How to Make Ice Cream in a Blender!

Here's how to make ice cream in a blender. Did you know that you can make homemade ice cream without an ice cream machine? This no-churn method requires just two tools, an ice cube tray, and a blender. Use this simple technique with any homemade ice cream recipe to make creamy homemade ice cream in a snap!

After posting my recipe for my homemade vanilla ice cream last week, I had several people ask how they could make ice cream without a machine. After a little bit of testing, I found the best and easiest technique using just an ice cube tray and a blender. Of course, using an ice cream maker will always yield the best results, but after comparing both techniques, this blender method makes ice cream that's pretty dang close! Making your own vegan ice cream saves money and also tastes WAY better than store-bought. I'm obsessed!

Common Questions:

How do you make ice cream from scratch without a machine?
It's easy! Simply make any ice cream recipe base, pour the ice cream base into an ice cube tray, and then freeze overnight. The next day, add the ice cream ice cubes to a blender, and pulse to blend until you reach an ice cream texture. Add a splash of plant-based milk if needed.

What can I use if I don't have an ice cream maker?
All you need is an ice cube tray and a blender!

How do you make homemade ice cream for beginners?
I recommend starting by following my Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream recipe. If you have an ice cream machine, use it, but if you do not, just use this technique. Once you get the hang of it, feel free to experiment and try other flavors.

Can you use a whisk to make ice cream?
Yes, you can but I find it not as successful as the blender technique. The whisk technique requires a lot more attention and the results are not as creamy. If you want to try this technique, make your ice cream base, and pour it into a large bowl that is freezer-safe. Pop the bowl in the freezer, and every hour, remove the bowl from the freezer and whisk whipping the ice cream mixture and incorporating air. You can alternativly use a stand mixer if you have one. Return to the freezer and come back every hour to whisk again, until you reach an ice cream texture. This will take about 8 hours.

How to Make Ice Cream in a Blender:

Prepare your ice cream base according to the recipe instructions. Make sure that the recipe doesn't make more than can fit in your blender. I used my recipe for Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream. Yum!

Pour the ice cream base into an ice cube tray. You may need more than one ice cube tray. Freeze the ice cream cubes overnight.

Once the cubes are frozen, pop out the ice cream cubes and transfer them to your blender. Pulse the blender (I used the crushed ice setting), multiple times, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender, and push the ice cream cubes towards the blade if needed. This may take a bit of time and effort. If needed you can add a splash of plant-based milk to the blend, but do not add too much or you may make your ice cream too thin.

Continue blending until you reach a soft serve consistency. Enjoy right away, or...

For firmer, scoopable ice cream spread the ice cream into a loaf pan or other freezer-friendly container, and freeze for a few more hours to firm it up more. You can optionally stir in any ingredients you like such as crumbled cookies, chocolate chips, nuts, or vegan cheesecake pieces, or you can swirl in peanut butter, almond butter, vegan caramel sauce, or strawberry jam. Once firm, scoop and enjoy!

This no-churn ice cream recipe...

• requires no ice cream machine
• uses just a blender and ice cube tray
• makes creamy delicious homemade ice cream
• works with any ice cream recipe base

Ice cream recipe to try with this technique:

Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream (cashew base)

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.

Some more vegan frozen treats you might enjoy: