Ice cream is a beloved treat enjoyed around the world in countless flavors, but one variation that has been gaining traction is salty ice cream. This unexpected twist combines the traditional sweetness of ice cream with a touch of saltiness, creating a complex and intriguing flavor profile. Whether you’re a seasoned ice cream maker or just looking to experiment in the kitchen, here are ten creative salty ice cream recipes to try at home.

1. Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream (for the ice cream base)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for the ice cream base)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. Make the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the sugar over medium heat until it turns a golden brown color. Carefully stir in the butter until melted and smooth. Gradually add the cream, stirring constantly, until fully combined. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Prepare the Ice Cream Base: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Combine and Churn: Add the cooled caramel sauce and sea salt to the ice cream base, stirring until well combined. Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Freeze and Serve: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours. Serve and enjoy!

2. Sweet and Salty Pretzel Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup crushed pretzels
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pretzel Crunch: In a bowl, mix crushed pretzels with granulated sugar. Set aside.
2. Make the Ice Cream Base: In a mixing bowl, combine milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Stir until the salt is dissolved.
3. Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Add Pretzel Crunch: During the last few minutes of churning, add the pretzel crunch to the ice cream maker. Continue to churn until well distributed.
5. Freeze and Serve: Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

3. Bacon and Maple Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 6 strips of bacon
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Cook the Bacon: Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels. Crumble into small pieces.
2. Prepare the Ice Cream Base: In a saucepan, heat the milk, heavy cream, and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup and vanilla extract.
3. Combine and Churn: Allow the mixture to cool, then pour into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Add Bacon: During the last few minutes of churning, add the crumbled bacon. Continue to churn until evenly distributed.
5. Freeze and Serve: Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

4. Rosemary and Olive Oil Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Infuse the Milk and Cream: In a saucepan, heat milk and heavy cream until warm. Add chopped rosemary and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the rosemary.
2. Make the Ice Cream Base: Stir in granulated sugar, olive oil, and vanilla extract until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Freeze and Serve: Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

5. Black Sesame and Sea Salt Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup black sesame seeds
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sesame Seeds: Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Grind the seeds in a blender or food processor until finely ground.
2. Make the Ice Cream Base: In a mixing bowl, combine milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and ground sesame seeds. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Add Sea Salt: After churning, fold in the sea salt.
5. Freeze and Serve: Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

6. Chili Chocolate Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground chili powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chocolate Base: In a saucepan, heat milk, heavy cream, and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in cocoa powder and chili powder until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
2. Churn the Ice Cream: Allow the mixture to cool, then pour into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Freeze and Serve: Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

7. Salty Peanut Butter Swirl Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Peanut Butter Swirl: In a bowl, mix peanut butter with sea salt until smooth. Set aside.
2. Make the Ice Cream Base: In a mixing bowl, combine milk, heavy cream, and granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Add Peanut Butter Swirl: During the last few minutes of churning, add dollops of the peanut butter mixture. Swirl with a spatula to create a marble effect. Fold in chopped peanuts.
5. Freeze and Serve: Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

8. Spicy Mango Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mango puree
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon lime juice

Instructions:

1. Make the Ice Cream Base: In a mixing bowl, combine mango puree, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cayenne pepper, and lime juice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Freeze and Serve: Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

9. Smoked Salt and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vanilla Bean: Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Combine the seeds and bean pod with milk and cream in a saucepan. Heat until warm.
2. Make the Ice Cream Base: Remove the vanilla bean pod and stir in granulated sugar until dissolved. Add smoked salt and stir.
3. Churn the Ice Cream: Allow the mixture to cool, then pour into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Freeze and Serve: Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

10. Salty Lemon Blueberry Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Blueberries: In a blender, puree the blueberries until smooth.
2. Make the Ice Cream Base: In a mixing bowl, combine milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and sea salt. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Add Blueberry Puree: Stir the blueberry puree into the ice cream base.
4. Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according