Check out my recipe for making Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream! I’ll show you how to make the thickest, creamiest, and most flavorful blueberry ice cream in your Ninja Creami. There’s a couple of extra steps that go into making it, but it’s definitely worth it!
You can make blueberry ice cream with just a few ingredients, but it’s what you do with those ingredients that makes a huge difference when it comes to flavor and texture.
I have found that making a blueberry sauce and adding it to the ice cream base provides 100 times more flavor than adding uncooked blueberries to that same base. It takes just a couple of minutes to make your own blueberry sauce.
I love blueberries! They are one of my favorite fruits to eat. If they are ripe, they are super sweet and flavorful and go really well with so many things. It makes sense that blueberries would taste great in ice cream! For this recipe, I decided to cook the blueberries into a sweet sauce. I’m so glad I did. If you just add blueberries to the ice cream base you won’t get nearly as much flavor as you will if you make a blueberry sauce. Mixing the sauce with the other base ingredients, before freezing, creates a wonderful purple ice cream that has a ton of blueberry flavor throughout.
Not only does Ninja Creami ice cream taste amazing, but the texture is PERFECT! I’ve made this recipe over and over again and every time the texture is super thick and creamy. If you ask me, the thicker the ice cream is, the better it is.
However, there are some folks that prefer more of a soft serve consistency. If the ice cream is too thick for you, just add a little more milk and re-spin. The more milk you add, the softer and fluffier looking it will get.
Tips for making Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream:
Vanilla bean paste is a thick syruplike vanilla flavoring. The vanilla bean paste is a combination of vanilla pods (the little seed-looking things inside the bean) and vanilla extract. The flavor is more intense but has less of an alcohol and artificial taste. Vanilla bean paste is used just like vanilla extract, it’s a 1:1 ratio. The result is a rich vanilla flavor with vanilla bean speckles throughout. You can buy vanilla bean paste at most grocery stores (even Home Goods and TJ Maxx sell it now!!) near the vanilla extract and on Amazon.
If you have made ice cream and it just isn't quite as creami as you would like, you can very easily get it super creami by using the re-spin function on the Ninja Creami. After the initial process, if the ice cream is dry and crumbly, pour in one tablespoon of milk or cream and then simply place the pint into the outer bowl and snap it into place. Choose the RE-SPIN function. Once the cycle completes, remove the pint and enjoy! Your ice cream should be nice and creamy .
Some people put frozen berries along with the dairy and other ingredients into the Ninja Creami container and then process, without freezing the mixture first. I DO NOT recommend doing this. If you want to do that, then just use a blender. The Ninja Creami is not made to process hard frozen chunks (frozen fruit) that are suspended in liquid (dairy and other ingredient). Processing frozen fruit with liquid (without freezing the mixture first) can damage the machine and may void the warranty.
My #1 go-to cream cheese substitute for cream cheese is guar gum. Instead of using cream cheese, you can use ¼ teaspoon per 16 ounce container. The guar gum is flavorless and very small in volume.
If your Ninja Creami ice cream is very dray and looks like sand, it likely does not have enough fat or sugar in it. It might also be because of your freezer temperature being too cold, or a combination of those things. After the first spin, if the ice cream looks like sand, pour 1-2 tablespoons of liquid (milk, cream, juice) and re-spin. You might have to do this a couple of times. Be sure to add the liquid on the first re-spin. If you keep re-spinning and then add liquid on the 3rd or 4th re-spin it’s more difficult to get the ice cream to become creamy. If the ice cream looks like little balls of ice cream (like dippin’ dots) after the initial spin, just respin it without adding any liquid.
Looking for more Ninja Creami Recipes?
Ingredient substitutions for making Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream:
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Milk– I used whole milk in this recipe. You can use a dairy substitute or lower fat milk if you prefer but the lower the fat content, the less creamy the result will be.
Half and Half– If you don’t have half and half, you can use a mixture of ¼ heavy cream and ¾ whole milk.
Sugar– White sugar was used. You can use a sugar substitute that is a 1:1 ratio.
Cream Cheese- I use regular cream cheese, not whipped. If you prefer not to use cream cheese, you can use ¼ teaspoon of guar gum instead or any other Ninja Creami ice cream stabilizer that you would like.
Vanilla Bean Paste- I prefer to use vanilla bean paste because it adds a deeper vanilla flavor and I find that it tastes less like alcohol. You can substitute the vanilla bean paste with vanilla extract.
Blueberries– I prefer to use fresh blueberries, but you can use frozen if that’s all that you have available. You could even change it up and use raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries. You may want to run the cooked berry mixture through a mesh sieve if you use blackberries due to the larger seeds.
Lemon Juice- Fresh or bottled work the same for this recipe. If you don’t have lemon juice, you can use lime juice instead. I would not recommend substituting with an extract or flavor oil.
Directions for making Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream:
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- In a small saucepan, combine the blueberry sauce ingredients; blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the blueberries have burst and turned into a saucy consistency. This should take about 5 minutes. Allow to cool while making the ice cream base.
- Pour the ice cream base ingredients into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the cooled blueberry sauce into the blender and mix together with the rest of the ice cream base. Pour this mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
- Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid getting a bump on the top of the frozen mixture, freeze with the lid off of the container.
Process the Ice Cream
- After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
- Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on “ICE CREAM.”
- If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking, pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
Pin Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream for later!
Recipe
Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream
Rate this Recipe
Add Food Grade Vegetable Glycerin To Make Leftover Ice Cream Scoopable Right Out of the Freezer
Per 16 ounce pint: *Add 1 Teaspoon to full fat/full sugar bases *Add 1.5 teaspoon to high protein bases *Add 2 teaspoons to low sugar/low fat lite bases. Freeze and process per the recipe. Take the leftovers out of the freezer and scoop without having to reprocess. ***This is a guideline and adjustments may be needed based on your recipe.
Original, Breeze, Swirl, and Deluxe Ingredient Measurements
Use the multiplier below to adjust quantities based on the machine that you own. ***If you have the Original, Breeze, or Swirl machine, which use 16 ounce containers, choose the 1X option. ***If you have the Deluxe or XL machine, which use 24 ounce containers, choose the 1.5X option.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 1 Cup (236 ⅗ ml) Milk
- ½ Cup (121 g) Half and Half
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Cream Cheese (Room Temperature- If you don't like cream cheese, you can use ¼ teaspoon of guar gum instead.)
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Vanilla Bean Paste
Blueberry Sauce
- 1 Cup (148 g) Blueberries (Fresh)
- ¼ Cup (50 g) Sugar
- ½ Teaspoon (½ Teaspoon) Lemon Juice
Instructions
Prepare the Blueberry Sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine the blueberry sauce ingredients; blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the blueberries have burst and turned into a saucy consistency. This should take about 5 minutes. Allow to cool while making the ice cream base.
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the ice cream base ingredients into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the cooled blueberry sauce into the blender and mix together with the rest of the ice cream base. Pour this mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
- Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid getting a bump on the top of the frozen mixture, freeze with the lid off of the container.
Process the Ice Cream
- After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
- Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on "ICE CREAM."
- If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking, pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Optional ingredients are not included in the nutrition information.
Recipes that use allulose:
Allulose is a low calorie sweetener that your body doesn't fully digest, so it provides only 0.4 calories per gram instead of 4. That's why the calorie total doesn't match what you'd expect from the carb count. Calories from allulose are calculated based on metabolized carbohydrates. Allulose contributes fewer calories than standard carbohydrates.
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!
-
Ninja Creami Berry Blast Protein Ice Cream
If you are tired of forcing down protein shakes and you are looking for a better way to hit your macros, then you have to try this Ninja Creami Berry Blast Protein Ice Cream. It is packed with real mixed berries, loaded with protein, and it tastes like an actual dessert instead of something you are forcing yourself to eat because it is good for you. Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries come together to create a bold berry flavor that is bright, fruity, and absolutely delicious. This recipe comes in at 279 calories, 26 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 6 […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip
If you love strawberries and you love frozen desserts but you don’t love all the calories that come with store-bought ice cream, then you are going to want to make this Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip right away. Think of it like a homemade strawberry version of the famous pineapple Dole Whip, but made right in your own kitchen with simple ingredients. It’s light, it’s creamy, it’s packed with real strawberry flavor, and it seriously feels like a sweet treat you shouldn’t be allowed to have on a diet. But you can. And that’s the best part. This recipe […]
-
Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
If you love a fresh, sweet watermelon as much as I do, then you have to try this Ninja Creami watermelon sorbet. It is made with just one single ingredient, fresh watermelon, and it comes out smooth, creamy, and packed with that sweet, juicy watermelon flavor that just screams summer. No added sugar, no dairy, no fuss. Just watermelon. That’s it! This recipe comes in at 91 calories, 2 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, and 23 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. […]
-
Ninja Creami Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream
If you love fun flavors and protein-packed desserts, this Ninja Creami Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream is going to be your new favorite treat. It’s sweet, creamy, and it’s got a ton of cotton candy flavor in the ice cream base and in the mix-ins! Not only does it taste great, but the texture (and color) is AMAZING! Made right in the Ninja Creami ice cream machine, this recipe brings a playful twist to high-protein frozen desserts while keeping things light and refreshing. This recipe comes in at 351 calories, 27 grams of protein, 16 grams of sugar, 14 […]
-
Ninja Creami Coconut Cream Pie Protein Frozen Yogurt
If you love coconut creami pie, you’re going to love this recipe! Ninja Creami Coconut Cream Pie Protein Frozen Yogurt is creamy, lightly sweet, and 37 grams of protein per pint. With toasted coconut yogurt, whey protein, and a hint of vanilla and coconut extract, it tastes just like dessert with some extra protein and without the extra calories. This recipe comes in at 404 calories, 37 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 19 grams of fat, 42 carbs, 18 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all […]
-
The BEST Ninja Creami Full Fat/Sugar/Dairy Recipes
Check out my favorite classic Ninja Creami ice cream recipes made with real dairy and real sugar. These are just good, old-fashioned ice cream flavors with no special diet focus, no swaps, and no compromises. If you are new to the Ninja Creami or just want dependable recipes that taste like actual creamy ice cream, this is exactly where to start. You will find familiar favorites like chocolate chip, chocolate lovers ice cream, Butterfinger, M&M ice cream, mint chocolate chip, strawberry ice cream, frozen yogurts, and even Dole Whip style treats. These recipes are meant to be fun, nostalgic, and […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Grape Kool-Aid Ice Cream
I love experimenting with low-calorie ice creams, and this Grape Kool-Aid version is a fun throwback to drinking Kool-Aid as a kid. Using 2% milk, allulose, sugar-free instant vanilla pudding, and just a touch of grape Kool-Aid powder, this pint comes together with the perfect balance of sweet and fruity flavor. It’s creamy, satisfying, and still keeps the calories low. This recipe comes in at 257 calories, 12 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 81 carbs, 33 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for […]
-
Flodesk Email Marketing Platform That Finally Made Email Easy (and less stressful!)
Your email platform should make your life easier. It shouldn’t feel confusing, clunky, or like a full-time job to figure out. If you want beautiful emails that are quick to create and backed by great customer service, Flodesk is the one for you. It’s basically the only email tool that hasn’t made me want to throw my laptop out the window. ***I am a Flodesk partner but all of the opinions below are mine. I wouldn’t make a post about something that I didn’t actually like enough to recommend. Email matters. It’s one of the best ways to stay connected […]
-
Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt
If you’re looking for a light and fruity frozen treat that’s simple to make, this Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt is the perfect recipe. It’s made with just four ingredients: blueberry yogurt, coconut yogurt, vanilla bean paste, and blueberries. The Ninja Creami machine does all the work for you, creating a soft, creamy texture that tastes amazing every time. This recipe comes in at 598 calories, 23 grams of protein, 71 grams of sugar, 23 grams of fat, and 75 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition […]
-
Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream
If you love the flavor of warm cinnamon and tart green apples, this Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream will be your new favorite recipe. It’s sweet, creamy, and packed with protein, making it a dessert you can actually feel good about eating. Every spoonful tastes like a crisp fall day in the best way possible. This recipe comes in at 248 calories, 25 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 49 carbs, 25 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Horchata Ice Cream
This is a unique recipe for making Ninja Creami ice cream that tastes like horchata. It’s low in calories and includes a couple of secret ingredients to achieve amazing flavor and perfect texture while keeping the calories super low. This recipe comes in at 250 calories, 9 grams of protein, 8 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 60 carbs, 12 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. You’re probably wondering what horchata is and what it tastes like. Horchata is a drink that started in […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
If you enjoy a creamy, fruity, frozen, sweet treat, you’ll love this Ninja Creami Strawberry Frozen Yogurt. Made with just two simple ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make at home using your Ninja Creami. This recipe keeps things simple with no hard to find, complicated, or unusual ingredients, just pure, delicious strawberry flavor in every bite. This recipe comes in at 401 calories, 23 grams of protein, 65 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, and 66 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Making frozen yogurt at home […]
-
What to Do With Ninja Creami Leftovers and How to Keep Them Soft After Refreezing
Are your leftovers frozen solid? Don’t panic…this is NORMAL! One of the tricky things about Ninja Creami ice cream is the leftovers can become rock solid, like a chunk of ice, after refreezing. Usually, the leftovers are not soft enough to scoop. This can be problematic if you don’t want to have to process leftovers every time you want to eat them or if you have added mix-ins (mix-ins get completely mixed into the ice cream if you process them again). A couple reasons why the leftovers are not scoopable… How to resolve this issue… How to use FOOD GRADE […]
-
What is the ideal freezer temperature for Ninja Creami creations?
If you freezer temperature is not ideal, your Ninja Creami creations might not turn out as expected. If the freezer is too cold, the ice cream could be very hard or dry and powdery. If the freezer is not cold enough, the ice cream is likely to be softer than expected and oftentimes will be icy. What temperature should the freezer be set to? The recommended temperature for the freezer for Ninja Creami treats is between -7 and +9 degrees Fahrenheit. This calculates to be between -21.7 and -12.8 degrees Celsius. A few tips on properly freezing Ninja Creami creations Not […]
-
What Do You Do About the Bump on Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Can It Damage the Machine?
Let me start off by saying that not all bumps are treated equally. This is not a one-size-fits-all all answer. The information in this post is for informational purposes only and is based on my own personal experiences and the experiences of the folks in the Ninja Creami Community on Facebook. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This is one of the most common and controversial troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes after freezing Ninja Creami creations, a mound or hump can develop on the top of the ice cream. Per the instructions from the manufacturer, the top […]
-
How to Clean Your Ninja Creami: Spindle, Paddle, Bowl, and Lid
Learn how to clean every part of your Ninja Creami, including the spindle, paddle, outer bowl, and lid. Simple tips to keep your machine working great! Some parts are much easier to clean than others. It’s really important that you keep your Ninja Creami and the accessories nice and clean. If you don’t the pieces can start to smell bad, or in severe cases, can attract insects or start to mold. How do you clean the Ninja Creami spindle? How do you clean the Ninja Creami paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl lid? The paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl […]
-
Ninja Creami Functions-What to Use and When
Depending on the Ninja Creami model that you have, the function that you will use to process your frozen treats can vary. Choosing the correct function can be a bit overwhelming at times. But, it’s not a perfect science. You can look at the chart below and determine what process might work best for your recipe based on the ingredients used. But, don’t overthink it or overcomplicate it. The majority of the time, you’ll probably use ice cream or lite ice cream. The below charts give you an idea of how long and at what speed the paddle moves […]
-
Do You Need Stabilizers and Thickeners in Ninja Creami Recipes?
For most Ninja Creami recipes, you need some sort of stabilizer to thicken the ice cream and reduce the ice crystals. Most recipes that come in the inspiration guide with the machine use cream cheese as the stabilizer. But you don’t have to use cream cheese. There are a bunch of other options. The information provided below is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to change your regular diet. Please consult with your physician before changing your diet. Thickeners/Stabilizers These are approximate measurements for a 16-ounce Ninja Creami recipe. The amount needed varies based on the other […]
Paige says
This blueberry ice cream was s fantastic!!!!
Lauren Cardona says
I’m so glad you liked it!!