Ninja CREAMi Banana Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

The secret to this decadently sweet Ninja CREAMi banana ice cream recipe? Over-ripe bananas!

Blend them with coconut cream and a little sweetener, then top with fresh fruit or chocolate pieces for a delicious dessert. Keep reading for the recipe and suggestions for toppings and mix-ins.

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Kitchen Gear Needed to Make this Ninja CREAMi Banana Ice Cream Recipe

Here’s a list of the kitchen gear you’ll need to make this recipe. Gather everything first, so the recipe goes together quickly.

• mixing bowl
• fork
• spatula
• measuring cups and spoons
• Ninja CREAMi pint
• Ninja CREAMi machine

Ingredients & Substitutions for Making this Ninja CREAMi Banana Ice Cream Recipe

This is the list of ingredients I used when I made this banana ice cream recipe for ice cream makers. But be sure to check out my suggestions below the recipe card to make it keto or low-fat.

Over-ripe bananas– Ripe bananas–ones with brown spots–taste much sweeter than yellow bananas, because as they ripen, the sugar content increases. They also have a stronger “banana” flavor than less ripe ones, which makes all the difference in this recipe. If your bananas aren’t ripe, you could add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of banana extract.

Coconut cream– Coconut is a perfect complement to the bananas and is a good dairy-free option. You could also use heavy cream or half-n-half (fat-free or regular) in its place.

Monkfruit sweetener– This is my go-to low carb sweetener, and my preferred brand isLakanto. This is typically what I use when a recipe calls for sugar. But you could replace it with cane sugar, raw agave nectar, stevia, or a combination of your favorite sweeteners.

Banana extract– Banana extract may be a bit hard to find, so you could leave it out if necessary. Or you can use vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, or vanilla powder in its place.

Get all your kitchen gear, ingredients, and Ninja CREAMi pint together beforehand, and this recipe will mix up in just a few minutes!

Tips for Making Ninja CREAMi Banana Ice Cream

Can you use frozen fruit in this banana ice cream recipe for ice cream makers?

This recipe is made specifically for the Ninja CREAMi which does not recommend using frozen fruit in the recipe. Big chunks of frozen fruit can damage the machine when you use the LITE ICE CREAM or ICE CREAM function.

BUT if you’ve frozen some ripe bananas to use later in recipes, you can use them if you thaw them first. You first thaw the fruit, then mash it before adding the rest of the base ingredients.

But you can use frozen fruit, like small berries, with the MIX-IN function. It spins at a slower speed in order to just swirl in extras, so at this speed frozen fruit shouldn’t damage the machine.

Can I make it keto or low-fat?

Absolutely!

This recipe could be considered low-carb, but if you wanted to make a keto banana ice cream, here’s what I would suggest. Make the Keto Ninja CREAMi Vanilla Ice Cream recipe but substitute 1.5 teaspoons banana extract for the vanilla extract.

I personally don’t think it tastes as good as real fresh bananas, but it’s a good stand-in.

To make it a low-fat banana ice cream recipe, substitute fat-free half-n-half for the coconut cream.

Why is the ice cream powdery or crumbly?

I’ve made dozens of pints of ice cream with all kinds of ingredients, and this is what I’ve observed. Generally, I get a crumbly base most often when I use heavy cream in the recipe. But I don’t usually get a crumbly base when I use coconut cream. Coconut cream usually blends up very smooth and creamy.

Another factor in whether your pint is crumbly can be the temperature of your freezer. The colder your pint freezes the more likely the ice cream will be powdery. Setting the pint out on your counter while you prep the machine, get out bowls and toppings, etc. allows it to warm up a bit.

How long does it take the Ninja CREAMi to make ice cream?

If you’re new to using a Ninja CREAMi machine, you’ll love how quickly you can make a pint of ice cream! Gathering all the kitchen gear and ingredients and then mixing up the base takes no more than 10 minutes. Then, you freeze the base for 24 hours.

Once it’s frozen, the ICE CREAM function will blend it all up in about 3 minutes. If you want to add some mix-ins, that takes a few more minutes.

Ninja CREAMi Banana Ice Cream Recipe

Finally, here’s the recipe for Ninja CREAMi banana ice cream, but keep reading below for some suggestions for toppings and mix-ins!

Ninja CREAMi Banana Ice Cream Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Freeze Time: 1 day

Blend Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 1 day 8 minutes

The secret to this decadently sweet Ninja CREAMi banana ice cream? Overripe bananas! And the browner they are the better. Blend them with coconut cream and a little sweetener, then top with fresh fruit or chocolate pieces for a delicious dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups overripe bananas, peeled and sliced
• 3 Tbsp monk fruit sweetener*
• 1 cup coconut cream
• 1 tsp banana extract (optional)

Instructions

1. To prepare the base, pour the coconut cream into a bowl and whisk until smooth.
2. Add the sliced bananas and lightly mash them with the back of a fork.
3. Mix the monk fruit sweetener and banana extract in the bowl with the coconut cream and bananas and stir until the sweetener is dissolved.
4. Pour the mixture into a CREAMi pint, making sure it doesn't go over the MAX FILL line, then put the lid on it.
5. Place the pint in the freezer, making sure it's level. Freeze for 24 hours.
6. Take the pint from the freezer, remove the lid, and place it in the outer bowl. Install the paddle in the lid and attach lid to the outer bowl.
7. Plug in the Ninja CREAMi unit and install the bowl on the base.
8. Press the power button and select LITE ICE CREAM.
9. When the unit shuts off, remove the bowl from the base and remove the lid.
10. If the ice cream is crumbly, then reattach the lid and install the bowl on the base again. Select RE-SPIN.
11. Once the ice cream is at the right consistency, serve immediately.

Notes

* See the Tips below the recipe card for substitution suggestions.

Nutrition Information

Yield 4 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 333Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 27mgCarbohydrates 57gFiber 2gSugar 48gProtein 2g

Nutrition information is an approximation and may vary based on the specific ingredients and amounts used when preparing the recipe.

Toppings & Mix-Ins for Ninja CREAMi Banana Ice Cream

Here are just a few suggestions for mix-ins and toppings for this Ninja CREAMi banana ice cream recipe.

• peanut butter
• mini chocolate, white chocolate, or caramel chips
• whipped cream
• fresh or frozen fruit

To add mix-ins, once the ice cream is spun, dig a hole down through the middle of the pint with a spoon. Make sure you reach the bottom of the pint. Fill the hole with your favorite mix-in(s), reattach the lid, and install the pint on the machine. Select MIX-IN. When it’s done processing, remove the lid and enjoy!

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