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If you’re looking for dairy-free Ninja Creami recipes that are genuinely creamy, easy to make, and don’t feel like a compromise, this page is for you.
As a personal trainer and healthy recipe developer, I work with many clients who either need to avoid dairy or simply feel better without it. Over time, that led me to experiment with a growing collection of dairy-free Ninja Creami recipes that still deliver on texture, flavor, and satisfaction.
Every recipe on this page is also fully vegan, although you don’t need to follow a vegan lifestyle to enjoy them. Think of this as a flexible, dairy-free frozen dessert collection that works for anyone using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker — whether you’re avoiding dairy, experimenting with plant-based options, or just curious.
This post will continue to grow as I test new flavors. I’m already working on another recipe this week and will be adding it here once it’s perfected.
Choosing the Best Dairy-Free Milk and Cream
When making dairy-free ice cream in the Ninja Creami machine, the type of milk and cream you use matters more than most people realise. I’ve tested a wide range of non-dairy milk options, and some consistently produce a creamy ice cream, while others tend to freeze icy or crumbly.
Cream options that work best
Oat creamer and cashew cream are my top choices when I want a rich, creamy ice cream base without a strong competing flavor (for example, coconut can sometimes overpower the vanilla). These are especially important for simple, classic recipes like vanilla, where you want the flavor to stay clean and familiar. Alternatively, you can use plant-based cream like this one.
Coconut cream works beautifully for bold or tropical flavors such as chocolate, mango, or piña colada. It adds richness and body, but it also brings its own flavor, which is why I avoid it for vanilla.
Milk options (what I actually use)
Full-fat oat milk or cashew milk pair best with the creams above and help create a smooth, balanced ice cream mixture. They add enough body without overpowering the flavour and substitute the heavy cream in regular vanilla ice cream.
Almond milk can be used, but in my experience, it tends to produce a thinner, icier result in the Ninja Creami container. If you’re aiming for consistently creamy ice cream, I recommend sticking with oat or cashew-based dairy-free milk instead.
As a general guideline:
- Neutral flavours like vanilla and matcha work best with oat or cashew milk and dairy free cream
- Bold or tropical flavours like chocolate, mango, and piña colada work beautifully with coconut milk and coconut cream
Sweetener Choices (Pick What Works for You)
All of the recipes in this collection are made without refined white sugar, but I like to give you options so you can tailor them to your preferences and goals.
If you’re not particularly sugar-conscious, coconut sugar works beautifully in dairy-free ice cream and keeps the flavor profile clean, especially in vanilla. Maple syrup also works well in bolder flavors like chocolate or fruit-based recipes, but I generally avoid it in vanilla because it can take the flavor in a more caramel-like direction.
If you prefer to keep sugar lower, monk fruit sweetener or liquid stevia are easy swaps. I personally use both depending on the recipe. Each recipe includes notes so you can decide what works best for you. If you’re jumping straight to a recipe, look for reminders to refer back to these sweetener notes.
Vanilla Dairy Free Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat cream or cashew cream
- ½ cup full-fat oat milk or cashew milk
- ¼ cup unrefined raw sugar or coconut sugar can use monk fruit sweetener instead if you prefer low sugar alternative
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum optional, for extra creaminess and thickness
- 1 tbsp chocolate chips optional
Optional protein boost:
- 1 scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder this will change protein macros and overall calories per serve
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into the pint container and blend with an immersion blender until stmooth.
- If you have a regular blender, then blend all the ingredients in that first, then pour into the pint container.
- Freeze the pint on a level surface for 24 hours.
- Place the frozen pint into the outer bowl, attach the lid assembly, and process using the Ice Cream or Lite Ice Cream setting.
- If crumbly after the first spin, use the re-spin button with a small splash of dairy-free milk.
- If adding chocolate chips (one of my favorite mix-ins), then make a hole in the center, put the pint back into the machine and use the mix ins function to gently mix them in to the ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Dairy-Free Chocolate Ninja Creami Ice Cream
Chocolate is one flavor where coconut really shines. Using full-fat coconut milk creates a rich, creamy ice cream that holds up well after the first spin.
Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- ½ cup oat milk
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional protein boost:
Add 1 scoop of chocolate plant-based protein powder for extra protein.
Macros (per serving):
Calories ~195 | Protein 3g | Carbs 17g | Fat 13g | Sugar 8g
Watermelon Strawberry Dairy-Free Sorbet
This light, refreshing sorbet is made with fresh fruit and coconut water. It’s perfect when you want something clean and hydrating rather than rich.
Ingredients
- 1 cup watermelon, cubed and deseeded
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 cup coconut water
- Juice of ½ lime
Process using the Sorbet or Lite Ice Cream setting.
If your fruit isn’t very sweet, a few drops of liquid stevia can be added.
Macros (per serving):
Calories ~95 | Carbs 20g | Fat 0g | Sugar 17g
Mango Coconut Dairy-Free Ice Cream
This is one of my favorite combinations for the Ninja Creami. Mango and coconut work naturally well together and create a creamy ice cream with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mango chunks
- 1 cup coconut cream
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Macros (per serving):
Calories ~145 | Carbs 22g | Fat 6g | Sugar 18g
Matcha Dairy-Free Ninja Creami Ice Cream
Matcha is a more unique, acquired-taste flavor, so I prefer a neutral base that allows the matcha to shine without competing flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat milk or cashew milk
- 1 cup oat cream or cashew cream
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons ceremonial-grade matcha powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Macros (per serving):
Calories ~120 | Carbs 16g | Fat 5g | Sugar 7g
Piña Colada Dairy-Free Ice Cream
Creamy coconut, pineapple, and lime come together in this dairy-free frozen treat that feels indulgent without being heavy.
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ½ cup coconut cream
- 1 cup diced pineapple
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or maple syrup
Macros (per serving):
Calories ~220 | Carbs 18g | Fat 14g | Sugar 16g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make a non-dairy ice cream in a Ninja Creami?
Yes. The Ninja Creami ice cream machine works extremely well with dairy-free milk and cream, making it easy to create creamy ice cream and sorbets without dairy.
Does lactose-free milk work in a Ninja Creami?
Yes, lactose-free dairy milk works the same way as regular milk. However, all recipes on this page focus on fully dairy-free, plant-based options.
What can you make with a Ninja Creami besides ice cream?
You can make sorbets, smoothie bowls, frozen yoghurt-style desserts, lite ice cream, soft serve, and protein-packed frozen treats.
Why does my dairy-free ice cream look crumbly after the first spin?
This is normal with dairy-free bases. Simply use the re-spin function with a splash of dairy-free milk to achieve a creamy texture.
Final Thoughts
These dairy-free Ninja Creami recipes show that you don’t need dairy to make creamy, satisfying frozen desserts at home. With the right combination of milk, cream, and sweetener, the Ninja Creami can produce ice cream and sorbets that rival regular ice creams made in a traditional ice cream maker.
Save this page, come back to it often, and keep an eye out for new flavors as I continue experimenting and adding to this collection.
