Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream is a rich, creamy ice cream flavored with Hass avocados. It has a subtle avocado flavor with hints of lime. The ice cream was introduced in 2019 as part of Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy dessert options made with a coconut and almond milk base.
What makes Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream unique?
Here are some of the things that make Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream stand out:
- Real avocado – Made with real Hass avocados, not just flavoring, giving it an authentic, subtle avocado taste.
- Coconut milk base – Uses a creamy coconut and almond milk blend instead of dairy as the base.
- Lime accents – Has hints of bright lime flavor complementing the avocado.
- Smooth and rich – Has a thicker, creamier texture than traditional ice cream thanks to the avocado.
- Non-dairy – Suitable for vegan, dairy-free and lactose-free diets.
- Hand-scooped – Made in small batches and hand-scooped like all Ben & Jerry’s flavors.
What are the ingredients in Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream?
Here are the main ingredients used to make Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream:
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Coconut milk | Provides the dairy-free base and creamy texture |
| Almond milk | Adds to the coconut milk base |
| Avocado | Gives the ice cream its avocado flavor |
| Lime juice | Provides a subtle lime flavor |
| Cane sugar | Sweetens the ice cream |
| Vanilla extract | Adds vanilla flavor |
| Sea salt | Balances out sweetness and enhances flavors |
Ben & Jerry’s keeps their exact recipe a secret, but those are the key ingredients used to create the unique avocado ice cream flavor.
Nutritional information
Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream has the following nutritional profile in 1/2 cup serving:
| Nutrition Facts | 1/2 cup |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 100mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 17g |
| Protein | 2g |
Key nutritional highlights
- High in fat and calories – Each serving provides over 50% of fat calories, typical for premium ice cream.
- Low in protein and fiber – Contains minimal amounts of protein and fiber.
- No cholesterol – Cholesterol free as it contains no dairy.
- High in saturated fat – Gets most of its fat content from saturated fats in coconut milk.
- High in added sugar – Contains 17g total sugar per serving, all from natural cane sugar.
Where can you buy Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream?
Here are the places you can find Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream:
- Grocery stores – Sold in the frozen desserts section at many major grocery chains across the US.
- Convenience stores – Available in the frozen section at some convenience stores like 7-Eleven.
- Ice cream shops – Scooped fresh at Ben & Jerry’s store locations.
- Online – Can be bought online for delivery from sites like Walmart.com and Instacart.
- Ben & Jerry’s website – Can be ordered for delivery through benjerry.com.
The best availability is usually at grocery stores like Walmart, Target, and regional supermarket chains. Enter your zip code on the store locator at benjerry.com to find locations near you selling it.
What’s the typical price of Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream?
Ben & Jerry’s avocado ice cream typically costs between $4.99 to $6.99 per pint depending on the retailer. Here are some average prices:
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| Grocery Stores | $4.99 – $5.99 per pint |
| Convenience Stores | $5.99 – $6.99 per pint |
| Ben & Jerry’s Shops | $3.75 – $6.00 per scoop |
| Online Orders | $6.49 per pint for delivery |
Grocery stores tend to offer the best value. Convenience locations charge a bit more. Ordering direct from Ben & Jerry’s online has the highest cost per pint.
How long has avocado ice cream been around?
While avocado ice cream seems like a modern novelty flavor, its origins actually go back centuries:
- Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica – Avocados were made into ice cream-like frozen desserts by Aztecs, Mayans and other cultures since at least 200 A.D.
- 1920s US – Recipes for avocado ice cream began appearing in US newspapers and cookbooks.
- 1940s Europe – Avocado ice cream was included in fancy dinner menus at upscale restaurants.
- 1970s California – Chefs in Los Angeles and San Francisco began experimenting with gourmet ice cream flavors including avocado.
- 21st century – Avocado ice cream popularity surged with the rise of artisanal, locally-sourced ice cream shops and non-dairy alternatives.
So while avocado ice cream seems quite modern, it has actually been around for centuries. Ben & Jerry’s helped popularize it recently as a dairy-free flavor, but it has a long history in many cultures.
How is avocado ice cream made?
Making creamy avocado ice cream at home is simple with just a few key steps:
- Ripen avocados – Pick ripe, ready-to-eat avocados for the creamiest texture.
- Scoop avocado flesh – Remove pits and skin and scoop out the soft flesh into a blender.
- Blend with ingredients – Blend avocado flesh with a non-dairy milk, lime juice, sugar and vanilla.
- Chill the mixture – Refrigerate the blend for 1-2 hours until completely chilled.
- Churn in ice cream maker – Pour cold mixture into ice cream maker and churn 25-35 minutes.
- Freeze until firm – Transfer churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Freeze 2+ hours until firm.
The trickiest part is getting the ratio of ingredients like sugar and lime juice right to balance out the avocado. But overall it’s a simple basic ice cream recipe swapping in mashed avocado for typical dairy ingredients.
Tips for the Best Homemade Avocado Ice Cream
- Use ripe Haas variety avocados for creamy, smooth texture.
- Blending in some lemon, lime or orange juice brightens up the flavor.
- Consider adding a pinch of sea salt to balance out sweetness.
- Chill the mixture very well before churning for easiest churning.
- Don’t over-churn, which can cause a icy, grainy texture.
- Freeze in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
What are some recipe variations?
The basic avocado ice cream recipe can be customized in lots of ways. Here are some tasty variations to try:
Flavor additions
- Chocolate avocado – Blend in cocoa powder or melted chocolate.
- Strawberry avocado – Mix in chopped strawberries.
- Maple cinnamon – Add maple syrup and cinnamon.
- Mocha – Stir in coffee grounds and cocoa powder.
- Mint chocolate chip – Fold in chopped mint and chocolate chips.
Texture mix-ins
- Brownie chunks – Fold in chunks of brownie batter before freezing.
- Cookies & cream – Add in crumbled cookies like Oreos or chocolate chip.
- Roasted nuts – Toast pecans, almonds or walnuts and mix in.
- Coconut flakes – Toast unsweetened coconut and fold into the ice cream.
Let your creativity run wild! Avocado ice cream is a great canvas for all kinds of delicious flavors.
What are some serving ideas?
Beyond scooping into a bowl or cone, try these fun ways to serve avocado ice cream:
Sundaes
- Hot fudge avocado sundae with toasted almonds
- Berry avocado sundae with fresh strawberries
- Brownie avocado sundae with chocolate sauce and brownie chunks
Milkshakes
- Avocado milkshake with lime zest whipped cream
- Chocolate avocado shake with cocoa powder
- Avocado vanilla bean shake with vanilla bean specks
Avocado Pops
- Avocado ice cream pops dipped in chocolate
- Avocado yogurt pops swirled with mango
- Avocado pops on a stick rolled in coconut
However you choose to serve it, avocado ice cream is sure to be a cool, creamy treat!
Conclusion
Avocado ice cream is an innovative non-dairy dessert with a subtly sweet, creamy texture. Ben & Jerry’s popularized avocado ice cream recently, but it has centuries of history in cultures across the Americas. While the flavor profile may seem unusual, the avocado adds a lush, smooth richness unlike any other ice cream. So don’t knock it until you try this cool, craveable cream – avocado ice cream is a delightfully delicious dessert choice!