
The most popular ice cream flavors in America
Ice cream is a favored sweet treat around the world. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the global ice cream market was valued at more than $71 billion in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. That number is expected to increase to well over $100 billion by the year 2029.
Ice cream is enjoyed by people of all ages, be it families to teens to kids. From classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate to more creative combinations like Rocky Road and Neapolitan, ice cream aficionados have a plethora of choices.
To see which flavor reigns supreme, the International Dairy Foods Association partnered with Morning Consult to survey over 2,200 American adults on their ice cream preferences. Stacker then analyzed the data, published in April 2024, to rank the 20 most popular ice cream flavors in the U.S. by the percentage of adults who said the flavor was their favorite. Any ties remain.
Read on to get the scoop on Americans' ice cream tastes!

#20. Fudge swirl/Fudge royal (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 8%

#20. Banana/Banana bread pudding (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 8%

#18. Pistachio (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 10%
Pistachio ice cream originated in the Middle East but was popularized in the United States during the late 20th century. It's nutty, smooth, and rich. Just scoop it onto a cone, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy.

#18. Neapolitan (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 10%
Originating in Italy and named after the city of Naples, Neapolitan is a blend of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. The flavor was originally inspired by an Italian ice cream treat called spumoni, which also had a trio of flavors such as chocolate and pistachio with a layer of fruit and nuts.

#18. Cherry/Black Cherry (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 10%
The juiciness and rich flavor render this ice cream a flavor worth savoring. As far back as 1742, cherries were already considered a treat in early America. By the 19th century, maraschino cherry ice cream also popped up and has since been flavoring our sweet dreams.

#18. Birthday cake/Cake batter (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 10%
Although the origin of this flavor is unclear, birthday cake ice cream is clearly a sensation because of the joyous nature of birthdays and the beloved taste of vanilla cake. Cake batter ice cream, on the other hand, was first introduced to the world thanks to Cold Stone Creamery in 2003. Since then, it has gained popularity for being a playful twist on the nostalgic flavor of cake batter itself.

#15. Moose tracks
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 11%

#14. Brownie/Brownie sundae
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 12%

#12. Coffee (tie)
- Percentage of adults who like it: 23%
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 5%
Coffee lovers, rejoice! Italian immigrants brought their passion for gelato and coffee to the United States, giving rise to the creation of coffee-flavored frozen desserts. For people who missed their cup of Joe in the morning, coffee ice cream makes up for it.

#12. Salted caramel/Caramel (tie)
- Percentage of adults who like it: 33%
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 3%
Caramel has been around for centuries, so much so that its origins are cloaked in mystery. Some think Arabs were the first to make this delicacy around 1,000 A.D. by boiling water and crystallizing sugar. In America, milk and fat were added to the recipe giving us caramel candy. It didn't take long before it transformed yet again into America's favorite cold treat.

#10. Peanut butter/Peanut butter cup
- Percentage of adults who like it: 26%
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 5%
After the introduction of Resse's Peanut Butter Cups in the 1920s, chocolate peanut butter amassed followers, gaining widespread popularity. Some say the combination of chocolate and peanut butter triggers the Maillard reaction or the unique pull of browned foods on our palettes. The creamy chocolate and nutty peanut butter meld perfectly; it's no wonder it's a crowd favorite.

#9. Rocky road
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 16%
Rocky road was created during the Great Depression to bring comfort during turbulent times—so they say, but like its name, its origins are also a bit murky. Its beginnings are variously attributed to Dreyer's, Fentons Creamery in Oakland, and Fred Rigby of Kansas. This ice cream is formulated with a mix of chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts, marrying texture and taste.

#8. Chocolate chip
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 18%
Chocolate chip is attributed to Ruth Wakefield, who in the 1930s, broke pieces of chocolate from a Nestlé bar and added them to her favorite cookie recipe. Little did Wakefield know, she birthed a timeless flavor. It's now a favorite among many Americans.

#7. Mint chocolate chip
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 20%
Mint and chocolate have long gone together. Back then, chocolate was a rather bitter drink to which Europeans added sugars, herbs, and spices such as mint. It only took its ice cream form in 1973 when Marilyn Ricketts entered her Mint Royale flavor in a competition for ice cream desserts to celebrate Princess Anne's wedding to Captain Mark Philips.

#6. Cookies and cream (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 21%
Many are claiming credit for inventing this creative combination, but perhaps the most ardent comes from South Dakota State University. They say, in the 1970s, dairy professor Shirley Seas went on a dairy judging trip to New Jersey, where he saw staff crumbling Oreos onto ice cream. Impressed, he had students make up a batch to serve on campus. No matter the debate, vanilla ice cream infused with cookie chunks is clearly a textural triumph that crack's this list's top 3.

#6. Cookie dough (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 21%
This flavor was first introduced by Ben and Jerry's in 1984. Since then, it has become a fan favorite. The soft chunks of cookie dough fuse with the crunchy chocolate chips to create this irresistible combo.

#6. Butter pecan (tie)
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 21%
Butter pecan offers a smooth texture, so when combined with pecans, you have an irresistible flavor on deck. This flavor, a part of Howard Johnson's famed 28 ice cream flavors, is known for its buttery flavor and crunchy pecan pieces.

#3. Strawberry
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 25%
At President James Madison's second inaugural banquet, strawberry ice cream was served to celebrate. This pink-tinged treat makes up the three classic flavors of Neopolitan but also stands up well on its own. Its fruity flavor makes it a popular choice during the summer months.

#2. Chocolate
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 32%
Rich and creamy, chocolate ice cream claims the second-best spot. Its roots can be traced back to the Aztecs and Mayans, who enjoyed beverages made from cocoa beans. When the frozen form was discovered, it captivated chocolate lovers worldwide. Let's face it: chocolate is a timeless classic.

#1. Vanilla
- Percentage of adults who say it's their favorite: 38%
The number one spot goes to vanilla, a flavor that dates back to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. Vanilla beans are highly prized, and their popularity grew during the colonial era. A beloved classic, vanilla and all of its creaminess reign supreme.
Additional writing by Cu Fleshman. Data reporting by Lucas Hicks. Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Elizabeth Ciano.