If you love creamy, homemade ice cream but want something simple, this Ninja Creami banana ice cream is a recipe you must try. With just 3 main ingredients—ripe bananas, sweetened condensed milk, and cream—you can make a dessert that tastes just like it came from an Italian gelato shop.
This ice cream is naturally rich, smooth, and slightly chewy. The banana brings natural sweetness, while condensed milk and cream give it a luxurious texture. You can also add a little vanilla, a pinch of salt, or even a touch of cinnamon to boost the flavor.
What’s great about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can make it lactose-free, low FODMAP, or even try vegan swaps with plant-based condensed milk and cream. The Ninja Creami makes the process effortless—you just freeze your mixture in the tub and let the machine do the magic.
Why Banana Works Perfectly in the Ninja Creami
- They add natural sweetness without needing lots of sugar.
- They create a silky, creamy texture once frozen and spun.
- You don’t need to blend them beforehand. You can simply mash them or add chopped bananas straight into the tub.
You can use both fresh bananas or store-bought frozen bananas (just defrost first). Each gives a slightly different flavor—ripe mashed bananas taste more classic, while frozen bananas may have a light citrusy tang if treated with ascorbic acid.
The ripeness of your bananas also changes the sweetness level. Riper bananas are sweeter, while less ripe bananas will make your ice cream less sweet. For the best balance, use bananas that are ripe but not overly soft.
Substitution Options
- Lactose-free version – use lactose-free cream and condensed milk.
- Low FODMAP version – use lactose-free products with Ladyfinger (sugar) bananas.
- Homemade lactose-free condensed milk – if you can’t find ready-made, you can add lactase drops to regular condensed milk 1–2 days before making your ice cream.
- Vegan option – try vegan condensed milk and vegan cream.
- Other sweeteners – you can test maple syrup or agave instead of condensed milk for a lighter texture.
Tips & Tricks
- Texture improvement: Sweetened condensed milk is one of the best liquid sweeteners for Ninja Creami ice cream. It helps keep the mixture smooth and scoopable.
- Experiment with bananas: Adjust the ripeness of bananas to change flavor intensity.
- Storage tip: Keep leftovers in the Ninja Creami tub with the lid on. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping again.
- Extra spins: If the ice cream feels too crumbly after the first spin, simply press “Re-spin” for a smoother texture.
Ninja Creami Banana Ice Cream
Description
A quick and creamy Ninja Creami banana ice cream made with only 3 ingredients. Smooth, rich, and naturally sweet, it’s the perfect frozen treat you can customize with vanilla, salt, or cinnamon.
Duration
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Freeze Time: 16–24 hours
- Process Time: 5 minutes
- Total: ~1 day
Ingredients (for 1 × 470ml tub)
- 250g ripe banana, chopped or mashed (fresh or defrosted frozen)
- 200g thickened cream (35% fat)
- 75g sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
Optional
- 1 dash vanilla paste or extract
- 1 small pinch fine salt
Instructions
- Place banana, cream, and condensed milk into your Ninja Creami tub. Add optional vanilla or salt if using. Mix well.
- Freeze the tub without the lid for 16–24 hours.
- Process in the Ninja Creami on the Ice Cream setting. If needed, press Re-spin for a creamier result.
- Store leftovers in the tub with the lid on. Let it soften slightly before scooping again.
