If you love homemade ice cream and are looking for an easy Ninja Creami vanilla ice cream recipe, this is a great place to start.

This recipe is a healthy vanilla ice cream base designed specifically for the Ninja Creami ice cream machine. It’s smooth, creamy, and naturally sweetened — without relying on white sugar, egg yolks, or complicated steps. The result is a delicious ice cream with a creamy texture that works beautifully as-is or as a base for different variations.

I use this vanilla recipe as my go-to ice cream base for everything from protein-packed treats to fruity flavours and dairy-free options.

If you’re looking for more flavours beyond vanilla, I’ve put together a full collection of healthy Ninja Creami recipes that are also without refined sugar — including chocolate, strawberry, coffee, lemon, and more.

👉 Other Healthy Ninja Creami Recipes

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Why This Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe Works

Many classic vanilla ice cream recipes rely on heavy whipping cream, egg yolks, or large amounts of white sugar to achieve a creamy texture. Others lean on pudding mixes or stabilisers.

This recipe takes a simpler approach that works with the Ninja Creami machine instead of forcing it.

It’s:

• made with simple ingredients

• refined-sugar-free

• designed for the Ninja Creami ice cream maker

• smooth, creamy, and scoopable

Instead of churn ice creams or custards, the Ninja Creami uses its ice cream function to transform a frozen ice cream mixture into creamy ice cream. This recipe is built for that system — from freezing in the Ninja Creami pint container to spinning at the push of the ice cream button.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This easy vanilla ice cream recipe makes 1 Ninja Creami container.

(Scroll down for the full printable recipe and complete ingredient list.)

You’ll need:

• Milk of choice (whole milk, unsweetened oat milk, or coconut milk)

• Cream or coconut cream for richness

• Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a rich vanilla flavour

• Stevia or another less-sugar sweetener

• A pinch of salt

  
  

Using whole milk gives a more classic vanilla flavour, while unsweetened oat milk or coconut milk creates a lighter creamy treat. Either way, the result is a smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream that feels balanced and satisfying.

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How to Make Vanilla Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami (Overview)

This is an easy way to make homemade vanilla ice cream — no cooking and no traditional ice cream churn required.

First things first:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth

2. Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint jar, staying below the max fill line

3. Freeze on a level surface for 12–24 hours

4. Spin using the Ice Cream program

If needed, add a tablespoon of milk and respin to reach the right texture.

The full method is in the recipe card below.

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Tips for the Creamiest Texture

Vanilla ice cream highlights texture more than any other flavour.

A few helpful tips:

• If the ice cream looks crumbly after the first spin, add 1 tablespoon of milk and respin

• If the flavour tastes flat, a little bit more vanilla or salt helps

• If the texture is icy, add a touch more fat next time

When dialled in, this recipe can even resemble soft serve straight from the Ninja Creami ice cream machine.

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Customising This Ice Cream Base

This classic vanilla ice cream recipe is designed as a perfect base, not a one-note dessert.

Protein-Packed Treats

If your goal is higher protein rather than a classic base, I’ve tested dedicated recipes that balance texture and flavour properly. And I created 8 different flavors that you can try too.

👉 Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes

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Mix-Ins & Flavours

Once spun, you can add:

• chocolate chips

• fresh fruit

• favourite toppings

This base also works for flavours like strawberry, chocolate, coffee, and citrus. I walk through those variations step-by-step in my Healthy Ninja Creami Recipes collection so you can see exactly how I adjust the base for each flavour.

👉 Healthy Ninja Creami Recipes

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Dairy-Free Variations

For fully dairy-free versions, I use coconut milk, coconut cream, or vegan cream cheese to keep the texture creamy. You can find all of my tested dairy-free options here:

👉 Dairy-Free Ninja Creami Recipes (100% Vegan ingredients)

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A Note on Sweeteners

This recipe uses stevia to keep the sugar content low while maintaining a rich vanilla flavour.

If stevia isn’t your preference, you can substitute a small amount of maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of white sugar. This will slightly change the sweetness and texture but still keeps the recipe lighter than traditional ice cream.

Choose what works best for you — this recipe is flexible.

Where This Recipe Fits in My Ninja Creami Collection

This recipe is part of my collection of the best Ninja Creami recipes, all focused on balance, flavour, and easy homemade ice cream.

If you’re looking for more flavours and variations, start here:
👉 Ninja Creami Recipes

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Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for the best vanilla ice cream to make in your Ninja Creami — one that uses simple ingredients, delivers a creamy texture, and works as a base for different flavours — this recipe is a great place to begin.

It’s an easy Ninja Creami vanilla ice cream recipe you can come back to again and again, whether it’s your first time using the machine or your favourite way to cool down on a hot day.