Being dairy-free or vegan doesn’t have to mean giving up ice cream, but it does mean figuring out which milk-free flavors are bearable. After some very serious taste-testing over this past year (for journalism, of course), here’s how the non-dairy lineup ranked for me.
12. Cherry Garcia
This flavor might be iconic in the Ben and Jerry’s world, but in its dairy-free form, the magic just isn’t there. The coconut base is almost intolerable, leaving a slightly chalky aftertaste. The cherries are also way too sour, and I just can’t take it.
11. Chocolate Fudge Brownie
It’s rich, absolutely, but the texture leans toward brownie paste, not bites. It’s all one dense note — way too much cocoa, zero contrast. If you’re craving excitement or adventure, this one isn’t it.
10. Peanut Butter Half Baked
The mix-ins save this one. There’s definitely good texture, but the peanut butter flavor dominates so much that you lose the cookie dough. I love peanut butter, but I expected a little more from this one.
9. The Tonight Dough
This one felt absolutely chaotic. There’s cookie dough, peanut butter, and fudge. It all seems to blur together into aggressive sweetness. It wasn’t bad, just loud.
8. Oatmeal Dream Pie
Surprisingly cozy. This tasted like breakfast meets dessert — oatmeal cookies that almost tasted homemade. It’s not a showstopper, but it’s definitely not last!
7. Americone Dream
This dairy-free version holds its own! The caramel and waffle cone crunch are the stars, but the base doesn’t seem very creamy. It’s definitely a staple, but I wouldn’t put it in my top 5.
6. Strawberry Cheezecake
The bite from the dairy-free “cheezecake” swirl is shockingly delicious. The strawberry is bright, and the graham swirl actually adds some great texture. This is one of the few that feels like its own identity instead of a sad copy of the original.
5. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
This is just a classic. It makes top 5, but definitely not top 3. It’s simple and nostalgic, which we need sometimes. The cookie dough chunks are soft, and the almond milk base isn’t aggressive.
4. Phish Food
You’d think marshmallow swirls would be a disaster in ice cream, but they turned out delectable in this pint. The fish-shaped fudgy pieces are perfect and the chocolate is smooth, which makes it all melt together. This is a great option for gluten-free folks as well!
3. Mint Chocolate Cookie
This is the perfect pint for Thin Mint lovers. The mint doesn’t taste like toothpaste, which I respect more deeply than I can explain. The cookie chunks give a satisfying crunch; it’s so balanced you forget it’s non-dairy.
2. Milk & Cookies
This was my go-to for my first two years being dairy-free — it absolutely tastes like childhood. It’s definitely cookie-heavy, with the oat base doing some work as well. Too many of the other flavors lack creaminess.
1. Peanut Butter & Cookies
Peanut Butter & Cookies is the gold standard. No question. The peanut butter is smooth, and the cookies are somewhat salty. I love a lot of toppings, and this one never disappoints.
Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy lineup proves that going vegan doesn’t have to mean sacrificing dessert. Sure, a few classics crumble under the pressure, but the top-tier flavors do hold their own against anything in the freezer aisle. Just maybe skip Cherry Garcia — take it from me.
Abdullah Farooqui