This Ninja Creami frozen pineapple recipe turns sweet pineapple into a creamy, vibrant frozen dessert with a bright tropical flavor. It’s easy to make, simple to customize, and perfect for a refreshing treat any time of year.
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 to 1 cup milk, dairy or dairy-free
- 2 to 3 tablespoons yogurt or coconut cream, optional for creaminess
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or sugar, optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- Pinch of salt
Optional mix-ins:
- Toasted coconut flakes
- Fresh pineapple pieces
- White chocolate chips
- Crushed cookies
- Chopped macadamia nuts
- Lime zest
- Fruit preserves
Instructions
- Prepare the pineapple.
Add the frozen pineapple chunks to a blender or food processor. If they are in large clumps, break them apart a little so they blend more evenly. Keep the pineapple frozen until you are ready to make the base. - Blend the base.
Add the milk, yogurt or coconut cream if using, sweetener if using, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Start with a small amount of milk and add more only if needed so the mixture stays thick. - Taste and adjust.
Taste the base before freezing. If the pineapple is very tart, add a little more sweetener. If the mixture is too thick to blend, add a splash more milk. The base should taste slightly sweeter than you want the final dessert to be because freezing dulls sweetness. - Transfer to the pint.
Pour the blended mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container. Make sure it stays below the MAX FILL line. Leave a little room at the top if you want to add mix-ins later. - Freeze completely.
Place the lid on the pint and freeze it upright for at least 24 hours. For the best result, freeze it on a level surface so the mixture sets evenly. - Spin in the Ninja Creami.
Remove the pint from the freezer and place it into the outer bowl assembly. Attach the lid and process it using the Sorbet, Lite Ice Cream, or Ice Cream setting depending on the texture you want. - Check the texture.
After the first spin, the mixture may look a little crumbly or icy. This is normal with pineapple bases. Use a spoon to check the center before deciding whether it needs more liquid. - Re-spin if needed.
If the texture is not creamy enough, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and run the Re-spin cycle. Repeat once more if necessary until smooth and scoopable. - Add mix-ins.
If you want extra texture, make a small well in the center of the ice cream, add your mix-ins, and run the Mix-ins cycle to distribute them evenly. - Serve.
Serve immediately for a soft-serve texture, or freeze for 30 to 60 minutes if you want a firmer scoop.
Recipe Tips
- Pineapple with a little natural sweetness works best.
- Coconut cream gives a richer dairy-free texture.
- Lime zest makes the tropical flavor taste brighter.
- Toasted coconut and macadamia nuts are great mix-ins.
- If the mixture seems too icy, a little more yogurt helps improve creaminess.