A bowl of pumpkin ice cream made in the Ninja CREAMi
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Ninja CREAMi Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

This Ninja CREAMi pumpkin ice cream recipe let’s you enjoy one of autumn’s favorite flavors all year ’round! Real ingredients, like canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spices, milk, and cream come together in a creamy, delicious dessert.

What you’ll love about this recipe:


  • CUSTOMIZABLE – As written, this pumpkin spice ice cream is already low carb and sugar-free, but with a substitution or two, you could make a vegan, dairy free, or protein-packed version. See the “Customize” section below the recipe card for these variations.
  • HEALTHY – This recipe uses fresh, organic canned pumpkin, low carb sweetener, heavy cream and milk—no processed creamers, protein shakes, or boxed flavorings. Just real ingredients.
  • VERSATILE – One of the things I love most about this recipe is that it makes a great base for other delicious desserts and recipes. Try using leftovers (or blend up an extra pint!) in milkshakes, frappes, and blended coffees.
Text reads "Ninja CREAMi healthy pumpkin ice cream" above a bowl of pumpkin ice cream

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What you’ll need

You just need the usual kitchen equipment to make healthy pumpkin ice cream in the Ninja CREAMi. Gather the following beforehand to make this recipe come together fast.

Although I use a Ninja CREAMi Deluxe machine, the recipe below gives measurements for both the classic Ninja CREAMi, as well as the Deluxe.

Handy tip: Make extra!

If you can’t get enough pumpkin spice, make an extra pint. This ice cream is delicious in a milkshake, frappe, and creamiccino. (Recipes coming soon!)

Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients & Swaps

Here’s what you need to make Ninja CREAMi pumpkin ice cream, along with some suggestions for substitutions. Don’t forget to see the “Customize” section below the recipe card for tips on making a dairy-free, vegan, or protein-packed version.

Small bowls and glasses containing the ingredients for Ninja CREAMi pumpkin ice cream---canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, milk, sweetener, and vanilla extract

Pumpkin I used organic, canned pumpkin for this recipe, which is what I recommend. There are many different brands, so there is some variation in the flavor. Use your favorite. And yes, fresh pumpkin could be used once it’s cooked, but that adds a couple hours cooking and cooling time.

Heavy Cream Heavy cream really gives the recipe body and creaminess, and is my preferred thickener. Coconut milk or coconut cream could be substituted for it, though. You could also use your favorite creamer, but the ice cream may come out a bit softer, depending on the creamer ingredients.

Milk There are all kinds of “milks” out there, so use your favorite. I have made this recipe with half-n-half, almond milk, and a plant-based milk, and it’s come out delicious every time. The consistency will vary depending on the milk you use.

A bowl of pumpkin ice cream made in the Ninja CREAMi

Sweetener I only use low carb, sugar-free sweeteners, but you could use regular cane sugar in this recipe. Use your favorite, but you may need to adjust the amount, since all sweeteners have varying sweetness levels. You shouldn’t need to adjust more than a tablespoon.

Maple extract I love maple extract for the warm, sweet flavor it adds to recipes, but it can be hard to find. Feel free to use vanilla extract in its place or leave it out altogether.

Maple syrup doesn’t work very well as a substitute. The flavor isn’t as intense, so you would need much more in the recipe which significantly changes the consistency of the ice cream. You could use it as a topping, however, when you serve it.

Spices I use a pumpkin pie spice blend for convenience, but you could make your own blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and cardamom.

How to Make Ninja CREAMi Pumpkin Ice Cream

A glass bowl with pumpkin spice being whisked into milk

Whisk all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

Pumpkin ice cream base poured into the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker container

Pour the pumpkin pie ice cream mix into a Ninja CREAMi Deluxe pint container. Don’t go above the SCOOPABLE MAX FILL line on the side of the container.

Pumpkin pie ice cream base frozen in a container sitting in front of the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe ice cream maker

Put the container in the freezer for 24 hours. Once frozen, let the container sit on the counter for 15-30 minutes before blending.

An ice cream scoop scooping up some pumpkin ice cream from a Ninja CREAMi container

Install the bowl on the machine. Select FULL and LITE Ice Cream and blend. Scoop and enjoy!

A bowl of Ninja CREAMi pumpkin ice cream

Ninja CREAMi Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

Yield: 3
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Freeze Time: 1 day
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This Ninja CREAMi pumpkin spice ice cream blends canned pumpkin, milk and cream, and traditional pumpkin pie seasoning to make a creamy pumpkin ice cream that tastes just like pumkin pie. Make extra for a milkshake or blended coffee!

Ingredients

Ninja CREAMi Deluxe

  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 TBSP sweetener
  • 1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1.5 tsp maple extract (optional)

Ninja CREAMi Classic Machine

  • 2/3 cup canned pumpkin
  • 2/3 cup milk or creamer
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 TBSP sweetener
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp maple extract (optional)

Instructions

    1. To prepare the ice cream base, place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk until the sweetener is dissolved and the spices are evenly mixed in.

    2. Pour the mixture into the CREAMi pint, making sure it doesn't go over the MAX FILL line, then put the lid on it. Place the pint in the freezer, making sure it's level. Freeze for 24 hours.

    3. Take the pint from the freezer, remove the lid, and place it in the outer bowl. Install the paddle in the lid and attach lid to the outer bowl.

    4. Plug in the Ninja CREAMi unit and install the bowl on the base. Press the power button, select FULL, and then LITE ICE CREAM setting. Press the button to begin blending.

    5. When the unit shuts off, remove the bowl from the base and remove the lid. If the ice cream is crumbly, you can add a TBSP of milk, then reattach the lid and install the bowl on the base again. Select RE-SPIN.

    6. Once the ice cream is at the right consistency, you can serve immediately or add mix-ins or toppings of your choice.

Nutrition panel for Ninja CREAMi pumpkin ice cream recipe

Customize Your Ninja CREAMi Pumpkin Ice Cream

Here’s how to make a dairy-free version of the Ninja CREAMi pumpkin spice ice cream. The substitutions are 1:1.

  • use any plant-based milk for the regular milk
  • use coconut milk or cream for the heavy cream

To make this Ninja CREAMi pumpkin pie ice cream vegan, follow these substitutions. Again, the substitutions are 1:1.

  • use any plant-based milk for the regular milk
  • use coconut milk or cream for the heavy cream

To make this Ninja CREAMi pumpkin ice cream protein-packed, here are my suggestions.

  • add 2-3 scoops of your favorite protein powder to the recipe
  • make sure it is completely dissolved in the milk before adding to the other ingredients
  • unflavored is best, but vanilla works great too

I don’t use protein shakes because they usually have lots of added ingredients that I don’t consider particularly healthy. They are also mostly dairy-based, which I often avoid.

Text reads "Ninja CREAMi pumpkin ice cream recipes" above a bowl of pumpkin ice cream

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