Check out my recipe for making Ninja Creami Scoopable Vanilla Lite Ice Cream! I’ll show you how to make Ninja Creami Vanilla Lite Ice Cream stay soft enough to scoop straight out of the freezer!
This recipe comes in at 133 calories, 2 grams of protein, 3 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 50 carbs, 14 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts.
I’ve been doing some experimenting with different things to see if I can get a Ninja Creami ice cream maker frozen treat to stay soft enough to scoop straight from the freezer! I’ve been successful with making full fat/sugar and protein ice creams scoopable, and now I’ve taken on the challenge of making Ninja Creami low calorie, low sugar, low fat ice cream that stays soft enough that you can scoop your leftovers right out of the freezer. I think I’ve got it figured out!
I recently found success with adding food grade vegetable glycerin to some of my Ninja Creami pints and found that the glycerin has helped keep the ice cream soft enough to scoop after refreezing the leftovers. The full fat/sugar, and protein recipes have worked great! So, now it’s time to try it out on a low fat/sugar recipe!
I will say that I was surprised that I was able to get the lite ice cream to be soft enough to scoop out of the freezer. This recipe has very few calories and is very low in sugar and in fat, which means traditionally, the base recipe would be very hard and very icy. But, after a few tries, I got it to stay soft in the freezer!
Scoopable leftover Ninja Creami homemade ice cream makes it possible to eat leftovers with mix-ins like cookie dough, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and cookies without having to reprocess the ice cream! If you ask me, this is a total game changer!
How to make Ninja Creami SCOOPABLE Vanilla Lite Ice Cream!
I created 3 ice cream bases using the EXACT same ingredients with the exception of adding vegetable glycerin to the bases.
Pint #1- NO vegetable glycerin
Pint #2- 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
Pint #3- 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
All three were blended in a small blender, poured into a Ninja Creami container up to the max fill line, and then frozen in a 0 degree freezer with the lids on for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, I took them out of the freezer and processed all on the LITE ICE CREAM setting.
All three pints of ice cream has small mounds on the top of the mixture. I did not scrape the mounds down before processing them.
Processing Ninja Creami SCOOPABLE Vanilla Lite Ice Cream!
Pint #1 was respun with about a tablespoon of almond milk added in.
Pint #2 was not respun.
Pint #3 was not respun.
All three pints processed pretty well. They were not overly dry but you could definitely tell that this is a lite ice cream recipe. Since there’s not much in the way of fat or sugar in the recipe, the ice cream looked icier and less creamy than a traditional full fat recipe.
The Results of the Experiment
After processing the pints of ice cream, I stuck them back in the freezer, as is, I did not smooth out the top or anything. I kept them in the 0 degree freezer for a full 24 hours. After the 24 hours, I took them out of the freezer to see if they were still soft enough to scoop.
Pint #1 was very hard and icy! You could tell by looking at the ice cream that it was not going to be soft enough to scoop. The surface was very shiny. When I tried to scoop it, nothing scooped out.
Pint #2 was almost soft enough! I was able to get almost a full scoop of ice cream. However, the texture was quite icy and a bit dry. It was technically scoopable, but with the texture the way that it was, you would not want to eat this without reprocessing it in the Ninja Creami. Too icy and not creamy at all.
Pint #3 was SCOOPABLE. This pint was soft enough to scoop. I was able to get full scoops out of the pint. The flavor of the ice cream was good. But, it was also icy. Not nearly as icy as pint #2, but still icy and not very creamy.
My recommendation would be to go with 2 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin when you are making Ninja Creami Lite ice cream if you want to be able to scoop it straight out of the freezer. However, with the ice cream being as icy as it was, I would add more fat and/or sugar to this base recipe to get it to be a creamier texture. I’ve kept the base recipe in this post the same as what I used for the experiment, but if you have room in your diet for more fat or sugar, I would recommend it.
Tips for making Ninja Creami SCOOPABLE Vanilla Lite Ice Cream!
Any dairy or non-dairy milk can be used instead of almond milk. A few examples are oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, whole milk, heavy cream, 2% milk, 1% milk or a vegan alternative.
When using very low fat milk or dairy substitutes along with sugar substitutes, use the lite ice cream setting. When using higher fat and higher sugar recipes, use the ice cream setting.
I am not a health professional and would recommend doing some research to see if vegetable glycerin is right for your diet. Based on my research, FOOD GRADE vegetable glycerin can be found in several foods like ice cream. Vegetable glycerin is made from soybean, coconut, or palm oils. Learn more here.
With this recipe, the ice cream stays scoopable for several days, and possibly weeks. Since I just developed this recipe, I haven’t had several weeks to check on the ice cream yet. But, several days later it’s still perfectly scoopable!
No, the amount is not the same for all recipes. I’ve tested out full fat/full sugar recipes and protein recipes, using glycerin. I have found that the more fat/sugar in a recipe, less glycerin is needed. The lower fat/sugar content, the more glycerin you will need to keep it scoopable. Full fat/sugar- about 1 teaspoon. Protein recipes- about 1.5 teaspoons. Lite ice cream- about 2 teaspoons.
It does! I’ve done an experiment to see how much glycerin to add to protein ice cream recipes. See the full experiment on Ninja Creami Scoopable Protein Ice Cream here.
Yes, this recipe should work in the Ninja Creami, Ninja Creami Breeze, and the Ninja Creami Deluxe ice cream makers. To make larger portions to fit the deluxe cups, use the button on the recipe card to give measurements for 1.5X.
Looking for more Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes?
Ingredient substitutions for Ninja Creami SCOOPABLE Vanilla Lite Ice Cream!
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Almond Milk- Unsweetened, unflavored almond milk was used in this recipe. I will be experimenting with other milks like unsweetened oat milk, to see if similar results can be achieved.
Swerve Allulose Blend– Try using your favorite sugar or sugar substitute that is a 1:1 ratio with sugar.
Vanilla Bean Paste– I prefer to use vanilla bean paste because it provides a deeper vanilla flavor. But, if you prefer, you can use the same amount of vanilla extract instead.
Vegetable Glycerin– Make sure to use FOOD SAFE vegetable glycerin.
Guar Gum– Some have found good results using xanthan gum instead of guar gum. Others prefer to use stabilizer/thickeners like cream cheese. See full list of Ninja Creami stabilizers here.
Directions for making Ninja Creami SCOOPABLE Vanilla Lite Ice Cream!
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour almond milk, Swerve, glycerin, vanilla and guar gum 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 with the lids on. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 “LITE ICE CREAM.”
- You should not need to respin the ice cream. But if the ice cream is looks like little balls of ice cream (dippin dots), respin without adding liquid. If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
- If you want to add mix-ins, dig a whole down the center of the ice cream and pour in your mix-ins. Put the pint container back into the Ninja Creami and process on “MIX-INS.”
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
- Put your leftovers back into the freezer. When you are ready to eat the leftovers, take out of the freezer and scoop. No need to reprocess or thaw. The ice cream should be perfectly scoopable!!
Pint #1- No Glycerin added
Pint #2- 1 Teaspoon of Glycerin added
Pint #3- 2 Teaspoons of Glycerin added
Scooping Leftover Ice Cream
- Put your leftovers back into the freezer. When you are ready to eat the leftovers, take out of the freezer and scoop. No need to reprocess or thaw. The ice cream should be perfectly scoopable!!
Pin Ninja Creami SCOOPABLE Vanilla Lite Ice Cream!
Recipe
Ninja Creami SCOOPABLE Vanilla Lite 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. ***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
- 1¾ Cups (414 ml) Almond Milk
- 3 Tablespoons (3 Tablespoons) Swerve (Allulose Blend)
- 2 Teaspoon (2 Teaspoon) Vegetable Glycerin
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Vanilla Bean Paste
- ¼ Teaspoon (¼ Teaspoon) Guar Gum
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour almond milk, Swerve, glycerin, vanilla and guar gum 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 with the lids on. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 "LITE ICE CREAM."
- You should not need to respin the ice cream. But if the ice cream is looks like little balls of ice cream (dippin dots), respin without adding liquid. If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
- If you want to add mix-ins, dig a whole down the center of the ice cream and pour in your mix-ins. Put the pint container back into the Ninja Creami and process on "MIX-INS."
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
- Put your leftovers back into the freezer. When you are ready to eat the leftovers, take out of the freezer and scoop. No need to reprocess or thaw. The ice cream should be perfectly scoopable!!
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!
-
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 […]
-
Ninja Creami Lemon Ice Cream
If you love lemon desserts, you’re going to love this Ninja Creami lemon ice cream. It’s bright, refreshing, and has the most perfect balance of sweet and tart from real lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract. This is the kind of ice cream that’s perfect for a hot summer day…or any day! Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Lemon Ice Cream 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 Lemon ice cream is […]
-
Ninja Creami Recipes With 3 Ingredients or Less
I like keeping a few Ninja Creami recipes in my back pocket that don’t need a long grocery list, and this collection is exactly that. Sometimes the simplest base ends up being the one I make the most. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Pineapple Sorbet Ninja Creami Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Italian Ice Ninja Creami Peaches and Cream Ice Cream Ninja Creami Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Banana Chocolate Chip Lite Ice Cream Ninja Creami Peach Sorbet Ninja Creami Mango Sorbet Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet Comments Four of the nine recipes here are straightforward fruit sorbets, including Pineapple Sorbet, […]
-
Is It Normal for the Ninja Creami Paddle to Feel Wobbly?
If the paddle in your Ninja Creami processing lid feels a little loose or wobbly, you’re probably wondering if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong. Here’s why it’s like that and how to know your paddle is actually installed correctly. Is it normal for the Ninja Creami paddle to feel wobbly? Yes. A loose or wobbly paddle is completely normal on all Ninja Creami machines. It is designed that way. It will not affect how your ice cream processes and there is nothing wrong with your machine. Why Is the Paddle Loose? The Creamerizer paddle needs a small amount of […]
-
Ninja Creami Black Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
If you love the combination of cherries and chocolate, you have to make this Ninja Creami black cherry chocolate chunk ice cream. It has real fresh cherry flavor, chunks of dark chocolate in every bite, and the most amazing creamy texture. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Black Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream 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 Cherries and chocolate are one of those classic flavor combinations that just works. […]
-
Can You Use Generic or Knock-Off Ninja Creami Containers?
This question comes up constantly in the Ninja Creami community. Can you use generic or knock-off containers? Here’s the honest answer, along with what I found when I actually measured them myself and where to find the real ones. Can you use generic or knock-off Ninja Creami containers? Technically, yes. Generic containers CAN work. But they can also cause the containers to get scratched, or cause the machine to malfunction. And using non-Ninja approved accessories can void your warranty. So yes, you can use knock-offs. But at your own risk. Many people swear that their Temu or Amazon third-party containers […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Protein Ice Cream
If you’re looking for something a little different from your typical strawberry ice cream, you have to try this Ninja Creami strawberry basil goat cheese protein ice cream. It’s light, refreshing, and the goat cheese gives it this amazing tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh basil and sweet strawberries. Trust me, the goat cheese is what makes this one really special. This recipe comes in at 284 calories, 36 grams of protein, 8 grams of sugar, 9 grams of fat, and 18 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat […]
-
Can You Use Ice in the Ninja Creami?
One of the most important rules for keeping your Ninja Creami safe is this: no ice. That means no ice cubes, no crushed ice, and no pure frozen water. Here’s what that actually means, what counts as ice, and why water as part of a recipe is a completely different thing. Can you use ice in the Ninja Creami? No. You cannot put ice cubes or crushed ice into the Ninja Creami container. Pure water frozen alone is essentially ice and has the same problem. The machine is not designed to process ice and doing so can damage the paddle […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream
If you love the combination of strawberry, coconut, and chocolate, you have to give this Ninja Creami strawberry coco-nut protein ice cream a try. It’s creamy, packed with real strawberry flavor, and the toasted coconut goes surprisingly well with chocolate chips and walnuts. This recipe comes in at 374 calories, 36 grams of protein, 4 grams of sugar, 19 grams of fat, and 19 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream […]
-
Is It Normal for the Ninja Creami Spindle to Stick Out?
If you look at your Ninja Creami and notice the spindle poking out of the bottom of the machine, you might wonder if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong. Here’s why it looks like that and what to expect. Is it normal for the Ninja Creami spindle to stick out? Yes. The spindle sticking out of the bottom of the machine when it is off is completely normal and exactly how it is supposed to look. It sticks out about an inch when the machine is not in use. It should not go all the way back up into the […]
-
Ninja Creami Super Strawberry Protein Ice Cream
If you love strawberry ice cream, this Ninja Creami super strawberry protein ice cream is going to blow your mind. It has fresh strawberry flavor from FOUR different ingredients, a creamy texture, and a really bright pink color. Trust me, you’re going to love this recipe. This recipe comes in at 215 calories, 35 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, and 12 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Super Strawberry Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making […]
-
How to Get Rid of Ice on the Outside of Ninja Creami Ice Cream
Sometimes a layer of ice forms around the inside walls of the Ninja Creami container during freezing, sitting between the outer edge of the frozen base and the container. If that ice gets mixed into the ice cream when you process it, it can affect the texture and make it icier than it should be. Here’s how to fix it so that the ice cream is creamy instead of icy. Why does ice form around the outside of the frozen base? When the base freezes, moisture from condensation or from the base itself can collect between the frozen mixture and […]
-
Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream
Taffy apples are one of my favorite fall treats, and this Ninja Creami taffy apple protein ice cream tastes just like one. You get that sweet caramel flavor, real green apple, and chopped peanuts in every bite. It’s creamy, sweet, a little tart, and so much fun to eat. This recipe comes in at 293 calories, 33 grams of protein, 17 grams of sugar, 8 grams of fat, and 26 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions […]
-
When to Use Re-Spin vs. Processing on Ice Cream Again in Ninja Creami
Re-Spin and the Ice Cream function on the Ninja Creami are not interchangeable. Using the wrong one at the wrong time will not give you the result you’re looking for and can even damage your machine. Here’s exactly when to use each one. What is the difference between Re-Spin and processing on Ice Cream? Ice Cream (and other processing functions) are designed to process a frozen solid base. Re-Spin is designed to further smooth a base that has just been processed, but came out with a texture that isn’t quite right. They are two different functions for two different situations. […]
-
Ninja Creami Caramel Cookie Supreme Protein Ice Cream
Caramel ice cream loaded with chunks of sugar cookie dough and pieces of Werther’s Original candies? Yes please!!! This Ninja Creami caramel cookie supreme protein ice cream is creamy, sweet, and tastes like a no-bake sugar cookie wrapped up in caramel ice cream with 30 grams of protein in the ENTIRE pint. This recipe comes in at 308 calories, 30 grams of protein, 7.5 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, and 31 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Caramel Cookie Supreme Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? […]
-
Ninja Creami Caramel Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream
Caramel, cheesecake, and chocolate chips all in one ice cream? Yes please!!! This Ninja Creami caramel chocolate chip cheesecake protein ice cream is thick, creamy, and has so much real caramel flavor with bits of Werther’s Original candies and chopped chocolate chips throughout every single bite. This recipe comes in at 315 calories, 30 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar, 9.5 grams of fat, and 37 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Caramel Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions […]
-
Ninja Creami Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream
If you love cotton candy, you have to try this Ninja Creami cotton candy protein ice cream. It tastes EXACTLY like the cotton candy you’d get at a carnival, has 31 grams of protein per pint, and it comes out pink, white, and blue right in the same container. You would never know it’s a protein ice cream! This recipe comes in at 357 calories, 31 grams of protein, 16 grams of sugar, 11.5 grams of fat, and 53 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Pretzel Pie Protein Ice Cream
If you have ever had strawberry pretzel pie at a summer BBQ or potluck, you know how good those flavors are together. This Ninja Creami strawberry pretzel pie protein ice cream takes that same combination of sweet strawberry, cheesecake, and crunchy pretzel and turns it into a thick and creamy frozen treat. I promise you would never know it has 33 grams of protein! This recipe comes in at 359 calories, 33 grams of protein, 10 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 50 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Pretzel Pie […]
-
Ninja Creami Coffee Toffee Protein Ice Cream
If you love coffee ice cream, you have to try my recipe for Ninja Creami toffee coffee protein ice cream. It has the perfect amount of coffee flavor, a thick and creamy texture, and a really good crunch from the Heath chip mix-ins. I promise you would never know it’s a protein ice cream! This recipe comes in at 357 calories, 30 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 13 grams of fat, for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Toffee Coffee Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips […]
-
Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream
If you loved Baskin Robbins Baseball Nut ice cream as a kid, you have to try this Ninja Creami baseball nut protein ice cream. It’s a creamy vanilla base loaded with chopped cashews and homemade raspberry sauce throughout, and I promise you would never know it’s a protein ice cream. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein 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 Baseball Nut from Baskin […]
-
Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream
I will be the first person to tell you that I HATE cottage cheese. I cannot stand the texture, the flavor, none of it. So when I tell you that this Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream does not taste like cottage cheese, I mean it! I promise! This recipe comes in at 297.59 calories, 38.2 grams of protein, 21.11 grams of sugar, 4.23 grams of fat, and 27.68 grams of carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami […]
Comments
No Comments