6 Ninja Creami recipes we can’t stop making

If, to you, “getting a pint” means heading to the frozen aisle instead of the bar, and your dogs are named Ben and Jerry, a Ninja^® CREAMi^® may be worth the splurge. At roughly $200, it’s pricey, but it churns out the dreamiest frozen treats with total freedom to customize your flavors, mix-ins, and ingredients — so you can make healthier versions of your favorite frozen desserts. The catch? It’s not super intuitive, so read on (and check the manual!) for the best results.

While the ice creams and sorbets coming out of a CREAMi aren’t for the spontaneous craving, with a little bit of foresight, you’re well on your way to a pint of ice cream that delivers less calories, sugar, and saturated fat and more protein and fiber. (If you’re following the Weight Watchers Program, your treat could be clocking in around 3 Points® for one cup versus 14 Points.) The base that the Ninja CREAMi churns — such as milk, Greek yogurt, or a protein drink — needs to be frozen solid, which usually takes around 12 to 24 hours. Make sure the frozen base is completely flat on top (not tilted at an angle), otherwise the motor will have to work harder to get a smooth result. For extra insurance, scrape the top of the frozen base flat before churning.

Some CREAMi models come with multiple pint containers. If yours didn’t, invest in extra jars, ideally with different colored lids so you can easily tell flavors apart. That way, you’ll always have a frozen base ready to go or you can prep a bunch of flavors at once.

For the smoothest result, run hot water along the outside of the frozen pint before churning. This loosens the icy outer layer clinging to the walls, so it blends seamlessly into the rest of the base during processing.

If your ice cream is looking powdery or crumbly after the first churn, don’t fret. This is common, especially with high-Protein or low-Points or bases. Just add a splash of whatever liquid you used in the base and hit the Re Spin button.

If you’re using protein powder in your base, it’s tempting to just stir it into some liquid before freezing. But taking a moment to whisk, shake, or — better yet — blend the mixture is worth the extra effort. It guarantees a smooth finished product, which is all the more important when making healthier ice creams.

From high-protein blends to fruit-forward sorbets, these are the recipes we’re churning out the most.

This content is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by SharkNinja Operating LLC; all Ninja, Creami, and related trademarks belong to SharkNinja Operating LLC and are used solely for identification and reference purposes.