Name: Ninja Creami Dairy Free Chocolate Ice Cream
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 1 d 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups non-dairy milk (I used oat milk); 4 TBSP (about half a small box) of instant chocolate pudding mix; 1/2 cup coconut cream; Optional: 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe

Learn how to make dairy free chocolate ice cream in the Ninja Creami machine, so everyone can enjoy a rich and creamy frozen treat.

This Ninja Creami dairy free chocolate ice cream is a great way to have a sweet treat despite dietary restrictions.

close-up view of scoops of dairy free chocolate ice cream made in the ninja creami

Note: This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

It’s no secret that I love making homemade ice cream for my family, and I enjoy experimenting with different flavor varieties.

But I have some extended family members who have to avoid dairy, and I don’t want them to feel left out!

One thing that’s great about the Ninja Creami machine is the ability to customize your creations with different ingredients, yet still achieve a soft and creamy texture.

Being able to make Ninja Creami recipes that are dairy-free is a game-changer for those who need to avoid dairy.

This Ninja Creami dairy free chocolate ice cream is an easy yet satisfying recipe that’s perfect for those who need dairy-free dessert options!

The flavor of this homemade chocolate ice cream reminds me of a Wendy’s Frosty!

overhead view of creamy dairy free chocolate ice cream in a ninja creami pint

Making Dairy Free Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami

Ninja Creami chocolate ice cream recipes work best when they contain either fat or sugar (or both), so I knew I would need to keep that in mind when creating a recipe.

Typically I use heavy cream and whole milk in my recipes, but those aren’t options for a dairy-free recipe.

I opted to use coconut cream (instead of heavy cream) for the fat in the ice cream base.

I also used oat milk (instead of whole milk), but you can also use any dairy-free milk (such as coconut milk, almond milk, or rice milk) instead of whole milk.

Because most non-dairy milk options don’t contain fat, the coconut cream serves an important role in the ice cream base.

It’s also helpful to have a stabilizer of some sort. Many recipes use cream cheese, which you can substitute vegan cream cheese for.

But because I love making Ninja Creami ice cream with instant pudding mix (like this vanilla ice cream), I decided to use some chocolate pudding mix in this recipe.

It serves as a substitute for cocoa powder, while also adding some sweetness and stabilizers.

Most instant pudding mixes are dairy-free already, but just double-check the package ingredients to be sure!

More Dairy Free Ninja Creami Recipes:

glass dish serving scoops of Ninja Creami dairy free chocolate ice cream. A ninja creami pint of ice cream and a spoon are in the background.

How to Make Dairy Free Chocolate Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker

It’s super simple to whip up a batch of dairy free ice cream in your Ninja Creami with this easy recipe!

Simple Ingredients You’ll Need:

Non-dairy milk (I used oat milk)
Instant chocolate pudding mix (the dry mix from the package)
Coconut cream
Vanilla extract

How to Make it:

Mix the pudding. Start by whisking together the oat milk and the dry pudding mix until combined.

two photos; one shows chocolate pudding mix combined with oat milk in a glass measuring up; the other shows those ingredients whisked together.

Blend the base. Add the coconut cream and vanilla extract, then use an immersion blender to mix everything together until smooth.

Alternatively, you can combine ingredients in the jar of a blender and mix.

Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, being careful not to exceed the max fill line on the container.

two photos; one shows coconut cream added to pudding mixture; the other shows the ingredients blended together and poured into a Ninja Creami pint container.

Freeze. Close the lid on the pint container. Transfer the pint to a level surface in your freezer and freeze for at least 24 hours.

Spin. Remove the pint from the freezer and take off the lid. Place the pint container into the outer bowl apparatus and close the outer bowl lid.

Place the outer bowl into the Ninja Creami ice cream machine. Press the Lite Ice Cream button and allow the cycle to complete.

two photos; one shows a frozen pint container of dairy free chocolate ice cream base, placed in the outer bowl apparatus. The other shows a woman's finger pointing to the Lite Ice Cream button on the Ninja Creami.

Check the texture. Remove the pint from the machine and check the consistency.

If it appears crumbly, you can insert it back into the machine and press the Re-spin button. If it’s still crumbly after that, add a tablespoon of dairy-free milk and Re-spin again.

It should now be a nice and creamy ice cream, similar to soft serve consistency.

two photos; one shows slightly crumbly ice cream in a ninja creami pint; the other shows the ice cream after re-spinning, with it's smooth, soft-serve consistency.

Optional: Add mix-in. If you want to add any mix-ins, you can create a well in the ice cream that’s about 1/2-inch wide and extends to the bottom of the pint.

Add your mix-in of choice (vegan chocolate chips, chopped Oreo cookies, etc.) and use the Mix-in button to incorporate it into the ice cream.

Now you’re ready to scoop and serve!

overhead view of a ninja creami pint container filled with smooth dairy free chocolate ice cream. An ice cream scoop is in the ice cream.

Notes and Adaptations:

If you’re serving leftovers of this ice cream, I recommend letting the pint sit out at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly before scooping.
Vanilla extract is optional in this recipe–it enhances the flavor of the chocolate, but doesn’t overpower it. If you don’t have any on hand, you can omit it! Or, add some peppermint extract or orange extract for a different flavor profile.
If you don’t want to use pudding mix, you can try this Ninja Creami chocolate ice cream recipe, substituting coconut cream for heavy cream, non-dairy milk for whole milk, and vegan cream cheese for the regular cream cheese.
Make a Ninja Creami milkshake using this ice cream and your favorite non-dairy milk.

close-up side view of a glass dessert cup filled with scoops of ninja creami dairy free chocolate ice cream.

Recommended Equipment:

Yield: 1 pint

Ninja Creami Dairy Free Chocolate Ice Cream

This silky smooth Ninja Creami chocolate ice cream is dairy free, and super easy to make!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 1 day

Total Time 1 day 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups non-dairy milk (I used oat milk)
4 TBSP (about half a small box) of instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup coconut cream
Optional: 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together oat milk and chocolate pudding mix until combined.
Add coconut cream and vanilla extract, if using. Use an immersion blender to blend everything together until smooth (alternatively, you can mix everything in a regular blender jar).
Pour mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, being careful not to exceed the max fill line, and close the lid. Place on a level surface in your freezer and freeze for at least 24 hours.
Remove from freezer and take off lid. Place pint container into the outer bowl apparatus and close the outer bowl lid. Secure outer bowl in the Ninja Creami machine.
Use the Lite Ice Cream function to process the ice cream.
Remove pint from machine and check texture of ice cream. If it looks a little crumbly, insert it back into the machine and use the Re-spin function to process it again. If it's still crumbly, add a tablespoon of dairy-free milk and Re-spin again.
If you're adding a mix-in, create a well in the ice cream that's about 1/2-inch wide and extends to the bottom of the pint. Fill the well with mix-in pieces, reinsert the pint back into the machine, and use the Mix-in function to incorporate.

Notes

If you're serving leftovers of this ice cream, I recommend letting the pint sit out at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly before scooping.
Vanilla extract is optional in this recipe--it enhances the flavor of the chocolate, but doesn't overpower it. If you don't have any on hand, you can omit it! Or, add some peppermint extract or orange extract for a different flavor profile.
If you don't want to use pudding mix, you can try this Ninja Creami chocolate ice cream recipe, substituting coconut cream for heavy cream, non-dairy milk for whole milk, and vegan cream cheese for the regular cream cheese.