Name: Ninja Creami Vanilla Pudding Ice Cream
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 1 d 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix; 1 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Learn how to make easy vanilla ice cream in the Ninja Creami, using vanilla pudding mix!

Rich and creamy Ninja Creami vanilla pudding ice cream is so smooth, delicious, and easy to whip up!

a glass ice cream dish serves scoops of Ninja Creami vanilla ice cream made from pudding mix

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If you’re an ice cream purist, you know that everyone needs a good recipe for the most classic ice cream flavors, like a rich chocolate ice cream or a velvety vanilla ice cream.

As I’ve been making homemade ice cream for many years now, I’ve tried so many different combinations, and they each have their own benefits.

I’ve made no-churn sweet cream ice cream with condensed milk, I’ve made Philadelphia-style ice cream with cream cheese, and I’ve made vanilla custard ice cream using egg yolks in my ice cream machine.

And I have to say that, in general, I tend to prefer the recipes that are the easiest to whip up. Which is why I love the Ninja Creami ice cream maker!

While I’ve experimented with various vanilla ice creams in the Ninja Creami, I have to say that this one is definitely the easiest, because it uses instant vanilla pudding mix to give it plenty of rich vanilla flavor!

Making Ninja Creami recipes with pudding mix is actually quite simple, too, so you’re sure to love this one!

smooth and creamy Ninja Creami vanilla pudding ice cream in a pint container with an ice cream scoop

Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream from Pudding Mix

Making ice cream from pudding mix isn’t really a new concept, but doing it in the Ninja Creami machine really simplifies things.

You simply add some of the powdered vanilla pudding mix to the ice cream base and freeze!

I do this with my Ninja Creami lemon ice cream, Ninja Creami cherry cheesecake ice cream, Ninja Creami butterscotch ice cream, Ninja Creami cake batter ice cream, and Ninja Creami Chocolate Pudding Ice Cream, too.

Because the pudding mix is already sweetened, you don’t need to add any sugar to the base, so it pulls double duty here.

And because the pudding mix automatically lends some creaminess to the base, you end up with a silky smooth texture when everything’s said and done.

The best Ninja Creami recipes are the ones that are easy to make, and this one is no exception!

And since it clocks in at less than 200 calories per serving, it’s a lighter ice cream that’s still rich and delicious.

More Ninja Creami Recipes You’ll Love:

close-up side view of Ninja Creami vanilla pudding ice cream scooped into a glass ice cream cup

How to Make Vanilla Pudding Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami

It’s easier than you think to create rich and creamy ice cream using instant pudding mix!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Instant vanilla pudding mix
Whole milk
Heavy cream
Vanilla extract

overhead view of a ninja creami pint filled with vanilla pudding ice cream, with an ice cream scoop swirling it.

How to Make it:

(Full printable recipe card is available below)

Dissolve the pudding mix. Combine pudding mix and milk in a small bowl or large glass measuring cup.

I use half of a 3.4-oz box of instant pudding mix. Whisk to dissolve the pudding mix.

two photos; one shows a box of Jello Vanilla pudding mix in front of a Ninja Creami pint; the other shows the mix dissolved in some milk in a large measuring cup with a whisk.

Add cream and vanilla. Add in the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract, whisking to combine.

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

two photos; one shows heavy cream and vanilla extract added to the milk/pudding mixture in the measuring cup. The other shows the mixture transferred to a ninja creami pint for freezing.

Freeze. Close the lid securely on the pint container. Transfer 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 into the outer bowl apparatus and lock the lid into place.

Secure the outer bowl into the Ninja Creami machine and press the Ice Cream button. Allow the cycle to complete.

two photos; one shows an overhead view of a ninja creami pint filled with frozen base for vanilla ice cream resting in the outer bowl; the other shows a woman's finger pointing to the ice cream button on the ninja creami machine.

Re-spin if needed. After the ice cream function is complete, remove the pint from the machine and check the texture.

If it seems a little crumbly, you can insert it back into the machine and use the Re-spin button to cycle it again and achieve a creamy texture.

two photos; one is after the first spin, with crumbly texture, the other is after the re-spin function, with creamy texture.

Now it’s ready to scoop and serve!

You can enjoy this ice cream plain, scoop it over a piece of cake or pie, or add your favorite toppings!

scoops of vanilla ice cream made in the ninja creami are served in a glass dish. A fork and ninja creami pint are in the background.

Notes and Adaptations:

Feel free to add some vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract, if you want to enjoy vanilla bean ice cream!
I use half of a small (3.4-oz) box of instant vanilla pudding mix, which comes out to about 4 tablespoons. You can double the recipe to use up the whole box at once and make two pints, or simply save the extra powder in an airtight container for later.
You could use the Mix-in function to add in some extras, if you’d like! Chocolate chips, chopped cookies or graham crackers, etc. would give some crunch to your sweet treat.
If you need to make some dairy-free substitutions, you can make this Ninja Creami dairy free vanilla ice cream, which uses coconut cream instead of heavy cream and unsweetened coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk instead of whole milk.
If you’re enjoying leftovers of this ice cream, I recommend letting the pint sit out at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping.
Want to use sugar-free pudding mix? Try my Ninja Creami sugar free vanilla ice cream recipe.
For another easy vanilla ice cream, try my Ninja Creami vanilla Cool Whip ice cream!

Recommended Equipment:

Yield: 1 pint

Ninja Creami Vanilla Pudding Ice Cream

This rich and creamy vanilla ice cream is made simple thanks to a secret ingredient--instant vanilla pudding mix!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 1 day

Total Time 1 day 5 minutes

Ingredients

4 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In a small mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup, combine instant pudding mix and milk. Whisk together until pudding mix dissolves.
Add heavy cream and vanilla extract, whisking just to combine.
Transfer mixture to a Ninja Creami pint, being careful not to exceed the max fill line, and close the lid. Place on a level surface in your freezer for at least 24 hours.
Remove pint from freezer and take off the lid. Place the pint into the outer bowl apparatus and close the outer bowl lid. Lock the outer bowl into the Ninja Creami machine.
Select the Ice Cream function and allow the cycle to complete.
Remove pint from the machine and check the texture. If it appears crumbly, insert it back into the machine and use the Re-spin function to spin again. If it's still crumbly after that, add a tablespoon of milk and re-spin once more.
Scoop, serve, and enjoy!