Hello everyone. Since we are right in the middle of a heat wave, it feels like the perfect time to bring together some of my favourite gluten and dairy free ice cream recipes. When the weather is warm, there is nothing better than having a few easy frozen treats ready to enjoy, especially when they are suitable for anyone avoiding gluten and dairy. This round-up includes a mixture of fruity ideas, chocolate-filled treats, creamy coffee flavours, classic peanut butter combinations and nostalgic ice cream floats.
Whether you are looking for a simple homemade ice cream, a fun dessert for the family, or something a little different to cool down with in the sunshine, I hope you find a recipe here that you love. Some of these are quick to prepare, while others are ideal for making in advance and keeping in the freezer for those hot afternoons when only ice cream will do.
Enjoy!
Fx
- 1. Coffee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (Gluten & Dairy Free)
- If, like me, you enjoy starting the day with a good coffee, this gluten and dairy free coffee chocolate chip ice cream is a lovely way to bring that flavour into dessert. It is made with coconut milk, maple syrup, espresso and dairy free chocolate chips, so the ingredients are simple but the result still feels rich and satisfying. The coffee gives it a deep flavour, while the chocolate chips add a little texture and sweetness in every spoonful. It is a great choice if you want a grown-up ice cream that is still easy to prepare at home.
- 2. Banana PB Choc Ices (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
- Gluten and dairy free choc ices can be difficult to find, so making your own is a brilliant option. These banana peanut butter choc ices are much easier than they might first appear, and they make a fun frozen treat for both children and adults. The banana adds natural sweetness and creaminess, the peanut butter gives a classic nutty flavour, and the chocolate coating makes them feel like a proper ice cream treat. They are ideal for keeping in the freezer when you want something homemade, cooling and a little indulgent.
- 3. Salted Caramel Ice Cream (Gluten & Dairy Free)
- Salted caramel is always a popular ice cream flavour, and this gluten and dairy free version is a lovely balance of sweet and salty. When I asked readers which flavour they wanted to see, salted caramel was one of the most requested options. This recipe uses a quarter teaspoon of salt, which gives the caramel a gentle savoury edge without overpowering the sweetness. You can adjust the amount of salt depending on your own taste, making it slightly milder or a little more intense if you prefer a stronger salted caramel flavour.
- 4. Raspberry Float (Gluten & Dairy Free)
- This raspberry float is a wonderfully nostalgic recipe that brings back memories of childhood summer drinks. It is refreshing, fruity and perfect for hot days when you want something a bit more special than a standard cold drink. You can make your own dairy free vanilla ice cream for the full homemade version, or use a shop-bought dairy free option if you are short on time. Either way, it is a fun gluten and dairy free treat that looks lovely and tastes bright, sweet and cooling.
- 5. Peanut Butter Choc Chip Ice Cream (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
- Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic combination, and this gluten and dairy free peanut butter choc chip ice cream is one of my favourites. It has that rich, nutty flavour from the peanut butter, with little bursts of dairy free chocolate throughout. If you cannot have nuts, you can adapt the recipe by using a nut free spread or a seed based butter instead. That makes it a flexible recipe for different dietary needs while still keeping the creamy texture and satisfying flavour that make peanut butter ice cream so comforting.
- 6. Mocha Ice Cream (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
- This gluten and dairy free mocha ice cream is a great recipe if you enjoy the combination of coffee and chocolate. It makes a fairly large tub, so it is ideal for preparing in advance and sharing with family or friends. The mocha flavour gives it a lovely depth, making it feel a little more indulgent than a plain chocolate ice cream. It is especially useful for summer gatherings, as you can make it ahead of time and simply take it out of the freezer when you are ready to serve.
- 7. Pumpkin Spiced Ice Cream Float (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
- This recipe shows you how to make a delicious dairy free pumpkin spiced ice cream, with the option to turn it into a float if you want something extra fun. The warm spices make it a little different from the usual summer ice cream flavours, but it still works beautifully as a chilled dessert. You can enjoy the ice cream on its own, serve it in a bowl, or make it into a float for a more playful treat. It is a lovely choice if you enjoy seasonal flavours but still want something cool and refreshing.
- 8. Choc PB Banana Frozen Shells (Gluten & Dairy Free)
- These chocolate peanut butter banana frozen shells are a clever way to make fudgy ice lolly-style treats without needing anything complicated. I had run out of wooden lolly sticks, so I set them in a madeleine shell cake tin instead, which gave them a pretty shape and made them easy to portion. The combination of banana, peanut butter and chocolate works really well, creating a frozen bite that is creamy, sweet and satisfying. They are a great gluten and dairy free option when you want something small but still dessert-like.
- 9. Ice Cream Biscuit Bars (Gluten & Dairy Free)
- These gluten and dairy free ice cream biscuit bars sit somewhere between an ice cream cookie sandwich and a choc ice. They are a brilliant choice if you like a dessert with a bit of texture, as the biscuit element makes them feel more substantial than a scoop of ice cream on its own. They are also handy for portioning and serving, especially if you want a freezer-friendly treat that can be prepared ahead. With creamy ice cream, biscuit and chocolate-style indulgence, they are a lovely homemade alternative to classic freezer desserts.
- 10. Banana Ice Cream (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
- This banana ice cream was, I believe, the first ice cream recipe I posted on my website, and it is still one I come back to again and again. It is very simple to make and only needs a few ingredients, which makes it perfect for anyone new to homemade gluten and dairy free ice cream. The banana gives it a naturally creamy texture and a gentle sweetness, making it a reliable family favourite. I have topped it here with a drizzle of my gluten and dairy free caramel sauce, but it is also delicious served plain or with your favourite toppings.
