It started with the latte. Then made its way to yogurt. Coffee creamers were next. And now, oat milk is taking over the ice cream aisle. Oatly popularized the trend of oat-based ice cream in the US, but other brands—both vegan and dairy-based—soon followed suit.
It’s no surprise that this creamy, neutral-tasting beverage lends itself remarkably well to frozen desserts where it is churned into every flavor of ice cream imaginable—from simple strawberry to pints reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s Scrumdiddlyumptious bar. If you’re looking for an oat milk-based ice cream, here are 10 brands to look for.
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What is oat milk ice cream?
While most ice cream is made with cow’s milk or cream, which is flavored with sweeteners or sugar, oat milk ice cream is totally dairy-free, and made with, you guessed it, oat milk. It also usually contains sugar, as well as coconut oil, stabilizers, and other ingredients, like caramel or fruit, depending on the flavor of the ice cream.
Where to buy oat milk ice cream
The vegan ice cream market is growing all the time. In fact, in 2022, the global industry was valued at more than $639 million. According to Teknoice, experts specializing in industrial ice cream machines, within the plant-based ice cream sector, oat milk-based varieties are exhibiting the fastest growth with a projected compound annual growth rate of 22.5 percent from 2022 to 2027.
This means that more and more flavors are consistently appearing on grocery store shelves, and many of them are made with creamy oat milk.
Vegan oat milk ice cream to buy this summer
If you’ve got a craving, here are some of the best brands (listed in no particular order) to check out for some delicious frozen oaty goodness.
Ben & Jerry’s
1Ben & Jerry’s
When these ice cream gurus first launched their line of non-dairy flavors, they relied on almond milk to recreate their over-the-top, creamy flavors. After a bit of innovation, Ben & Jerry’s rolled out new non-dairy flavors made with sunflower butter. But recently, the brand has innovated once more, and this time, they’re going all in on oat. Strawberry Cheezecake is one of the brand’s newest oat milk flavors, and other classics are also available in this new base. For the full low down on all of Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy flavors, check out our ranking here.
Find it here
Oatly
2 Oatly
Perhaps the purest form of oat-based ice cream, Oatly’s flavors are tame but magnificent in their simplicity. . The strawberry is exactly what strawberry ice cream should be—sweet, creamy, and refreshing while steering clear of healthy-tasting sorbet territory. The brand also makes Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Mint Chip, Banana Split, Coffee, Raspberry Swirl, Fudge Brownie, and more.
Find it here
So Delicious
3 So Delicious
This long-standing vegan brand was churning out oat milk ice cream before Oatly’s frozen treats landed in the US. While So Delicious’ cashew-based flavors elicited fervent loyalty, the more recent oat-based options have garnered an equally devout following. With several varieties made with oat milk, there’s a pint for every craving (looking at you, Chocolate Salted Caramel).
Find it here
McConnell’s
4 McConnell’s
This Santa Barbara, CA-based dairy company debuted a line of non-dairy pints back in the spring of 2018, but the five flavors were quietly discontinued. Luckily, McConnell’s is back in the plant-based market with its second attempt at dairy-free frozen dessert, switching from a pea protein base to an oat milk base. The flavors include riffs on the originals—such Cookies and Cream—but we must admit, we do miss that Dairy-Free Eureka Lemon & Marionberries (now only available in cow’s milk form).
Find it here
Van Leeuwen
5 Van Leeuwen
For a dairy-based ice cream company, Van Leeuwen has an abundance of vegan options. The brand uses several bases for its non-dairy flavors, but oat milk options include Vegan Oat Brown Sugar Chunk, Vegan Oat Choc Chip Cookie Dough, Vegan Oat Churros and Fudge, and Vegan Oat Chocolate Cookie Dough Honeycomb. Find these options in scoop shops, online, or at your local grocery store.
Find it here
Everyday Allegra
6 Salt & Straw
The secret behind Salt & Straw’s divine ice cream is the wait—the 45-minute-plus line injects a sprinkle of delicious anticipation. Vegan flavors rotate seasonally and can vary by location, but the Peanut Butter Brittle Caramel Fudge and GoNanas Banana Bread With Strawberry Jam have piqued our most recent interest. Those who do not live within the vicinity of a scoop shop (or have better things to do than wait in line) can order pints online.
Find it here
Urban Dessert Lab
7Urban Dessert Lab
With outposts in New York and West Hollywood, CA, Urban Dessert Lab has developed a cult following for its decadent vegan ice cream and mouthwatering creations. Naturally, we flipped when we saw this bi-coastal company on Goldbelly. Finally, you can try the luscious ice cream from anywhere in the nation. The shop carries a more extensive list of options (including crunchy, salty, chewy, and sweet toppings), but those who order through Goldbelly have their pick of four pints that range from Coffee Fudge to Salted Pecan. Oh yes, this is oat milk, fancified.
Find it here
Chloe’s
8 Chloe’s Oat Milk Pops
Most of us can’t sit down to a pint of ice cream every night, but a popsicle? That’s always fair game. Typically a fruit-based pop brand, Chloe’s gets a bit more decadent with its four oat milk novelty treats. Choose from delights like Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mint Chip, and Cookies & Cream.
Find it here
Trader Joe’s
9 Trader Joe’s Non-Dairy Vanilla Bean
Trader Joe’s has vastly improved the quality of its vegan ice creams in recent years. The Non-Dairy Vanilla Bean Oat Frozen Dessert is more than just a basic vanilla ice cream—it’s specked with real vanilla bean for an elevated flavor profile you wouldn’t expect from a discount grocer. With exceptional products like this, we don’t know why TJ’s just doesn’t go completely vegan.
Find it here
Breyers
10Breyers
Breyers’ line of non-dairy, oat milk ice cream is too good to pass up. The consistency is dense in the best possible way, making for a delightfully creamy bite that melts slowly on your tongue. Oaty flavors are limited to Non-Dairy Vanilla, Non-Dairy Cookies & Crème, and Non-Dairy Mint Chip—all perfect for topping your favorite summer desserts.
Find it here
For more on non-dairy ice cream, read:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
