Author: The Best Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream is incredibly creamy, and nutty, with hints of vanilla. This ice cream recipe is easy to make and requires no coconut and no banana. Instead, this vegan ice cream is made with just 7 ingredients. You can use this recipe in an ice cream maker, in a Ninja Creami, or learn how to make ice cream in a blender!
FEATURED COMMENT:
This ice cream is delicious! It's the creamiest ice cream I've ever had! ... After scraping our bowls clean with our spoons, we used our fingers. Couldn't help it. ... It is incredible. - Roxanne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
After sharing my vanilla ice cream and strawberry ice cream recipes on Instagram, I received many requests for a vegan pistachio ice cream recipe. Ask and you shall receive!! I love pistachio ice cream as it isn't too sweet and it's perfectly nutty and creamy. The natural green color is so cute too! I love to add lots of chopped roasted pistachios to the ice cream for texture, but if you prefer a smooth ice cream without any chunks, simply skip that step.
This recipe is made using just 7 simple ingredients including plant-based milk (you can use any kind of plant-based milk you like such as oat or soy). Cashews which adds extra richness and creaminess. Sugar for a little sweetness, I used granulated white sugar but feel free to sub for a sweetener alternative you prefer. Vanilla extract, almond extract, and a pinch of salt to enhance the pistachio flavor. And of course, pistachios!! I like to use raw shelled pistachios to make the creamy ice cream base, and then I use chopped up roasted unsalted pistachios to add a little crunch. Yum!!
How to make The Best Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream:
Prepare your ice cream maker following the manufacturer's instructions. I have this Cuisinart ice cream maker which I love. (See notes if you do not have an ice cream machine).
Add the plant-based milk, pistachios, cashews, sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and salt to your blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape the sides if needed. Make sure that the pistachios and cashews are completely blended and that no bits remain.
Optionally, if you want to add pistachio pieces, roughly chop ½ cup of roasted pistachios and set those aside.
Pour the ice cream mixture into your ice cream maker and churn the ice cream for about 25 minutes until it reaches a soft serve consistency. If you want pistachio pieces in the ice cream, add them in the last 5 minutes of churning. Enjoy immediately, or for firmer ice cream, spread into a sealable container and freeze for 2 hours or overnight until firm. Scoop and enjoy! Store leftover dairy-free ice cream in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to two weeks.
Ninja Creami Option:
This recipe works beautifully in the Ninja Creami! Prepare the mixture as written, blending until completely smooth, and pour into a Creami pint container (don't exceed the max fill line-you may need to divide it between two containers). Freeze for 24 hours, then spin using the "Gelato" or "Ice Cream" setting. If crumbly, add a splash of plant-based milk and re-spin until smooth. For crunchy pistachio pieces: After the final spin, create a small well in the center of the pint, add chopped pistachios, and use the "Mix-In" setting to stir them in.
This vegan pistachio ice cream is...
- creamy and nutty
- not too sweet
- doesn't use bananas or coconut milk.
- can be made in an ice cream maker or in a blender!
More vegan desserts you might enjoy:
- Easy Vegan Ice Cream Bars
- Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream
- Edible Vegan Cookie Dough
- Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles
- Mint Chocolate Chip Popsicles
- Easy Vegan Fudgesicles
- 5 Minutes Vegan Creamsicles
- Vegan Cranberry Pistachio Loaf
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
(click stars to vote)
The Best Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream
Servings: (makes about 3 cups or 1 ½ pints)
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups plant-based milk, (such as oat or soy)
- ¾ cup shelled raw unsalted pistachios
- ½ cup raw cashews
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ cup shelled roasted unsalted pistachios, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. I use and love this Cuisinart model. Or see the notes for Ninja Creami or blender instructions.
- Add the plant-based milk, pistachios, cashews, sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and salt to your blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape the sides as needed. Make sure no bits of nuts remain.
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn for about 25 minutes until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. If using chopped pistachios, add them during the last 5 minutes of churning.
- Enjoy right away, or for firmer ice cream, spread into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours or overnight. Scoop and enjoy! Leftovers will keep in the freezer for up to two weeks.
Bill says
this recipe is terrific!! so creamy and smooth! nice to find recipe without coconut to avoid saturated fat. thank you!!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
You're so welcome, Bill! Thrilled you enjoyed it 🙂
Avram says
I already have store bought pistachio milk. I want to use it in this recipe. But how much?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Avram, that won't work in this recipe unfortunately as the milk will be too high in water content and too low in fat.
Lorien says
Wow - I honestly didn't expect how good this recipe would turn out. It came together so quickly and was so easy. The only substitution I made was the sugar - I haven't bought white sugar in years so some coconut sugar did the job. The color didn't seem to be affected by the darker sugar.
Absolutely delicious and I didn't even use the chopped pistachios.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So glad it was a hit, Lorien! Love that it worked beautifully with coconut sugar too, great to know it didn’t affect the color or flavor 🙌