See more recipes from The Tasty Travelers on Google!
Check out my recipe for making Ninja Creami Key Lime Pie Gelato! Ninja Creami Key Lime Pie Gelato is a super creamy, tangy, sweet, and delicious dessert! It tastes just like pie, but in the form of scoopable ice cream! Make your own homemade ice cream and gelato at home in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker with just a few ingredients!
Key Lime Pie Gelato is not actually made with pie but it tastes like it! I used lime curd and key lime juice to create the perfect key lime flavor! Yes, lime curd! I cheated a little bit and bought it pre-made at the grocery store…and I used bottled key lime juice! You can make your own lime curd and squeeze your own fresh lime juice if you would like. Key limes are harder to find and are more work to squeeze, so you can use regular limes for this recipe.
Traditionally, key lime pie is made up of a graham cracker crust for filled with a sweet, tangy, and tart key lime custard base. The filling is super smooth and creamy with just the right tartness. To achieve a similar taste and texture, I used graham crackers as mix-ins for the pie crust and added just enough lime juice and zest to create the perfect amount of tartness!
Is this key lime pie gelato or key lime pie ice cream? You can call it whatever you want but since I used the gelato setting on the Ninja Creami to create a thick and creamy finished product, I’m calling it gelato. There are no eggs in this recipe, except the eggs that are in the lime curd and there is no heavy cream used, instead milk a little half and half was used.
Since the Ninja Creami ice cream machine is different from all other ice cream makers, you can achieve a super creamy texture without having to churn ice cream. Instead, the Ninja Creami paddle basically shaves the ice cream base and mixes it altogether. Since the ice cream base is “shaved,” I wouldn’t recommend adding graham crackers or pie crust to the base recipe. The “crust” will not stay together. Instead, it will completely combine with the ice cream base and can create a grainy texture. Either add the graham crackers as mix-ins or sprinkle on top of the finished gelato.
If you plan on having leftovers, I would recommend sprinkling the graham crackers on top instead of adding them as mix-ins so that they don’t get ground up when you respin your leftovers.
Tips for making Ninja Creami Key Lime Pie Gelato:
Yes, you can use homemade lime curd for this recipe. Lime curd is made of lime juice, white sugar, eggs, salt, and butter. It’s really quite easy to make. Here’s a recipe on making homemade lime curd.
Key limes are much smaller, rounder and are yellower when ripe in comparison to regular limes. The flavor of key limes is similar to that of regular limes as they are both quite tart. But, key limes are not quite as sour as regular limes. In recipes like my Ninja Creami Key Lime Gelato, a very small amount of the actual lime juice is used so the flavor difference will not be noticeable.
Traditional Italian gelato does not have eggs in it. Although, some recipes do use eggs, egg whites, or egg yolks. It depends on the recipe that you are using.
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.
If your ice cream or gelato is dry and powdery, almost like sand, don’t worry! Just pour in a little liquid, like cream or juice, and respin. You might need to respin a couple of times. If the ice cream looks more like dippin dots or little balls of ice cream, you don’t need to add liquid to it. Just respin it in the Ninja Creami.
Looking for more Ninja Creami Recipes?
Ingredient substitutions for making Ninja Creami Key Lime Pie Gelato:
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.
Lime Curd– Store-bought lime curd was used in this recipe. If you prefer, you can make your own lime curd for this recipe. If you can’t find lime curd, lemon curd would work well too. The flavor will be slightly different but still great. You can also use canned key lime pie filling. However, pie filing tends to be VERY sweet so you will likely need to cut back on the amount of sugar that is used for this recipe. Taste the mixture after adding key lime pie filling and before adding sugar. If it’s not sweet enough, gradually add more sugar.
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.
Lime Juice and Zest- Fresh or bottled lime juice can be used. Key lime juice is preferred but regular lime juice will work just fine. If you use bottled lime juice, I’d still recommend buying a lime to use for the zest. If you don’t have limes, lemons can be used instead but the flavor will be a little different.
Graham Crackers- Do not use graham cracker crumbs. Graham cracker crumbs will create a grainy texture when added as mix-ins. If you don’t have graham crackers, Teddy Grahams cookies work well too.
Directions for making Ninja Creami Key Lime Pie Gelato:
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla bean paste, lime curd, half and half, milk, and lime juice into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container. Do not fill past the max fill line.
- 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, put the outer bowl lid on and then place bowl assembly into the Ninja Creami and then process on “GELATO.”
- Dig a hole in the center of the ice cream and add the graham crackers and lime zest.
- Put the pint back into the Ninja Creami and process on the “Mix-Ins” function. Once the Ninja Creami is finished processing, remove from the machine.
- Your treat is ready to eat! Enjoy!
Pin Ninja Creami Key Lime Pie Gelato for later!
Ninja Creami Key Lime Pie Gelato
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
Ice Cream Base
- ½ Tablespoon (½ Tablespoon) Cream Cheese (Room Temperature)
- ⅓ Cup (66 ⅔ g) Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Vanilla Bean Paste
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Lime Curd
- ½ Cup (121 g) Half and Half
- 1¼ Cup (295 ¾ ml) Whole Milk
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Lime Juice (Key Lime or Regular Lime)
Mix-Ins
- 1 (1) Graham Cracker (Broken or smashed)
- ½ Teaspoon (½ Teaspoon) Lime Zest
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla bean paste, lime curd, half and half, milk, and lime juice 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 "GELATO."
- Dig a hole in the center of the ice cream and add the graham crackers and lime zest.
- Put the pint back into the Ninja Creami and process on the "Mix-Ins" function. Once the Ninja Creami is finished processing, remove from the machine.
- Your ice cream is ready to eat! 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!
-
Easy Ninja Creami Apple Recipes for Ice Cream, Sorbet, and More
If you love apple desserts, there is a lot more you can make in the Ninja Creami than basic apple ice cream. I have an apple cobbler ice cream with plenty of texture, a lighter caramel apple sorbet, and two protein ice creams that taste completely different from each other. Jump to: Why applesauce works in Ninja Creami recipes Canned filling or fresh apples? How to add fresh apple mix-ins Top Tips Ninja Creami Apple Cobbler Ice Cream Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low Calorie Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream Comments […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami low calorie mango cheesecake ice cream is one of those recipes that sounds simple but tastes amazing. It’s made with just 4 ingredients, has a smooth and creamy texture, and tastes just like mango cheesecake in ice cream form. You would never know this one is low calorie. This recipe comes in at 274 calories, 25 grams of protein, 25 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 32 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips […]
-
Fall Ninja Creami Recipes with Pumpkin, Apple, Maple, and More
Fall flavors work really well in the Ninja Creami! Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, caramel, maple, cranberry, and pecans all show up here in different ways, with everything from rich ice cream and gelato to protein ice creams, lower-calorie options, and fruit sorbets. There are plenty of familiar fall flavors, along with a few combinations that are a little more unexpected. Jump to: What makes these fall Ninja Creami recipes different? How to process a Ninja Creami base Fall mix-in ideas for these flavors Top Tips Ninja Creami Pumpkin Pie Gelato Ninja Creami Apple Cobbler Ice Cream Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Almond Ice Cream
Cherry and almond go really well together. You see the combination a lot in things like biscotti, cherry almond bark, and tarts because the nutty flavor of almond pairs so nicely with the sweet-tart cherry. This Ninja Creami ice cream brings that same flavor combo together in a low calorie frozen treat. This recipe comes in at 271 calories, 8 grams of protein, 12 grams of sugar, 14 grams of fat, 70 carbs, and 22 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Almond Ice Cream Looking […]
-
Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipes
Peanut butter is one of the flavors I return to most for the Ninja Creami, and this list rounds up every version I have made so far. A few keep it simple with banana or protein powder added in, others layer on chocolate, and one swaps in a dairy free base entirely. Jump to: Why Peanut Butter Works So Well in the Ninja Creami How I Keep the Peanut Butter Flavor Consistent Throughout Mix-In Ideas Beyond What’s Already in This List Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Ninja Creami Vegan Peanut Butter Gelato Ninja Creami Chocolate […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Marshmallow Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami low calorie marshmallow ice cream tastes just like a big fluffy marshmallow in ice cream form. It’s rich, creamy, and has little pieces of marshmallow fluff throughout every bite. And the best part… it’s low calorie and low sugar so you can pretty much eat as much as you want! This recipe comes in at 270 calories, 9 grams of protein, 13 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 64 carbs, and 16 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Marshmallow Ice Cream Looking […]
-
Ninja Creami COFFEE Recipes
Coffee works really well in the Ninja Creami, but there are a few different ways to add the coffee flavor depending on the recipe. Most of my coffee ice cream recipes use instant espresso powder because it adds a lot of coffee flavor without adding extra liquid, but the Coffee Smoothie Bowl actually uses brewed coffee. This roundup has everything from coffee and mocha protein ice creams to a low-calorie espresso sorbet and a thick coffee smoothie bowl. Jump to: What Kind of Coffee Works Best for Ninja Creami Recipes? How to Make a Coffee Base for the Ninja Creami […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream (Tastes like Nutella!)
Nutella has SO much flavor, but it’s not exactly something you can eat a big bowl of without thinking twice. This Ninja Creami chocolate hazelnut ice cream gives you that same chocolate hazelnut flavor, and it’s low calorie and easy to make. I promise you won’t be missing the real jar of Nutella one bit. This recipe comes in at 263 calories, 12 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 83 carbs, and 35 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Hazelnut Ice […]
-
Ninja Creami Cherry Chocolate Chip Sorbet
Cherry chocolate chip is a classic combination and this Ninja Creami low calorie cherry chocolate chip sorbet nails it. It’s packed with a TON of real cherry flavor, has mini chocolate chips mixed throughout, and it’s low in calories. It’s sweet, refreshing, and so easy to make. This recipe comes in at 264 calories, 2 grams of protein, 25 grams of sugar, 8 grams of fat, 91 carbs, and 43 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Chocolate Chip Sorbet Looking for more Ninja Creami Low […]
-
Ninja Creami Coconut Recipes
If you love coconut, there are a lot of different ways to use it in the Ninja Creami! Some of these recipes use coconut milk or coconut cream to make the base creamy, while others use coconut extract or shredded coconut to add more coconut flavor. There are everything from Almond Joy ice cream and coconut cream pie frozen yogurt to several versions of piña colada, Dole Whip, protein ice creams, and a few recipes where coconut is paired with fruit, chocolate, or peanut butter. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Almond Joy Ice Cream Ninja Creami Almond Joy Protein […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Frosted Lemonade (Chick-fil-A Copycat)
This Ninja Creami low-calorie frosted lemonade is a copycat version of the famous Chick-fil-A frosted lemonade, but made at home with a fraction of the calories. It’s sweet, tart, and has that perfect frosty, drinkable texture that you would expect. You would never know it’s low-calorie. This recipe comes in at 263 calories, 12 grams of protein, 21 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 81 carbs, and 33 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Frosted Lemonade Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? […]
-
Ninja Creami Banana Recipes
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet This one is a little different because the banana, mango, and dragon fruit stay in separate layers instead of being blended together before freezing. It’s only three ingredients, and when you scoop it you get all three tropical fruit flavors together. GO TO RECIPE Photo credit: The Tasty Travelers Ninja Creami Dole Whip This Dole Whip combines pineapple, banana, coconut milk, lime juice, and a little powdered sugar. The banana helps make it thick and creamy, and you can definitely taste some banana along with the pineapple and coconut flavors. GO TO […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet
This Ninja Creami low-calorie tropical triple-layered sorbet is one of the most fun recipes I’ve made in the Ninja Creami. It has THREE different tropical fruit layers (banana, mango, and dragon fruit) that come together to look just like a sunrise or sunset. It’s beautiful, easy, and only 3 ingredients. This recipe comes in at 261 calories, 3 grams of protein, 47 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fat, and 64 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips and […]
-
Ninja Creami Blueberry Recipes
Blueberries work really well in the Ninja Creami because there are so many different ways to use them. Some of these recipes use fresh blueberries, some cook them down first for a stronger blueberry flavor, and others use them as a mix-in. I’ve got everything from regular blueberry ice cream and frozen yogurt to protein ice cream, sorbet, and a few more unique flavor combinations. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Blueberries and Sweet Cream Ice Cream Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Blueberry Coconut Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream Ninja Creami Blueberry Pie […]
-
How to Clean the Ninja Creami Spindle
Cleaning the spindle on your Ninja Creami is simpler than most people expect. Most of it takes care of itself. You only need to clean the inch that sticks out at the bottom. Here’s what you actually need to clean and how to do it. Does the Ninja Creami spindle need to be cleaned? Only the very tip does. Most of the spindle is self-cleaning, and you do not need to touch it. The only part that needs to be cleaned after each use is the small metal tip at the bottom, the inch that sticks out and makes contact […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
This Ninja Creami low-calorie chocolate frozen yogurt is rich, creamy, and tastes like a real chocolate dessert. With just 4 simple ingredients, it comes together so easily and satisfies any chocolate craving without making you feel like you’re missing out. This recipe comes in at 257 calories, 30 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 88 carbs, and 24 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for […]
-
Strawberry Ninja Creami Recipes
There are so many different ways to use strawberries in the Ninja Creami! This roundup has everything from classic Strawberry Ice Cream and Strawberry Frozen Yogurt to protein ice creams, cheesecake flavors, and combinations like strawberry banana, strawberry coconut, and even strawberry basil with goat cheese. If you like strawberry, there are plenty of options to choose from! Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami […]
-
How to Add Big Flavor Without Extra Sugar to Ninja Creami Ice Cream
If you want big flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream without adding a lot of sugar or calories, skinny syrups are one of the easiest ways to do it. They mix right into your base before freezing and give you tons of flavor options without adding sugar. What are skinny syrups? Skinny syrups are flavored syrups that have zero calories and zero sugar. They get their sweetness from sugar substitutes instead of regular sugar, which means you get the flavor and sweetness without the calories or the sugar content. They were originally designed to flavor coffee and drinks, but […]
-
Ninja Creami Watermelon Basil Frosé
Frosé season is here, and this Ninja Creami watermelon basil frosé is the only recipe you need. Just 3 ingredients (fresh watermelon, rosé, and basil) come together to make the perfect wine slushy. It’s refreshing, easy, and tastes like summer in a glass. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Watermelon Basil Frosé Looking for more Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture Save for Later on Pinterest! Recipe Comments Frosé has been so trendy the past few years, and for good reason. It’s […]
-
Chocolate Ninja Creami Recipes For Ice Cream, Protein, and More
Chocolate is one of my favorite flavors to work with in the Ninja Creami, since it holds up well no matter what direction you take it, whether that’s a rich protein base, a low-calorie sorbet, or something built around pudding instead of custard. It never gets old finding a new way to make it work Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Lovers Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Sorbet-Low Calorie Ninja Creami Jamoca Almond Fudge Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Frozen Hot Chocolate Ice Cream Ninja […]
-
Use Magic Shell Instead of Chocolate Chips as a Ninja Creami Mix-In
If you’ve been adding chocolate chips to your Ninja Creami ice cream as a mix-in and ending up with little frozen rocks in your ice cream, there’s a better way. Magic Shell is the easiest way to get little chocolate bits throughout your ice cream…without hurting your teeth. Here’s why it works so much better and how to use it. Why are chocolate chips a problem in Ninja Creami ice cream? Chocolate chips freeze hard. Really hard. When you add them to the ice cream, they turn into hard little solid chunks that are really hard to chew. In frozen […]
paige says
This was fantastic! I only had some fairlife milk and cream so it was very creamy!
Lauren Cardona says
I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂
Amanda says
I finally made this tonight and will be able to try it tomorrow! I’m really excited and even made my own lime curd for it! However, I’m verrrrryyyy confused on the measurements. The recipe states to do 1.5X the recipe for the deluxe (which I have) but it filled my deluxe container to the fill line and almost an entire other container. Are the measurements stated here to make more than one creami container? I wanted to make two but ended up making 4 containers… which is fine if I like it but just confused about the measurements! Thanks!
Lauren Cardona says
Hi Amanda- I just double checked the measurements and they look correct. Did you blend the ingredients before pouring into the container? If so, sometimes too much air gets added to the ingredients if it is over blended. This can cause the mixture to expand quite a bit but it will deflate while it freezes.