Check out my recipe for making Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Ice Cream!
One of my favorite ice creams is the mint chocolate chip ice cream from Baskin Robbins. It doesn’t have big chips in it. Instead, it has little flakes of chocolate everywhere! The chocolate flakes are mixed into green mint ice cream! Well, guess what?!? I figured out a really great way to make something super close to it!!
Do you have a great Ninja Creami recipe that you want to share? Submit your recipe to The Tasty Travelers!
The reason this Ninja Creami ice cream is called mint chocolate instead of mint chocolate chip is that there are no actual chips in it! You can add in mini chips if you would like, but there is no need to! The secret ingredient to making mint chocolate ice cream similar to the mint chocolate chip ice cream at Baskin Robbins is…..MAGIC SHELL!!! That’s right! The magic shell chocolate fudge does not fully mix into the ice cream while it’s processing as normal fudge does! Instead, the magic shell breaks up into flakes of chocolatey goodness!! Magic shell makes a magical sweet treat!!
For this recipe, I used peppermint extract. And, I will tell you…a little goes a VERY long way! I went through several variations and figured out very quickly that if you put too much of the peppermint extract in, the flavor becomes VERY overpowering and not good at all. So, be sure to follow the recipe below so that you don’t end up with something that tastes more like toothpaste than like ice cream!
How long does it take Ninja Creami to make ice cream?
The Ninja Creami is unlike other ice cream makers due to it not having a cooling/freezing element to the machine.
Traditional Ice Cream Maker:
- Traditional ice cream makers have a chilled bowl that you add your base ingredients to. The bowl spins in the machine and slowly freezes the ice cream base.
- You can add in “mix-ins” and they will pretty much keep their form.
- The process only takes a few hours based on which ice cream maker you own. You can go from having just ingredients to having fully frozen ice cream that’s ready to eat in just a couple of hours.
- However, the ice cream maker needs to start with a liquid base. It does not have the capability to take things like fruit and turn them into a creamy ice cream.
Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker:
- The Ninja Creami is different in that it does not have a cooling element. So, you need to prepare your ice cream base ingredients ahead of time and freeze for 24 hours.
- The amount of ice cream is much smaller than a traditional ice cream maker. Based on which model of the Ninja Creami you have, you can only make 2 or 3 cups of ice cream at a time.
- You can put almost anything in the Ninja Creami containers and freeze it. Fruit, protein shakes, dairy, and sugar-based recipes, basically, anything that is not just water can go in the Ninja Creami.
- After the base has frozen for 24 hours, it goes into the Ninja Creami and it processes it by spinning the blade/paddle through the frozen base. It basically shaves the contents and mixes them together to create a very creamy consistency.
- After processing you can add in any type of “mix-ins” that you would like.
- The Ninja Creami doesn’t just make ice cream. It can also make smoothies, milkshakes, gelato, creamiccinos, frozen drinks, frozen yogurt, lite ice cream, sorbet, and smoothie bowls. Options vary based on the model.
Mint Chocolate ice cream is the perfect homemade ice cream! Something to keep in mind when making Ninja Creami mint chocolate ice cream and other Ninja Creami recipes is that when you add in mix-ins, it becomes a challenge to eat the leftovers. Once the mix-ins have been added in, you do not want to process it again. If you do, the mix-ins will be pulverized by the paddle and thoroughly mixed in with the ice cream base.
So, for this recipe, and other recipes that have mix-ins, like butter pecan ice cream, or anything with brownies, nuts, graham crackers, cookies, or chunks of fruit, I would recommend sharing it with a friend so that you finish the pint off in one sitting.
Or, if that’s not an option, put it back in the freezer (you can even transfer it to another container so that you are not using up your valuable pint containers) and when you are ready to eat it again, let it sit on the counter until it softens up and becomes scoopable again. This can take 10-30 minutes. The texture will not be quite as creamy but it will still be a delicious treat!!
Tips for making Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Ice Cream
Peppermint or spearmint extract can be used. Spearmint extract is more overpowering and stronger in flavor, so peppermint extract can be a better option. In either case, a little goes a very long way. Always taste your ice cream base mixture before freezing to determine if you need more or less mint flavoring.
Green food coloring is added to mint ice cream to make it look green. The flavors are the same whether it is green or white. As companies move towards removing artificial ingredients, some have removed the green food coloring from their recipes.
Per the manufacturer, it is recommended to freeze your desserts for a full 24 hours to ensure that the base mixture is evenly frozen throughout. Many have experimented and frozen for a shorter amount of time and have had good results. When making milkshakes with prepared ice cream, you don’t need to wait 24 hours.
The Ninja Creami makes all sorts of treats. Since you control the ingredients you can make full-fat and sugar recipes or make keto, vegan, diabetic, bariatric-friendly, or protein-based treats. Based on your dietary restrictions you can modify almost any recipe to meet your needs.
Instead of regular milk, you can use almond milk, coconut cream, coconut milk, dairy-free milk like oat milk, bananas or protein powder and shakes.
Instead of sugar, you can use monk fruit sweetener, agave nectar, swerve, or allulose.
Instead of cream cheese you can use vegan cream cheese, goat cheese, cottage cheese, or instant pudding.
Click HERE to see a full list of substitutions. Some substitutions provide a less creamy texture.
Mint chocolate chip ice cream is made of a base of mint-flavored ice cream, usually peppermint or spearmint. Chocolate chips or chunks are added in. The result is a delicious mint chocolate ice cream with little chocolate surprises throughout! Mint chocolate chip ice cream is one of the most popular flavors.
Looking for more of the best Ninja Creami Recipes? Check out all of our Ninja Creami ice cream recipes here!
Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Ice Cream:
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Sugar and dairy substitution suggestions can be found here.
***Ice Cream Base
Milk- I prefer to use whole milk when making an ice cream base. But, you can use lower-fat milk or a dairy substitute instead. Lower-fat ice creams tend to be less creamy than full fat so the texture may vary a bit.
Half and Half- If you don’t have half and half, you can use a mixture of heavy cream and milk instead.
Sugar– White sugar was used. You can use a sugar substitute instead.
Instant Pudding Mix- Vanilla flavored-DO NOT use cook-and-serve pudding. Be sure to use instant pudding. You can use sugar-free instant pudding instead.
Peppermint Extract- Spearmint or mint extract can be used instead. However, the strength and flavor of extracts can vary by brand. So, start out with a VERY small amount of extract added to the base mixture. Stir and taste the mixture before adding more.
Green Food Coloring- Can be omitted or changed to a different color! Use red food coloring for Valentines day or orange for Halloween!
Mix-ins
Magic Shell- Chocolate fudge flavored. DO NOT use regular chocolate fudge. For this recipe, you must use magic shell that hards when cold.
Optional:
Mini Chocolate Chips- You can add mini chocolate chips to add more chocolate to the ice cream. Be sure to use the mini chips as the full-size chips get very hard when frozen.
Steps for making Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Ice Cream:
Directions for making Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Ice Cream:
1. Combine all ice cream base ingredients in the Ninja Creami pint container. Mix well with a whisk or immersion blender.
2. Put the lid on the pint and freeze on a level surface for 24 hours.
3. After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer. Remove the lid.
4. 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 ICE CREAM button. During the ice cream function, the ice cream will mix together and become very creamy.
5. Once the ice cream function has ended, turn the outer bowl and release it from the Ninja Creami machine.
6. Dig a hole in the center of the ice cream and squirt in the magic shell. Also, drizzle the magic shell over the top of the ice cream. Let it sit for about a minute so that the magic shell sets up and gets hard.
Optional: Add mini chocolate chips.
7. Put the pint back into the Ninja Creami and process on the “Mix-Ins” function. Once the Ninja Creami is finished processing, remove it from the machine.
8. Your ice cream is ready to eat! Enjoy!
Pin Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Ice Cream for later:
Recipe
Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate 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.
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
- 1 Cup (244 g) Milk
- ½ Cup (121 g) Half and Half
- ⅓ Cup (66 ⅔ g) Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Instant Pudding Mix (Vanilla)
- ½ Teaspoon (½ Teaspoon) Peppermint Extract
- 4 Drops (4 Drops) Green Food Coloring
Mix-Ins
- 2-3 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Magic Shell (Chocolate Fudge)
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the ice cream base ingredients into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. 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.
- Dig a hole in the center of the ice cream and squirt in the magic shell. Also, drizzle the magic shell over the top of the ice cream. Let it sit for about a minute so that the magic shell sets up and gets hard.
- 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.
- 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 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 […]
-
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 the […]
-
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!
Lorena says
Not a fan of mint ice cream until now, easy and tasty! I have the deluxe and enjoy your recipes and more yet to try. Thank you!
Lauren Cardona says
That’s great to hear! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Jessica says
If you want to upgrade your Magic Shell, use about 200 g of your favorite chocolate (I like a good 70% dark), and melt with 3 TB coconut oil (you can use unprocessed if you like the coconut flavor, or processed if you want just the chocolate flavor). Cheaper and better tasting than store bought.
Virginia says
OMG!!!!! Unbelievably good. My husband and I ate every bit of it yesterday and I’m making more today! It is such a treat to my taste buds. We added the mini chocolate chips! Highly recommend if you like peppermint and chocolate! Cannot miss with this recipe.