This Ninja Creami Nutella recipe turns the classic chocolate-hazelnut spread into a rich, creamy frozen dessert. It’s smooth, indulgent, and easy to customize with mix-ins, making it perfect for when you want a simple treat that tastes extra special.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk, dairy or dairy-free
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup Nutella
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- Pinch of salt
Optional mix-ins:
- Chopped hazelnuts
- Chocolate chips
- Crushed cookies
- Brownie chunks
- Caramel drizzle
- Mini marshmallows
- Wafer pieces
- Peanut butter swirls
Instructions
- Mix the base.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, Nutella, sugar if using, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is completely smooth. Keep whisking until the Nutella is fully dissolved into the liquid and no streaks remain. - Taste and adjust.
Taste the base before freezing. If you want a stronger chocolate-hazelnut flavor, add a little more Nutella. If you want it sweeter, add a small amount of sugar. The mixture should taste slightly sweeter than you want the final ice cream to taste because freezing dulls sweetness. - Pour into the pint.
Transfer the 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 plan 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 Ice Cream or Lite Ice Cream setting depending on the texture you want. - Check the texture.
After the first spin, the mixture may look crumbly or a little dry. This is normal. 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
- Warm the Nutella slightly before mixing if it seems too thick.
- A pinch of salt helps the chocolate-hazelnut flavor taste richer.
- Chopped hazelnuts and chocolate chips make the best mix-ins.
- For a stronger hazelnut flavor, add a tiny splash of hazelnut extract if you have it.
- This base also works well with brownie pieces or wafer chunks for a dessert-shop feel.