55+ No Churn Ice Cream Recipes

What is No Churn Ice Cream?

No churn ice cream is exactly what it sounds like, ice cream you can make without an ice cream maker. Traditional ice cream recipes require churning to add and incorporate air. This creates that smooth, creamy texture. But with no churn ice cream, a combination of whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk does the trick.

For each recipe, we are basically making homemade whipped cream to make the ice cream light and fluffy! That creates a creamy, scoopable ice cream that’s just as good as the store-bought but honestly, way better!

The Basics, How To Make No Churn Ice Cream

Making no churn ice cream is incredibly easy. Most recipes follow a simple base formula for each recipe:

1. Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
2. Gently fold in sweetened condensed milk and any flavorings or mix-ins.
3. Pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight. I like to use a loaf pan, but any freezer safe container will work!

That’s it! No churn ice cream recipes are endlessly customizable. You can fold in fruit, cookies, candies, nut butters, or swirl in caramel and fudge. And don't forget to top it with homemade whipped cream!

Make Ahead Tips

The beauty of no churn ice cream is how easy it is to make at any time and let it just hang out in your freezer. You can make it up to a week in advance, and it’ll be just as delicious as day one. I love prepping a few different flavors like mango ice cream, vanilla ice cream, and cookies and cream ice cream ahead of time and having them ready for summer get-togethers or a quick after dinner dessert!

Once your no churn ice cream is frozen, you’ll want to keep it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. A loaf pan covered tightly with plastic wrap or a lidded ice cream tub works perfectly. Homemade no churn ice cream keeps well for about 2 to 3 weeks in the freezer.

To prevent ice crystals from forming, press a layer of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing the container.

When you do need to serve it, just let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before scooping, so it softens slightly.

The Difference Between Store Bought and No Churn

No churn ice cream can be a little softer than the churned varieties you will find in your local grocery stores. Make sure to whip your cream well, and freeze it long enough (at least 6 hours).

Also, avoid adding too much liquid from fruits or syrups until the very end. Even then, try to avoid getting too much extra liquid in the mixture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know all the no churn ice cream basics, check out the full list of no churn ice cream recipes I’ve rounded up for you! From fruity to chocolatey, boozy to kid-friendly, there’s something for everyone!