So, ninja creami banana pudding ice cream. Ever dreamed about turning your favorite southern dessert into a cold, creamy treat at home—without churning like a mad scientist? I was hunting for something indulgent but easy. The store-bought stuff just wasn’t cutting it. I fell headfirst into the whole homemade ice cream scene using my Ninja Creami. Once I found a few genius protein-packed ideas and even tried a wild cottage cheese blend, I knew banana pudding was next. And, friend, this one tastes like summer picnic nostalgia.
Table of Contents
Ninja Creami Banana Pudding Ice Cream
- Total Time: 480 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and nostalgic twist on classic banana pudding transformed into creamy ice cream using the Ninja Creami.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant banana pudding mix
- 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Optional: pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
- Mix the mashed bananas with sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract, and instant banana pudding mix until creamy.
- Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container.
- Freeze for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
- Once frozen, place the pint in the Ninja Creami and select the ‘ice cream’ or ‘gelato’ setting.
- After the first spin, create a hole in the middle and add crushed vanilla wafers and additional banana slices if desired.
- Press the ‘mix-in’ button to blend everything together.
Notes
Use spotty, ripe bananas for the best sweetness and flavor. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free vanilla wafers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: banana pudding, ice cream, Ninja Creami, dessert, summer treat
Ninja Creami Prep Tips:
Okay, confession: first time I wrestled with my Ninja Creami, I was low-key nervous. It looks fancy, yeah, but don’t sweat it. Set that pint container out where you can see it. Honestly, I like to put down a towel because I spill… a lot. Make sure your bananas are a little spotty—super ripe is the goal. They’re sweeter, which is important. Chill ingredients before mixing. Like, fridge-cold. Not room temp, not sauna-warm after a Texas summer day. That makes the ice cream smoother. Be patient with freezing time. Overnight is best (waiting stinks, but it works).
I sometimes prep mix-ins (crushed vanilla wafers, banana slices) ahead so I can toss them in at the end. Oh, and check your machine’s settings. Each batch of ice cream is a bit of an experiment. You’ll get the hang of it, I promise!
What ingredients do you need for Ninja Creami Banana Pudding Ice Cream?
Here’s where things get basic, but I swear, don’t skip or swap the banana. You’ll need:
- Bananas (like I said, soft and spotty)
- Sweetened condensed milk—this makes it rich and sweet, trust me
- Heavy cream and milk (I go half and half for balance)
- Instant banana pudding mix (the secret move)
- Vanilla wafers (crushed, for mix-ins and topping)
- A splash of pure vanilla extract
- Optional: pinch of salt to balance the sweet
Don’t use pudding that needs cooking. I tried, it was a disaster. Keep it simple, keep it indulgent.
“This recipe brought back my grandma’s banana pudding, but in ice cream form! The Ninja Creami made it so easy I felt like a kitchen wizard.” – Jess L., actual internet friend
How do you make Ninja Creami Banana Pudding Ice Cream?
Making this feels more like assembling than hard-core cooking. Mash the bananas until smooth. Mix them up with sweetened condensed milk, cream, milk, a little vanilla, and the dry pudding mix. Whisk until everything’s creamy—no weird lumps.
Pour it in your Ninja Creami pint container. Freeze it solid. Minimum eight hours, but seriously, overnight is better or you’ll end up with sad slush.
When ready, pop it in your Creami, use the ‘ice cream’ or ‘gelato’ setting, and let the magic happen. After first spin, carve out a hole in the middle and pour in crushed vanilla wafers, maybe more banana slices. Hit “mix-in.” That’s the moment it turns into pure nostalgia in a bowl.
Want more simple flavor ideas? Check out this classic vanilla Creami recipe too—perfect for riffing off what you already love.
Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Ninja Creami Banana Pudding Ice Cream
Ran out of heavy cream? Been there. You can use whole milk, but the texture will be lighter—think less rich, but still delish. Almond or oat milk works if you’re into dairy-free, but again… expect some ice crystals.
Don’t have banana pudding mix? Use vanilla (it’s almost as good), but toss in an extra half-banana to keep the flavor big.
Feel free to add a swirl of peanut butter if you’re wild. Because honestly, banana and peanut butter ice cream is five-star stuff. Want protein? Mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder. For more creative hybrids, dig into these Ninja Creami protein recipes.
One more thing—if you like a stronger banana presence (who doesn’t), add one or two extra slices right before spinning for a punch of flavor.
Gluten-Free Option for Ninja Creami Banana Pudding Ice Cream:
Nobody should have to skip dessert, gluten or no gluten. For a totally safe batch, grab gluten-free vanilla wafers. Loads of brands make them now—Whole Foods, Walmart, everyone. The rest of the ingredients are usually already gluten free, but triple-check your pudding packet just in case.
If you’re sensitive to cross-contamination, clean the Creami container and paddle real good. Honestly, the difference in taste is barely noticeable. Some gluten-free cookies are just as crunchy, promise.
What happens when your Ninja Creami Ice Cream is crumbly?
Don’t panic. Mine’s been like crumbly snow more times than I can count. That just means it needs a splash (one or two tablespoons) of milk. Put it back in the Creami and re-spin. Usually does the trick.
If it’s still weird, maybe your freezer’s too cold or you’re using low-fat milk. Keep trying. My motto? The second spin is always the charm.
“Mine looked weird after churning—dry and powdery! But I added a splash of milk and hit respin. Total save. Don’t quit early!” – Ben T.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with extra crushed vanilla wafers for that “aha!” moment.
- Dollop a little whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy.
- Add freshly sliced bananas on top for double banana goodness.
Or sneak a little peanut butter swirl in there. Why not?
Common Questions
Do I have to freeze it overnight?
Ideally, yes. Eight hours minimum gets you smooth ice cream. Any less and it won’t blend right in your Creami.
Can I use overripe, almost brown bananas?
Absolutely. They’re sweeter and give more flavor, so let your bananas get soft and spotted.
How do I store leftovers?
Smooth your ice cream out in the pint, pop the lid back on, and stash it in the freezer. If it gets too hard later, just respin with a splash of milk.
Can I double the recipe?
You can, but do it in separate pints. Each Creami pint container is made for a single batch, so don’t overfill or it gets messy.
What’s the best way to add mix-ins?
After the first spin, dig a hole in the center of the frozen ice cream. Drop your crushed cookies or fruit in there. Then hit that “mix-in” button.
Give This Banana Dream a Whirl!
So there you have it—pretty much all you need for killer ninja creami banana pudding ice cream. If you want to branch out, check out this genius Ninja Creami Banana Pudding Ice Cream recipe by The Tasty Travelers or explore more simple frozen yogurt ninja creami recipes for even more easy treats. Don’t overthink it. Make a mess, taste as you go, and don’t be afraid to get creative. Trust me, your kitchen is about to get a lot more awesome.
