If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, you know how hard it can be to find good nondairy ice cream. Too many times, plant-based substitutions have a weird aftertaste and just don’t fill that ice cream-shaped hole in our stomachs. Ben & Jerry’s recently released a new batch of nondairy options, so for all my nondairy people out there, I tested some of the flavors to save you the trouble! Luckily for you, we assembled this ranking of the top five Ben & Jerry’s nondairy ice cream flavors, just in time for summer!
1. Netflix & Chilll’d
Holy vegan cow, this is my new favorite dessert. I didn’t think peanut butter ice cream could taste this good, but it’s like eating a frozen candy bar. The salty swirls of pretzel and fudge chips are perfect complements to the peanut butter flavor, and the texture is super creamy. If I hadn’t known, I never would have guessed it’s nondairy — that’s how good it is.
Flavor: 5/5
Tastes like real ice cream: 5/5
Add-ins: 5/5
2. Coconut Seven Layer Bar
Before Netflix & Chilll’d hit the shelves, this was my go-to nondairy option. The base is almond milk, but the almond doesn’t overpower the coconut. What I love about this flavor is that there are so many fun and delicious add-ins: walnuts, fudge chips, caramel and graham cracker swirls each add their own unique texture, making it feel like a more substantial dessert.
Flavor: 5/5
Tastes like real ice cream: 4/5
Add-ins: 5/5
3. Chunky Monkey
This classic Ben & Jerry’s flavor turns out to be just as good without the dairy. The banana and the almond milk base make for a velvety texture sprinkled with a healthy (or unhealthy …) amount of walnuts and fudge chunks.
Flavor: 5/5
Tastes like real ice cream: 4/5
Add-ins: 5/5
4. “Milk” & Cookies
This flavor mimics the taste of real ice cream well, but it’s very sweet. However, chock-full of sandwich cookies, it’s the closest any nondairy option gets to recreating the flavor and texture of cookies and cream.
Flavor: 3/5
Tastes like real ice cream: 4/5
Add-ins: 4/5
5. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Cookie dough ice cream is a crowd pleaser, but it’s not always easy to find a nondairy version. The Ben & Jerry’s nondairy version might not be as good as the real thing, but it still hits the spot. Filled with vegan (!) cookie dough chunks, you’ll want to give this one a try.
Flavor: 3/5
Tastes like real ice cream: 3/5
Add-ins: 4/5
We hope this helps when you’re picking your next nondairy ice cream flavor! No matter what brand or flavor you choose, we know you’ll enjoy this refreshing treat to the fullest this summer!
