If you already own a Ninja Creami, you probably know it’s a wizard at whipping up frozen treats like ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes and smoothie bowls. With a few extra pints ready to go in your freezer, dessert is just a button-press away.
But the true beauty of the Ninja Creami lies in its versatility. “My favorite thing about the Creami is how customizable it is,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliance and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou. “You can tailor the base to your exact dietary needs, which is great for people with food allergies or restrictions — and fun for kids, too. Plus, you can pick the mix-ins, which means gluten-free folks can enjoy cookie dough or brownie bits in their ice cream.”
Ninja CREAMi™ Ice Cream Maker
Spend a few minutes on TikTok or Reddit, and you’ll fall into a rabbit hole of Ninja Creami hacks — from copycat fast food desserts (read: Blizzards) to high-protein “healthified” spins. “My advice would be to start with the recipes in the included recipe booklet,” says Papantoniou. “They’ll help you understand how to start using the machine and you’ll develop an understanding of what your results should look and taste like. Then you can tweak based on your preferences.” You will find tons of recipe options in the included recipe booklet, as well as on the Ninja Test Kitchen’s website.
Still, the machine takes up precious counter space, so it’s worth asking: What else can this thing do? To find out, I stocked up on ingredients and started experimenting. There were a few fails (turns out, achieving the perfect frappe is trickier than expected) — but also some creative surprises.
Here are the most unexpected things I’ve made — and loved — in my Ninja Creami:
Blended Overnight Oats
Who says you *have* to freeze the pint? In theory, the Ninja Creami can act like a blender. “The way it works is when you process it, a blade spins and breaks through the base layer by layer and eventually makes it all the way through,” explains Papantoniou. Some people use the Creami in ways similar to a food processor or traditional blender — but that’s not always a great idea. For instance, using it to make a homemade nut butter can require multiple cycles, which wastes time and could dull or damage the blades. Instead, it’s better suited for something with more liquid, like a pudding or blended overnight oats.
This trendy take on the classic oatmeal involves blending everything — oats included! — to create a smooth, spoonable consistency that falls somewhere between a smoothie and pudding. Because it requires blending and storing in a jar, I figured, why not try it in the Ninja Creami?
I am so happy I did. Everything came together in one pint (read: minimal cleanup) and I blended it all the night before, allowing the oats to soak overnight and sparing my husband from hearing the sound of my machine going off at 6 a.m. Plus, the container was the perfect size for adding my favorite toppings and digging into with a spoon.
To make Ninja Creami blended overnight oats: In the Creami pint, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup frozen wild blueberries, 1 tablespoon each chia seeds and flaxseeds, 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup milk of choice, and 1 teaspoon each maple syrup and vanilla extract. Blend using the Smoothie Bowl function, then refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Serve topped with chopped walnuts, extra berries and drizzle of maple syrup.
Trish Clasen Marsanico / Good Housekeeping
Coffee Creamer Affogato
This idea came from Good Housekeeping Chief Food Director Kate Merker, who asked: What happens if you freeze coffee creamer in the pint? The result: Scoopable sweetened creamer that melts beautifully under a shot of freshly-brewed espresso. It’s creamy, sweet and basically a next-level affogato.
Trish Clasen Marsanico / Good Housekeeping
Frozen Protein “Shake”
I’ve heard so many people rave about the magic that happens when you use protein powder in your Ninja Creami. (Type the phrases Ninja creami, protein powder and Fairlife into your search bar, and you’ll see what the buzz is about.) While part of the appeal is certainly tied to the high-protein craze, there’s a legit culinary benefit, too. Whey protein, for example, binds with water in a way that helps create smaller ice crystals during freezing, resulting in a smoother, creamier texture. Plus, many protein powders contain stabilizers like xanthan gum or guar gum, which also help improve consistency and mouthfeel.
I’m a big fan of Ka’Chava, a nutrient-dense meal replacement, and usually drink it in liquid form. But some mornings, I don’t feel like sipping my breakfast. So, I mixed the chocolate Ka’Chava with milk, froze it in a pint and used the Smoothie Bowl function to blend. The result? It tasted like I was eating ice cream for breakfast. The dream.
Trish Clasen Marsanico / Good Housekeeping
Related StoryLemon Ice
With just one ingredient — store-bought lemonade — you can whip up a dessert that’s strikingly similar to classic Italian ice (or water ice, if you’re from Philly). The flavor will vary depending on the brand you use, but mine turned out refreshingly citrusy with an ideal sweet-tart balance.
After freezing and processing in the Ninja Creami using the Sorbet function, fluff the mixture with a fork rather than a spoon to preserve its signature icy, granular texture. Want to take it up a notch? Experiment with strawberry lemonade, or add a sprig of basil and pinch of flaky sea salt.
Trish Clasen Marsanico / Good Housekeeping
Banana Ice Cream
When frozen and blended, banana turns into a creamy dairy-free soft serve — sometimes called “nice cream.” While you can achieve this by freezing banana chunks and throwing them into a food processor, I have found that the Ninja Creami simplifies the process (i.e. you don’t have to stress the timing of freezing your fruit). It tastes like banana, of course, but you can switch the flavor up a bit by adding a splash of cold brew, instant coffee powder, a spoonful of peanut butter, cocoa powder, caramel sauce, you name it. Plus, the Ninja Creami’s mix-in function allows you to throw in everything from chocolate chips and peanut butter cups to chocolate-covered espresso beans, walnuts and Oreo cookies.
Trish Clasen Marsanico / Good Housekeeping
One-Ingredient Froyo
I wondered what would happen if I simply spooned in some flavored Greek yogurt and froze it. Turns out, you get a perfectly tart, creamy frozen yogurt dessert with almost zero effort. No measuring. No mixing. Just freeze, spin and enjoy.
Ninja® Soft Serve Ice Cream Froyo & Frozen Dessert Machine by CREAMi® – Ice Cream Makers
The Ninja Swirl™ by CREAMi® l turns almost anything into ice cream, soft serve, and much more at the touch of a button. Customize flavor, control ingredients, and create classic scooped or swirled treats.
P.S. If you own the new Ninja Swirl by Creami, you can take things one step further and create a soft-serve-style treat that rivals your favorite frozen yogurt shop. “After I froze Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt in the included pint container, processed and dispensed it, I was seriously impressed,” says Papantoniou. “It rivaled some of the best frozen yogurt I’ve ever had. These results alone are why I’d recommend the Ninja Swirl by Creami.”
Trish Clasen Marsanico / Good Housekeeping
Ice Cream Floats
Let’s circle back to one of the Ninja Creami’s best-known talents: making delicious homemade ice cream. If you’ve got a few pints ready to process, why not turn them into a full-on dessert experience?
Set up a DIY ice cream float station inspired by a retro soda shoppe: Lay out several pints of different ice cream flavors, a variety of sodas and syrups, plus glasses and striped paper straws. You can also lean into a classic sundae bar vibe with hot fudge, sprinkles and all the fixings. Or, bake a few batches of cookies and let everyone build their own ice cream sandwiches on the spot. Now that’s how to turn your Ninja Creami into the life of the party.
What do you like to make in your Ninja Creami? Let us know in the comments below!