This dairy-free lemon ice cream is made with oats and bursting with fresh lemon flavor! Compared to most ice creams, this vegan ice cream recipe is lower in fat and calories, yet still impossibly creamy thanks to a couple of simple tricks. Made without coconut milk and can also be soy-free.
If you haven't tried homemade oat ice cream yet, you're in for a real treat! I've been experimenting with flavors for a while now, and each time I make a new batch I fall more in love.
Since SO many vegan ice cream recipes call for full-fat coconut milk, it's really nice to have other options.
First was this Pumpkin Oat Ice Cream, followed by this Vanilla-Maple flavor (super popular)! Then in November, with fresh cranberries so readily available, I whipped up this tart and tangy Cranberry Oat Gelato.
But this new Lemon Oat Ice Cream? We've decided this just might be our favorite flavor yet!
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Ingredient Notes
- non-dairy milk - I recommend unsweetened soy, oat, or cashew milk.
- lemons - you'll need 2 teaspoons of lemon zest and ½ cup juice, so it's good to have 3 lemons on hand in case they're not very juicy.
- rolled oats - look for regular old fashioned oats.
- raw cashews - or if you don't have a high-speed blender, substitute cashew butter.
- sugar - I use organic cane sugar.
- gin or vodka - this improves the consistency of the ice cream; see more info below.
See recipe card below for amounts and full instructions.
Homemade ice cream does require some special equipment, but overall the process is really simple. Let me walk you through it....
How to Make Vegan Lemon Ice Cream
- Be sure your ice cream maker’s canister has been in the freezer for at least a day.
- First, prepare the oatmeal in a small sauce pan including 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest (pictured above). Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Blend dairy-free milk and cashews until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients, including the oatmeal, and blend. *If you don't have a high speed blender, substitute raw cashew butter for the whole cashews.
- Refrigerate the mixture until it's fully chilled (anywhere from 2 hours to overnight).
- Churn the ice cream according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- For a firmer, scoopable consistency, transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 3 to 4 hours.
After churning the ice cream it will have an almost stretchy consistency, but don't be alarmed! That's just the oats working their magic.
If you've made oat milk before, you're probably aware that over-processing the oats can cause what's often described as sliminess. Well, after freezing the ice cream, that "slime" becomes super melty creaminess, and you're going to love it!
What does alcohol do to ice cream?
Since alcohol doesn't freeze, using a small amount of a neutral-flavored spirit like gin or vodka is a well-known trick for keeping homemade ice creams softer straight out of the freezer.
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I resisted adding alcohol to my previous vegan ice cream recipes simply because I wanted them to be appropriate for children or adults who don't consume alcohol.
But because this flavor includes 4 ounces of fresh lemon juice AND is lower in fat (fat makes ice creams softer), including an ounce of alcohol in this one seemed like a good idea. It helps counteract the juice, and improves the overall consistency of the ice cream.
Also, my other ice cream recipes include vanilla extract, which contains alcohol, while this lemon flavor doesn't use any extract.
What kind of non-dairy milk should I use?
My top choices for vegan ice cream are soy milk and oat milk since they tend to be creamier. Cashew milk is also great.
These are the only ones I've tested in this particular recipe, but feel free to use your favorite based on availability and/or dietary restrictions.
Avoid using lower-fat milks like rice milk.
Can it be made without an ice cream maker?
Personally, I don't think this ice cream recipe is a good candidate for the no-churn method. Since it's both low in fat AND contains lemon juice, an ice cream maker really helps produce the smoothest results.
But if you don't mind a few ice crystals and a slightly grainy appearance, then go for it!
You can read more about the basic no-churn method in this Vanilla Oat Milk Ice Cream post. Since that flavor doesn't contain juice, it's a better option if you're experimenting with no-churn.
Serving and Storage Tips
Like the other lower-fat, oat-based ice cream recipes I've shared, this version also freezes very solidly after it's been in the freezer for more than about 4 hours.
It's important to let the ice cream rest on the countertop for 10 to 15 minutes before scooping.
Store the ice cream in an airtight container, and enjoy within 2 weeks for the best flavor.
More Vegan Citrus Desserts
I hope you enjoy this Vegan Lemon Ice Cream! Be sure to drop a comment and a star rating below if you give it a try.
If you’re on Instagram tag a photo of your gorgeous vegan ice cream with @myquietkitchen. I always love to see what you’re making!
Recipe
Vegan Lemon Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk, such as oat, cashew, or soy, divided
- ¼ cup rolled oats - certified GF, if needed.
- 2 to 3 large organic lemons (you'll need 2 teaspoon zest and ½ cup juice) - I only needed two lemons; it's good to have an extra on hand in case they're not very juicy.
- 1 cup raw cashews - If you don't have a high speed blender, sub ½ cup raw cashew butter.
- ½ cup organic cane sugar - See Notes for substitutions.
- 1 ounce good quality gin or vodka - See Notes.
- 5 to 7 drops plant-based yellow food coloring, optional - I found this one at Whole Foods.
Instructions
Prep/Planning:
- Be sure to put the canister of your ice cream maker in the freezer at least one day before you plan to churn the ice cream. Also note that the ice cream mixture needs time to chill before churning (at least 2 hours), and the churned ice cream needs about 3 hours in the freezer for a firmer, scoopable consistency.
Make the ice cream:
- Zest two lemons, which should provide about 2 teaspoons of zest.
- In a small sauce pan, combine the oats, 1 teaspoon of zest, and 1 cup of the milk, and bring to a simmer. Stirring regularly, cook until the oats are soft, about 8 minutes. Immediately transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Juice the lemons until you have ½ cup of juice (4 oz). In a blender combine the remaining 2 cups of milk and the cashews. Blend on high until smooth. Add the other teaspoon of lemon zest, lemon juice, oatmeal, sugar, and alcohol, and blend again. Add a few drops of yellow coloring, if desired. Refrigerate the ice cream mixture until cold.
- Churn the mixture according the instructions for your ice cream maker. The ice cream will be similar to soft serve consistency. For a firmer, scoopable ice cream, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for 3 to 4 hours.
- Even with the addition of alcohol, once the ice cream has frozen overnight, it will be very firm straight from the freezer. Let it soften at room temperature for about 15 minutes for easier scooping.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used.
Charlene says
Mmmmm make this recipe NOW! My husband couldn't believe this was a VERY low guilt delicacy-fabulous with some fresh blueberry compote! I had some local raw honey that crystallized so subbed that in equal amounts for the sugar making an added nutritional bonus. We are not vegan just lactose sensitive and treat ourselves to a divine Irish Cream Liqueur called Coole Swan; used that for the alcohol. Thank you so much Lori; this is our new go to summer treat! 🙂
Mandie says
I'd like to try this recipe with key lime juice instead of lemon juice. But I don't tolerate oats well and my daughter reacts to them. I usually use tiger nut flakes or rolled millet in place of rolled oats. Any thoughts if these will work here?
With using key lime juice - would you recommend any changes in the sugar amount?
Thanks!!
Dil says
Can you taste the alcohol? If I used vanilla extract instead, how much would be enough? I am a non-drinker so I would prefer to either not taste it or not use it (except vanilla essence). Thank you
Lori Rasmussen says
Hi - We didn't think the alcohol was noticeable over the lemon flavor, but there's always a chance you might be able to detect it. Another way to get around using it would be to slightly increase the amount of fat and decrease the juice. You could add more lemon flavor with zest. I hope that helps!
Nancy says
What are the cashew for exactly? I was wondering if I could leave out the cashews because I don't have any at hand right now. Is it just extra creaminess?
Lori says
Hi Nancy,
Yes, the cashews add creaminess and fat, which is important for the overall texture. Since this recipe is already lower in fat than most, I would try to replace the cashews with another fat, if possible. Do you have almonds, almond butter, peanut butter, coconut cream, etc?
Pam says
A question: Have you tried making this (or any of your oat-based ice creams) with the Ninja Creami? I have a Creami and was thinking of trying it.
Lori says
Hi Pam,
No, I haven't used a Ninja Creami, but I do recall someone saying they'd used it with the vanilla recipe. Seems to me like it would work!
Jen says
You can make almost any ice cream in the Ninja Creami. This recipe is probably equivalent to two pints, so you might want to cut the recipe in half. I'm going to try it today. I've made some of Lori's other ice cream recipes in the Creami and they were delicious.