A Nutrition Diet Analysis: What are the ingredients in Breyers dairy free vanilla ice cream?

October 27, 2025 •

2 min read

Over 40% of Americans are including more plant-based foods in their diet, making options like vegan ice cream more popular. For those managing specific dietary needs, understanding exactly what are the ingredients in Breyers dairy free vanilla ice cream? is crucial for making informed and healthy choices.

Quick Summary

An in-depth look at Breyers' plant-based frozen dessert, detailing its core components like oat milk and coconut oil. Explore the function of various additives and stabilizers, its overall nutritional content, and how it fits into a health-conscious diet.

Key Points

Base Ingredients: Breyers dairy-free vanilla is primarily made from oat milk (water and hydrolyzed oats), coconut oil, and sugar.
Functional Additives: Stabilizers like cellulose gum, guar gum, and carob bean gum, along with emulsifiers such as soy lecithin and polysorbate, are used to create a creamy texture.
Saturated Fat: The coconut oil base contributes to a high level of saturated fat, which should be considered within a balanced nutrition diet.
Sugar Content: The dessert contains significant added sugars from sources like sugar and corn syrup.
Ultra-Processed Food: Due to its number of functional additives, some organizations classify this type of food as ultra-processed, raising health-related considerations.
Vegan and Gluten-Free: The product is suitable for vegans and is certified gluten-free, providing options for those with specific dietary requirements.
Lower in Protein: Compared to traditional dairy ice cream, this plant-based version is much lower in protein.

A detailed breakdown of Breyers dairy-free vanilla ingredients

Breyers offers a dairy-free vanilla frozen dessert that utilizes plant-based alternatives. The ingredients can be found on {Link: King Kullen https://www.shopkingkullen.com/product/breyers-nondairy-vanilla-frozen-oat-milk-dessert-15-qt-id-00077567003393}, {Link: EWG website https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/products/077567003393-BreyersVanillaNonDairyFrozenOatMilkDessertVanilla/}, {Link: Open Food Facts https://world.openfoodfacts.org/product/0077567003393/non-dairy-vanilla-made-with-oat-milk-breyers}, {Link: QFC https://www.qfc.com/p/breyers-vanilla-non-dairy-ice-cream-made-with-oat-milk/0007756700339}, and {Link: Kroger https://www.kroger.com/p/breyers-vanilla-non-dairy-ice-cream-made-with-oat-milk/0007756700339}. The base is a blend of water and oat milk, which replaces dairy. Coconut oil provides fat for creaminess, though it is high in saturated fat.

Sweeteners and flavor

Sugar and corn syrup provide sweetness, while "natural flavor" creates the vanilla taste. Annatto is used for color.

Functional ingredients: Gums, emulsifiers, and stabilizers

These ingredients ensure texture and stability.

Stabilizers (Gums): Cellulose gum, guar gum, and carob bean gum thicken the dessert.
Emulsifiers: Mono and diglycerides, polysorbate 80, polysorbate 65, and soy lecithin blend ingredients and prevent separation.
Soluble Corn Fiber: Adds texture and fiber.

Some groups classify products with these additives as ultra-processed, associating them with potential health risks in excessive consumption.

Nutritional profile and health considerations

Nutritional content of plant-based ice creams differs from dairy versions.

A comparison shows key differences:


Nutritional Factor	Breyers Dairy-Free Vanilla (Oat Milk)	Typical Premium Dairy Ice Cream (Vanilla)	Notes
Calories (per 2/3 cup)	~130	~230	Often lower calories for dairy-free options.
Total Fat (per 2/3 cup)	5g	14g	Generally lower in total fat.
Saturated Fat (per 2/3 cup)	4.5g	10-14g	Content is high relative to the total fat due to coconut oil, but typically lower than high-fat dairy versions.
Sugars (per 2/3 cup)	16g (15g added)	19g (14g added)	Sugar content is comparable, though sources differ.
Protein (per 2/3 cup)	1g	4g+	Significantly lower protein due to the absence of dairy.
Calcium	0mg	100mg+	No naturally occurring calcium; fortification is not included in this product.

Breyers dairy-free is lower in calories and total fat than many premium dairy ice creams, but it is not low in sugar and has high saturated fat from coconut oil. It should be consumed in moderation.

The larger context of plant-based foods

Choosing plant-based options like this can be for dietary, ethical, or environmental reasons. While suitable for lactose intolerance or a vegan diet, its health benefits depend on moderation. It's a dessert with added sugars and fats. Many plant-based alternatives are healthy, especially when replacing high-fat animal products. Reading labels is crucial for informed choices.

For more on the nutritional comparison of plant-based alternatives to dairy, research studies can provide valuable context for incorporating products like Breyers non-dairy dessert into a healthy diet.

Conclusion

Breyers dairy-free vanilla uses oat milk and coconut oil for creaminess, along with functional additives for texture and stability. It's a dairy-free, lower-calorie option compared to some traditional ice creams but contains notable saturated fat and sugar. Enjoying this product in moderation, while considering its nutritional profile and processing level, allows it to be a valued vegan-friendly dessert within a nutrition diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it can be lower in calories and total fat than some premium dairy ice creams, it is still a processed dessert high in added sugar and saturated fat from coconut oil. Its healthiness depends on consumption frequency and overall dietary context.

The creaminess is achieved using a combination of oat milk, coconut oil, and various gums and emulsifiers, including cellulose gum, guar gum, carob bean gum, and soy lecithin.

Yes, Breyers dairy-free vanilla contains soy protein isolate and soy lecithin, both derived from soybeans.

The sugar content in Breyers dairy-free vanilla is comparable to regular ice cream, with a typical serving containing around 15g of added sugars. Some vegan brands may use natural sweeteners, but it's important to check the label.

Emulsifiers like mono and diglycerides are used to blend the oil and water components of the dessert smoothly. This prevents separation and creates a consistent, creamy texture throughout the product.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) classifies this product as ultra-processed due to the use of functional additives like emulsifiers and stabilizers. These are common in many food products but are a consideration for those prioritizing a whole-food diet.

Yes, Breyers dairy-free vanilla is made with an oat milk base and does not contain any dairy, making it a suitable option for individuals with lactose intolerance or milk allergies.

While lower in saturated fat than some high-fat dairy options, it still contains a notable amount (4.5g per 2/3 cup) due to the use of coconut oil as a primary fat source.