Ninja Creami Coconut Ice Cream

It’s quick and easy to make rich and creamy sugar-free dairy, dairy-free Ninja Creami Coconut Ice Cream using only 3 ingredients!

Suitable for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free diets.

a spoon inside the Ninja Creami Coconut Ice Cream.

Table of Contents

Dairy Free Ice Cream

Fellow coconut lovers, have I got an awesome recipe for you! Thanks to the Ninja CREAMi machine, it’s incredibly simple to make delicious coconut ice cream at home.

And the fact that you can whip it up using affordable pantry staples you likely have on hand is just the proverbial cherry on top!

This tropical dessert is a quick and easy healthier dessert that is both dairy free and sugar free. Which means everyone can enjoy this creamy frozen treat. And check out my full collection of Easy Ninja Creami Recipes for even more options.

P.S. This is a great base for making dairy-free milkshakes too. #somuchyum

Ninja Creami Coconut Ice Cream Recipe

The Ninja CREAMi really does make it easy to create all sorts of simple, budget-friendly ice cream recipes, like classic Ninja Creami vanilla ice cream and my fall-favorite, Ninja Creami pumpkin ice cream that I whip up using leftover pumpkin purée.

three scoops of coconut ice cream in a bowl.

Why Make This Recipe?

Quick & Easy – Simply combine all the ingredients, freeze then process. That’s all there is to it!
Affordable – All you need is 3 pantry staples to create a delectable tropical Ninja Creami dessert.
So Versatile – Add some mix-ins and change the flavor to suit your taste.
Diet-friendly – This homemade ice cream is gluten free, vegan, and sugar free, plus it contains no artificial flavors or preservatives.

Ingredient Notes

Coconut Milk: Use full-fat canned coconut milk to get a rich and creamy texture. Make sure it’s unsweetened to keep it sugar-free, and shake the cans well before opening.
Sweetener: I used erythritol as the sugar substitute since it has zero calories. But you can use your preferred sweetener. I recommend starting with 3 tablespoons, tasting, and then adding more if needed.
Vanilla Extract: Provides a luscious ice cream flavor. Use more or less to suit your taste.

the ingredients needed to make Ninja Creami coconut ice cream.

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

How To Make Coconut Ice Cream In The Ninja Creami

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

In a blender, combine the coconut milk, sweetener, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour into an empty Ninja Creami pint container, cover, and place it on a level surface to freeze for a full 24 hours.
Then remove the container from the freezer and take off the lid. Place in your Ninja Creami following the manufacturer’s instructions, and use the Lite Ice Cream setting to process.
When done, open it and give it a quick stir. If needed, add a splash of coconut milk and re-spin. Repeat up to 1-2 more times until it reaches the desired consistency.

collage showing the steps for making coconut ice cream in the Ninja Creami machine.

Recipe Tips And Variations

Freeze for long enough: It’s important to allow the mixture to freeze for a complete 24 hours. It must be fully frozen in order to process correctly.
Use the respin function: If the ice cream isn’t creamy enough, just use the re-spin function. Add a splash of coconut milk before respinning.
Add flavor: Adding orange zest or even lemon zest to the ice cream base gives it a nice bright flavor.
Prep ahead: If you love ice cream as we do, I highly recommend preparing several recipes at once so there is always a frozen pint on hand and ready to process.
How to avoid a peak from forming: Try freezing without the lid to prevent a peak from forming on top of the frozen base. However, if your freezer is jam-packed like mine, this is not always an option. I will use the lid and just shave off the peak to make the top level before processing.
Add Mix-ins: Use the mix-in setting to add nuts, dark chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and mango chunks for added texture and flavor.
Vary the sweetener: Use your preferred granulated sugar substitute, or swap in honey, agave, chopped mejool dates, or maple syrup to keep it healthy without being sugar-free.
Use different milk: For a milder coconut flavor, you can replace about a third of the coconut milk with another non-dairy milk. Feel free to use regular milk or cream if you are not concerned with keeping it dairy-free and vegan.

Prep and Storage

Storage – Keep in an airtight container inside the freezer for several weeks, up to one month.
Prep Ahead – Make sure to prepare your ice cream base and allow it to freeze for 24 hours before adding it to the machine.

FAQs

Can I use light coconut milk?

Yes, you can use light coconut milk instead, but the ice cream may have a less creamy texture.

Do I really have to wait 24 hours for Ninja Creami?

As difficult as it is, you do have to wait 24 hours for Ninja Creami ice cream bases to freeze. To get the proper texture, it is critical that the ice cream base be a frozen solid. This ensures that smaller ice crystals form, which provides that super creamy texture we all love.

How long can you keep Ninja Creami in freezer?

You can keep Ninja Creami in the freezer for several weeks. To store processed ice cream, smooth out the top so it’s flat, place the lid on, and put it in the freezer. When you are ready to enjoy it again, re-process it using the same setting the recipe called for.

What if I don’t have a Ninja CREAMi?

If you don’t have a Ninja CREAMi, you can make this coconut ice cream recipe with a food processor or blender. Blend the base until creamy, freeze until solid, then let it soften slightly before serving. Do note that the finished ice cream will have as less creamy texture.

The finished Ninja Creami Coconut Ice Cream recipe served in a bowl.

More Ninja Creami Recipes You’ll Love

a top down view of the completed coconut ice cream inside the Ninja Creami.

Recommended Tools

The awesome Ninja CREAMi machine, of course!
Measuring cups and spoons to makew sure you use the right amounts.
And for the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon!

Get The Ninja Creami Coconut Ice Cream Recipe

Ninja Creami Coconut Ice Cream

Make creamy and delicious coconut ice cream with just 3-ingredients!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate Save Recipe

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Western

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10

Freezing and Processing Time: 1 20

Total Time: 1 30

Servings:

Calories: 283kcal

Author: Bintu Hardy | Budget Delicious

Ingredients

2 ½ cups (591 mL) coconut milk I used canned unsweetened coconut milk
3-4 tablespoons sweetener of your choice I used erythritol
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Add coconut milk, sweetener, and vanilla extract to a blender and blend until fully combined and smooth.
Pour into an empty Ninja Creami pint container, cover, and place it on a level surface to freeze for 24 hours.
Remove from the freezer and take off the lid. Put it into your Ninja Creami following the manufacturer’s instructions and use the Lite Ice Cream setting to process.
When done, open and do a quick stir. If needed, add a little splash of coconut milk and re-spin 1-2 times until you reach your desired consistency.

Notes

Freeze for long enough: It’s important to allow the mixture to freeze a complete 24 hours. It must be fully frozen in order to process correctly.

Use the respin function: If the ice cream isn’t creamy enough, just use the re-spin function. Add a splash of coconut milk before respinning.

Add flavor: Adding orange zest or even lemon zest to the ice cream base gives it a nice bright flavor.

Prep ahead: If you love ice cream as we do, I highly recommend preparing several recipes at once so there is always a frozen pint on hand and ready to process.

How to avoid a peak from forming: Try freezing without the lid to prevent a peak from forming on top of the frozen base. However, if your freezer is jam-packed like mine, this is not always an option. I will use the lid and just shave off the peak to make the top level before processing.

Add Mix-ins: Use the mix-in setting to add nuts, dark chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and mango chunks for added texture and flavor.

Vary the sweetener: Use your preferred granulated sugar substitute, or swap in honey, agave, chopped mejool dates, or maple syrup to keep it healthy without being sugar-free.

Use different milk: For a milder coconut flavor, you can replace about a third of the coconut milk with another non-dairy milk. Feel free to use regular milk or cream if you are not concerned with keeping it dairy-free and vegan.