Check out our recipe for Ninja Creami Italian Ice!
Italian Ice could not be any easier to make using the Ninja Creami! And..it’s super easy to customize and change up the flavors!
This recipe calls for 1 ingredient…lemonade. You probably already have it in your refrigerator! But, not all lemonade is treated equally when using the Ninja Creami. If you would like, you can use fancy flavored lemonades or add additional flavors to the lemonade on your own to create your favorite flavor of Italian Ice! Since there is no fat in lemonade and it is basically made up of water and lemon, it is imperative that you add something else to the lemonade mixture (or buy lemonade that contains it), like sugar or some form of dairy, before freezing it. Freezing only water and lemon juice will be basically the same as freezing only water and this is not good for the machine and may cause it to break.
DO NOT FREEZE LEMON WATER- the Ninja Creami cannot handle processing water with only lemon juice in it.
Be careful to keep an eye on the sugar content of the lemonade that you are using. If the lemonade is very tart, the Italian ice will also be very tart. If the lemonade is overly sweet, the Italian Ice will be just as sweet.
Because there is no added fat or dairy in this recipe, you will need to re-spin the Ninja Creami to accomplish a fully combined, Italian Ice texture. If you don’t re-spin, the result will be very icy and not consistent throughout. If desired, re-spin once or twice to achieve your preferred texture.
Tips for making Ninja Creami Italian Ice
If the Italian Ice is icy or has a grainy texture, (which it will likely have) put the pint back into the outer bowl and insert it back into the Ninja Creami machine. Select the RE-SPIN function and re-spin one or two times. Due to the Italian Ice not having any fat or dairy in it, it will need an extra spin or two to make it less icy and more consistent throughout.
Yes! You can. After the Italian Ice has completed the sorbet process, take the inner bowl out of the Ninja Creami and add whatever mix-ins you would like to the center of the pint of Italian Ice. If necessary, create a hole or tunnel down the center to make room for the mix-ins. Place the inner bowl with the pint in it, into the Ninja Creami machine and select the mix-ins process.
The thicker and denser the fruit, the creamier the sorbet will be. If the sorbet is made using peaches, pineapples, or bananas, the sorbet will be thick and creamy. If the sorbet is made using less dense fruits like watermelon, raspberries, or grapefruit, the result will be less creamy and icier in texture. For more details, check out this post from Serious Eats.
You sure can! But…you will need to use 2 pint containers instead of one. You always want to make sure that the pint containers are only filled up to the max fill line and not any more than that. In order for the sorbet to turn out creamy, it needs to be mixed by the machine after freezing. If you overfill the pint, the machine is going to have a hard time mixing it and the result will not be as expected.
It depends. If you are keeping the Italian Ice in the Ninja pint container with the lid sealed tightly and are freezing it in a cold freezer (between 9 degrees F and -7 degrees F), your Italian Ice will keep for several weeks, even months. However, if you transfer your Italian Ice to another container or freeze it in a freezer that is not quite as cold (or that is accessed a lot/door opened and closed often), the lifetime of your Italian Ice will decrease greatly to just a few days and you will likely end up with freezer-burned Italian Ice.
Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Ninja Creami Italian Ice:
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Lemonade- I used 16 ounces of store-bought lemonade. You can pick any flavor or brand of lemonade that you would like. Make sure that there is some sugar in the lemonade.
Optional:
Sugar and/or Dairy- Because lemonade is basically just water and lemon juice, the mixture needs either sugar and/or some sort of dairy added in. Add in enough sugar to sweeten the lemonade and/or if you would like to add in dairy, I would add a tablespoon or so of lemon-flavored yogurt.
Directions for making Ninja Creami Italian Ice:
1. Pour 16 ounces of lemonade and any additional sugar or dairy that you would like to add into a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze on a level surface in a cold freezer for a full 24 hours.
2. After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer. Remove the lid.
3. Place the Ninja Creami pint into the outer bowl. Place the outer bowl with the pint in it, into the Ninja Creami machine and turn until the outer bowl locks into place. Push the SORBET button. During the SORBET function, the sorbet will mix together and become very creamy. This should take approximately 2 minutes.
4. Once the SORBET function has ended, turn the outer bowl and release it from the Ninja Creami machine.
5. Place the outer bowl with the pint back into the Ninja Creami machine and lock it into place. Choose the RE-SPIN function. Once the Ninja Creami completes the RE-SPIN cycle, remove the outer bowl from the machine. (The machine will not allow you to re-spin without first removing the pint from the machine and then re-inserting it).
6. Your Italian Ice is ready to eat! Enjoy!
Pin recipe for later!!
Recipe
Ninja Creami Italian Ice
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. ***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
- 16 Ounces Lemonade (Lemonade must contain sugar or you can add dairy of some sort. )
Optional:
- Sugar or your preferred sweetener to taste. (Lemonade must contain sugar or you can add dairy of some sort. )
Instructions
- Pour 16 ounces of lemonade and any additional sugar or dairy that you would like to add into a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze on a level surface in a cold freezer for a full 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer. Remove the lid.
- Place the Ninja Creami pint into the outer bowl. Place the outer bowl with the pint in it, into the Ninja Creami machine and turn until the outer bowl locks into place. Push the SORBET button. During the SORBET function, the sorbet will mix together and become very creamy. This should take approximately 2 minutes.
- Once the SORBET function has ended, turn the outer bowl and release it from the Ninja Creami machine.
- Place the outer bowl with the pint back into the Ninja Creami machine and lock it into place. Choose the RE-SPIN function. Once the Ninja Creami completes the RE-SPIN cycle, remove the outer bowl from the machine. (The machine will not allow you to re-spin without first removing the pint from the machine and then re-inserting it).
- Your Italian Ice is ready to eat! Enjoy!
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 […]
Brenda says
If I am using a commercially prepared lemonade (we also LOVE the Simply versions!!!), do I still need to add sweetener? We love the way it tastes right out of the bottle and I think adding sweetener would make it not as good. What are your thoughts? Many thanks!!!
Lauren Cardona says
When you say “commercially prepared lemonade,” what do you mean? If the lemonade already has sugar in it, you don’t need to add more. You cannot use a mixture of water and lemon juice.
joe says
love this recipe……………….
Bonnie says
Hi, can you tell me what amount of sugar is needed to make sure it doesn’t break the Creami machine? I made the Lemon Sorbet recipe from the recipe book that came with the machine.. I made the lite version as my husband has diabetes. So I used Monk fruit and agave.. But it often seems problematic, once the machine even made a loud sound as if it would break! What is considered the safe amount of sugar to add to make sure everything goes well?
Lauren Cardona says
Hi Bonnie- That’s a tricky question. I don’t know that there’s a right answer for this as it will depend on the other ingredients that you are mixing with it. The goal is to not process a block of ice. Adding sugar, fat, and dairy can help with this. But, there isn’t a solid “use this much sugar” and the machine will work correctly answer here. I would recommend gradually decreasing the amount of sugar in a recipe and pay attention to how the machine reacts.
Vicki Martin says
When you say the mixture must contain sugar, is that only granulated “real” sugar, or does it work with Splenda, allulose, monkfruit also? Thank you!
Lauren Cardona says
Sugar substitutes freeze differently and can impact how it gets processed in the Creami. I have not tried using a sugar substitute with this recipe as the rest of the ingredients are pretty close to just water. So, it could freeze and be more like frozen water (which is bad for the machine). If you want to use a sugar substitute, I would add something else to it like a little dairy or guar gum to make it easier on the machine.
Michael Press says
My God! I am SO happy to have found this recipe, Lauren! I was looking, HOPING, that it’s possible to make something even resembling Italian Ices in the Ninja Creami, so I was hopeful when I found this recipe. I JUST made it and it turned out EXTREMELY well! Just a few weeks ago, I noticed a new Italian Ices place opening up near me, but my wife bought me the Creami for my birthday (she could tell I was eyeballing it when the television commercial came on) and now I don’t even have to leave my house! I muddled up some fresh raspberries as the mix-in and that added a nice flavor. I paid heed to your notes about the sugar level (I make my own fresh lemonade anyway, so I used fresh, which includes the syrup of sugar and water boiled). I’d say, if anything, it’s just a tad on the tart side, but I’m glad it’s not TOO sweet. Next time I might make it a touch sweeter but I’m incredibly happy with how it turned out. Thank you so much for this upgrade to my life!!
Lauren Cardona says
This is one of my favorite comments ever! I’m so glad that everything turned out great! So happy to hear that my recipe helped upgrade your life! 🙂