5 Reasons to Love Avocado Ice Cream (It’s Healthier Than You Think!)

Ice cream usually means cream, sugar and an ice cream maker. Avocado ice cream skips all three: ripe avocado gives you a naturally rich, smooth base, so you can make a dairy-free scoop with a blender and a freezer. Here is the basic recipe and five ways to flavor it.

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Basic avocado ice cream recipe

Makes: about 4 small servings. Prep: 10 minutes. Freeze: 4 to 6 hours.

Ingredients

• 2 large ripe avocados
• 1 cup canned coconut milk (creamiest) or almond milk
• 3 to 4 tbsp maple syrup or honey, or 4 soft dates
• 1 tbsp lime or lemon juice (keeps the color bright)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract and a pinch of salt

Method

1. Blend everything until completely smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness.
2. Pour into a freezer-safe container and cover.
3. Freeze for 4 to 6 hours, stirring well every hour for the first 3 hours to break up ice crystals.
4. If it freezes solid, leave it on the counter for 10 minutes before scooping, or re-blend briefly.

Is avocado ice cream healthy?

It is a better-for-you dessert, not a health food. Avocado brings fiber and mostly unsaturated fat: USDA FoodData Central lists 160 calories, 14.7 g of fat, 6.7 g of fiber and 2 g of protein per 100 g of raw avocado. You still add sweetener, so keep portions small, like any treat.

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	Avocado ice cream	Classic dairy ice cream
Base	Avocado and plant milk	Cream, milk and eggs
Fiber	Yes, from avocado	Usually none
Dairy-free	Yes	No
Sweetness	You control it	Fixed, often high
Equipment	Blender and freezer	Usually an ice cream maker

5 flavor ideas

1. Chocolate Dream

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Blend in 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder. The avocado flavor disappears and you get a rich chocolate scoop.

2. Berry Blast

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Fold in a cup of fresh or frozen berries before freezing for color and natural sweetness. Berries are also one of the best low-sugar fruits.

3. Tropical Twist

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Blend in a cup of frozen mango or pineapple and use coconut milk for a sunny, tropical flavor.

4. Mint Marvel

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Add a handful of fresh mint leaves (or a few drops of peppermint extract) and stir in chopped dark chocolate.

5. Coffee Craving

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Replace a quarter of the milk with cold brew coffee and add a pinch of cinnamon for a grown-up version.

FAQ

Does avocado ice cream taste like avocado?

Mildly. Plain avocado ice cream tastes fresh and buttery; with chocolate, coffee or fruit, most people cannot tell avocado is the base.

How long does it keep in the freezer?

It tastes best within about a week. After that it can turn icy and the color dulls. Press plastic wrap on the surface to limit browning.

Can I make it without coconut milk?

Yes. Almond, oat or regular milk all work; the result is a little less creamy. Greek yogurt in place of half the milk adds protein and tang.

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Looking for more healthy sweet ideas? Try the chocolate berry blend in our morning smoothies, or these vegan smoothies.

Sources

• USDA FoodData Central: Avocados, raw (FDC ID 171705)