Healthy Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)

If you've never had cinnamon ice cream then you need to try my Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream recipe made in the Ninja Creami machine. Rich and smooth, the cinnamon adds just enough flavor and kick!

There's an ice cream shop in Denver 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 and I'm so glad I did. Now I can have delicious, homemade vegan ice cream every night made from simple ingredients! My Ninja Creami Cinnamon Ice Cream recipe is easy to make with just 5 main ingredients. I love how easy having a Ninja Creami makes life and I'm obsessed with creating new and delicious Ninja Creami recipes. I have creamy, dreamy homemade ice cream in no time whenever I want. It's definitely a personal favorite kitchen appliances that I use on the regular.

I upgraded this cinnamon vegan ice cream recipe to be protein packed with a scoop of my favorite pea protein, but you can leave this out. This recipe is fully dairy free and gluten free, but you can always use dairy-full products if you tolerate them! Otherwise stick to dairy-free ingredients for a delicious vegan ice cream.

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 great for cardiovascular health.
• Cinnamon helps with blood sugar regulation, which can help with weight control.
• Cinnamon is rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream Ingredients

• Yogurt: I use Harmless Harvest 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.
• Milk: dairy or regular works!
• Maple syrup: the sweetener we will be using in this recipe. It pairs so well with the cinnamon!
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon: duh! 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 Vegan Cinnamon Ice Cream

It's super easy! 

1. Blend all 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. The next day, add the Creami cup to the Ninja per the directions.
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! You can sub out the yogurt and milk for full fat coconut milk, as well.
• 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 ¼ cup of 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.
• Protein: I love pea protein for the texture, but your favorite protein powder should work. Use a vanilla protein powder to add a little more flavor and sweetness.
• Cinnamon: this is a cinnamon based ice cream recipe, so there is no real 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 and strong cinnamon flavor, go for the full 2 tsp!
• Mix-ins: this ice cream would taste great with something like almond butter, cashew butter, or granola butter swirled in! Some other great mix-ins would be some chocolate chips or walnuts. 

Ninja Creami Tips

• Crumbly texture: a crumbly texture after the first spin is common and nothing to worry about. I handle this in two ways, first I microwave for 30 seconds or run the outside of the frozen Creami container under hot water for a couple minutes before spinning to soften the base some. If things are still crumbly after one spin, add a splash of milk and re-spin. It should be perfect then! On occasion, you may need to repeat this process.
• Storing leftovers: if you don't finish the pint, smooth over the top of your homemade cinnamon ice cream and re-freeze any leftovers. You can re-spin the ice cream when ready to eat the rest, following the same directions.

What to Serve This Ice Cream With

This ice cream fantastic on its own, but it would be delicious over a warm slice of apple pie or pumpkin pie for a fall dessert! I love eating this ice cream any time of year, but it is definitely a wonderful fall festive flavor.

More Ice Cream Recipes

Easy Dairy Free Vanilla Ice Cream (made in a regular ice cream maker)

My Base Ninja Creami Recipe

Ninja Creami Orange Creamsicle

Vegan Golden Milk Ice Cream