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Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream

Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream

Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream is a creamy, nutty, and irresistibly rich plant-based dessert made with raw pistachios, full-fat coconut milk, and natural sweeteners. Perfectly smooth and flavorful, this recipe offers allergen-friendly variations and simple ingredients to create a luscious, dairy-free treat ideal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw pistachios, shelled
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 tsp agar agar or 1 tbsp arrowroot powder (thickener)
  • 12 tbsp cocoa powder or melted vegan chocolate (for Chocolate Pistachio variation)
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries (for Added Fruit variation)
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom or cinnamon (for Spiced Up variation)

Substitutions for Variations

  • Almond milk instead of coconut milk for lighter texture
  • Sunflower seed butter instead of pistachios for nut-free option

Instructions

  1. Soak the Pistachios: Start by soaking raw pistachios in water for at least 4 hours or overnight to soften them. This step ensures a smooth and creamy texture without grittiness.
  2. Blend the Base: Drain and rinse the pistachios, then add them to a high-speed blender along with coconut milk, maple syrup or agave, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt. Blend until silky smooth and ultra creamy.
  3. Cook the Mixture (Optional): If using thickeners like agar agar, gently simmer the blended mixture while stirring to activate thickening properties. Otherwise, proceed raw.
  4. Chill the Mixture: Refrigerate the pistachio ice cream base for several hours until thoroughly chilled. This helps achieve ideal texture during freezing or churning.
  5. Churn or Freeze: Pour the cold base into an ice cream maker and churn until thickened. If no ice cream maker is available, pour into a container and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes to prevent ice crystals, until firm.
  6. Serve or Store: Enjoy immediately for a soft serve texture or freeze further for a firmer scoop. Garnish as desired.

Notes

  • Use raw pistachios for the best flavor and vibrant green color.
  • Blend thoroughly to eliminate any gritty texture from nuts.
  • Keep the base and ice cream maker chilled to improve creaminess and reduce ice crystals.
  • Adjust sweetness to taste; coconut milk adds natural sweetness.
  • Experiment by adding mix-ins like toasted pistachios or vegan chocolate chips for extra texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegan pistachio ice cream, plant-based ice cream, dairy-free dessert, nutty ice cream, vegan pistachio dessert