Looking for the best dairy-free ice cream at Trader Joe’s? If you’ve looked in the freezer section at your local Trader Joe’s recently, you may have noticed that their dairy free selection has been quietly growing. But with both pints and treats to try, what’s worth picking up? I tried every non-dairy frozen dessert in the lineup, so I can tell you what’s worth trying, and what you may want to skip.
Hold the Dairy! Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Cones
This is easily the best in the line up. It’s a consistent staple of the freezer section, as long as it’s not sold out. They are a mini ice cream cone filled with decadent chocolate, topped with a mini scoop of creamy, chocolate ice cream made with coconut milk, and a drizzle of chocolate shell atop. These are tiny, with the serving size being 6 cones, so they are also perfect as a tiny treat rather than a huge dessert—but if one isn’t enough, you can always have one more… or five. And while this is made with coconut milk, it does not taste like coconut, only chocolate!
As wonderful as these are, I have noticed a discrepancy in packaging. Ideally, you would like the cone to be crisp when you dive in, but occasionally the cone will be slightly soggy due to errors in storage. This doesn’t affect the taste, but does alter the texture significantly.
More information on this Hold the Dairy! available on Trader Joe’s website.
Non-Dairy Coconut Ice Cream Bar (Ice Cream Sandwiches)
These are highly refreshing on their own, but not a real ice cream sandwich substitute, despite clearly being designed as such. The chocolate biscuit on either side is almost identical to the classic ice cream sandwich, down to the way it sticks to your fingers. But the center is completely different. It’s watery, and very coconut-forward. They are extremely messy to eat due to how quickly they melt and how sticky the chocolate is.
While not an equivalent substitute at all, I would still recommend this to a coconut lover. It can be intensely refreshing on a hot summer day, and does come in a paper wrapper that can make it simpler to eat. But if you are looking for nostalgia, chasing the original, milk-based ice cream sandwich, this will not scratch the itch.
For more information about the Trader Joe’s Non-Dairy Coconut Ice Cream Bars, visit their product page.
Non-Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream (Pint)
I won’t lie, I think this may be a case-by-case basis. How do you usually prefer your vanilla ice cream? To taste like vanilla bean, or as more of a blank slate? If it’s the latter, this may be a better fit for you.
This wasn’t bad. I just wish the vanilla flavor was stronger, because it was somewhat plain tasting. And since it was created with coconut milk, you can taste a hint of coconut—although not overwhelming. The texture was great, not icey, very smooth. When I was enjoying this, the compromise I made was that it needed some sort of topping. I ate most of the pint with these dark chocolate orange and almond bars from Aldi (which are also, of course, dairy free).
Further information about the Trader Joe’s Non-Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream can be found on their website.
Non-Dairy Chocolate Ice Cream (Pint)
After I took my first bite of the non-dairy chocolate ice cream, I had to double check the label. It tastes, very convincingly, like milk chocolate. Similar to the other dessert options, it is crafted with coconut milk to create a creamy texture. It’s sweet, light, and acts as a solid chocolate ice cream substitute. It’s so close that I would dare claim that you may not even know it was non-dairy, if you hadn’t read the label.
My only cautionary note on this product is that the texture seems thicker than ice cream traditionally is. It doesn’t melt as quickly, and the first couple bites may catch you off guard before you adjust. Similar to the vanilla pint, I recommend eating it with some sort of topping. I usually drop a scoop of peanut butter in my bowl.
As of the time of writing this article, the Non-Dairy Chocolate Ice Cream was not listed on the Trader Joe’s official site.
Non-Dairy Affogato Kit (New)
When I saw this new affogato kit in the freezer section, I snatched it up without a second thought. I love affogatos, and these seemed like an easy solution to enjoy them more often. It comes in a package of two, with each affogato being packaged in a tiny pint. The ice cream comes with a divot carved into the middle for the instant coffee, which comes in a separate packet. You create the affogato by adding the instant coffee into the divot alongside a small amount of boiling water to create the affogato.
It is, honestly, excellent packaging and an easy system. My biggest complaint is that the instructions did not specify how much water, nor how hot, but I would recommend filling up the divot about halfway with boiling water. Keep in mind that the more water you add, the more diluted the coffee flavor will be.
This was tasty, in the way that all affogatos are tasty. The ice cream had a distinct coconut taste, but also a strong vanilla—perhaps even stronger vanilla than the vanilla pint. The ice cream is delicious. The coffee is not of great quality, which is its biggest drawback. It is very bitter, and I did not enjoy it much.
After finishing my affogato, I concluded that I would much rather pour a shot of espresso from my home machine atop a scoop from the vanilla pint. Everything from the affogato was set up to be a great product, but the instant coffee was poor. I would love if Trader Joe’s would update the instant coffee to a less bitter brew, because everything else about this was great.
More information on the Dairy Free Affogatos is available on the Trader Joe’s site.
Tips for Shopping the Non-Dairy Freezer Section at Trader Joe’s
Before you pick up anything, decide what you’re going for. A classic dairy replacement? Then maybe the chocolate or vanilla pints would be a great pick. Maybe a refreshing treat that doesn’t necessarily imitate dairy? The ice cream sandwich may be the go-to. Or if you’re looking for a little treat to act as a midday pick-me-up, Hold the Dairy! is the way to go.
Whether you’re new to the dairy free lifestyle or have been doing it for decades, if you’re looking for non-dairy guides and reviews, Saav Eats Dairy Free acts as a comprehensive guide for dairy free cooking and eating.
