Ninja Creami Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream (Refined Sugar Free)

If you've never had cinnamon ice cream then you need to try my Ninja Creami Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream! It's rich, creamy, and made with just 5 simple ingredients all while being completely dairy free, refined sugar free, and easily made high protein. If you've been sleeping on cinnamon as an ice cream flavor, this recipe is your wake-up call.

There's an ice cream shop in Denver, Colorado called Bonnie Brae Ice Cream that has a daily rotating list of a ton of different ice cream flavors, including several dairy free and vegan flavors. Since I don't eat dairy, I always just get whatever flavor is vegan and gluten free when I go there. One day the only available option was a vegan cinnamon ice cream. I thought that was weird and wasn't sure if I'd like it, but once I tasted it, I was in heaven! It had such great flavor. I've thought about that ice cream ever since and whenever I go back, I always hope it's vegan cinnamon ice cream day!

I knew I had to recreate that cinnamon ice cream recipe at home in my Ninja Creami machine and I'm so glad I did. Now I can have delicious, homemade vegan ice cream every night made from simple ingredients! I love how easy having a Ninja Creami makes life and I'm obsessed with creating new and delicious Ninja Creami recipes. It's definitely a personal favorite kitchen appliances that I use on the regular and would highly suggest getting your hands on.

Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream

• Plant based and allergy friendly: dairy free, gluten free, paleo, refined sugar free, and soy free. This ice cream is for everyone!
• 5 simple ingredients: no specialty items needed, no cream cheese, no fuss.
• Year-round flavor: cinnamon isn't just for fall! This ice cream works as a cozy winter treat and a surprising summer scoop. I promise you'll love it.
• High protein option: you can easily make this cinnamon ice cream high protein by adding a scoop of pea protein (or your favorite protein powder) for a filling and nutritious frozen treat.
• Health benefits galore: cinnamon is filled with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory benefits, and is great for blood sugar regulation. This is a dessert that actually does something good for you. See below for more!

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

This healthy ice cream recipe is made without refined sugar, without too much sweetener, and uses plenty of cinnamon, which is packed with health benefits! Cinnamon is one of the most well-researched spices in terms of health benefits:

• Great for cardiovascular health due to antioxidant polyphenols.
• Helps with blood sugar regulation, which means this ice cream actually helps slow the glucose spike you'd normally get from dessert.
• Rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds which combat oxidative stress and inflammation.

Ninja Creami Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream Ingredients

• Dairy free yogurt: I use coconut yogurt as the higher fat varieties produce the best texture, but any yogurt will do. This adds some fat, creaminess, and richness to the ice cream.
• Dairy free milk: opt for your favorite milk variety (coconut milk, oat milk, almond milk).
• Maple syrup: be sure to use pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup). It pairs so well with the cinnamon!
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon is considered one of the best varieties, but it's not always the easiest to find. I just use what my local grocery store is selling.
• Pea protein: although optional, it will boost the protein content of this dairy free ice cream recipe and helps with the texture. I find pea protein helps with a thick and creamy texture, but you can also use a tablespoon of cream cheese per Ninja Creami's recipe book. If you use my link, be sure to use code LEMONSNLYME20 for 20% off your order.

How to Make Ninja Creami Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream

1. Blend all of the ingredients together in a high-speed blender (or just whisk them!) then pour the ice cream base into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure it doesn't cross the max fill line. 
2. Let freeze overnight (12-24 hours minimum).
3. When ready to spin, add the Creami cup to the Ninja outer bowl and secure the lid.
4. Spin on the light ice cream setting.
5. Re-spin if needed until you have a creamy ice cream consistency.

Substitutions and Variations

• Dairy products: you can use dairy-free or dairy-full ingredients in this recipe. Go for Greek yogurt if you can handle dairy for more protein! You can sub out the yogurt and milk for full fat coconut milk instead.
• Milk: for an even richer flavor, use cashew milk for a cinnamon cashew ice cream.
• Yogurt: you can also use coconut cream in a pinch! Or heavy cream if you eat dairy.
• Maple syrup: sub the maple syrup for coconut sugar or ¼ cup of packed medjool dates. Just make sure to use a high-powered blender to blend all the ingredients together before freezing. This will add hints of caramel that pair perfectly with the cinnamon. You can also use brown sugar, but it will not be refined sugar free.
• Protein: I love pea protein for the texture, but your favorite protein powder will work. Use a vanilla protein powder to add a little more flavor and sweetness or a cinnamon roll protein powder for even stronger flavor.
• Cinnamon: this is a cinnamon based ice cream recipe, so there is no substitute here, but the amount of cinnamon you use is a personal preference. If you're not a huge cinnamon fan, use 1 teaspoon to start, taste and add more if desired. If you love cinnamon and want a super flavorful ice cream with strong cinnamon flavor, go for the full 2 tsp!
• Mix-ins: this ice cream would taste great with almond butter, cashew butter, or granola butter swirled in! See the What to Serve This With section below for more ideas!. 

Ninja Creami Tips

• Heat the base before spinning. I always suggest microwaving the frozen ice cream base for 30-45 seconds or running the outside under hot water for a minute or two to soften the ice cream base 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 creamy texture that still holds its scoop. If you prefer your ice cream to be more like the consistency of soft serve, then feel free to spin it an extra round!

How to Store Leftover Ninja Creami Cinnamon Ice Cream

If you don't finish your vegan cinnamon ice cream, smooth over the top of the ice cream in the Ninja creami container and re-freeze any leftovers. You can re-spin the ice cream when ready to eat the rest, following the same directions as above.

What to Serve This Ice Cream With

This ice cream is fantastic on its own, but it's even better served with extras:

• Serve over warm gluten free apple pie or pumpkin pie for the perfect fall dessert.
• Drizzle with my vegan caramel sauce for a cinnamon caramel sundae.
• Top with granola and a drizzle of nut butter for a protein-packed dessert bowl.
• Mix-in ideas: apple butter swirl, candied pecans, chocolate chips, graham cracker pieces
• Alongside one of my banana breads like my Gluten Free Banana Coffee Cake or Gluten Free Walnut Crumble Banana Bread

FAQ

More Ninja Creami Dairy-Free Ice Creams You'll Love!

My Base Ninja Creami Recipe is perfect for adding your favorite mix ins!

Want more year round flavors? Try my Ninja Creami Vegan Salted Caramel Ice Cream or Vegan Golden Milk Ice Cream

Winter and fall call for my Ninja Creami Vegan Orange Creamsicle or Ninja Creami Vegan Apple Crisp Ice Cream

In the summer, you have to make my Ninja Creami Vegan Blackberry Ice Cream or Ninja Creami Vegan Peach Crisp Ice Cream

If you try this recipe, let me know what you thought of cinnamon ice cream! Drop a rating and review below.