Homemade ice cream doesn’t get much easier or creamier than this! Using instant pudding mix in your Ninja Creami takes the guesswork out of making a silky, scoopable dessert. Whether you’re craving chocolate, vanilla, or something seasonal like pistachio or banana cream, this quick method transforms simple ingredients into a luscious treat with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (whole milk gives the creamiest texture)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons instant pudding mix (any flavor)
- 1–2 tablespoons sugar (optional, depending on desired sweetness)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, enhances flavor)
Optional mix-ins (after blending): mini chocolate chips, crushed cookies, fruit chunks, or caramel swirls.
Instructions
- Mix base ingredients:
In a medium bowl, combine milk, heavy cream, pudding mix, and sugar (if using). Whisk until the pudding mix fully dissolves and no clumps remain. Add vanilla extract if desired. - Pour into Ninja Creami pint:
Transfer the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container, making sure not to exceed the “MAX FILL” line. - Freeze thoroughly:
Place the lid on the pint and freeze upright for at least 24 hours. The mixture should be completely solid before processing. - Prepare to spin:
Remove the pint from the freezer and reattach the outer bowl lid assembly. Install the pint into your Ninja Creami machine. - Choose settings:
Select the Ice Cream function. Let the Ninja Creami do its magic—it will shave and churn your frozen base into a creamy consistency. - Adjust texture (if needed):
If the texture appears powdery, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk and run the Re-spin cycle once or twice until creamy. - Add mix-ins:
For extra flavor, create a hole down the center of the ice cream (without touching the bottom) and pour in your mix-ins. Run a Mix-ins cycle to blend them evenly. - Serve or store:
Serve immediately for a soft-serve texture, or refreeze for 1–2 hours for a firmer scoop.
Tip: Try different pudding flavors like chocolate fudge, cheesecake, or white chocolate for endless combinations. You can even swirl in syrup after re-spinning for a fun marble effect!
Example: Vanilla-Pistachio Twist
For a unique flavor, mix 1 tablespoon each of vanilla and pistachio pudding mixes into the base for a nutty, creamy hybrid that tastes like a bakery-style gelato.