I am a sweet treat person through and through. After I eat dinner, I need something sweet — it just makes my life a little better. So, when I started to hear everyone rave about this buzzy kitchen appliance called the Ninja CREAMi that makes ice cream, sorbet, smoothies and more in minutes, I knew I needed to get my hands on it.
The Ninja CREAMi has transformed my nightly sweet treats as it creates delicious and creamy concoctions (the name doesn’t lie!). I’m fully on board, and here’s why I think you should be, too.
Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker, $185
What sets the Ninja CREAMi apart from other ice cream makers is that it can turn almost anything into ice cream or sorbet — you don’t need any special mixes or ingredients to make it work. And it gives you total control to customize the ingredients that you put in it. (People with dietary restrictions and allergies love it for this reason!) Simply select “Ice Cream,” “Sorbet,” “Lite Ice Cream,” “Smoothie,” “Gelato” or “Milkshake,” and it will transform your ingredients right in front of your eyes.
I was super excited to get my hands on the CREAMi, and right after it showed up at my door, I set out to use it immediately. I put a serving of Clean Simple Eats protein powder and a cup of Fairlife chocolate milk in the included bowl and let it freeze. Later that night, I put my frozen concoction in the machine and hit the “Lite Ice Cream” button. Four minutes later, I was shocked at how creamy and delicious my “ice cream” was. And after that moment, I was hooked.
While I do think there is a bit of a learning curve with the CREAMi, it is 100% worth it. The machine is pretty loud — I would not run it super early in the morning — and you do have to remember to freeze your ingredients before you use it. (I have a super small freezer, so I can’t store more than one bowl at a time.) I will also say that the containers only hold one or two servings, so it won’t make enough for the whole family.
I usually mix up a batch the night before so it’s ready to go the next day, but sometimes I do it in the morning, making sure to give it at least eight hours to freeze. I also find it helpful to let the ingredients thaw for about 10 minutes before putting them in the machine.
You get two containers and lids with the machine, and they’re machine washable, as is the paddle and outer bowl. (Just make sure to put them in the top rack.) And it’s really easy to come up with new flavors to try. I’ve been perfecting a caramel toffee recipe and want to try to recreate a Dole Whip next.
With nearly 3,900 five-star ratings on Amazon, I’m clearly not the only fan of the CREAMi. Reviewers call it “INCREDIBLE”, “worth the money” and a “game changer.”
So, if you’ve been debating if the CREAMi is worth the hype, this is your sign that it absolutely is — and you need to add it to your kitchen ASAP. Even if you think you don’t need any more appliances, this one will enhance your life and make it better (and tastier).
