Check out my recipe for making Ninja Creami Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream! I’ll show you how to take a simple ingredient like instant pudding mix and turn it into a thick and creamy ice cream using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker!
One of the trickier things about making ice cream using the Ninja Creami ice cream machine is getting the creamy texture just right. Sometimes the ice cream can be too soft if the right ingredients are not used. While you can use gums like guar gum or other thickeners and stabilizers, one of the easiest ways to improve the ice cream texture and add flavor at the same time is to use your favorite instant pudding mix. You can use sugar-free pudding mix or regular to make your Ninja Creami sweet treat.
I love this recipe because it’s easy to make and the flavor and texture is spot on! There’s just enough chocolate flavor and the texture is perfectly scoopable every time! With just 5 ingredients, this recipe is not complicated, can easily be modified to fit your dietary preferences, and is convenient to make since you probably already have these ingredients on hand. There’s no extracts, cream cheese, or cottage cheese in this recipe. Milk, cream, sugar, cocoa powder, and pudding mix…that’s it!!
If you like chocolate ice cream, then be sure to check out my recipe for making the best, richest, chocolate ice cream and my recipe for chocolate protein ice cream!

For this recipe, I used regular dairy and sugar as well as regular instant pudding mix. If your diet doesn’t allow for dairy or sugar, you can use your favorite substitutes and you can even use the sugar-free instant pudding mix. I have used the sugar-free instant pudding mix in probably 100 recipes and it has worked wonderfully. Some folks think it tastes like fake sugar but I can’t tell the difference. Use the ingredients that you like. Keep in mind that the lower the fat/sugar that is in the recipe, the more likely it is to be a little icy.

I almost always use dark cocoa powder when I make Ninja Creami treats. I have found that it really takes the chocolate flavor to the next level! Regular cocoa powder will work, but the chocolate flavor will be less intense. If you’ve ever tried to mix cocoa powder with a liquid, you know that it does not mix well at all. I highly recommend blending the base ingredients in a small blender before freezing them in the Ninja Creami container. If you don’t blend them, or mix them together really well, the chocolate flavor will not be evenly distributed and you might end up with dry cocoa powder clumps in the finished ice cream.

Tips for making Ninja Creami Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream:
Some folks have frozen premade pudding and turned it into a very thick “ice cream.” But, the texture is very thick and almost gooey. For this recipe, you will need to use the dry instant pudding mix. Do not use the cook and serve pudding mix. It needs to be instant pudding mix. Just add the dry mix as is. Do not follow the instructions on the box.
Yes, you can add mix-ins. Oreo cookies, chocolate chips, candies, or brownies would be great mix-ins.
Yes, you can add protein to this recipe. The easiest way to do it is to add a scoop of unflavored protein powder to the recipe as written. If you want to use a premade protein shake, the entire recipe will need to be adjusted due to the sugar, stabilizer, and flavorings that are usually added to protein shakes.
Yes, you can substitute the dairy and sugar to fit your dietary needs. You can use any sugar substitute that you would like, just make sure that it is a 1:1 ratio with the sugar. The milk and half and half can also be substituted. However, some substitutes like oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and cashew milk have a lower fat content and will likely produce ice crystals and a less creamy result.
This happens when your freezer is too cold or can happen depending on the ingredients used in the recipe. It’s normal for the ice cream to be dry or crumbly. But, there’s an easy way to fix it. If the ice creami is dry or powdery looking, add a tablespoon of liquid like milk or juice and then respin it. If the ice cream looks like little balls of ice cream (almost like dippin dots) after the first spin, just respin it without adding additional liquid. You might have to respin more than once to get the texture of a creamy dessert.
Looking for more Ninja Creami Recipes?
Ingredient substitutions for making Ninja Creami Chocolate Pudding 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 ยผ heavy cream and ยพ whole milk.
Sugar– White sugar was used. You can use a sugar substitute that is a 1:1 ratio.
Dark Cocoa Powder- I prefer to use dark cocoa powder but you can use regular cocoa powder if you prefer. Some have found great success using black cocoa powder too.
Instant Pudding Mix- Make sure you use INSTANT pudding mix and not cook and serve or premade pudding for this recipe. You will be using the dry pudding mix straight out of the package. Do not follow the instructions on the box.
Directions for making Ninja Creami Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream:
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the milk, half and half, sugar, instant pudding mix, and cocoa powder into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the 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. If the ice cream looks more like dippin dots, (little balls of ice cream), re-spin without adding liquid.
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
Pin Ninja Creami Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream for later!

Recipe

Ninja Creami Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream
Rate this Recipe
Equipment
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.
Original and Deluxe Ingredient Measurements
Use the multiplier below to adjust quantities based on the machine that you own. 1X=Original 16 ounce 1.5X=Deluxe 24 ounces
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 8 Ounces (226 ⅘ g) Milk (Whole Milk)
- 4 Ounces (113 ⅖ g) Half and Half ( )
- ⅓ Cup (66 ⅔ g) Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Instant Chocolate Pudding Powder
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Dark Cocoa Powder
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the milk, half and half, sugar, instant pudding mix, and cocoa powder into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the 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. If the ice cream looks more like dippin dots, (little balls of ice cream), re-spin without adding liquid.
- 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!

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 […]

Dry or Crumbly Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Here’s How to Fix It
One of the most common “issues” with making ice cream in the Ninja Creami is that the consistency or texture can be very dry and crumbly, instead of creami. Don’t panic! It’s usually a really easy fix. Once you get the hang of how to fix it, your Ninja Creami creations will be creamy and smooth, just like you’d expect. This is probably the most common issue with Ninja Creami recipes. If your ice cream looks like this…don’t panic! It’s COMPLETELY normal and happens all of the time. It’s super easy to fix it so that it becomes nice and […]

How do you use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami?
The manual that comes with the Ninja Creami says that you cannot use frozen fruit in the machine. This can be confusing because, technically, you can use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami. However, you have to follow a few rules when doing so. I’ve seen a lot of people on social media tossing frozen fruit chunks straight into the Ninja Creami and spinning it like it’s a blender. But the Creami isn’t a blender, and it’s not meant to be used like one. Even though some people have gotten lucky doing it that way, it can actually damage […]

Ninja Creami Original Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
If you’re looking for the official Ninja Creami Original manuals, quick start guides, or inspiration guides, you’ve come to the right place! Usually, if you buy your Ninja Creami brand-new, it will come with a bunch of info in the box like the owner’s manual, inspiration guide, quick start guide, and a small recipe book. But if you lost yours or didn’t get the machine brand new, it probably didn’t come with this information. Sometimes it can be really hard to find what you’re looking for and it can take, what seems like, forever to actually find it. So I’ve […]

Ninja Creami Deluxe Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you buy a new Ninja Creami Deluxe, it usually comes with an owner’s manual, quick start guide, inspiration guide, and a couple of basic recipes to help you get started. If you bought your machine second-hand or misplaced the original paperwork, you’ll probably want to get another copy. Unfortunately, Ninja doesn’t send out physical replacements, but you can download most of the information from Ninja’s site. If the information isn’t available as a PDF to download, there’s usually some info directly on the product or FAQ pages. Sometimes, it can be time-consuming and tricky to find the exact information […]

Ninja Swirl by Creami Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you buy a new Ninja Swirl by Creami, it usually comes with a manual, quick start guide, inspiration guide, and a few basic recipes to help you get started. If you bought your machine second-hand or misplaced the original paperwork, you’ll probably want to get another copy. Ninja doesn’t send out physical replacements, but you can download most of the information from Ninja’s site. If the information isn’t available as a PDF to download, there’s usually some info directly on the product or FAQ pages. It can be a little tricky to find the information that you are looking […]

Ninja Creami Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you purchase a brand-new Ninja Creami, it will usually come with a manual, owner’s guide, quick start guide, troubleshooting guide, FAQs, inspiration guide, and basic recipe book. If you purchased your machine second-hand, it may not include these items. Ninja does not mail out physical copies of these items if you have misplaced yours or if your machine did not come with one. However, they do have this information available as a free download online. If you can’t find the information that came with your Ninja Creami, don’t worry! I’ve pulled together all of the info that is available […]

Ninja Creami Models Compared: Which One Is Right for You? (With Side-by-Side Chart)
There are several different Ninja Creami models available, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you and your family, based on features, price, and accessories. The chart below should help you decide. Ninja Creami Models There are a couple of different versions. One is not necessarily better than the other. It is a matter of preference. Each model has different variations in the numbers and letters for the model. The numbers and letters in the model number vary based on retailer, accessories, and color. If you buy an original machine with 7 functions, you’ll see […]

What’s the black greasy stuff on the Ninja Creami lid and in the ice cream?
Some Ninja Creami users have reported that they have found black, greasy residue when wiping down the spindle, under the lip of the machine where the spindle comes out, and even in the ice cream. Find out if this is normal and what to do if it happens with your machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Some have found that putting warm, soapy water in a container and processing it helps keep the spindle clean. However, I DO NOT […]

Why is the Ninja Creami spindle grinding into the paddle? Is it broken?
If you hear a grinding noise while the Ninja Creami is processing your ice cream, this could be a sign that the machine is malfunctioning due to the paddle demagnetizing from the spindle, causing the spindle to grind or drill into the paddle. Don’t ignore this issue. See below for info on why this can happen and what to do about it. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… When this happens, it’s usually a bigger issue with the entire machine. […]

Why Are Your Ninja Creami Containers Getting Scratched? (And How to Prevent It)
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Are you starting to notice that the inside of your Ninja Creami containers are getting little scratches or grooves that go around the container? You’re not alone. This is very common and can sometimes be easy to prevent. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save […]

Why Is the Install Light Flashing on Your Ninja Creami? (How to Fix It)
It’s not uncommon for the install light to flash on your Ninja Creami. When the light flashes, the machine won’t operate as expected. In many cases, the machine won’t operate at all until you identify the reason behind the flashing light and resolve the issue. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save for Later on Pinterest!

What to do if the Ninja Creami outer bowl is stuck on the machine…
Sometimes, the outer bowl can get stuck on the machine and it is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get out of the machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save for Later on Pinterest!

Is it normal for the Ninja Creami machine to need to be unplugged and plugged back in to work?
This has become a much more common issue in the past several months and it appears to be more common with a specific Ninja Creami model. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Several users have reached out to Ninja and have been told it is a defect, and their machines have been replaced. Others have called and been told it’s a safety feature. ***This may be dependent on warranty status and the customer service rep that is contacted. ***I […]

What to do if the Ninja Creami paddle falls off the spindle while the machine is running?
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes the paddle will disconnect from the spindle while the machine is processing. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… It seems like if the blade/paddle comes off once, the problem continues to happen. This may be due to the magnet that connects the blade to the rod being damaged or the rod being slightly bent (even if you can’t see that it’s bent). These things might happen […]

What to do if the Ninja Creami paddle won’t stay in the lid…
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes the paddle will disconnect from the lid, before you even start to process the ice cream. This can happen when you try to clip the paddle into the lid or when you put the outer bowl with the lid on it into the machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Do not buy a new paddle or lid without first contacting Ninja, as the paddle may […]

What do you do if you find plastic shavings in your Ninja Creami lid or container?
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Oftentimes, people will notice that there are little white strings of plastic wrapped around the paddle in the lid of the Ninja Creami or they will notice that there are small scrapes that go around the inside of the Ninja Creami containers. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… When this happens, it’s usually a bigger issue with the entire machine. Do not buy new paddles and containers […]

Ninja Creami Low Calorie Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
If you’re craving a creamy, indulgent frozen treat without the guilt, this Ninja Creami low-calorie vanilla frozen yogurt is perfect! With its smooth texture and rich vanilla flavor, it’s the perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding extra calories. Plus, it’s easy to make using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker and can be customized to fit your dietary preferences. This recipe comes in at 255 calories, 21 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 88 carbs, 24 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the […]
Robin says
How long is this good for in the freezer?
Lauren Cardona says
I’ve had them last several weeks or even a couple of months. It really comes down to how well you store it. Make sure it’s not in the door of the refrigerator and make sure the top is sealed tightly. The ice cream won’t get bad (meaning that it won’t spoil) but the texture will change the longer it’s in the freezer and the more freezer burnt it gets.