Vegan Archives

Top 13 Allergy Friendly Ice Creams for Safe & Delicious Treats

Allergen Sensitivities, Animal Welfare, Vegan

13 Best Dairy Free Ice Creams We Actually Love in 2025 Dairy free ice cream has hit its golden age, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The days of settling for icy, flavorless alternatives are long gone. Our team tested 21 flavors from 11 different brands and found a whole new world of creamy, delicious options. Brands like Jeni’s, Oatly, and Van Leeuwen have become skilled at creating non-dairy desserts that truly satisfy. This piece covers everything you need to know about finding dairy free ice cream nearby or choosing the best option for specific dietary needs. We took a deep look at various dairy free ice cream brands, including allergy friendly options that work for multiple sensitivities. Shopping becomes easier with the free Food Scan Genius app. This app stands out by using an AI-first approach with 35 customizable filters. You can quickly find products that match your dietary needs while shopping. The app helps you find non dairy ice cream brands that fit perfectly with your personal restrictions. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Image Source: Jeni’s Ice Creams Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams sits right at the top of my dairy-free dessert list. This brand has become skilled at making non-dairy treats that taste amazing through clever ingredients and careful crafting. Their dairy-free flavors never fail to amaze me with authentic taste and perfect texture. Why we love Jeni’s Jeni’s really shines with their steadfast dedication to premium ingredients that capture traditional ice cream’s richness. They’ve crafted their dairy-free bases with coconut cream and a touch of coconut oil. This creates an incredibly smooth foundation. The flavors in each pint feel carefully designed rather than just thrown together. The brand takes a unique path to flavor creation that sets them apart. Rather than just tweaking dairy recipes, they build each dairy-free flavor from scratch. This ensures every taste works perfectly with their plant-based ingredients. Jeni’s standout flavors Dark Chocolate Truffle remains my absolute favorite. The rich cocoa notes and silky finish make it taste just like premium dairy ice cream. Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns gives you this perfect sweet balance with crunchy candied pecans. Jeni’s Roasted Strawberry Coconut brings real berry flavor without any fake sweetness. The Texas Sheet Cake, with its chocolate cake pieces and rich fudge swirls, hits the spot when chocolate cravings strike. Jeni’s texture and creaminess The brand has cracked the code on texture – a tough challenge for many dairy-free options. Their smart mix of coconut cream and minimal stabilizers creates ice cream that melts just right instead of disappearing instantly or feeling waxy. These ice creams scoop beautifully without falling apart or getting icy. This attention to texture makes Jeni’s stand out among allergy friendly ice cream choices. How Food Scan Genius helps you find Jeni’s Food Scan Genius app makes finding Jeni’s dairy-free options super easy. A quick barcode scan tells me if the ice cream matches my dietary needs. The app’s 35 filters let me set exactly what I want – going beyond just “dairy-free” to include other allergens or ingredients I’d rather skip. The sort of thing I love about Food Scan Genius is how it suggests alternatives when something doesn’t fit my needs. If a Jeni’s flavor has ingredients I avoid, the app quickly shows other Jeni’s options that work better. This individual-specific approach saves time whether I’m searching for “dairy free ice cream near me” or exploring new stores. Oatly Frozen Dessert Image Source: Good Eggs Oatly’s frozen desserts taste just like traditional ice cream. This Swedish oat milk pioneer makes plant-based frozen treats that match dairy alternatives perfectly. Why we love Oatly Oatly stands out because of its amazing environmental benefits. Their oat-based frozen dessert leaves one-third the carbon footprint of dairy ice cream [1]. To name just one example, see what happens if all Americans switched to Oatly’s oat-based alternative instead of ice cream – it would be like taking 1.6 million gas-powered cars off the road for a year [1]. Oatly makes frozen desserts that truly satisfy. You won’t need to wait before scooping – these treats stay soft and ready to serve straight from the freezer [2]. Oatly’s best flavors The lineup includes plenty of delicious options: Classic options: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry Coffee lovers’ delight: Coffee (made with organic, fair-trade coffee) Indulgent choices: Mint Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Fudge Brownie Unique offerings: Salted Caramel, Raspberry Swirl, Banana Split [2] The flavors taste more subtle and less sweet than regular ice cream brands [3]. Their chocolate version really shines – their product developer calls it “a frozen creamy ganache of chocolate” [4]. Oatly’s creamy oat base Oatly’s amazing texture comes from their special recipe. They blend oat milk, refined coconut oil, and non-GMO rapeseed oil to create the perfect structure and feel [5]. This mix creates a rich, creamy consistency that feels just like dairy ice cream. Oatly’s products are great for people with food sensitivities. Everything stays dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and vegan [2]. The coconut oil they use goes through heavy refinement that removes almost all protein residue, making it safe even for people with tree nut or coconut allergies [5]. How Food Scan Genius helps you find Oatly Finding specific Oatly flavors can be tricky sometimes. The Food Scan Genius app is a great way to get help. This free app uses AI to help you locate Oatly products that match your priorities. Food Scan Genius has 35 filters you can adjust to find exactly what you want in a dairy-free dessert. You can spot Oatly flavors that fit your needs quickly while shopping. The app works better than other scanning options by giving you individual-specific recommendations based on your dietary needs, which saves time when searching freezer sections for “dairy free ice cream near me. Van Leeuwen Vegan Ice Cream Image Source: Specialty Food News | Specialty Food Association Van Leeuwen started on New York City’s streets and changed the dairy free ice cream landscape with their craft approach

Vegan Grocery Shopping List: Essential Items for Every Kitchen

Dietary Preferences, Jain, Vegan

27 Must-Have Items for Your Vegan Grocery List in 2025 (Beginner-Friendly) Struggling to create your first vegan grocery list? You’re not alone. Many new vegans feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of plant foods they should include in their daily meals. Building a well-stocked vegan pantry doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Did you know many vegan recipes require only 8 ingredients or less? This makes them surprisingly accessible for beginners. Contrary to popular belief, vegan grocery shopping doesn’t have to break the bank. A well-balanced vegan diet comes from focusing on minimally processed foods and including a variety of colorful items on your plate. Finding the right staples can feel overwhelming when you’re just starting your vegan journey. Major grocery stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger now carry wide selections of vegan products, making it easier than ever to find what you need. Buying in bulk significantly reduces costs, especially for essentials like nuts, seeds, beans, and grains. Are you looking for a vegan food list for beginners or trying to create a vegan grocery list on a budget? We’ve compiled 27 must-have items that will form the foundation of your plant-based kitchen in 2025. From protein-packed legumes to versatile grains and convenient meat alternatives, this guide has everything you need to shop with confidence. Oats and Breakfast Grains Image Source: Feasting At Home Oats deserve prime real estate in your vegan breakfast routine. When stored properly, these versatile grains maintain their freshness for up to 30 years [36], making them an essential foundation for your vegan grocery list. Oats for breakfast Packed with fiber and complex carbohydrates, oats keep you feeling satisfied longer while delivering steady energy throughout your morning. Rolled oats work beautifully for vegan breakfast preparations. Need a quick morning solution? Try overnight oats – simply combine ½ cup rolled oats with ½ cup non-dairy milk in a mason jar, refrigerate overnight, and top with fresh fruits, nuts, or maple syrup in the morning [12]. Consider these breakfast variations: Chocolate peanut butter oatmeal sweetened with ripe banana Blueberry muffin oatmeal with easy berry compote Savory oatmeal with mushrooms and greens Other grains to try Beyond oats, various grains create versatile breakfast options for your vegan pantry staples. Quinoa, with its complete protein profile, makes an excellent morning grain bowl base. Buckwheat and millet offer gluten-free alternatives with unique textures and nutritional benefits [12]. Prepare these grains ahead of time by cooking 5 cups at once and refrigerating. Each morning, simply reheat a portion with plant milk and add your favorite toppings [12]. Storage tips Proper storage dramatically extends the shelf life of your breakfast grains. Both hard grains (like rice) and soft grains (like oats) require airtight containers with tight-fitting lids [10]. Store your grains in cool, dark, dry places away from humidity, heat, and sunlight [10]. For extended freshness, transfer store-bought oats from paper packaging to glass or metal containers and keep in the refrigerator, where processed oats stay fresh for up to one year [35]. The Food Scan Genius app helps you identify the most nutritious vegan breakfast grains while shopping. Its 35 personalized filters make finding high-quality, allergen-free options significantly easier than other food scanning apps. Rice and Quinoa Image Source: Slender Kitchen Rice and quinoa form the backbone of many vegan meal plans, offering versatile options for lunch and dinner dishes. Both grains serve as excellent blank canvases for absorbing flavors while providing essential nutrients. Types of rice Rice varieties span a wide spectrum, each with distinct characteristics ideal for specific dishes: Brown rice: Contains the bran and germ layers, making it higher in fiber and nutrients than white rice. It offers a nutty flavor and chewy texture, though requires longer cooking time [11]. White rice: More quickly digested with a neutral flavor, making it perfect for curries and stir-fries. Although less nutritious than brown rice, leftover white rice contains ‘resistant starch’ when chilled and reheated [7]. Jasmine rice: Aromatic with a slightly firm texture, this Thai variety works wonderfully in Asian-inspired dishes [37]. Basmati rice: Known for its distinct nutty aroma, this long-grain rice remains the most popular in India, perfect for curries and pilafs [11]. Black rice: Also called “forbidden rice,” contains anthocyanins (the same pigments in eggplants), offering robust earthy flavor and impressive antioxidant content [37]. Quinoa benefits Despite being technically a seed, quinoa functions as a grain in cooking while delivering exceptional nutritional value. A one-cup serving of cooked quinoa provides 5 grams of fiber and 8 grams of complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids [38]. Quinoa stands out for its: Complete protein profile: Contains all essential amino acids, making it ideal for vegans [38] Rich mineral content: Provides iron (15% DV), magnesium (28% DV), and zinc (18% DV) [38] Antioxidant compounds: Contains quercetin and kaempferol with anti-inflammatory properties [38] Gluten-free status: Perfect for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity [38] Cooking and storage For optimal results when cooking these staples: Toast quinoa in a dry pan for 5-8 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor [7]. Cook using a 1:1.75 ratio of quinoa to water for perfectly fluffy results [38]. Most quinoa varieties cook in just 15 minutes, making them quicker than brown rice [39]. Both grains freeze exceptionally well. Cook large batches, portion, and freeze for quick meal prep [40]. Store uncooked grains in airtight containers in cool, dark places [40]. The Food Scan Genius app simplifies choosing the best rice and quinoa products while grocery shopping. Its AI-powered system with 35 personalized filters helps identify organic options and verify nutritional claims. Moreover, the app outperforms Yuka and other scanning tools by providing tailored recommendations based on your specific dietary needs. Canned Tomatoes and Paste Image Source: Plant-Based on a Budget Canned tomatoes represent a cornerstone of vegan pantry staples, offering year-round access to peak-season tomato flavor. Unlike their fresh counterparts, these preserves go from field to can within hours, locking in nutritional benefits like fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K,