How to Use the Ninja Creami

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Learn how to make ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowls, and more with the viral Ninja Creami
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If you’ve come across viral videos of the Ninja Creami on TikTok, you may be wondering if this frozen treat machine is really worth all the hype. You’ve come to the right place! We’ll explain what the Ninja Creami is and how to use it, and we’ll also take you through some pros and cons if you’re wondering whether to buy one. We’ll even provide some yummy recipes to try out if you already have a Ninja Creami. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

How do you use the Ninja Creami?

  1. Mix together the ingredients of your choice for your base.
  2. Freeze your base in the Creami Pint container for 24 hours.
  3. Place the Creami Pint in the outer bowl and lock it onto the machine.
  4. Choose your setting and let the machine do its work.
  5. Enjoy your frozen treat as soon as its ready.
Section 1 of 7:

What is the Ninja Creami?

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  1. The machine is like a cross between an ice cream maker and a blender. To use it, you just need to mix up the ingredients of your choice for your base, freeze the mix in the provided container for 24 hours, then place the container into the Ninja Creami machine and let it get to work. It has a metal blending blade called the “Creamerizer Paddle,” which essentially turns your frozen base into a creamy treat. [1]
    • Depending on the ingredients and machine setting you use, the Ninja Creami can make things like ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowl bases, and milkshakes. [2]
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Section 2 of 7:

How to Use the Ninja Creami

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  1. 1
    Mix up your ingredients for the base. Simply add all your ingredients to a bowl, then mix until everything's combined. Keep in mind that the Ninja Creami isn’t a regular blender, so it can't blend up big solid chunks. You’ll need to choose ingredients that are already liquid, blended, or mashed up, so that your base is a smooth texture with no hard elements. [3] Here are some examples of ingredients you can use:
    • Liquids: Milk, heavy cream, non-dairy milk, juice
    • Soft or blended ingredients: Yogurt, softened cream cheese, pre-blended fruit
    • Sweeteners: Agave syrup, maple syrup, sugar, stevia
    • Powders and Flavors: Vanilla extract, cocoa powder, protein powder
    • Hold off on adding any solid elements, like chocolate chips, cookie crumbles, nuts, or chunks of fruit at this point. Once the base is made, there’s a “Mix In” option you can use for these types of add-ins. [4]
  2. 2
    Freeze the base in the provided container for 24 hours. Find the “Creami Pint,” which is a 24 oz container that comes with your machine. [5] Pour your base into the pint, making sure it doesn’t go past the “MAX FILL” line marked on the side, then pop it into your freezer for 24 hours.
    • Place the pint on a level surface in your freezer, so that it freezes evenly. [6]
    • If your base freezes unevenly or a bumps forms on the top, don’t move on to the next step yet. Allow it to melt a bit, then smooth out the top and scrape off any big humps with a spoon. [7]
  3. 3
    Place the container with the base into the Ninja Creami machine. Set the machine on a level surface and plug it in. Remove the lid from your frozen mixture and place the pint into the “outer bowl,” which is a larger container with a handle. Find the outer bowl lid, then hold the paddle latch on the top of the lid while inserting the Creamerizer Paddle (the blade) into the bottom of the lid, and release the latch to secure it. Place this lid onto the outer bowl, making sure the lines on the lid and handle align, then rotate the lid clockwise to lock it. [8]
    • Finally, place the outer bowl onto the motor base, with the handle centered below the control buttons, then twist the handle to the right to lock into place (you’ll hear a click to let you know it’s installed properly). [9]
    • Now you’re ready to select your settings and start the machine.
  4. 4
    Select the setting you want to use and let the machine get to work. Press the power button to turn on the machine. The buttons should illuminate, signaling that you’ve installed the outer bowl correctly and the machine is ready to use. At this point, all you need to do is press the button for the setting you want to use, and the machine will start. It’ll also stop automatically when it’s done. [10] Here’s a breakdown of some of the settings:
    • Ice Cream: Best for traditional creamy ice cream recipes, including dairy and non-dairy variations.
    • Lite Ice Cream: Good for health-conscious ice cream recipes that are lower in sugars or fats (such as keto or paleo ice cream).
    • Sorbet: Designed to turn fruit-based recipes with higher water and sugar content into creamy sorbet.
    • Smoothie Bowl: Works best with recipes that include blended fruits or vegetables mixed in with milk, milk alternatives, or juice.
    • Milkshake: Designed to create a classic milkshake. To use this setting, all you need to do is add some milk to your favorite ice cream then let the machine process it. [11]
  5. 5
    Add any mix-ins you want to use (optional). Once your base is processed, you can add in any solid mix-ins you’d like. To do this, remove the outer bowl from the machine and remove the lid. Use a spoon to create a 1 ½ inch (3.8 cm) wide hole in the middle of the mixture, going all the way to the bottom of the pint. Add your mix-ins into this hole, then replace the lid and put the container back in the machine. Select the “MIX-IN” option, and let the machine mix everything up. [12]
    • For the best results, chop up your mix-ins into smaller pieces before adding them to the mixture, or choose mix-ins that are already bite-sized.
    • Possible mix-ins include: chopped nuts, chocolate chips, crumbled up cookies, cereal, frozen fruits, chocolate or caramel shell topping [13]
  6. 6
    Enjoy your frozen treat as soon as it’s ready. The texture of your treat will be best right after it finishes processing, so go ahead and enjoy your ice cream, sorbet, or smoothie bowl as soon as it’s done.
    • If you have any leftovers, smooth out and flatten the top before refreezing them. Store the leftovers in the provided pint container, so you can easily reprocess it later if necessary.
    • If the mixture is hard to scoop when you try to eat it later, try processing it again with the same setting you originally used to make it. [14]
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Section 3 of 7:

Tips and Troubleshooting for the Ninja Creami

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  1. 1
    Re-spin your mixture if it comes out crumbly. Sometimes, your frozen treat may come out a bit crumbly or icy after the first spin. Don’t worry—this is an easy fix! The machine has a handy “RE-SPIN” function, which is designed to make sure you get a smooth texture every time. Just place the outer bowl back onto the machine, select “RE-SPIN,” and let the machine get back to work. [15]
    • If it’s still crumbly after the re-spin, you may need to repeat the process one more time. [16]
  2. 2
    If you want a super creamy ice cream, make sure to add sugar. Sugar doesn’t just affect your frozen treat’s sweetness, it also has a big impact on its texture and creaminess. If your ice cream has too little sugar in it, it may end up being too hard or icy, since sugar lowers the freezing point of your mixture and makes it more soft and scoop-able. [17]
  3. 3
    Taste your mixture before freezing it to make sure the flavor’s right. This allows you to add any ingredients you might have forgotten or make any adjustments that might be needed. Keep in mind that the final product will taste a bit less sweet once it's frozen, so it's a good idea to make sure your mixture is sweet enough (or even slightly sweeter than you want it to be) before you put it in your freezer. [18]
  4. 4
    Freeze your mixture without the lid on to prevent humps. Some people have reported that a hump can form in the middle of the base mixture while it’s freezing. Unfortunately, this hump can damage the blade on your Ninja Creami machine, so it’s important to get rid of it or prevent it from forming in the first place. [19] Leaving the lid off the pint while you freeze your base can help with this.
  5. 5
    Keep on top of cleaning the components of your Ninja Creami. When you use your Ninja Creami, bits of your ingredients can easily get stuck in grooves and underneath the blade. It’s important to clean each of the attachable pieces of your machine thoroughly after each use to prevent build-up. Luckily, the parts are dishwasher safe, which makes clean-up pretty easy. [20]
    • Make sure to remove the Creamerizer Paddle (blade) and the rubber lip seal from the outer bowl lid before cleaning, since ingredients can get trapped under these parts.
    • All containers and lids and the paddle itself are dishwasher safe on the top rack only.
    • Using the dishwasher is the best option to remove stuck-on ingredients.
    • If you prefer to hand wash your components, use warm soapy water. Use a dishwashing utensil with a lid to wash the paddle to avoid hurting your hands. [21]
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Section 4 of 7:

Ninja Creami vs. Ninja Creami Deluxe

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  1. There are two different models of the Ninja Creami available. These are the Ninja Creami, and the Ninja Creami deluxe. The biggest difference between the two is the amount of settings—the original Ninja Creami has 7 different settings, and the Creami Deluxe has 11. [22] Here’s a more thorough breakdown of each to help you choose the right one for you:
    • Ninja Creami 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker
      • Pros: Less expensive, includes a Smoothie Bowl setting which the Deluxe doesn’t have
      • Cons: Doesn’t include the "drinkable" settings (Creamiccino, Frozen Drink, Slushy) that the deluxe has, but it does still have a Milkshake setting
      • Customer Ratings: 4.5 star average on Amazon.com
    • Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream Maker
      • Pros: Includes more settings (specifically the “drinkable” options Creamiccino, Frozen Drink, and Slushy)
      • Cons: More expensive, doesn’t include the Smoothie Bowl setting
      • Customer Ratings: 4.4 star average on Amazon.com
Section 5 of 7:

Should you buy the Ninja Creami?

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  1. All in all, the Ninja Creami is a versatile and well-loved appliance. The machine is convenient to use, and you can add whichever ingredients you’d like to create an entirely customized flavor. Plus, tons of satisfied customers have taken to social media to rave about the Ninja Creami, so it's definitely a crowd pleaser. Ultimately, if you’re a lover of homemade ice cream or other similar treats, the Ninja Creami could be a great purchase for you. We’ll go over a few pros and cons, though, in case you're still having trouble deciding.
    • Pros:
      • You can add whichever ingredients you want to make completely unique frozen treats
      • You can easily make special recipes to accommodate allergies or special diets, such as dairy-free/vegan, paleo, or keto
      • You can use the machine to make several different types of frozen treats (ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowls, milkshakes, etc)
      • The machine is convenient and easy to use once you get the hang of it
      • The components are dishwasher safe, which makes clean-up pretty easy
    • Cons:
      • It’s a bit pricey ($219.95 for the deluxe model and $169.99 for the regular model)
      • You’ll need to plan ahead to make your treat, since the base needs to be frozen for 24 hours
      • It can be a little intimidating to use the machine when you first get it as there are a lot of rules/steps to follow
      • The machine itself is pretty tall, heavy, and bulky, so you’ll probably need to store it on your kitchen counter, not inside a cabinet [23]
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Section 6 of 7:

Ninja Creami Recipes

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  1. 1
    Vanilla ice cream Soften 1 tsp (½ ounce) of cream cheese for 10 seconds in the microwave, then add â…“ cup (60g) granulated sugar, and 1 tsp (5 mL) of vanilla extract. Mix everything together until it’s the consistency of frosting, then slowly mix in ¾ cup (173 mL) of heavy cream and 1 cup (240 mL) whole milk. Keep stirring until everything is fully combined and the sugar has dissolved completely. Freeze the mixture in a Creami pint for 24 hours, then process on the Ice Cream setting. [24]
    • Add any extra ingredients you’d like, such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, crumbled cookies, or sprinkles, and process on the Mix-In setting.
  2. 2
    Chocolate peanut butter protein ice cream Add 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, ½ banana, ½ tablespoon (16 g) peanut butter, and 1 cup (236 mL) of almond milk to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a Creami Pint and freeze for 24 hours, then process on the Lite Ice Cream setting. When this first pass is done, make a well in the center of the mixture and add a small splash of almond milk and a handful of granola or chopped nuts, then process on the Mix-In setting. [25]
  3. 3
    Strawberry sorbet Add one 16 ounce container of washed fresh strawberries to a blender or food processor with 2 tbsp (25 g) of granulated sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Blend until smooth, then pour into a Creami Pint container and freeze for 24 hours. Process on the “Sorbet” setting, then enjoy! [26]
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Section 7 of 7:

Ninja Creami FAQs

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  1. 1
    How long do Ninja Creami bases need to freeze? Ninja Creami bases need to freeze for 24 hours. This seems like a pretty long time, but your base doesn’t just need to be frozen—it also needs to reach a super cold temperature before being processed to get the best results. [27]
  2. 2
    What if you don’t have time to freeze a base for 24 hours? Try using the Milkshake setting. This is the only setting on the Ninja Creami that doesn’t require freezing a base for a full 24-hours. All you need to do is add milk to the ice cream of your choice, then process it. You can add any mix-ins you want afterwards using the Mix-In setting, as well. [28]
  3. 3
    Can you put ice cubes in the Nina Creami? No, you cannot process ice cubes in your Ninja Creami. The machine doesn’t work like a normal blender does, so ice cubes could damage it. Your base should be a smooth texture before you freeze it, with no chunks or hard frozen elements. [29]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/ninja-creami-review
      2. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/ninja-creami-review
      3. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/ninja-creami-review
      4. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/ninja-creami-review
      6. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/ninja-creami
      8. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      9. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      1. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      2. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      3. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      4. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      5. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/ninja-creami
      7. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/ninja-creami
      8. ↑ https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2018/07/26/how-to-make-the-best-homemade-ice-cream
      9. ↑ https://www.wfaa.com/article/features/ice-cream-has-just-a-few-ingredients-but-a-lot-of-science/287-e2b0ff95-0b95-484e-8b63-9baff3df4bc3
      10. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/ninja-creami
      11. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/ninja-creami
      12. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      13. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/ninja-creami-review
      14. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/ninja-creami-review
      15. ↑ https://ninjatestkitchen.com/recipe/vanilla-ice-cream-with-chocolate-chips/
      16. ↑ https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-ninja-creami-protein-ice-cream/
      17. ↑ https://foodwithfeeling.com/strawberry-ninja-creami-sorbet-recipe/
      18. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf
      19. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/ninja-creami-review
      20. ↑ https://support.sharkclean.co.uk/hc/article_attachments/4742217837852/NC300Series_Online_IB_MP__1_.pdf

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