This kefir ice cream is a refreshing, no-cook summer dessert. With a creamy, tangy, lemony base and a drizzle of berry sauce, it’s an easy, healthy frozen treat.
Kefir Ice Cream (No-Cook, Probiotic Dessert)
If you're looking for a healthy frozen yogurt alternative, this kefir ice cream will be your new summer go-to. With its zippy tang, creamy texture, and rich probiotic content, this frozen treat is both healthy and delicious.
With its distinctive zippy tang and beneficial active cultures, kefir is easy to love. If you’ve never had kefir, it has the same tart and slightly sour taste of yogurt, and it's that very twang gives the base of this lemony frozen dessert its kick.
🥛 What Is Kefir?
Kefir is a fermented milk drink similar to yogurt but thinner in consistency and packed with even more probiotics. It’s made using kefir grains and milk (dairy or non-dairy), resulting in a tart, slightly sour beverage that supports digestion and gut health. It’s available in cow’s, goat’s, and even coconut milk versions.
When strained, kefir transforms from liquid to a thick, velvety base that's perfect for frozen desserts. For this frozen dessert, strained kefir mimics the creaminess of traditional frozen yogurt without the need for added thickeners or emulsifiers.
Why You'll Love This Frozen Kefir Recipe
- Naturally Probiotic: Made with live active cultures that support gut health
- Dairy-Free Friendly: Use coconut kefir and maple syrup or agave for a vegan version
- Refreshing: Lemon paired with kefir’s twang makes every spoonful refreshing.
🧾 Ingredients for Lemon Kefir Ice Cream
To make this probiotic frozen dessert, you’ll need:
➤ For the Frozen Kefir Base:
- Whole-milk kefir → Use goat, cow, or coconut kefir. Straining makes it thick and creamy.
- Honey → Adds floral sweetness without refined sugars. (Use maple syrup or agave if making a vegan version.)
- Lemon juice and zest → Brings brightness and acidity.
➤ For the Blackberry Coulis (optional):
- Frozen blackberries → Berry flavor to compliment the yogurt.
- Lemon juice → Balances the berries’ sweetness.
- Honey → To sweeten. (Or use maple syrup or agave if making a vegan version).
- Crème de mûre (optional) → A blackberry liqueur that deepens the coulis.
- Fresh blackberries (optional) → For garnish.
How to Make Kefir Ice Cream Step-by-Step
Step 1: Strain the Kefir
Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth or use a nut milk bag. Strain the kefir in the fridge until it thickens to a yogurt-like consistency.
Step 2: Mix the Frozen Kefir Base
In a bowl, whisk together the strained kefir, honey, lemon juice, and lemon zest and chill.
Step 3: Make the Blackberry Coulis
Blend thawed frozen blackberries with lemon juice and honey. Strain out the seeds using a fine mesh sieve. Stir in crème de mûre if using. Chill until ready to serve.
Step 4: Churn and Freeze
Pour the chilled kefir mixture into an ice cream maker. Churn until it reaches soft-serve consistency. Transfer to a container and freeze until firm if desired.
Step 5: Add the Blackberry Coulis
- Swirled version: Gently swirl coulis into the frozen kefir for a marbled look.
- Topping version: Drizzle on top when serving.
- Float version: Scoop into a glass, top with coulis, pour in sparkling water, and enjoy a tangy probiotic float.
Variations and Substitutions
- Dairy-Free Frozen Kefir: Use coconut milk kefir and a vegan sweetener for a vegan option.
- Citrus Swaps: Try lime or orange for a twist.
- Berry Substitutes: Raspberries or strawberries are also nice.
- Frozen Kefir Popsicles: Pour the mix into molds for an easy probiotic treat.
🥄 Final Thoughts
Kefir ice cream delivers that famous kefir tartness with the refreshing tang of lemon.
It's a healthy and refreshing treat that’s a little different from the usual frozen yogurt. Keep a batch of kefir in the fridge, and you’re always a few steps away from dessert bliss.
For more creamy and refreshing dessert ideas, explore these healthy frozen desserts, including frozen yogurt bites, fruit-based desserts, and easy no-bake summer recipes.
More Frozen Desserts:
Lemon Frozen Kefir with Blackberry Coulis
Ingredients
- 1 quart/946ml whole milk kefir (I like to use goat’s milk kefir or you can use coconut milk kefir for a dairy-free version)
- 6 Tablespoons/126g plus 2 Tablespoons/42g of raw wildflower honey (divided use)
- ¼ cup/60ml fresh lemon juice divided use (3 Tablespoons for the frozen kefir and reserve 1 Tablespoon for blackberry coulis)
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- ¾ cup/140g frozen blackberries, thawed
- 1 teaspoon blackberry liqueur (crème de mûre), optional
- 6oz/170g fresh blackberries
Instructions
- Line a colander with cheesecloth (or use a yogurt cheese bag or clean tea towel). Place over a medium-sized bowl to catch the whey.
- Pour kefir in the cheesecloth and place the bowl in the fridge to drain until your kefir has thickened and has the consistency of yogurt. (This may take anywhere from two to four hours or longer if your kefir is very thin.)
- In a large bowl whisk together the strained kefir (you should have about 2 cups) with 6 Tablespoons of the honey, 3 Tablespoons of the lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Cover and refrigerate for an half an hour to an hour, or until well chilled before churning.
- Meanwhile, place the thawed frozen blackberries with the reserved lemon juice and the rest of the honey (2 Tablespoons) in a blender or food processor and puree adding water if necessary to create a smooth sauce.
- Pass the puree through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. Add the blackberry liqueur if using and refrigerate until needed.
- Pour the chilled kefir mixture into the canister of an ice cream machine , and freeze according to ice cream manufacturer’s directions until thick and creamy. (If you prefer a soft serve consistency, serve immediately or pack into a freezer safe storage container and freeze until ready to serve.) If you’d like you can layer spoonfuls of the blackberry coulis with the frozen kefir into a freezer safe container for a swirled effect or serve it separately.
- When ready to serve thaw slightly (for 5 or 10 minutes) before scooping for the best texture.
- Serve with blackberry coulis and top with fresh berries.
To Make Floats:
- Place two small scoops of frozen kefir in a glass.
- Add a spoonful of blackberry sauce.
- Pour in sparkling water to fill.
- Drizzle with more blackberry sauce and top with fresh blackberries.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian,
NOTE: for a Paleo or dairy-free option use coconut milk kefir instead.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 208Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 258mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 4gSugar: 21gProtein: 9g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian says
I love kefir and am going to have to make this!!