The 12 Best Non-Dairy Ice Creams, According to the Harshest Critics—Kids!

For our biggest product test yet, the growing category of dairy-free ice creams, we enlisted the toughest testers around: Kids, who don’t have to eat plant-based or vegan, and who have zero reasons to like dairy-free ice cream, aka "nice cream." These discerning judges told us honestly which flavors they would tuck into and serve at birthday parties, and which ones got a polite thumbs down.

What happens when you bring 32 pints of non-dairy ice cream to a pool party for a bunch of 7- to 12-year-olds on a blazing hot day in the summer? First, as the kids gingerly dip their plastic spoons into small bowls and give feedback upon request, there is polite decorum. Then, as the sugar takes hold, the experiment turns into an enthusiastic declaration of personal favorites: Strawberry! Mint Chip! Cookie Dough! They shout when asked which is the winner. Then the wheels start to come off: The kids begin to climb on the table and the boy with the highest sugar rush (who happened to be my son, a vivacious 7-year-old with a love of strawberry ice cream) wins with the loudest endorsement.

Okay, so this wasn’t exactly a scientific test, but we started with one-on-one duels: Basically, 16 taste-offs between two equal pints of similar flavors. These "food duels" whittled the field down from the round of 32 to a final eight, and finally, five crowd-pleasing winners.

As the number of consumers committed to eating a plant-based diet continues to grow, it’s no surprise that the non-dairy ice cream market is booming. Today there are hundreds of dairy-free flavors lining the shelves. With artisan creameries such as Van Leeuwen’s and Nadamoo! leading the way, even big brands like Häagen Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s and Breyer’s have begun introducing dairy-free flavors that taste just as good as the real thing.

Finding your new favorite flavor is up to you, but know this: When you head to the freezer at your local grocer and see dozens of dairy-free varieties, be wary that these are not necessarily healthy choices, just dairy-free ones. Depending on what they’re made of, you could end up with the same amount of calories and sugar than if you'd chosen milk-based ice cream. But these new options are so good, we'd definitely put these treats into our regular rotation.

You don't have to take our scoop for it. Here's what the experts — kids! — had to say.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Why it was a hit: Oatly has its act together, and this ice cream proves it. The newcomer to the freezer nudges aside some of the long-time favorites with its oat milk ice cream that tastes as good as—or better than—the real thing. We love the packaging, flavor and attitude of this brand. It's a rich treat and anyone who loves strawberry will not be disappointed. Even non-strawberry lovers will be converted!

Quick health facts: With 218 calories, 23 carbs and 13 grams of fat per serving, this choice has fewer calories than most.

Where to find it: You can find Oatly at Walmart, Target, Stop and Shop and Whole Foods.

Why it was a hit: Van Leeuwen is one of the best brands of ice cream anywhere and their vegan choices are no different. The mint chip went the distance in our "food duels" to come out on top in the final five. Made from cashew milk, coconut cream, and cocoa butter, this vegan treat tasted the most like classic ice cream out of all the brands we tested. If the packaging didn’t say vegan, you might think it was actually made from cow's milk.

Quick health facts: At 22 grams of fat per serving and 310 calories, it’s definitely an indulgence.

Where to find it: At Whole Foods Market (or in Van Leeuwen’s ice cream shops in NYC). And be prepared to pay for the pleasure of eating such a delicious dairy-free dessert—at $11 a pint, it’s almost double the price of its competitors.

Why it was a hit: Oatmilk is having a moment right now, and this concoction— featuring bits of oatmeal cookie dough and brown sugar and cinnamon—lived up to the hype.  The ice cream tasted like the real thing and the cookies were legit homemade quality. How they do this we don't know, but if you love oatmeal cookies, you will love this flavor.

Quick health facts: At 12 grams of fat and 250 calories per serving, it’s right in line with its non-dairy counterparts.

Where to find it: At supermarkets across the country, as well as Walmart and Target. It usually retails for around $5 per pint.

Why it was a hit: Whole Foods' 365 brand of ice cream is across the board one of the winning plant-based ice-creams we tested. This flavor tastes just like Moose Tracks, with chunks of chocolate chips and peanut butter. That's the good news.

Quick health facts: We love that it boasts 5 grams of protein, but it also has 20 grams of sugar and 28 grams of carbs.

Where to find it: You can find this ice cream at your local Whole Foods.

Why it was a hit: Despite numerous spoonfuls of rich, chocolatey flavors, our taste testers appreciated the clean simplicity of strawberry. “It tastes like fruit,” said one. The coconut milk gives it the creamy smoothness of traditional ice cream with just enough sweetness to make it feel like a dessert.

Quick health facts: A 2/3 cup serving clocks in at 200 calories and 11 grams of fat, which is on the lower end of the flavors we tested.

Where to find it: So Delicious can be found in most grocery stores across the United States and normally retails for $6 a pint.

Why it was a hit: Despite the fact that there aren’t any milk substitutes in Häagen Dazs’ version of vegan ice cream, it tastes as rich and creamy as the original. The peanut butter is smooth and the chocolate fudge isn’t cloyingly sweet. This overall winner (for its flavor category) was the most like the real thing, and everyone went crazy for it.

Quick health facts: While a serving does have 14 grams of fat and 290 calories, it also has 4 grams of protein, which is higher than some of the other flavors we tested.

Where to find it: Any grocery store. And at around $4 a pint, it’s slightly cheaper than its competitors.

Why it was a hit: We loved the mint taste and if you like a thinner texture this is the choice for you. It's like frozen yogurt and on a hot day that can be a refreshing option.

Quick health facts: This has half the fat of the creamier varieties so if you're watching your fat intake, choose the Sunscoop.

Where to find it: To find Sunscoop near you, click here.

Why it was a hit: Cookie dough is a specific kind of treat that's like Kryptonite for some people. We are those people. Ben & Jerry's has figured out not only how to make non-dairy ice cream taste like the real thing, but so does the cookie dough. How do they do it? We don't care, we just want more.

Quick health facts: One pint has 1050 calories, and a serving according to them is 1/3 of a pint. With 49 grams of carbs per serving, we say, proceed with caution.

Where to find it: Wherever there’s a freezer case. Ben & Jerry’s is a ubiquitous brand in the ice cream aisle and retails for around $5 a pint.

Why it was a hit: We love NadaMoo for keeping it healthy with their newest batch of ice creams that are made with no added sugars and relatively low carbs.

Quick health facts: With 130 calories in a 2/3 cup and 6 grams of fiber per serving, this is definitely among the healthiest of the treats. Enjoy!

Where to find it: You can find NadaMoo! at major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Whole Foods priced at $5.99 a pint.

Why it was a hit: This Ben & Jerry's flavor was among the top five overall winners of our entire plant-based ice cream taste test. It's so intense it's like eating half-baked brownies and Reeces coated in ice cream — all our favorite tastes rolled together.

Quick health facts: The pint has 990 calories and each serving has 43 grams of carbs or 27 added grams of sugar. That's 9 teaspoons. But then again... YOLO!

Where to find it: Wherever there’s a freezer case. Ben & Jerry’s is a ubiquitous brand in the ice cream aisle and retails for around $5 a pint.

Why it was a hit: This one was so dark and rich it almost tasted like there was a cherry aftertaste. For dark chocolate lovers, this is the closest thing you'll get to a dark chocolate bar taste in ice cream.

Quick health facts; The coconut cream base adds a higher saturated fat content, but it's lower in sugar than other options on our list at only 9 grams.

Where to find it: To find Sunscoop near you, click here or order here.

Why it was a hit: If you like Rocky Road this will give you the fix you need. Our taste testers loved the marshmallow sugary sweetness and the rocky texture, but ultimately it didn't make the top five, which was a mystery to one tester who basically ate the entire tub herself. That goes to show -- every flavor has its fans.

Quick health facts: Lower in calories per serving sugar and carbs, so pls enjoy!

Where to find it: You can find NadaMoo! at major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Whole Foods priced at $5.99.

Eclipse Foods’ “cowlessly creamy” product is designed to trick the most loyal ice cream lovers. And the brand succeeded, developing a rich vegan dessert that’s flavor and texture is first-rate. However, this indulgence comes at a price. Each serving of this delectable ice cream contains 310 calories, 18 grams of fat, and 23 grams of added sugars. While Eclipse’s Cookie Butter ice cream is among the best non-dairy ice creams available, we are all better off not making it a daily habit.

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This was as sweet a treat as you could find, and the kids loved it. They enjoyed the chunks of cookie dough in the coconut milk and the ice cream base was thinner than some we tested—which was a nice foil to the rich, thick cookie dough. If you're sugar-conscious, know this contains 24 grams per 2/3 cup serving.

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Van Leeuwen is one of the best brands of ice cream anywhere and their vegan choices are no different. The mint chip went the distance in our "food duels" to come out on top in the final five. Made from cashew milk, coconut cream, and cocoa butter, this vegan treat tasted the most like classic ice cream out of all the brands we tested. If the packaging didn’t say vegan, you might think it was actually made from cow's milk.

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Why it was a hit: Despite numerous spoonfuls of rich, chocolatey flavors, our taste testers appreciated the clean simplicity of strawberry. “It tastes like fruit,” said one. The coconut milk gives it the creamy smoothness of traditional ice cream with just enough sweetness to make it feel like a dessert.

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If you love cinnamon, meet your new favorite treat. It's like if a cookie dough ball met a cinnamon bun. If you're carb-conscious, note there are 35 grams in a half-cup serving and 25 grams of sugar.

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Halo Top is the best pick for a health-conscious cookie-dough-loving ice cream seeker. A serving (half a cup) has 90 calories and 3 grams of protein so if you want the fun of a sweet cold treat with fewer cals, this is your best option. That said, the texture is smooth, so if you're looking for chunks of cookie dough this isn't the right pick for you.

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Oatly does it again. First, they claimed the high road with their oat milk that took the nation by storm this past summer. Now they've introduced oat milk ice cream that—we swear—is as delish as the classic, and offers seven classic flavors including chocolate, vanilla, salty caramel, strawberry, and hazelnut. We tasted four and loved them all. With 218 calories for a 2/3 cup serving, 23 grams of carbs and 13 grams of fat, this treat is right in the middle of the pack, health-wise. But you'll love every spoonful.

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We loved the mint taste and if you like a thinner texture this is the choice for you. It's like frozen yogurt and on a hot day that can be a refreshing option.

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Halo Top is super smooth (no need to microwave it right out of the freezer—you can just dig in with your spoon). Our testers loved the milkshake-like quality but there were no chunks of peanut butter cup to be found. Still, with 3 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat, this is among the less-indulgent choices.

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Whole Foods' 365 brand of ice cream is across the board one of the winning plant-based ice-creams we tested. This flavor tastes just like Moose Tracks, with chunks of chocolate chips and peanut butter. That's the good news.

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This is one of the richest of the bunch, and Van Leeuwen always over-delivers on its promise of taste and texture. The zingy peanut buttery aftertaste means just a little will leave you super satisfied, which is good as it packs a punch in carbs, sugar and fat.

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Despite the fact that there aren’t any milk substitutes in Häagen Dazs’ version of vegan ice cream, it tastes as rich and creamy as the original. The peanut butter is smooth and the chocolate fudge isn’t cloyingly sweet. This overall winner (for its flavor category) was the most like the real thing, and everyone went crazy for it.

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If what you love is a classic chocolate ice cream taste, this delivers. It is creamy and rich, and anyone avoiding coconut milk will appreciate the cashew milk option. Still, with 23 grams of carbs and 21 grams of sugar per 2/3 cup serving, we would limit our consumption to 1/3 a pint at a time.

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For chocolate lovers, this is a great choice because it tastes like real ice cream and will satisfy your cravings. But if you're keeping an eye on saturated fat, this one is on the high end with 10 grams. Still, So Delicious has cracked the code on how to make a plant-based non-dairy ice cream that is ...so delicious!

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Cookie dough is a specific kind of treat that's like Kryptonite for some people. We are those people. Ben & Jerry's has figured out not only how to make non-dairy ice cream taste like the real thing, but so does the cookie dough. How do they do it? We don't care, we just want more.

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Sometimes you think you don't love something but you just keep eating it. That was the experience with NadaMoo! Dairy-Free Birthday Cake Cookie Dough. It went fast. Even when some of the testers claimed it wasn't their favorite, they kept digging in for more. We say: Do you.

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This one was so dark and rich it almost tasted like there was a cherry aftertaste. For dark chocolate lovers, this is the closest thing you'll get to a dark chocolate bar taste in ice cream. The coconut cream base adds a higher saturated fat content, but it's lower in sugar than other options on our list at only 9 grams.

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This chocolate treat has the least calories per serving of any that we tested, but still delivered all of the taste you're sure to want from chocolate ice cream. It had a mousse quality that made it fluffy and light. We love the fact that this family-owned company has been creating non-dairy treats for over 15 years and growing strong. Yesamooooo.

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Oatmilk is having a moment right now, and this concoction— featuring bits of oatmeal cookie dough and brown sugar and cinnamon—lived up to the hype.  The ice cream tasted like the real thing and the cookies were legit homemade quality. How they do this we don't know, but if you love oatmeal cookies, you will love this flavor.

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Halo Top deserves kudos for trying to be the healthier choice among non-dairy treats, and we love the overall taste. But if you are looking for a chunky cookie filled ice cream, this isn't the choice for you. It's more like a frozen smoothie with an oatmeal cookie vibe. With just 70 calories and 3 grams of fat in half a cup, this is a great choice if you're watching your intake.

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If you love salty-sweet mash-ups, this is the one for you. But if you're not into salt—skip this. Haagen-Dazs knows what it's doing—and their dairy-free ice creams are as craveable as the classics. Don't worry about serving to non-vegans; they won't have a clue this is plant-based.

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If you like rocky road this will give you the fix you need. Our taste-testers loved the marshmallow sugary sweetness and rocky texture, but ultimately it didn't make our top five, which was a mystery to one tester who basically devoured the entire pint. That goes to show—every flavor has its fans. Lower in calories per serving sugar and carbs, so pls enjoy!

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Maple is a specific taste and if you love maple syrup, reach for this fun treat. The testers all seemed to think it was *too* maple syrup-y but we found this to be a fun diversion from the usual suspects.

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This tastes like a gooey cinnamon roll (swoon) and was one of the favorites of all the ones we tasted. Made of cashew milk, this one is relatively lower in saturated fat (6 grams) and has 3 grams of protein per serving, but is slightly higher in carbs, at 34 grams.

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The taste is a chocolate lover's delight and as with all Van Leeuwen Ice Creams, it is a rich, satisfying treat. We took points off for being higher in saturated fat, but we love that it has 3 grams of fiber.

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Somehow they have mastered the art of creating non-dairy ice cream that tastes like the real thing. We love Ben & Jerry's flavors and their chocolate-y fudge brownie was a delight in particular. But for health, we took points off for the 27 grams of added sugar (over half your daily value) per serving.

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We don't blame anyone who wants to eat the whole pint—it's that good! This Ben & Jerry's flavor was among the top five overall winners of our entire plant-based ice cream taste test. It's so intense it's like eating half-baked brownies and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups coated in ice cream; AKA all our favorite flavors rolled together. Each serving has 43 grams of carbs and 28 grams of added sugar (that's 9 teaspoons!).

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If you love mint, this treat delivers a satisfying fix. Our testers liked the fact that it was less thick in texture than some of the other ice creams we tasted, and on a hot day, it can feel refreshingly light and sweet without the heavy taste of some of the creamier choices.

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We love NadaMoo for keeping it healthy with their newest batch of ice creams that are made with no added sugars and relatively low carbs. With 130 calories in a 2/3 cup and 6 grams of fiber per serving, this is definitely among the healthiest of the treats. Enjoy!

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When the vanilla bean in this dessert kicks in, you don't feel like you need any toppings or other flavors to enhance your satisfaction—it’s rich and full all on its own. That said, if you added a topping to it, non-vegans would never tell the difference. We took slight points off for the added sugar at 18 grams per serving, but it still comes in at a respectable 200 calories per serving.

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We loved the texture of this one which was like putting Oreo cookies in a blender with vanilla ice cream and freezing it up. The cookie taste infuses the entire ice cream so if you are an Oreo fan, this is your jam. Points off for high sugar (21 grams) but otherwise, this is a winning treat.

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This was as sweet a treat as you could find, and the kids loved it. They enjoyed the chunks of cookie dough in the coconut milk and the ice cream base was thinner than some we tested—a nice counter touch to the rich, thick cookie dough. A bit high in carbs, fat and saturated fat, so if you're counting, keep an eye on your portion.

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We're officially fans of every non-dairy dessert that Brooklyn-based Van Leeuwen makes—choc chip cookie dough is no exception. Rich and creamy, the raw cashew milk, coconut cream and cocoa butter base is to live for and makes for a truly decadent dessert.

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Oatly has its act together, and this ice cream proves it. The newcomer to the freezer nudges aside some of the long-time favorites with its oat milk ice cream that tastes as good as—or better than—the real thing. We love the packaging, flavor and attitude of this brand. It's a rich treat and anyone who loves strawberry will not be disappointed. Even non-strawberry lovers will be converted!

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