Must Your Ninja Creami Pints Freeze for 24 Hours? (2024)

Ninja Creami recommends freezing pints for at least 24 hours–but is it necessary?

Wondering if you really need to freeze your Ninja Creami pints for 24 hours? Let’s take a look.

Must Your Ninja Creami Pints Freeze for 24 Hours? (1)

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When you begin using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker, you’ll be amazed by the many varieties of homemade ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes, frozen yogurt, protein ice creams, and smoothie bowls you can make.

But one of the first things you’ll notice is that recipes call for chilling your Ninja Creami pint container full of ingredients for at least 24 hours.

But you might be wondering if that time frame is non-negotiable for achieving that coveted creamy consistency, or if it can be tweaked a little.

Let’s take a look at whether or not the 24 hour freeze time is actually necessary!

Do You Really Have to Freeze Ninja Creami Pints for 24 Hours?

The user manual of the Ninja Creami machine indicates that all pints should be frozen for 24 hours prior to spinning in the machine.

This is their recommendation regardless of the ingredients used or the type of creation you’re making.

But it may seem a little confusing, because the contents of the pint may technically be frozenprior tothe completion of 24 hours.

However, a full 24-hour freeze completely solidifies your base, ensuring the machine can spin it into a smooth, delectable treat.

Skipping this crucial step may lead to uneven textures, detracting from the indulgent experience you seek from your home-made dessert.

The whole premise of the Ninja Creami machine is that it operates differently than a traditional ice cream maker, which uses a churning process.

Instead of churning an ice cream base and then freezing it, the Ninja Creami ice cream mixture needs to basically be a frozen block.

The machine can then sort of “shave” the block into a really fine and creamy consistency.

Key Takeaways:

  • Freezing is crucial:It’s paramount that the base is completely frozen into a solid block for the Ninja Creami to work effectively.
  • Texture is key:The 24-hour freeze time results in smaller ice crystals and enhances the dessert’s creaminess. For the most creamy ice cream and smoothest sorbet, this matters! Otherwise, the texture may be more slushie-like.
  • Patience pays off:Respecting the full freezing time provides the best results!
Must Your Ninja Creami Pints Freeze for 24 Hours? (2)

Factors Influencing Your Freezing Time

Ingredient temperature, freezer settings, and pint size play a critical role in your Ninja Creami’s freezing time.

Temperature:Creating a base with colder ingredients can speed up the freezing process.

Ingredients: Some ingredients, such as sugar and alcohol, can lower the freezing point of your creation. For this reason, the longer freeze time is really important.

Freezer settings:Your freezer’s temperature setting may lead to quicker or slower freezing.

Pint size:A larger Ninja Creami Deluxe pint may occasionally need more than the recommended 24 hours to solidify perfectly.

Be sure to check your dessert’s readiness with a simple touch test – if it’s rock solid all throughout, you’re good to go!

There have been times when I’ve been short on time and have only frozen a base for around 20-22 hours, and it’s still been fully frozen and has worked well, likely because my freezer’s temperature.

Several peoplein the Ninja Creami community on Facebook report having success with even shorter time frames, especially with a really cold freezer and a colder temperature of ingredients used, etc.

Note: I’m not recommending you do the same, as you should follow the instructions set forth by the Ninja company.That’s why I always specify in my Ninja Creami recipes to freeze for at least 24 hours.

Because I know waiting 24 hours is hard, I recommend creating multiple bases at once, so you always have something ready and waiting in your freezer!

That’s why extra Ninja Creami pint containers are on my list of must-have Ninja Creami accessories.

Must Your Ninja Creami Pints Freeze for 24 Hours? (3)

Can My Pint Freeze for Longer than 24 Hours?

Yes, it’s totally fine if your frozen mixture stays in the freezer longer than 24 hours!

​The increased freeze time won’t affect your dessert.

However, leaving it in the freezer for several weeks or months could lead to freezer burn (which could affect the taste a little) or the base becoming a bit more dry.

So it’s best to use it within a few days to a couple of weeks after freezing.

What if My Ninja Creami Pint Freezes in a Dome Shape?

Sometimes your creation’s mixture freezes with a raised dome in the middle of the ice cream base. That’s okay!

The Ninja Creami can still process through that, and your ice cream will still have a nice, creamy texture.

Just be sure to fill your pint at or below the max fill line, which leaves some room for expansion at the top of the pint.

Then, after the first spin, it should be more level on top.

Must Your Ninja Creami Pints Freeze for 24 Hours? (4)

Maximizing Flavor and Texture in Your Frozen Creations

A fully frozen pint contributes significantly to the creaminess and taste of the dessert prepared with your Ninja Creami.

Patience is truly your key to unlocking an unforgettable Ninja Creami dessert experience!

Related Resources:

  • How to Add a Mix-In with the Ninja Creami
  • Ninja Creami Recipe Journal Printable

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Must Your Ninja Creami Pints Freeze for 24 Hours? (2024)

FAQs

Must Your Ninja Creami Pints Freeze for 24 Hours? ›

Freezing is crucial: It's paramount that the base is completely frozen into a solid block for the Ninja Creami to work effectively. Texture is key: The 24-hour freeze time results in smaller ice crystals and enhances the dessert's creaminess. For the most creamy ice cream and smoothest sorbet, this matters!

Do I have to freeze for 24 hours in Ninja Creami? ›

Freeze for at least 24 hours. Although the CREAMi tub may hit freezing temperatures before 24 hours is up, it will need to get even colder before it is ready for processing.

How long to freeze fruit for Ninja Creami? ›

Instructions
  1. Add your fruit, water, and sweetener to your Ninja CREAMI Pint.
  2. Freeze for 24 hours.
  3. Then take the CREAMi pint out of freezer and put it into the NINJA Creami Breeze.
  4. Run through the sorbet setting. Respin as needed. Serve immediately.
Aug 15, 2023

How come my ice cream won't freeze? ›

The first thing to look at is the recipe. Have you added too much sugar, salt or alcohol? They will lower the freezing point of the mixture. And too much of any of these ingredients could stop the ice cream freezing altogether.

How long does it take for cream to freeze? ›

Whipped cream freezes—and thaws—surprisingly well. Just drop mounds of it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze overnight. The next day, peel off the frozen whipped cream clouds and transfer them to a freezer bag or container for longer storage.

Why is my Ninja Creami not creamy? ›

After your first spin, sometimes you open it and find that your ice cream is crumbly or powdery. Don't stop now. Just add a tablespoon or two of liquid and spin on respin. If your ice cream has been in the freezer a long time or your freezer is extra cold, you may even have to repeat the respin several times.

How long does an ice cream maker need to freeze? ›

The freeze bowl must be completely frozen to make ice cream or frozen desserts. Place the bowl in the freezer for a minimum of 15 hours. It is best to store the freeze bowl at the back of the freezer where it is the coldest. The freeze bowl should be used immediately after removal from the freezer.

Why is my ice not freezing? ›

Step 1: Check the setting controls. To be sure your appliance is set to the appropriate temperature, check your appliance's control settings. However, if your freezer is cold but not freezing, it may be time to inspect the thermostat. Try changing the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting.

Why is the freezer not freezing? ›

Be sure to check the electrical outlet, thermostat and airflow around vents. Cooling problems can also be caused by dust on condenser coils, faulty gaskets, clearance space around the refrigerator, a broken or stuck condenser fan or a faulty circuit board.

How long does Ninja CREAMi take? ›

With that being said because the ingredients are already frozen, the CREAMi takes mere minutes to work its magic. It's ready in about five minutes, whereas most ice cream machines need about 15 or 20 minutes of churn time.

Can you over freeze ice cream? ›

Freezer burn doesn't necessarily ruin your ice cream, but it can impact the quality. The biggest difference between fresh and freezer burn ice cream is the texture. Once your ice cream has freezer burn, it loses the creamy consistency of fresh ice cream. Freezer burn can also alter the taste of your frozen treat.

Can you freeze cream twice? ›

The cream should whip, but unfortunately it may not loose all of its graininess and if it has been frozen once then it should not be re-frozen after whipping. You should however be able to use the cream in cooking as heat will usually help the fat molecules break down.

How long does it take to make ice cream in the Ninja Creami? ›

How long does it take Ninja Creami to make ice cream? Excluding prep and freezing time, the whole process of making ice cream takes about five minutes. When I add up the durations of the three programs I employed (ice cream, re-spin and + mix-in), it equates to four minutes.

How long does it take for milk to freeze? ›

It doesn't matter which type of milk you have. It takes 3 to 4 hours to freeze completely. For all milk types, pour milk into your desired container, leaving an inch or so of headspace to allow for expansion. (This does not apply if using ice cube trays.)

How long to let Ninja creami thaw? ›

After freezing the pints, it's important to thaw them for about 10-15 minutes before spinning and processing them in the Ninja Creamy.

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