As someone who’s been living the keto lifestyle for a while now, I know how hard it can be to find sweet treats that won’t kick you out of ketosis. Ice cream, a classic indulgence, seems like it would be off-limits when you’re following a low-carb, high-fat diet. But after a lot of taste-testing and research, I can happily say that keto-friendly ice creams do exist! Whether you’re a chocolate lover, vanilla fan, or craving something more unique, there’s something for everyone in the world of keto ice cream.
In this post, I’m sharing my 5 best keto-friendly ice cream picks. These have become my go-to options whenever I need something cold, creamy, and indulgent without derailing my keto diet. I’ll also break down the nutritional details, so you can make the best decision for your diet. Let’s dive in!
Factors to Consider When Choosing Keto Ice Cream
Before we jump into my top picks, let’s quickly go over the key factors you should consider when choosing a keto-friendly ice cream:
- Carb Count: Ideally, look for ice creams with under 5g of net carbs per serving to stay in ketosis.
- Sweeteners: Keto-friendly ice creams should be sweetened with natural, low-carb sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit, or stevia.
- Ingredients: The best keto ice creams are made with full-fat dairy or healthy fat sources, so the texture is creamy and satisfying.
- Taste and Texture: At the end of the day, you want your ice cream to taste good, right? You’ll want something that’s both rich and creamy, with just the right amount of sweetness.
- Availability: While many keto ice cream brands are now available online, it’s also good to check if they’re available in your local stores.
Now that we know what to look for, let’s dive into my 5 favorite keto-friendly ice creams.
1. Halo Top Keto Series
Halo Top’s Keto Series may be the best choice for ice cream to keep carbs low. One serving (two-thirds of a cup) of Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake, for example, has 190 calories, 6 g of protein, 6 g of fiber, and 3 g of net carbs. This keto ice cream comes in a variety of flavors, in pints and pops, from Mint Chocolate Cookie to Banana Cream Pie. These options have about 4–10 grams of net carbs per pint, so you can enjoy them and stay in ketosis.
Why I Love It:
Halo Top is one of the most popular brands when it comes to low-carb ice cream, and their Keto Series definitely does not disappoint. It offers a variety of flavors that are rich, creamy, and only 3-4g of net carbs per serving. Whether you’re looking for a simple classic or something a little more indulgent, Halo Top has got you covered.
Best Flavor:
My favorite flavors from the Halo Top Keto Series are Peanut Butter Cup and Chocolate Almond Crunch. They’re both decadent and satisfying.
Nutritional Breakdown:
- Calories: 270 per pint
- Net Carbs: 3-4g per serving
- Fat: 22g per serving
Pros:
- Smooth and creamy texture
- Wide availability in most grocery stores
- Several flavor options to choose from
Cons:
- Some people may find it too sweet depending on their taste preferences.
2. Enlightened Keto Ice Cream
Enlightened offers keto ice cream options, as well as low-calorie, non-keto options. The keto options contain 2–3 g net carbs for most flavors. The low-calorie options contain 7–12 g net carbs and 120–140 calories per two-thirds-cup serving.
Enlightened uses allulose, along with sugar alcohol and monk fruit extract, to replace sugar. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes allulose as a “sugar substitute.” The body metabolizes allulose differently than other sugars.5
Allulose provides only 0.4 calories per g as compared to sugar, which provides 4 calories per g. The FDA has exempted allulose from being included in total sugar and added sugars on the nutrition label. Allulose is not a sugar alcohol and is not added to carbs.
Why I Love It:
Enlightened is another major player in the world of keto ice cream, and they’ve really hit it out of the park with their Keto Ice Cream line. They use monk fruit and erythritol as sweeteners, so there’s no aftertaste like with some other sugar substitutes. The flavor options are rich and satisfying, with creamy textures that make it feel like a real treat.
Best Flavor:
I can’t get enough of Mocha Chip and Sea Salt Caramel—the flavors are perfectly balanced and indulgent.
Nutritional Breakdown:
- Calories: 250-280 per pint
- Net Carbs: 3-4g per serving
- Fat: 22g per serving
Pros:
- Rich, creamy texture
- Delicious, indulgent flavors
- No artificial aftertaste
Cons:
- Not available in every store, so you might need to order online.
3. So Delicious No Sugar Added (Dairy-Free)
So Delicious makes dairy-free ice cream from full-fat coconut milk. The No Sugar Added varieties have negligible amounts of sugar. These keto ice cream options are sweetened with a combination of the sugar alcohol erythritol and monk fruit extract. A serving (two-thirds of a cup) has 130–160 calories, 9–10 g of net carbs, and 2 g of protein.
Why I Love It:
So Delicious is the go-to option for anyone who needs a dairy-free keto ice cream. Made with coconut milk, it offers a unique flavor and texture that’s perfect for those with dairy sensitivities. It’s still incredibly creamy and the flavors are surprisingly rich for being dairy-free.Best Flavor:
If you love chocolate and peanut butter, I highly recommend Chocolate and Peanut Butter Swirl. It’s divine!
Nutritional Breakdown:
- Calories: 200 per pint
- Net Carbs: 4g per serving
- Fat: 18g per serving
Pros:
- Great dairy-free option
- Lower in calories compared to other keto ice creams
- Rich, satisfying flavors
Cons:
The coconut milk base may not be for everyone, especially if you’re not a fan of coconut flavor.
4. Rebel Creamery
Rebel is an ice cream brand designed for people on the keto diet. Pints are made with cream, other high-fat ingredients, erythritol, and monk fruit. The main ingredient is cream, so a pint of Rebel is higher in fat and calories than the other brands. This option has negligible amounts of sugar, with just 4–8 g of net carbs per pint. Rebel also has less than 3 g of net carbs per two-thirds-cup serving.
Why I Love It:
Rebel Creamery is made with full-fat cream and sweetened with monk fruit—making it an absolute winner in my book. It has one of the richest, creamiest textures I’ve found in any keto ice cream, and the flavors are bold and satisfying. If you’re a fan of truly decadent ice cream, you’ll love Rebel.
Best Flavor:
Chocolate Fudge and Cinnamon Swirl are my top picks. They’re both incredibly rich and smooth.
Nutritional Breakdown:
- Calories: 320 per pint
- Net Carbs: 4g per serving
- Fat: 28g per serving
Pros:
- Extremely creamy and indulgent
- Rich, flavorful options
- Uses full-fat cream
Cons:
- Higher in calories, so it may be better for those who are okay with a little more calorie density.
5. Edy’s Slow Churned No Sugar Added
Edy’s replaced sugar in its fan favorites, including Fudge Tracks, Vanilla Bean, Triple Chocolate, and Neapolitan. These options include sorbitol, maltitol syrup, and Splenda (sucralose). A two-thirds-cup serving of Vanilla Bean contains 130 calories and 14 g of net carbs.
Why I Love It:
There’s nothing plain about our vanilla bean light ice cream. Every bite has half the fat and is filled with tasty flecks of real vanilla beans for a richer vanilla flavor you’ll love.
Best Flavor:
If you love Light Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, I highly recommend Vanilla Bean. It’s divine!
Nutritional Breakdown:
- New process makes slow churned light ice cream taste like full fat ice cream
- 1/2 the fat
- 1/3 the calories
- Rich and Creamy
- 48 oz
Pros:
- NON-FAT MILK
- Lower in calories compared to other keto ice creams
- Rich, satisfying flavors
Cons:
- The coconut milk base may not be for everyone, especially if you’re not a fan of coconut flavor.
Which Keto Ice Cream is Best for You?
After trying all of these options, I have to say that Enlightened Keto Ice Cream is my personal favorite. The rich flavors, smooth texture, and lack of artificial aftertaste make it the ultimate indulgence for anyone following a keto diet. That being said, I know some of you might prefer a dairy-free option (So Delicious is fantastic for that), or you might want something more decadent (Rebel Creamery is the answer).
Ultimately, the best keto ice cream for you comes down to your personal preferences, whether that’s flavor variety, texture, or dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to give up your favorite sweet treats just because you’re following a keto diet. With these 5 amazing keto-friendly ice cream brands, you can indulge without guilt! Always check the nutritional labels to make sure the ice cream fits into your daily macros. And if you’re like me, you’ll find it hard to choose just one favorite—you might just want to try them all!
Call to Action
Have you tried any of these keto ice creams? Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below! If you’re ready to indulge in some keto-friendly ice cream, check out the links below for the best deals on Amazon!
