Ninja Creami Mint Chip Ice Cream: The 5-Minute Prep Version That's Perfectly Creamy Every Time
This Ninja Creami mint chip ice cream requires just 5 minutes of hands-on prep. The secret to a smooth, scoopable texture is a single tablespoon of cream cheese whisked into the base before freezing. Expect a rich, creamy mint base loaded with dark chocolate chips in every bite.
Equipment
- Ninja Creami machine
- Ninja Creami pint container
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Fine-mesh strainer
Ingredients
For the Ice Cream
- 1 cup whole milk Whole milk preferred, 2% also works
- ⅔ cup half and half
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese room temperature
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 4 drops green food coloring optional
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Make sure your Ninja Creami pint container is clean and completely dry. You want absolutely no water droplets in there.
- Mix the liquids: In your mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, half and half, and granulated sugar. Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved—about 30 seconds to a minute. Listen for the gentle slosh of the liquid as it comes together.
- Add cream cheese: Toss in the room-temperature cream cheese. Whisk vigorously until it is completely smooth and fully incorporated. This is the most important step—no lumps allowed! If you see any tiny white specks, keep whisking. The base should feel silky between your fingers.
- Flavor & color: Whisk in the peppermint extract and the green food coloring (if using). Taste the base here—it should taste slightly sweeter and more intensely minty than you want the final ice cream, because freezing dulls both the sweetness and the flavor.
- Freeze: Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container. Place it on a perfectly level surface in your freezer. This is surprisingly important—if it's tilted, the final ice cream will spin unevenly. Freeze for a minimum of 8 hours, but 24 hours is ideal. The pint must be completely solid all the way through for the Creami to work properly.
- Process the ice cream: Remove the pint from the freezer. Take off the lid and place it into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami machine. Lock the handle into place and select the "ICE CREAM" setting. Let it do its thing! You’ll hear the machine whir as it transforms the frozen block into a creamy delight.
- Add the mix-ins: Once the ice cream base is fully processed, remove the pint from the outer bowl. Use a spoon to create a well (a hole) in the very center of the ice cream, all the way down to the bottom. Pour the mini chocolate chips into this well. Lock the lid back on and select the "MIX-IN" setting.
- Enjoy: Your Ninja Creami mint chip is ready to eat immediately! It will have a soft-serve, perfectly scoopable texture. If you prefer a firmer, more traditional scoop, just place the lid back on the pint and pop it in the freezer for 2-3 hours.