7 Surprising Ingredients You Can Use in Your Ninja Creami

These unexpected ingredients will help you make some of the tastiest Ninja Creami treats.

There are so many different ingredients you can use in the Ninja Creami, making it easier than ever to create delicious frozen desserts!

collage image featuring various Ninja Creami recipes that use surprising ingredients.

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One of the reasons the Ninja Creami machine gained popularity so quickly was its ability to transform sometimes surprising ingredients into delicious treats.

This makes it easy to customize your desserts, based on your dietary needs, your taste preferences, or what ingredients you have on hand.

And although milk, cream, and sugar make appearances on many Ninja Creami recipes, there are other ingredients that you may not be aware that you can use!

Unexpected Ingredients to Use in the Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker

Here are some of our favorite, less traditional ingredients you can put to use.

1. Canned Pie Filling

Yes, it’s true–canned pie filling makes fantastic sorbet and ice cream in the Ninja Creami!

It’s already sweet, has loads of flavor, and requires very little effort on your part.

You can try different varieties, including cherry, mixed berry, blueberry, apple, and pumpkin!

Give it a try with these pie filling recipes:

cherry limeade sorbet made with cherry pie filling in the Ninja Creami — Cherry Limeade Sorbet

2. Cottage Cheese

Even if you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, you’ll be surprised that you won’t even taste it in these ice creams!

It gives a rich, creamy texture to the ice cream, plus it lends extra protein to your dessert.

Eating well has never tasted so good, if you ask me!

Give it a try with these cottage cheese recipes:

a pint of strawberry ice cream made with cottage cheese in the Ninja Creami machine. — Strawberry Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

3. Instant Pudding Mix

Many people are surprised to learn that you can make Ninja Creami recipes with pudding mix!

The pudding mix provides flavor and sweetness, but it also acts as a binder, improving the texture of the ice cream and making it oh-so-creamy.

You can use regular or sugar-free varieties for most recipes, and it’s easy to keep boxes on hand in the pantry.

Give it a try with these pudding mix recipes:

a pint of banana pudding ice cream made in the Ninja Creami with instant pudding mix. — Banana Pudding Ice Cream

4. Canned Fruit

If lighter fare is what you’re after, it doesn’t get much easier than making delicious sorbet out of canned fruit!

You can adjust the sweetness according to the liquid the fruit is packed in–juice, light syrup, or heavy syrup.

If needed, you can always add a sugar-free sweetener as well, to give it extra sweetness while still keeping it healthy.

Give it a try with these canned fruit recipes:

scoops of cherry sherbet made with canned fruit in the Ninja Creami machine. — Dark Sweet Cherry Sherbet

5. Jello Gelatin

We know you can use instant pudding to make ice cream, but did you know you can use Jell-O gelatin as well?

My kids love these special treats, and they remind me of old-school push-pops and popsicles from my childhood.

Give it a try with these Jell-O recipes:

strawberry sorbet made with Jell-o Gelatin in the Ninja Creami machine. — Strawberry Jell-O Sorbet

6. Protein Shakes

Perhaps one of the most popular ways to use the Ninja Creami is to make protein ice cream.

This can be easily accomplished by transforming your favorite protein shakes into a cool and creamy treat!

You don’t have to sacrifice flavor to meet your health goals, and these recipes prove dessert CAN be healthy.

Give it a try with these protein shake recipes:

Oreo protein ice cream made in the Ninja Creami with protein shake. — Oreo Protein Ice Cream

7. Soda Pop

Whether you call it soda or pop may depend on where you’re from, but regardless of what you call it, it makes tasty Ninja Creami treats!

The flavor of the soda really shines through, making these frozen treats the perfect refreshing dessert for a hot summer day.

Do note the recipe’s instructions for dealing with the fizz while freezing, though!

Give it a try with these soda recipes:

ice cream made with root beer soda in the Ninja Creami — Root Beer Ice Cream

Making Delicious Treats in the Ninja Creami

There you have it! Some of the most unexpected ingredients can make some of the most delicious desserts.

Even though these items may not work well in a traditional ice cream maker, they are fantastic additions to your Ninja Creami treats.

More Ninja Creami Recipes to Try:

More Ninja Creami Resources for You:

Don’t forget to pin this list to your Ninja Creami board on Pinterest!