Milkshakes are a delicious treat that are typically made by blending milk, ice cream, and flavorings together. The ice cream provides the signature thick, creamy texture. However, sometimes you may want to make a milkshake but don’t have any ice cream on hand. Luckily, there are a number of ingredients you can use in place of ice cream to create a tasty milkshake.
Quick Answer
Some quick substitutions for ice cream in milkshakes include frozen yogurt, frozen fruit, cottage cheese, silken tofu, Greek yogurt, soft serve, ice cubes, instant pudding mix, protein powder, mascarpone cheese, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, avocado, banana, coconut cream, nut butter, and seeds.
Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is one of the most direct substitutes for ice cream in milkshakes. It has a very similar creamy texture and flavor. Plain frozen yogurt works best to let the other milkshake flavors shine. Mix in milk and your desired flavors and blend up just like you would an ice cream milkshake. The only difference is frozen yogurt contains active cultures that provide probiotic benefits.
Frozen Fruit
Using frozen fruit is an easy way to thicken up a milkshake without ice cream. Bananas, mangoes, strawberries, cherries, and pineapple all work well. The fruit adds natural sweetness and flavor. For best results, freeze the chopped fruit overnight or until solidly frozen. Then blend the frozen fruit with milk and other mix-ins until smooth and frosty.
Cottage Cheese
Believe it or not, cottage cheese can make an excellent base for milkshakes. It purees down smooth and lends a rich, creamy texture. For the best consistency, use large curd or pressed cottage cheese. Start with about 1/2 cup cottage cheese for a single serving milkshake. Then blend with milk, vanilla, and other flavors. Sweeten to taste with honey, maple syrup, sugar, or other sweeteners if needed.
Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is a vegan alternative to ice cream that can work beautifully in milkshakes. It has an ultra-smooth, creamy consistency. Start with 3/4 cup to 1 cup of silken tofu. Blend with milk and flavors of your choice until frosty and thoroughly combined. Some vanilla and sweetener helps boost the flavor. Top with whipped coconut cream for an even richer shake.
Greek Yogurt
The thick texture of Greek yogurt allows it to stand in for ice cream in milkshakes. Use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt for maximum versatility. Blend about 3/4 cup to 1 cup yogurt with milk, sweeteners, and flavors as desired. The tangy flavor of yogurt gives a nice contrast to the sweetness. Stir in some honey or fruit puree such as raspberry or mango for extra flavor.
Soft Serve
Soft serve ice cream or yogurt can pinch hit for regular ice cream. Since it’s already fairly soft, you may not need to add as much milk. Aim for equal parts soft serve and milk. Blend until smooth, adding flavors like chocolate syrup, peanut butter, vanilla extract, fruit, or anything else you enjoy. Top with whipped cream, nuts, or sprinkles for the full soft serve treat experience.
Ice Cubes
Believe it or not, plain ice cubes can work in a bind for thickening up an ice cream-less milkshake. They melt down into a slushy texture when blended. Obviously ice alone won’t provide the same rich creaminess as ice cream. But when blended with milk, sweetener, and flavorings, ice cubes make a passable substitute. Let it blend for 1-2 minutes until the ice is fully crushed and incorporated.
Instant Pudding Mix
Instant pudding mix gives a milkshake nice body and flavor. Simply prepare the pudding with milk according to package directions. Then pour into a blender along with any other milkshake mix-ins and blend until smooth. The pudding dissolves into the milkshake base for a thick, creamy texture. Vanilla, chocolate, or cheesecake flavored pudding mixes work especially well.
Protein Powder
Protein powders like whey or plant proteins make a nutritious addition to milkshakes. They add thickness and richness similar to ice cream. Simply blend 1-2 scoops of protein powder with milk, a banana, peanut butter, or other flavors. The protein powder also helps support muscle recovery after a workout. Choose vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored protein to allow other milkshake flavors to shine.
Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone is an ultra-rich and creamy Italian cheese. It pairs perfectly with sweet flavors. For milkshakes, blend together 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese with 1 cup milk and flavors like cocoa powder, caramel sauce, or pureed fruit. The mascarpone provides a smooth, decadent texture reminiscent of ice cream. Garnish with shaved chocolate or caramel drizzle.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese can also replace ice cream in milkshake recipes. Use about 4 ounces of softened cream cheese per milkshake. For best results, use a blender to puree the cream cheese with milk until completely smooth. Then add in flavors like fruit, chocolate, caramel, or maple syrup and blend again if needed. Top with whipped cream for extra richness.
Ricotta Cheese
Fresh ricotta cheese has a creamy, milky flavor that tastes wonderful blended into milkshakes. Replace ice cream with about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of whole milk ricotta per shake. Blend with milk and desired flavors until smooth and frothy. Sweeten to taste with honey, sugar, or fruit purees. Garnish with cocoa powder, cinnamon, or fresh fruit.
Avocado
Avocados can be used to provide rich creaminess to milkshakes without dairy. Blend together one ripe avocado with 2 cups milk, sweetener, and vanilla or chocolate extract. Avocado gives a smooth, thick texture and subtle flavor. Top with coconut whipped cream and cocoa powder for a tasty vegan shake.
Banana
This popular smoothie ingredient also shines in milkshakes. Simply blend 1 or 2 frozen bananas with milk until creamy. Bananas provide natural sweetness in addition to thickness. Peanut butter, chocolate sauce, or berries make delicious flavor additions. Let the bananas freeze overnight first for best results.
Coconut Cream
Canned coconut cream or the thicker cream skimmed from the top of full-fat coconut milk provides a dairy-free alternative to ice cream. Refrigerate cans of coconut milk overnight, then scoop out the solid cream on top. Blend about 3/4 cup to 1 cup coconut cream with milk and flavors. Sweeten if desired. Top with toasted coconut.
Nut or Seed Butter
Nut butters like almond, peanut, or cashew butter add body and nutrition to milkshakes made without ice cream.Aim for 2-3 tablespoons of nut butter per shake blended with milk and sweeteners. Chocolate or sunflower seed butter make delicious options too. Shake up the nut butter milkshake with mix-ins like chocolate chips, caramel, or berries.
Seeds
Chia, flax, hemp, and chia seeds can be used to provide thickness to ice cream-free milkshakes. Simply blend 2-3 tablespoons of seeds with milk, sweetener, and flavors. Allow to sit for 5+ minutes to thicken up before enjoying. The tiny seeds nearly dissolve into the shake. Top with granola for added crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use if I don’t have any ice cream or frozen substitutes?
If you don’t have anything frozen on hand, try using ingredients like instant pudding mixes, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta, cream cheese, nut butters, or pureed fruits to add creaminess and texture. You can also make “nice” cream by blending frozen banana with milk for a thick shake.
What is the best milk to use for milkshakes without ice cream?
Whole milk or even half and half work best to create a rich, creamy shake texture without ice cream. Skim or low-fat milk may result in a thinner, less decadent shake. But you can use your preferred milk and experiment with thickeners like protein powder, chia seeds, instant pudding, or nut butters.
Do I need to adjust the ingredients if I’m not using ice cream?
It’s a good idea to tweak the ingredient ratios when using ice cream alternatives. You may need less milk since substitutes like yogurt or banana are already creamy and thicker. Start with small amounts of milk and adjust as needed for desired consistency. Also adjust sweeteners to account for ingredients like fruit or flavored yogurt.
What is the best way to blend up an ice cream-less milkshake?
Use a powerful blender like a Vitamix or quality food processor to thoroughly puree ice cream substitutes and milk together until very smooth. Blending for 1-2 minutes ensures your shake has a creamy texture without ice crystals. Add liquid ingredients first before solids. Let thickeners like chia or instant pudding rest before blending.
Can I make a milkshake without a blender?
It’s challenging but possible to make a milkshake without a blender. Use a wire whisk to vigorously mix and incorporate air into the ingredients. Make sure any substitutes for ice cream are well pureed or mashed first. Shake hard in a closed container or jar to help blend further. Toppings can help disguise less than silky texture.
Top 5 Ice Cream Substitutes for Milkshakes
| Substitute | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Frozen yogurt | Very similar texture and tangy flavor |
| Frozen fruit | Provides natural sweetness and flavor |
| Cottage cheese | Creamy, thick texture |
| Greek yogurt | Tangy flavor and thick consistency |
| Soft serve | Provides a similar milkshake experience |
Conclusion
While ice cream is the traditional base for milkshakes, you have many options for substitutions if you find yourself without it. Ingredients like frozen yogurt, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, nut butters, and frozen fruit can mimic the texture and flavor of ice cream. Get creative with your own favorite ingredients and flavors to whip up tasty milkshakes anytime.
