Ninja Creami Deluxe Review: Is It Worth the Hype?

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The Ninja Creami Deluxe is a kitchen gadget that promises to make dreamy frozen treats at home. This 11-in-1 ice cream and frozen treat maker is designed to help you create a wide range of frozen desserts, from ice cream and gelato to sorbet and frozen yogurt.

I’m usually pretty slow to jump on new trends, and usually I skip these kind of appliances altogether because it just ends up taking up precious space on my counter.

» Here are 5 Ninja Creami Recipes to Get You Started!

Ninja Creami Review
Ninja Creami Unboxing

When I was asked to review the Creami Deluxe I hesitated, but then gave in, because I love making ice cream and it seemed like fun.

In full disclosure, I was given this appliance in order to test it out and decide if I wanted to feature it on my site.

I received the newer version called the Creami Deluxe, which is said to have addressed some of the issues that users have had with the machine. I wasn’t aware of the issues from before, so I’m starting with a blank slate. I wanted to see for myself if this machine was worth the hype.

The machine comes with a variety of attachments, including two pint jars, a paddle for ice cream, a whisk for whipped cream, and a blade for blending frozen drinks. This enables you to make milkshakes, sorbet, slushies, ice cream, creamiccinos, and blended cocktails.

Some reviewers have praised the machine for its versatility and ease of use, while others have criticized it for being too complicated and time-consuming. One common complaint is that the machine requires you to freeze your ingredients for 24 hours before using it, which can be inconvenient for sure.

Okay, let’s give it a try!

ninja creami

(By the way, if you buy directly from Ninja, you get a 1-year warranty, free shipping, and 10% off when you sign up for email.)

What is the Ninja Creami Deluxe?

The Ninja Creami Deluxe is a countertop machine that allows you to make frozen treats at home. It is a newer small kitchen appliance manufactured by Ninja.

At this point, my whole kitchen is filled with Ninja products, from the blender to the Speedi, to the air fryer. I really like this brand because the products are well built, easy to use, and good quality for the money.

Features of the Ninja Creami Deluxe

The Ninja Creami Deluxe has several features that make it stand out among other home ice cream makers. Some of its features include:

  • Multiple programs for different frozen treat types (ice cream, milkshake, gelato, sorbet, slushy, etc)
  • Countdown timer to let you know when your frozen treat will be ready
  • Large capacity for making multiple servings at once, plus it comes with 2 pint jars.
  • Easy-to-clean design

How Does the Ninja Creami Deluxe Work?

The Ninja Creami Deluxe works by pre-freezing your liquid ice cream base for 24 hours before use. Once your base is frozen, you put the pint jar into the machine and select the program for the frozen treat you want to make.

The machine then churns the base until it reaches the desired consistency. The countdown timer let’s you know how long it will take. For instance, for a milkshake it takes 2 minutes.

Specifications

Some of the specifications of the Ninja Creami Deluxe include:

Dimensions12.01 in L x 8.42 in W x 16.69 in H
Weight14.44
Capacity1 pint at a time

(By the way, if you buy directly from Ninja, you get a 1-year warranty, free shipping, and 10% off when you sign up for email.)

My Opinion – Creami Review

Now the part that you’re probably here for. My actual opinion of the machine.

After having used it about two dozen times, I think I’m ready to make my assessment. Here are my top observations.

Pros:

  • It makes great ice cream and it’s really fast, both to make the base and to churn the ice cream – way faster than other methods.
  • There are quite a few fun things you can make – from ice cream to creamiccinos, to sorbet or frozen cocktails. The only thing I wouldn’t bother making in there is a milkshake.
  • You can churn half a pint at a time, if you want. So everyone can choose what add-ins they want. You can store leftover base for another day.

Cons:

  • You have to pre-freeze your base for 24 hours before use, sometimes I’m not that ahead of the game.
  • The results are not always smooth and creamy – sometimes the ice cream is crumbly and requires a re-churn.
  • The machine is pretty loud.
  • It’s heavy and a bit cumbersome. At 17″ tall, it doesn’t fit on any of my kitchen shelves.

At first, I really wasn’t sure if I’d like it. When I pulled it out of the box, it looked complicated. I couldn’t figure out how to detach the blending cup and I thought there was only one included pint. The manual seems overly complicated. But that all pretty much dissipated when I tried it the firs time.

It’s actually really easy to use and I’m pretty thrilled by how easy it is to make ice cream.

(By the way, if you buy directly from Ninja, you get a 1-year warranty, free shipping, and 10% off when you sign up for email.)

It’s Not That Complicated

I got it set up and was ready to make something pretty quickly. It really isn’t that complicated.

To remove the blending cup from the machine:

  1. Push a button on the left side of the machine to release the blending cup then slide it out of the track.
  2. Push the button on the lid to release it from the blending cup and take out the pint jar.

How to Make A Treat

First you have to make your recipe and pour it into the pint jar. Then you freeze it for 24 hours.

  • When you’re ready to make your treat, you take the pint jar out of the freezer. Slide it into the machine and lock it in.
  • You push a button to say if your cup is full or half full. If it’s half, you can either blend the top half of a full cup or blend what’s remaining at the bottom of a cup. This is useful for a) making two different flavors in one pint and b) remixing the leftovers you didn’t eat.
  • You scroll the dial to the program you want, like ice cream or sorbet. And you press go.
  • It takes about 2 minutes to mix.
  • You can then add in toppings and flavorings if you want. If you do add in flavors, you put it back in and press Add-In.

Two minutes later your frozen treat is ready. It’s pretty simple.

Vanilla ice cream in a dish.

It’s Really Fast at Making Ice Cream

Unlike my Cuisinart ice cream maker, the Ninja Creami Deluxe requires me to pre-freeze my ice cream mixture for 24 hours before use. At first, I thought this was going to be annoying. Then I remembered that I have to freeze the bowl of my ice cream maker 24 hours in advance. So that’s a wash.

At least this way the work is pre-loaded so the next day I just get to enjoy the ice cream.

Mixing a Recipe is Faster

chocolate ice cream base

I thought it might be difficult to make a recipe, but it was simple. All you have to do to make chocolate ice cream is microwave a dollop of cream cheese or 10 seconds, then whisk in cocoa, sugar and vanilla, then pour in milk and cream. It takes about 3 minutes to do. Then you pour it into the pint cup and freeze it.

Compare to my ice cream maker, this is way easier. I usually make this custard base for my ice cream which involves standing over a stove to heat the custard for at least 15 minutes, then tempering the eggs, which takes about 10 minutes. Then I have to cool down the mixture and put it in the refrigerator for a day, which takes another 24 hours.

Churning a Recipe is Faster

Ninja creami

When I’m ready to make the ice cream, all I have to do with the Ninja Creami is take the pint cup out of the freeze, lock it into the machine, and press a button. It takes 2 minutes to churn. Then I can add in things, and that takes another 2 minutes. That’s 4 minutes total to make a pretty decent ice cream.

With my ice cream maker, I have to pour the mixture into the bowl and let it churn for about 20 minutes. It takes about 5-10 minutes to scoop it out of the bowl and then I have to freeze it because it’s equivalent to soft serve at this point. That’s another couple of hours before I can enjoy it.

It Make Sorbet From Fruit

pineapple sorbet

One of the functions I really love is that you can make sorbet from fruit. I made a pineapple sorbet from just a can of pineapple. I dumped the fruit into the pint jar and froze it overnight.

The next day I churned it and it was so good!

This is brilliant because there’s absolutely no mixing at all. It took me all of 3 seconds to open the can and pour it in. Then it took 2 minutes to churn it. And it’s delicious.

It Makes Good Low-Carb/Low-Sugar Treats

If you’re not looking to consume a ton of sugar, then Ninja Creami is a great way to make low-carb and sugar treats that taste just like regular ice cream.

I was pretty impressed by the low sugar recipes. An easy vanilla ice cream recipe has just 1.6 net carbs and 177 calories. The great thing is that you can make the ice cream using almond milk or coconut milk instead of regular milk, then use a sugar substitute like allulose for sweetening. Once you’ve churned the ice cream, you can add any low-carb add-ins that you like.

It’s Good But Not Stellar

I don’t want to pretend that the ice cream made by the Creami is the same as the one I make in my regular ice cream maker. It’s not. The quality of the custard ice cream is better.

The first ice cream I made in my Creami resembled powdered ice cream. It was almost like snow and wouldn’t stick together. I had to re-spin it to make it creamy. But once it was re-spun it was fine. It tasted good and it held together when I scooped it.

It’s not like the custard base, but I didn’t expect it to be. For what it is – a very quickly made ice cream – it was exceptional. Then I had the option of adding in anything I wanted to change it up. Cool.

It’s Really Easy to Clean

ninja creami parts

This is a quick one. The parts are all removeable and they are very easy to clean. The slick surface of the parts makes it super easy to wash and dry.

There was one part that I didn’t love and that was the lid. When I removed it from the cup and set it upside down on the counter, I didn’t realize that the ice cream that was stuck to the blade would leak through. So I made a little puddle of melted ice cream on the counter.

Then I proceeded to drip it all over the floor as I carried it to the sink to be rinsed. Probably could have handled that better.

(By the way, if you buy directly from Ninja, you get a 1-year warranty, free shipping, and 10% off when you sign up for email.)

Design and Build Quality

Appearance

The Ninja Creami Deluxe has a sleek and modern appearance with a black and silver color scheme. The outer bowl, pint cup, and lids are made of plastic, while the paddle is made of metal. The display screen is located on the front of the machine and is easy to read, with clear buttons for selecting functions.

Dimensions

The Ninja Creami Deluxe measures 12.01 in L x 8.42 in W x 16.69 in H and weighs 14.4 pounds. If you can imagine that, it’s not exactly a compact machine and I’ve found that it can’t easily fit in a cabinet because it’s too tall, though it is slender and can fit on the countertop without taking up much space.

Ninja display

Performance

The Ninja Creami Deluxe is a versatile machine that can make a variety of frozen treats, but how well does it perform? In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the machine’s performance, including its ease of use, speed and efficiency, and noise level.

Ease of Use

Despite how you might feel when you first pull it from the box, The Ninja Creami Deluxe is relatively easy to use, with a straightforward interface that’s very intuitive.

The machine comes with a recipe book that includes a variety of recipes for ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and more. I was equally overwhelmed with the booklet because it had a lot of extraneous information upfront that made me feel like it was going to be hard to use. But it wasn’t. If I’d just taken it step by step from the start rather than reading ahead, it would have been fine.

Speed and Efficiency

The Ninja Creami Deluxe is a pretty powerful machine and it can churn out frozen treats quickly and efficiently – like in just 2 minutes! Once you lock in the blending cup and push the button, it starts up immediately and the blade descends into the frozen mixture. It makes quick work of it.

Noise Level

One of my biggest issues with the Creami is the amount of noise it makes. If you own another Ninja product, like the blender, you already know that they don’t make the quietest machines.

The first thing I made was a milkshake and it was so loud when I turned it on that I think my eyes popped out of the socket for a minute. I had to resist the urge to immediately turn it off because my husband was on a conference call upstairs and it sounded like a 747 was landing on the house.

Strangely, the noise level was not as high when I made the ice cream. And it was even noisier when I made a slushie. The machine gets louder the harder it works to churn thicker and denser frozen treats.

It’s Not Great For Everything

My overall conclusion of the Ninja Creami Deluxe is that it’s great, just not great for everything.

As I mentioned, the first thing I used it for was to make a chocolate milkshake. I did this because it didn’t require freezing the ingredients for 24 hours. I used store-bought ice cream and milk. It was insanely loud. And the milkshake wasn’t anything special. I could have made that in my blender and saved $250. I probably won’t be making any more milkshakes.

Ninja chocolate milkshake

Then I made a whole bunch of ice cream. And it was brilliant. I dialed in the recipe and made all kinds of fun things.

I now am able to make two pints of ice cream base in about 5 minutes and have them ready in the freezer for whenever I feel like it. I get one out whenever I want ice cream and when I have friends over. They can pick their own add ins and it’s ready in 2 minutes. It’s simply brilliant.

Another great party trick is making blended cocktails. I have margarita mix and daiquiri mix in the pint cups in the freezer. Pull them out and make instant blended cocktails for a party.

The things I feel it doesn’t do well at is milkshakes (because why?) and slushies (too slushy). It’s great for everything else.

Accessories

Included Accessories

The Ninja Creami Deluxe comes with some accessories to help you make your favorite frozen treats. The included accessories are:

  • Recipe book with tons of recipes
  • Quick start guide
  • 2 pint cups with lids

Cleaning and Maintenance

ninja creami parts

Cleaning the Ninja Creami Deluxe

Cleaning the Ninja Creami Deluxe is a breeze. The machine comes with a removable bowl and paddle. Simply remove the bowl and paddle and wash them with warm soapy water. The machine’s body can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. The bowl and paddle are also dishwasher safe.

It’s important to note that the bowl and paddle should be completely dry before using the machine again. Any residual moisture can affect the consistency of the frozen treats.

Maintaining the Ninja Creami Deluxe

Wipe the machine down after each use to prevent any build-up of ice cream or other frozen treats. It’s also important to periodically check the machine’s motor and other parts for any signs of wear and tear.

The machine’s instruction manual recommends using a food-grade silicone lubricant on the motor shaft to ensure smooth operation. It’s also recommended to periodically tighten any loose screws or bolts. I haven’t had to do any of that yet.

(By the way, if you buy directly from Ninja, you get a 1-year warranty, free shipping, and 10% off when you sign up for email.)

Now You Need A Few Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Ninja Creami Deluxe:

Is the Ninja Creami Deluxe worth it?

I think the Ninja Creami Deluxe is worth it if you like to experiment with making ice cream and sorbet with unconventional ingredients. It’s also a great option for those who want to make frozen drinks and smoothies.

However, it’s pretty expensive, so if you already have a blender and an ice cream maker, it’s really not a necessary extra appliance. It’s a novelty item, but it is super convenient for making treats.

What is the difference between the Ninja Creami and the Ninja Creami Deluxe?

The Ninja Creami Deluxe has more features than the original Ninja Creami, including an 11-in-1 function that allows you to make different types of frozen treats. It also has a larger capacity, allowing you to make more servings at once.

What are the advantages of the Ninja Creami Deluxe?

The #1 advantage of the Ninja Creami Deluxe is that you can make ice cream and sorbet really super quickly and it’s actually very good. It’s WAY quicker than using an ice cream maker.

Another advantage that I appreciate is that you can have ice cream bases stored in the freezer for whenever you want them and it takes just 2 minutes to mix it.

What are the major cons of the Ninja Creami Deluxe?

There are a few drawbacks to this machine. One is that it’s pretty expensive compared to a ice cream maker or a blender. But it does the work of both of those machines and more. It’s not a small appliance and it’s too tall to fit in most cabinets. Also, it’s very loud.

How much ice cream/drinks can you make?

The machine comes with 2 pint cups. So you can make a total of 1 quart of ice cream in two separate cups. It will take 4 minutes – two per cup. That’s a total of 32 ounces of liquid, which equates to 4 8-ounce slushie drinks or blended cocktails.

Conclusion

Overall, the Ninja Creami Deluxe is a great option for those who want to experiment with making different types of frozen treats. It has a large capacity and is easy to use and clean. However, it may not be ideal for those with small kitchens or those looking for a more affordable option.

While I firmly believe that the Creami is a novelty appliance, I also really enjoy using it and find it quite fun. I’m actually really impressed with how fast it is to make things, even if it’s crazy noisy while doing so.

Overall, the Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Frozen Treat Maker is a great investment for those who love making their own frozen treats and are willing to pay a higher price point for a versatile and easy-to-use machine.

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ninja creami review

10 thoughts on “Ninja Creami Deluxe Review: Is It Worth the Hype?

  1. Ru says:

    one of the best reviews I have read so far, so intricately detailed. Thank you heaps for your time and take, will be buying!!

    • Leslie Scarlett says:

      One of the biggest problem we’ve had with ours is that you really cannot get it fully clean. There is stuff stuck up in the piston/rod that we are unable to get to, and we are scared that mold is being mixed into the ice cream every time we use it.

  2. Gina says:

    I just ordered one tonight! The biggest draw was the slushy so not thrilled about what you experienced! Also looking forward to low carb high protein treats to try and eat healthy!

    • Karen says:

      Is the ice cream icy using this method? To achieve a normal ice cream texture, does it always need to be double churned?

      • Laura says:

        It’s not icy, more like powdery. You don’t have to respin it at all, just wait a few minutes for it to warm up a bit and then it’s like regular ice cream. Respinning is simple though. It just takes 2 minutes.

  3. Mike Murray says:

    I enjoyed your review but I’m still considering the purchase.
    In my mind, I’m a food scientist. ((You don’t know me; that’s a joke.)
    My question is: have you tried your custard recipe in the machine?

    I want to make Blueberries ‘N Cream ice cream since Baskin-Robbins doesn’t sell it anymore. I like experimenting with food and recipes and wonder how the Creami will hold up under experimentation.

    Thanks for your detailed review.

    • Laura says:

      I haven’t yet tried the custard recipe in the machine, but I will do it this weekend and report back. I have some blueberries in the fridge! There is a custard recipe in the Creami booklet too that’s slightly different than mine, but it is possible.

  4. Tyson says:

    I’d say a major advantage is you can make much healthier ice creams in the machine with an actually creamy texture, these recipes won’t work in normal ice cream machines. also you can make your custard base in the creami machine as well it’s great.. I never make their no cook cream cheese recipe in the manual.

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