Ice cream is one of those rare treats that never really goes out of season. In fact, Americans love it so much that the average person eats about 4 gallons every year. While a scoop hits differently on a sweltering summer day, there’s no shame in digging into a bowl while wrapped in a blanket in the middle of winter.
Personally, I’m partial to chocolate, cookies and cream, and dulce de leche, but that’s the beauty of ice cream—there’s a flavor for everyone. And people can get surprisingly passionate about their favorites. That’s what makes Innerbody’s recent study on the most popular ice cream flavor in every state so much fun. Some states stick with the classics, while others favor flavors you might never expect.
Before you decide what to order at your local ice cream parlor, read on to see if your state’s favorite scoop matches your own. You might find yourself feeling validated or shocked by what your neighbors have been putting on their cones.
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How did this report determine the most popular ice cream in every state?
This wasn’t decided by a nationwide taste test (as fun as that sounds). Instead, Innerbody analyzed Google Trends search data from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., looking at which ice cream flavors people were searching for most often. From there, researchers compared interest levels to identify each state’s favorite flavor, along with broader trends in ice cream brands, regional preferences and America’s overall ice cream habits.
What is the most popular ice cream flavor in each state?

Some states stuck with beloved classics, while others went all-in on trendy picks, local favorites and a few flavors you probably won’t find in every grocery-store freezer aisle. Here’s the most popular ice cream flavor in every state:
- Alabama: Birthday cake
- Alaska: Cookie dough
- Arizona: Rocky road
- Arkansas: Strawberry
- California: Strawberry
- Colorado: Chocolate chip
- Connecticut: Strawberry
- Delaware: Birthday cake
- Florida: Boba
- Georgia: Butter pecan
- Hawaii: Coconut
- Idaho: Vanilla
- Illinois: Chocolate
- Indiana: Peppermint
- Iowa: Birthday cake
- Kansas: Matcha
- Kentucky: Strawberry
- Louisiana: Birthday cake
- Maine: Blueberry
- Maryland: Strawberry
- Massachusetts: Cookie dough
- Michigan: Strawberry
- Minnesota: Strawberry
- Mississippi: Strawberry
- Missouri: Chocolate chip
- Montana: Cookie dough
- Nebraska: Strawberry
- Nevada: Strawberry
- New Hampshire: Cookie dough
- New Jersey: Chocolate chip
- New Mexico: Pistachio
- New York: Pistachio
- North Carolina: Birthday cake
- North Dakota: Caramel/Salted caramel
- Ohio: Strawberry
- Oklahoma: Neapolitan
- Oregon: Lavender
- Pennsylvania: Chocolate chip
- Rhode Island: Strawberry
- South Carolina: Peach
- South Dakota: Cookies and cream
- Tennessee: Strawberry
- Texas: Strawberry
- Utah: Vanilla
- Vermont: Peanut butter
- Virginia: Strawberry
- Washington: Neapolitan
- West Virginia: Pumpkin
- Wisconsin: Chocolate
- Wyoming: Vanilla
Was there a clear winner across the country?
Strawberry claimed the national crown, having been labeled as the top flavor in 15 states, including California, Texas and Michigan. Even more surprising? Chocolate chip and cookie dough are the second most popular flavors, each holding the top spot in four states. Apparently, Americans still love the classics—we just like a few extra ingredients mixed in.
What were the regional trends?
Some states wear their local pride on their waffle cones. Maine searches for blueberry, Hawaii prefers coconut and South Carolina leans peach, proving local flavors still matter. Another part of the study also labeled the Northeast as America’s biggest ice cream fan club, with seven of the 10 most ice-cream-obsessed states landing in the region. So much for cold weather ruining dessert.
Were there any big surprises?
Absolutely! While strawberry and cookie dough were busy winning over the masses, a few states decided to do their own thing. Florida’s top flavor was boba ice cream, Oregon preferred lavender and Kansas searched for matcha more than anything else. Then there’s ube, the vibrant purple yam flavor that’s been popping up everywhere lately but still ranks among the least popular nationwide.
Personally, I was shocked that only three states favored vanilla and two favored chocolate. In other words, Americans are getting a lot more adventurous with their ice cream choices, even if not everyone has caught up yet.
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Sources:
- Innerbody.com: “Which States Love Ice Cream the Most, and Who’s Eating What Flavors?”
- International Dairy Foods Association: “Ice Cream Sales & Trends”
The post This Is the Most Popular Ice Cream Flavor in Each State—Get the Scoop on the Winner Where You Live! appeared first on Reader's Digest.
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