Buzz
What exactly is the Ninja CREAMi?
The Ninja CREAMi is classified as an 'ice cream maker,' but it excels at crafting 'alternative' frozen desserts rather than traditional ice cream or custard bases. As stated on the Ninja website, 'The Ninja™ CREAMi® transforms frozen solid bases into ice cream, sorbets, milkshakes and more at the touch of a button. From healthy to indulgent, the Ninja® CREAMi™ can create frozen treats as unique as you are!'
To use the CREAMi, blend ingredients to form a liquid base, freeze it solid, then attach it to the device. The 'creamify technology,' which involves blades powered by a robust motor, then works to 'break down a uniformly frozen block into an incredibly smooth, creamy texture in minutes.'
However, it's not that straightforward. Different liquids freeze in different ways, and achieving the perfect texture for your frozen treats might require a little experimentation.
Who would benefit from the Ninja CREAMi?
This device is a game-changer for individuals with dietary restrictions, particularly considering the high cost of dairy-free and other alternative 'ice creams.' Ingredients such as fruit juice, canned fruit, protein shakes, yogurt, coffee creamers, and various alternative milks can be used to create customized frozen desserts.
However, it doesn't do a great job of making traditional ice cream, at least not without significant tweaking. The standard vanilla ice cream recipe in the CREAMi manual is, to be honest, underwhelming. The powerful 'creamifying' blades have an unfortunate effect on heavy cream, essentially turning it into butter and giving the ice cream a greasy texture. There are ways to fix this (by reducing the cream and adding more milk), but if you're buying this machine hoping to make authentic ice cream, you might find yourself frustrated and disappointed.
However, if you're looking for ways to make low-fat treats taste richer and more indulgent than they really are—or you just want to transform a can of pie filling into sorbet—the Ninja CREAMi will definitely impress you.
There are a few ingredients you might want to consider buying
There are two ingredients I believe every CREAMi user should have: guar gum and citric acid. Guar gum is a natural thickening and stabilizing agent that helps improve the texture of your frozen treat. It prevents large ice crystals from forming, keeping the consistency smooth and creamy. While some CREAMi recipes include cream cheese (which contains guar gum), it's more economical to just purchase the additive directly, and it's also vegan-friendly. You don’t need much—just 1/2 teaspoon per pint is all it takes to make your not-quite-ice cream feel and taste more like the real deal.
Citric acid (often referred to as 'sour MSG') is another ingredient I used frequently in my CREAMi experiments, especially when working with fruit-flavored frozen treats. As little as 1/8 teaspoon enhances the acidity, balancing out any overly sweet notes while accentuating fruity flavors with a touch of contrast.
Keep the engine running
What is this 're-spun' feature all about?
In theory, the Ninja CREAMi is simple to use. Freeze your base, attach it to the machine, and select the appropriate program ('ice cream,' 'sorbet,' etc.). The blades do their work, turning your base into a smooth, frozen treat free from any noticeable ice crystals. In practice, some bases may come out dry and crumbly on the first (and second) attempt, and you’ll need to process them again, either using the 'Re-spin' function or the original program. Letting the base sit for a few minutes might help, but re-spinning is sometimes necessary, particularly with fat-free or very low-fat bases.
What a professional food writer with no dietary restrictions creates using the Ninja CREAMi
Finding recipes for the CREAMi is easy. The appliance comes with a recipe booklet, and as I’ve mentioned before, there are plenty of forums and groups dedicated to CREAMi recipes. You can also find many recipes on the Ninja website. While I haven't found an 'ice cream' that rivals a traditionally churned vanilla, I’ve been delighted by the sorbets and similar frozen treats. I have three favorites:
A 15-ounce can of fruit or pie filling (including its liquid) + 1/8-1/4 teaspoon citric acid (adjust based on the sweetness of the fruit and your preference for sourness): Simply blend, freeze until firm, then process using the 'Sorbet' setting.
A 15-ounce can of fruit + a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk (you can reduce the amount according to taste): Blend, freeze until firm, and process using the 'Lite Ice Cream' setting.
Then there's the piña colada Dole Whip imitation that I absolutely love.
How to create a vegan piña colada 'Dole Whip' using the Ninja CREAMi.
Dole Whip is a frozen treat that gets imitated often but rarely replicated perfectly, yet this recipe comes remarkably close. The key difference? A subtle coconut flavor, giving it more of a 'piña colada' vibe rather than just pineapple. The texture and flavor are impressively similar, and it only requires three ingredients—each of which happens to be vegan.
Ingredients (makes approximately 1 1/2 pints):
One 15-ounce can of Coco Lopez cream of coconut
One 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks (including juice)
1/4 teaspoon of citric acid
Combine all three ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into Ninja CREAMi-compatible pints and freeze overnight, or until fully frozen. When ready, take it out of the freezer and let it sit for about five minutes to soften slightly. Then, attach to the Ninja CREAMi and select the 'Lite Ice Cream' setting. Enjoy immediately for a soft-serve texture, or freeze for an additional couple of hours for a firmer, scoopable consistency.
