5 Blue Bell Ice Cream Flavors That Need More Love

Blue Bell Creameries is a beloved Texas ice cream brand that has been a freezer staple for generations. Fans love its classic flavors like Homemade Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, and Cookies 'n Cream. In addition to its 23 year-round flavors, it also releases regionally-inspired combinations and limited-edition ice cream flavors that can be quickly discontinued, leaving customers pining for their return. But the company offers so much more than you would know about from just scrolling "best of" lists online. With all of the attention that Blue Bell's fan-favorite ice cream flavors inspire, others seem to get lost in the shuffle. 

These include old-school ice cream flavors and hidden gems that customers return to again and again, despite the fact that they haven't received the same marketing push of the standard options sold at many grocery stores across America. Sleeping on these flavors means that you might be missing out on your next favorite dessert. When you take a chance and grab a tub of one of these oft-overlooked confections, you'll realize they feature complex flavors, superior mix-ins, creamy base textures, and innovative replications of mouthwatering seasonal and bakery treats like pie, cookies, bread, and pudding. If you're ready to discover your next ice cream obsession in the freezer aisle, check out these five Blue Bell flavors that deserve more love.

Many people don't realize that there are two main types of walnuts: traditional English walnuts and black walnuts. This ice cream is built upon the flavors of the latter. Black walnuts are known for their strong earthy flavor with mild buttery notes, making them an excellent choice for baked goods and ice cream. Like all Blue Bell ice cream, this option is made from real milk, cream, and sugar combined with chopped black walnuts, which add the perfect crunchy counterpart to the rich, creamy dessert. It's similar to butter pecan or toffee ice cream in flavor, yet is much milder and not as sweet.

People may be less willing to give this flavor a shot because it's an unusual ice cream that has nearly vanished, making it harder to find. Yet black walnut ice cream does have its fans, and Blue Bell is one of the few ice cream brands that still offers it in select regions. Customers regularly recommend it and seek it out, sharing tips online for how to find it. One person on Reddit describes it as "unexpected," going on to say, "black walnuts have a very distinct flavor. Nothing like regular walnuts. I'd say a bolder nut flavor, earthy." Others simply call it delicious, with a person on Facebook admitting they "just got [a container] last week and already finished it."

It's possible that people don't talk about Neapolitan ice cream that much because it's still seen as a kid's birthday party treat, and not a dessert meant for sophisticated adult palates. Yet one tub of Ultimate Neapolitan offers a generous sampling of three of Blue Bell's most popular ice cream flavors: Homemade Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, and Strawberries & Homemade Vanilla. This gives you the chance to enjoy all of them in one bowl without buying three separate half gallons of ice cream — so it's both economical and delicious. Of course, you can also eat each flavor separately.

And despite the fact that it's such a simple flavor combination, it can be argued that Neapolitan ice cream makes the best banana splits and milkshakes, as well. Though it may not regularly be listed as one of the most beloved Blue Bell products, this iconic flavor combination definitely still has its fans and supporters. In fact, it's the most iconic ice cream flavor in Ohio. And as one Redditor points out, "the Neapolitan honestly slaps in a cone when you're looking for something more simple." In a Facebook post made by a customer searching for this Blue Bell flavor, someone called it "boring," to which the author of the post responded, "and yet it's the only ice cream I buy."

Rum raisin ice cream originated in Italy, and this old-school ice cream flavor is incredibly hard to find these days. Blue Bell's version is a delightful homage to the dessert's traditional origins, featuring a rich base of creamy, sweet ice cream infused with dark rum and filled with plump, rum-soaked raisins. While some people can't believe anyone would like raisins in their ice cream and others associate this flavor with their grandparents, many appreciate it for its nostalgia, complexity, and the elegant combination of subtle, unassuming ingredients. Customers are up to the challenge of locating it in stores, and it has even earned some new fans, if only by mistake. 

In a Reddit post, someone explains that they purchased it thinking it was butter pecan, and were surprised to enjoy it. They elaborated, "the chewy texture the raisins get when they're that cold was actually really pleasant. Ice cream is sweet and that background hint of rum was nice, even though I don't like rum." In another post extolling the virtues of this rum-raisin-flavored dessert, a commenter says, "I will fiercely defend rum raisin. In my experience the loudest haters have never even tried it!" Another person agreed, adding, "Ru[m] raisin is the bomb.com. I dare someone to say less. I will defend rum raisin to the end of time. If it was my last meal in a dying world, let it be rum raisin ice cream." Plus, as one Redditor points out, "raisins that have been soaking in rum are delicious."

Banana flavoring may have its detractors, and Tasting Table did place this flavor at number 16 in our ranking of the 20 most popular Blue Bell ice cream flavors. But if you're a fan of the iconic Southern dessert, you'll love it as it's a perfect replica, which must be why it still has a strong following among Blue Bell's customers. Crafted from banana-flavored ice cream mixed with vanilla wafer cookies and whipped topping, it's inspired by an old family recipe. Even though it doesn't seem to get the love that other more classic or traditional flavors enjoy, you'd be missing out if you didn't give it a try, especially if you're looking for an alternative to basic vanilla, chocolate, or cookies and cream flavors.

And it does have its fans. One person on Reddit who sampled it at one of Blue Bell's famous ice cream parlors said, "it was delicious. Tasted like fresh bananas and ... chunks of Nilla Wafer." In a review, another Redditor described it as a "nice banana flavor, very mellow and smooth." In the comments, someone replied, "my FAVORITE ice cream. I had the last gallon produced during the [Listeria] recall. Figuring there was a chance it would never be made again, and caring little for my life, I enjoyed every last scoop." Another person declared it "one of thee best ice creams you can get," while someone else called it addictive, following up with "consider yourselves warned."

Lemon is another core flavor that gets overlooked in favor of more classic options or flashy limited-edition blends. Yet Blue Bell's Lemon ice cream is the perfect summer treat when you want something light, tart, and refreshing. It's deceptively simple, with a mild lemon flavor and subtle sweetness that isn't overpowered by artificial extracts. Though it's perfect on its own, it also makes a great base for ice cream toppings like blueberries, pecans, strawberry syrup, and whipped cream. It can also be used to make lemon ice cream sandwiches, lemonade floats, ice box cakes, and lemon milkshakes. Blue Bell fans who weren't aware of this flavor tend to be delighted to find it in stores. 

On Reddit, a customer described the first taste as "hit with a lemon flavor then a blend of vanilla" going on to compare it to a lemon Dreamsicle. In the comments, someone lamented, "this is the one and only Blue Bell flavor I have dreams of finding again." Customers have great tips for amping up the flavor, as well. One person recommended pairing it with a lemon poundcake, while another said, "the lemon isn't too strong in this so that's good. I think it tastes good with a little graham cracker crumbled on top." If you're still on the fence about whether to try it, take this Redditor's words to heart: "I snap this up on the rare occasion that it shows up in a local store, it's soooo good!! Regular lemon ice cream should not be this hard to find. It's such a nostalgic summer flavor."