If you love classic ice cream flavors, then you have to try my Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream. It takes just 4 ingredients, is allergy friendly, and is easy to make. Fresh strawberries are blended into a creamy coconut milk base, sweetened with maple syrup, and spun into a vibrant, flavorful ice cream. Completely vegan, dairy free, paleo, nut free, and refined sugar free.
I'm back again with another Ninja Creami recipe and this one you'll want to save because you'll need it for my Gluten Free Neapolitan Ice Cream Sandwiches ;). Besides that, what's more refreshing than a sweet, fruity ice cream on hot summer days?! This creamy strawberry ice cream is healthier than store-bought ice creams, easier than custard based ice creams, and made with just a handful of ingredients.
Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream
- Allergy friendly: not only is this ice cream my typical gluten free and dairy free recipe, it is also completely vegan, paleo, and AIP friendly with no nuts, corn, or soy.
- Refined sugar free: we stick to the natural sweetness of strawberries and a splash of maple syrup for a healthy dessert!
- Just 4 ingredients: no cashews to soak, no pudding mix, no added flavorings, no artificial flavors. Made with simple ingredients, this ice cream is just real strawberries, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Peak strawberry flavor: we blend fresh strawberries right into the coconut milk base for ice cream that tastes like pure strawberry summer.
- High protein option: add a scoop of protein powder for a filling and nutritious treat.
- Health benefits: strawberries are loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and anti-oxidants and coconut milk brings the healthy fats for an ice cream that will make you feel good from the inside out.
Ingredients for Ninja Creami Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
- Strawberries: opt for fresh during peak season, but frozen work year-round. Either way, we are getting real strawberry flavor!
- Full fat coconut milk: you want to use full fat for a creamier ice cream that isn't icy.
- Maple syrup: refined sugar free sweetener that compliments the strawberries. Be sure to use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
- Vanilla extract
- Protein powder: this is optional, but I love to add a scoop of Sprout Living Pea Protein (use code LEMONSNLYME20 for 20% off) for a protein boost. It also makes the texture extra creamy! You can use your favorite plain protein. A vanilla or strawberry flavored one also works!
How to Make Ninja Creami Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
- Blend all ingredients together in a high speed blender until smooth.
- Pour ice cream base into a Ninja Creami pint container to the max fill line.
- Freeze the pint for 12-24 hours on a level surface.
- Before spinning, microwave the ice cream base for 30 seconds or run the outside under hot water for a minute.
- Add the pint to the Ninja Creami container and add the outer bowl lid. Place bowl assembly in the Ninja Creami.
- Spin on the lite ice cream setting. If the ice cream is chalky after the first spin, add a splash of milk and hit the re-spin function until you have the perfect texture.
- If adding mix-ins like chocolate chips or extra strawberries, skip the re-spin step and just add your add-ins then hit the mix-in button.
Substitutions and Variations
- Coconut milk: you can use another full fat milk (like full fat cashew milk) or use a mix of ¼ cup full fat dairy free yogurt with 1 cup milk of choice.
- Maple syrup: coconut sugar or agave will also work.
- Strawberries: this is a strawberry ice cream, but if strawberries aren't your jam, you can use another fruit. Try my blackberry ice cream or cherry ice cream.
- Lemon juice: I am not a citrus fan and don't believe it's needed for this recipe, but some people love the extra tang so feel free to add a little squeeze of lemon juice the ice cream base.
- Add-ins: swirl in strawberry jam for extra flavor after spinning or add dark chocolate as a mix in.
- Variations: make a strawberry shortcake version by adding gluten free graham cracker pieces as a mix-in. Make it a strawberry cheesecake ice cream by mixing in frozen cheesecake pieces or white chocolate chips along with graham crackers.
Fresh vs Frozen Strawberries — Which Should You Use?
- Fresh strawberries are best in summer peak season. They provide more vibrant color and flavor!
- Frozen strawberries work year-round, no need to thaw before blending.
- Pro tip: you can freeze fresh strawberries at peak season to use all year.
Ninja Creami Tips for the Creamiest Strawberry Ice Cream
- Use full fat coconut milk: this provides the creamiest outcome for vegan homemade ice cream. See substitutions section above for other options.
- Heat the base before spinning. I always suggest microwaving the frozen ice cream base for 30 seconds or running the outside under hot water for a minute or two to soften the ice cream base some for best results. This helps with ice crystals and the number of times you have to re-spin for a creamy texture.
- Don't overspin! It can be tempting to keep re-spinning your ice cream for an even smoother texture, but eventually it will be more like a milkshake. If you are new to the Ninja Creami ice cream machine, it might take a few tries before you learn just how many times to spin your ice cream mixture for the perfect scoopable texture. If adding mix-ins, no need to re-spin as the ice cream will get mixed again with the mix-in function.
- Add strawberries as a mix in: if you love texture in your ice cream, use the mix-in function to add extra strawberries to the ice cream
- Protein powder improves texture. The official Ninja Creami book recommends adding a tablespoon of cream cheese (or vegan cream cheese in this case) for the best outcome and many people online opt for pudding mix as a low calorie option. I don't find that you need either, but a scoop of protein works great if you decide to add it for making the texture extra creamy.
How to Store Leftover Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream
The ice cream base can be made and frozen up to 2 weeks in advance. Just note that longer freezing can lead to more ice crystals, so the pre-spin microwave step becomes even more important.
If you don't finish your vegan strawberry ice cream, smooth over the top of the pint and re-freeze any leftovers. You can re-spin the ice cream when ready to eat the rest, following the same directions as above. If you added mix-ins, these will get blended into the ice cream, so you may need to add more for the texture contrast!
FAQ
Yes, it is vegan as written!
Yes, it is paleo and AIP as written, just be sure to use an AIP compliant coconut milk.
It's best to use the lite ice cream setting for vegan ice creams made in the Ninja Creami machine.
You sure can! No need to thaw, just blend them into the base.
Yes, double the recipe and run it through a traditional ice cream maker.
Oh yeah! Turn this into a strawberry protein ice cream by adding a scoop of plain, strawberry, or vanilla protein powder to the ice cream base before blending.
More strawberries, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and gluten free graham crackers are all great options.
More Vegan Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes
If you try this Dairy Free Strawberry Ice Cream, please leave a rating and review below!
Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream (Vegan, Paleo)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries tops trimmed off
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1 scoop protein powder optional
Instructions
- If using fresh strawberries, cut the greens off the top. If using frozen, no need to thaw.
- Blend all the ingredients together in a high speed blender or food processor until smooth.
- Pour ice cream mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container to the max fill line, place storage lid on top, and freeze for 12-24 hours. Be sure the pint is sitting on a level surface in the freezer.
- Before spinning, microwave the ice cream base for 30 seconds or run the outside under hot water for a minute.
- Add the pint to the Ninja Creami container and add the outer bowl lid.
- Spin on the lite ice cream setting. If the ice cream is chalky after the first spin, add a splash of milk and re-spin until you have a creamy ice cream.
- Serve as is or skip the re-spin and add chocolate chips or other desired add-ins and use the mix-in setting.
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