with the same recipe to make Choc Ice cream? Or other flavorings and use this as a base?

    Reply
    • Rick

      November 05, 2017 at 12:06 pm

      Good question - I’d love to know that as well,

      Reply
      • Irina

        November 05, 2017 at 11:52 pm

        You can absolutely use Cocoa Powder with the same recipe to make Choc flavored Ice cream. Also to make it more fruity, try with berries like raspberries, strawberries and blueberries

        Reply
  4. Yolanda

    March 03, 2018 at 2:20 pm

    Hi! and thank u for coming up with a sneaky awesome recipe for cauliflower! My son is very very very picky and will not even look at vegetables! This I have to try! I love it cause theres no baking involved! I tend to burn myself or the food! I have my family help a alot!

    I wanted to ask u if I dont have coconut milk and use skim milk will it still freeze the same? Anything in your recipe that is absolutely a must to freeze okay? I appreciate your advice!

    Reply
    • Irina

      March 04, 2018 at 12:14 am

      HI Yolanda,
      I haven't tried this with skim milk. Although I know that any milk should be able to freeze.
      Why don't you cut the recipe in half or quarter and give it shot. But I still recommend to use a little coconut milk , it needs for consistency, because it is much thicker. vs. regular milk is thinner and more liquidy.
      Good luck and let me know if you tried it and how it come out?

      Reply
  5. Cheryl

    March 16, 2018 at 12:45 am

    Could you use sugar free syrup to cut carbs even more?

    Reply
    • Irina

      March 16, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      Hi Cheryl, yes, Absolutely !

      Reply
    • ELLEN GROFF

      April 11, 2019 at 6:22 pm

      1/2 cup Maple Syrup wouldn't be good for Diabetics or folks wanting a true Keto diet. Too many carbs and pure sugar.
      My hubby suggested changing this to Splenda or Swerve and add Mapleine for the flavor (probably 1/4 to 1/2 tsp).

      We haven't tried it yet, but it sounds similar to Coconut milk based ice creams but much less sugar.

      Reply
      • Irina

        April 12, 2019 at 12:42 pm

        Absolutely,! You can also use Low carb Maple syrup. I found the monkfruit sweetened that tastes good. https://amzn.to/2Z6SdnP

        Reply
  6. Cathy

    May 04, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    Not sure how this is low carb with 1/2 cup maple sugar in it?

    Reply
  7. Michelle Sørum

    June 12, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    Hello,

    Most importantly, I want to thank you for this recipe as it is the only one I have found for cauliflower ice cream. I have a few questions though - do you mean a teaspoon each of vanilla and almond extract? I followed the instructions and used 1 tablespoon and it was so overpowering I had to make another batch without any extract to balance out the taste. Also, while delicious, the coconut and almond tastes overpower the cauliflower. Do you have another recipe in which the cauliflower taste shines through a bit more?

    Thanks,
    Michelle

    Reply
    • Irina

      June 13, 2018 at 4:27 pm

      HI Michelle,
      Thanks for your comment.
      The recipe asks for both 1t Vanilla and 1 t almond extract. I used both.
      Although later I thought that you can just get away with vanilla only....
      It also asks for scraped vanilla beans. I added them too. I felt like next time I would add just 1tsp vanilla and vanilla beans.
      Maybe cut the vanilla beans in half?

      I love this recipe because cauliflower adapts the taste of coconut and almonds. You don't even practically taste the cauliflower.

      Also if I may suggest, try to add berries if you like berry taste. It tasted amazing

      Reply
  8. Patricia Chenery

    July 07, 2018 at 5:47 pm

    I was surprised to see cauliflower ICE CREAM! Sounds delicious, I'll be trying it. Thank you so much for sharing it!

    I have tried the cloud bread, yet, for me it seems to be missing something, I will try your pizza crust with almond meal!

    Reply
    • Irina

      July 07, 2018 at 11:37 pm

      Thanks for trying Patricia! For cloud bread you want to experiment to add your favorite spices, herbs or chocolate

      Reply
  9. Bistra McCullough

    July 31, 2018 at 1:19 am

    Do you think the cashews can be substituted for socked almonds? Thanks

    Reply
    • Irina

      August 29, 2018 at 11:24 pm

      Hello...
      I haven't tried but yes, absolutely...
      Please let me know if you try and how it came out....

      Reply
  10. Marie Taschner

    October 25, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    If I use frozen riced cauliflower should I cook it first? If so, for how long? I am anxious to try your recipe!!

    Reply
    • Irina

      October 25, 2018 at 4:26 pm

      Yes frozen should work too... cook it according to the package instructions but I'd say 3 to 5 minutes

      Reply
  11. Kat

    February 23, 2019 at 9:11 am

    What are the nutrition facts per 1/2 cup serving? Or atleast just the calorie amount?

    Reply
    • Irina

      February 23, 2019 at 11:09 pm

      Calculated and added to the post

      Reply
  12. Susette

    March 02, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    We need to avoid cashews, pecans and pistachios due to allergy. All other tree nuts and legumes (including peanuts) are ok. Any recommendations for substitutions? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Irina

      March 02, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      Peanuts would be totally replaceable... also try to add some berries... delicious!

      Reply
  13. ELLEN GROFF

    April 11, 2019 at 6:19 pm

    1/2 cup Maple Syrup wouldn't be good for Diabetics or folks wanting a true Keto diet. Too many carbs and pure sugar.
    My hubby suggested changing this to Splenda or Swerve and add Mapleine for the flavor (probably 1/4 to 1/2 tsp).

    We haven't tried it yet, but it sounds similar to Coconut milk based ice creams but much less sugar.

    Reply
  14. Sharon

    May 06, 2019 at 8:48 pm

    Just made this for the first time using the recipe as is other than almonds in lieu of cashews. Can you use a nut butter instead of nuts? Mine came out a bit gritty.

    Also would highly recommend reducing the almond extract or just doubling the vanilla extract. The almond flavor was so strong that after a serving I said...well..we'll do better next time and called it a loss.

    Definitely no coconut or cauliflower taste...and I think once the flavor is perfected my dairy free husband may have a frozen treat!

    Reply
    • Irina

      May 08, 2019 at 3:25 pm

      HI Sharon... I loved your ideas... Yes, def. Nut butter can be substituted ....
      I agree... it is better to use just Vanilla extract.... The original recipe suggested almond extract...
      Let me know if you going to try with nut butter and here we go.... looks like the recipe is perfected for your dairy free husband!!

      Reply
  15. Wendy

    July 26, 2019 at 3:21 pm

    If I wanted to make strawberry ice cream would your make it by the recipe and then stir in cut up strawberries? Or add strawberries during the mixing process?

    Reply
  16. Laura

    May 16, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    I can't have cashews or the maple syrup. Are there substitutes for these ingredients? Like almonds and a simple syrup made from a sugar substitute? I have to keep my carbohydrates even lower as the ice cream as written would be 1/2 my data carbs.

    Reply
    • Irina

      May 16, 2020 at 11:18 pm

      Absolutely! You can substitute with almonds and sugar free syrup ?

      Reply
      • Laura D Tolbert

        May 18, 2020 at 10:31 am

        Thanks for the reply! I'll post after trying it.

        Reply
  17. Lena

    June 16, 2020 at 11:08 am

    Do you need the maple syrup for sweetness or to bind it. Wondering if I can skip it or add no sugar sweetener.

    Reply
    • Irina

      June 16, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      Absolutely! You can add your preferred sweetener

      Reply
  18. Winnie

    July 03, 2020 at 1:52 am

    Do I have to use cashews? I have so many nuts in the house but no cashews.

    Reply
    • Irina

      July 02, 2020 at 6:54 pm

      Absolutely ? you can use the nuts you have.. not just cashews

      Reply
  19. Carol

    October 17, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    HoW do you use frozen rides cauliflower? Do you boil it also?

    Reply
    • Irina

      October 17, 2020 at 12:35 pm

      Hello.
      See instructions on the package. Most cauliflower rice is much quicker to cook using microwave.. few minutes and done ✔. Good luck

      Reply
    • Irina

      October 17, 2020 at 12:36 pm

      Let me know how it came out

      Reply

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About Me

Hello & welcome! I'm Irina, the “face” behind DailyYum.com and the author of the air fryer cookbook! Busy mom, and lover of quick, easy, and delicious meals. I do my best to lead happy & healthy life. Here you'll find Easy low carb and keto friendly recipes, Air Fryer recipes, healthy & fit guides and more.
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