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!
-
Are Ninja Creami Leftovers Supposed to Be Hard?
You made your Ninja Creami ice cream, it was perfect right out of the machine, you saved some for later, and now it’s basically a solid block. Is that normal? Yes. Here’s why it happens and what you can do about it. Are Ninja Creami leftovers supposed to freeze hard? Yes. Ninja Creami ice cream leftovers freezing hard after refreezing is completely normal. It is not a sign that something went wrong with your recipe. It is just how Ninja Creami ice cream behaves, and it comes down to how the machine works. Why Do the Leftovers Freeze So Hard? […]
-
-
-
-
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 […]
Comments
No Comments