Homemade Vanilla Milk Ice Cream (with Air Fryer Help!)
Creamy, dreamy, and filled with rich vanilla flavor, this no-churn vanilla milk ice cream uses the air fryer in a unique way to enhance flavor and simplify the process.
Homemade ice cream is pure magic — rich, nostalgic, and far more customizable than anything store-bought. While an air fryer might not be the first tool you think of for ice cream, we’re going to use it in a clever way: to warm and infuse the milk with deep vanilla flavor, helping the base develop that signature creamy taste without needing a stovetop. No ice cream machine needed, and no eggs — just milk, cream, vanilla, and sweetened magic.
Ingredients (Yields ~1 pint)
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean)
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1 tbsp powdered milk (for creaminess)
How the Air Fryer Helps
We’ll heat the milk in the air fryer to gently infuse the vanilla and blend the base — all without using a stove. This technique saves time and keeps things simple!
Instructions
Infuse the milk in the air fryer
In an oven-safe bowl (ceramic or metal), combine:
Whole milk
Vanilla extract or scraped vanilla bean
Pinch of salt
Optional: powdered milk for extra creamy texture
Place the bowl in your air fryer basket.
Air fry at 160°C (320°F) for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. The goal is to gently warm and infuse the milk — don’t boil it.
Remove and let it cool for 5–10 minutes.
Mix the ice cream base
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
Heavy cream
Sweetened condensed milk
Add the infused vanilla milk once it’s cool.
Mix until smooth and fully combined.
Freeze the ice cream
Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container (a loaf pan works great).
Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
Freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight, until firm.
Scoop & Serve
Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping. It should be creamy, soft, and scoop able — perfect with:
Fresh berries
Crumbled cookies or brownies
A drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce
Or just as it is!
Variations
Vanilla Bean Dream: Use a whole vanilla bean instead of extract for stronger flavor and visual specks.
Milkshake Magic: Blend a scoop with a splash of milk for a quick vanilla shake.
Cookie Swirl: Add crushed cookies before freezing for cookies-and-cream vibes.